Poll: Which is the main benefit of working with direct clients? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Which is the main benefit of working with direct clients?".
View the poll results »
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 17:14
Spanish to English
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Although I suppose higher rates may be the main benefit, the fact of not having to jump through the hoops when working with agencies was the first thing that sprang to mind for me.
| | | | | Higher rates | Feb 10, 2025 |
I have three direct clients and they have been with me for some time. They pay better rates but some have very bureaucratic and long payment procedures.
| | | | Lingua 5B 
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Local time: 17:14
English to French
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Money as the first benefit. The others are shorter project cycles, immediate and detailed feedback, there’s much more depending on the project.
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Daryo
Local time: 16:14
Serbian to English
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| Not playing an expensive game of Chinese whispers | Feb 10, 2025 |
Shortest version:
Dealing with the people who really need the translation, not with middlemen only interested in extracting as much as possible from both parties and playing a game of Chinese whispers - and you paying for the privilege through lower rates.
| | | | Toby Wakely
Spain
Local time: 17:14
Spanish to English
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| More references | Feb 10, 2025 |
On different occasions, I have received new clients due to recommendations from other direct clients I have, so word of mouth is an advantage. In my experience, this very rarely happens with agencies, which are not interested in promoting your work to others.
Aside from the financial aspect there tends to be a more personal connection with direct clients, whereas agencies may treat you like just one more, easily replaceable, cog in the machine.
| | | | Kay Denney
France
Local time: 17:14
French to English
My direct clients pay nearly double what agencies pay me. They all pay almost immediately, some even pay before getting my bill.
They can be more demanding, but since I don't have to go through a middleman I get to ask more questions and I can do a better job because I find out more about what they need and why. They come back with more questions afterwards, and I can explain, and sometimes we'll work together to find other solutions. They learn to trust me and I learn more about w... See more My direct clients pay nearly double what agencies pay me. They all pay almost immediately, some even pay before getting my bill.
They can be more demanding, but since I don't have to go through a middleman I get to ask more questions and I can do a better job because I find out more about what they need and why. They come back with more questions afterwards, and I can explain, and sometimes we'll work together to find other solutions. They learn to trust me and I learn more about what their work entails. It's a win-win situation.
They have no idea how much work is involved, but they trust me, they don't haggle or nitpick and they are all unfailingly pleasant, and they are all truly grateful when I apparently work a miracle and manage to meet their deadlines.
And as a final cherry on top, my musician clients invite me to concerts and my artist clients invite me to exhibitions, I love it. ▲ Collapse
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