Poll: It is almost impossible for a translator to adjust their rates with tax raises and inflation. Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "It is almost impossible for a translator to adjust their rates with tax raises and inflation.".
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I have been translating for over 30 years. For a good while, I used to raise my rates at the beginning of each year untiI one of the many crises (can’t remember which one) happened. A few years later, we had the Covid-19 pandemic with all its effects on societies and economies. Then, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Now, we have all the hype around the AI. This being said, I haven’t touched the rates I apply to my long-standing customers since 2016 when I last raised them. For some time, I... See more I have been translating for over 30 years. For a good while, I used to raise my rates at the beginning of each year untiI one of the many crises (can’t remember which one) happened. A few years later, we had the Covid-19 pandemic with all its effects on societies and economies. Then, the conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Now, we have all the hype around the AI. This being said, I haven’t touched the rates I apply to my long-standing customers since 2016 when I last raised them. For some time, I applied either a higher rate or a per project rate to my new clients, but the trend is to go down, not up. So, the right time to ask for a raise seems a long way off. ▲ Collapse
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Unable to raise my rates, I tried and it worked until 2018, after that I received a few simple messages:
you can lower your rate or your workload will be reduced
Result: I reduced my rates in some cases.
And this is really frustrating, since I have been working as a translator (as many of you) for over 20 years.
| | | | expressisverbis
Portugal
Local time: 23:58
Member (2015)
English to Portuguese
+ ...
Many industries, if not a large majority, adjust their prices/rates to reflect economic changes.
Translators should be no exception. If other sectors increase prices to accommodate inflation, it’s logical for translators to do the same. Clients should be aware of this!
Unfortunately, this is not the case.
The translation industry is very 'unloved' in many ways!
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| Boy, I wish not being able to raise my rates was my problem | 14:47 |
My billing is WAY down
Clients are just disappearing, with AI the apparent culprit
All my contacts in Spain are reporting the same thing
Raise my rates?
After 20 years as a translator, doing very well, I'll be happy if I have a job in 12 months
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