So you’re interested in making extra cash? How about doing something you enjoy and getting paid for it? You could become a freelance translator and get paid to chat with native English speakers! You could also start your own English‐language YouTube channel and get paid to talk about anime or gaming! There’s a side gig for everyone. Keep reading for more information on how to make money speaking English online.
Create A Blog
The first and most important step in becoming a freelancer is to establish yourself as an expert in your field. You can do this through the use of a blog. A blog is a type of website that is built around content updates regularly published on the subject matter covered by the blog owner. These days, it is easy to create a blog in any niche, and the profits can be significant!
If you’re looking to make extra cash online, you should consider creating a blog around an area of expertise you have. For example, if you are a fluent speaker of Japanese, you could establish a blog around the Japanese language or culture. Your blog can cover anything from Japanese language learning tips to anime reviews. The choice is completely up to you!
Once you’ve got your blog up and running, start building your audience. The best strategy here is to engage with your readers by regularly publishing engaging content that is both entertaining and informative. In addition to building an audience, you can use your blog to establish yourself as an authoritative voice in your chosen area of expertise. When other bloggers and journalists cover your topic, you can point them to your blog for more information!
Find An Agency
Once you’ve got your audience built, it’s time to look for work. While you don’t have to be a professional journalist to establish yourself as a reputable translation agency, it certainly helps. The best way to find work is by contacting native English speakers who need someone to talk to in their native language. You can find these job openings by conducting a quick search on UpWork, Freelancer.com, or Amazon MT. If you’re running a business, use a freelancing app like Clickworker, HireMe, or Upwork to connect with potential clients.
Once you’ve got a pool of potential clients, filter out the ones that aren’t a good fit. You can do this by administering a short interview to see if they’re a good fit for your agency. During the interview, ask them about their project and get a feel for their communication style. Do they seem like they’ll be able to work with you? Are they easy to get along with or do they have a lot of demands?
Once you’ve found a good fit, it’s time to negotiate the terms of the contract. Try to work with individuals or small businesses who are interested in purchasing low‐volume translations. Remember: you’re getting paid per piece, so you’re better off going for quality over quantity.
Choose Your Niche
If you’ve chosen your niche, it’s time to dive into the topic. The best way to make money online as a freelance translator is to build a portfolio of work you’ve done for other businesses and brands. You can use your blog to establish your authority in your chosen field and then use your portfolio to prove it. You want to make sure you’ve got a good selection of samples you can show potential clients. If you’re looking for a new client, include a link to your blog in your email or application.
Set A Budget
With any type of side gig you take on, budget is extremely important. You’re going to need to set a budget and stick to it. There are plenty of freelance translations out there that don’t cost much to complete, but there are also a lot that cost a lot. You need to set a price point that makes you feel comfortable.
When it comes to budgeting, you need to ask yourself, “Does my product or service cost more?” or “Does it provide more value?” If you go with the product approach, your pricing should be based on how much your time is worth and how much you’re comfortable charging. You can use resources like Cost‐to‐Complete to come up with a ballpark price for freelance translations. Once you’ve got a price point in mind, you can begin looking for work. Remember: you set the price, you decide how much you’re going to get paid!