The ATA Chronicle - January/February 2021 - 29

BP
simple, easy to complete, and
doesn't go into lots of detail. I
let the client provide as much
or as little information as
they feel comfortable in the
" How can I help you? " field.

2

Ask for initial
information only

and leave the lengthier
conversation for your
follow-up message. A
contact form allows you to
gather pertinent information
about your client. But again,
your form should be easy to
complete. A no-brainer.
Once you have an idea
of the potential project or

Figure 2
Sample Website Contact Form

assignment your client has
in mind, you can follow up

easier process for the client

working! This very simple

Europe offer their WhatsApp

by sharing a little about your

and for you!

question can help you plan

number because the app tends

your marketing strategy for

to be so widely used there and

years to come.

many people feel comfortable

services and experience, as

Of course, you can include

well as your availability. At the

as many or as few questions

same time, you can request

as you like, as well as a

additional information from

place for clients to upload

the client that you'll need to

documents. I personally don't

either prepare a proposal or

use the document upload

decline the project if it doesn't

option because I don't want

seem like a good fit.

sensitive files to be sent

Or, if you really want to

through my website contact

make an impression, you can

form, especially with current

offer to schedule a discovery

privacy laws. But this is a

call to see if what you provide

decision that you should

fits what they're looking for.

make for your own business.

Include a link to your open

One item I always tell fellow

appointments by using a

translators and interpreters to

service like Calendly or Acuity.

add to their contact form as a

This shows the client that

required piece of information

you're a serious professional

is something like " How did

while giving you additional

you hear about my services? "

time to do some research
about their organization or
background before you meet.

3

Make it work for you!
Be sure to include a

This helps you easily track
where your new clients come
from. Did they find you
through a referral? Did they
come across your website after
conducting an online search?

section on your form that

Did they find your name in

clients can complete with

a professional directory?

more information about the

These are all possible options

project up front. This can

when searching for service

help reduce some of the

providers, and it's important

back-and-forth email later.

to know how clients find you

Again, fewer steps equal an

so you build upon what's

www.ata-chronicle.online

Finally, I think it's

communicating this way.

important to meet clients

Whatever contact methods

where they are. If you know

you decide to utilize on your

your clients prefer to talk over

website, make sure one of

the phone than via email, then

them is a contact form. The

include your phone number

easier it is for potential clients

on the contact page. I've even

to reach out to you, the more

seen some translators in

likely it is they will!

Madalena Sánchez Zampaulo, CT is
ATA president-elect and chairs the Governance
and Communications Committee. She is the
owner of Accessible Translation Solutions
and a Spanish>English and ATA-certified
Portuguese>English translator. She served as chair of ATA's
Membership Committee (2018-2020), Public Relations Committee
(2014-2018), and administrator of ATA's Medical Division (2011-
2015). She has a BA in Spanish from the University of Southern
Mississippi and an MA in Spanish from the University of Louisville.
She is also a consultant for the University of Louisville Graduate
Certificate in Translation. You can read more of her articles on
her blog at www.madalenazampaulo.com/blog.
madalena@accessibletranslations.com
" Business Practices " will alternate in this space with " The Entrepreneurial
Linguist. " This column is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or
other business advice. Each individual or company should make its own
independent business decisions and consult its own legal, financial,
or other advisors as appropriate. The views expressed here are not
necessarily those of ATA or its Board of Directors.
American Translators Association

29
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