Poll: How often do you receive small, minimum charge jobs? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "How often do you receive small, minimum charge jobs?".
This poll was originally submitted by Helen Portefaix. View the poll results »
| | | | EvaVer (X) 
Local time: 02:11
Czech to French
+ ...
| I am sent such jobs quite often | May 31, 2017 |
but I seldom accept them these days.
| | | | Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 02:11
English to German
| I do them for good repeat customers ... | May 31, 2017 |
... who usually send big(ger) jobs, to build up customer loyalty. Good customers know and appreciate that bite-size jobs are a favour to them. All others don't deserve them.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 02:11
Spanish to English
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| A few times a month | May 31, 2017 |
For example, this morning I had 2 short texts from a long-standing client, each containing fewer than 200 words. However, this particular client sends me larger volumes of text every month, so I charge for it all, except for the odd thing which I might do as a freebie.
Last night an academic client sent me a brief email to translate, and I didn't even count the words, and I probably won't charge her for it either, as she will probably send me a larger translation in the near future.
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Like Ricki, I'll squeeze in the odd teeny weeny job as a 'freebie' for regular customers who give me a decent amount of work. It makes sense since it creates goodwill.
For other customers, I don't even think about accommodating rush or minimum charge jobs. The paperwork alone is such a pain and doesn't warrant accepting these kinds of jobs in the first place.
| | | | | Define "minimum charge" | May 31, 2017 |
Different people have very different ideas of a minimum-charge job. I set my minimum at 300 words' worth to get rid of assignments that take more time to invoice than to translate. I never intended to live off such jobs, but to my surprise, one of my big clients recently started to send me one of these almost every day, sometimes even two, which makes up 1-2% of my workload but maybe 10% of my earnings - who am I to object?
| | | | | A few times a month | May 31, 2017 |
I translate quite often short texts (meeting agendas, website updates, email messages…) for three long-standing customers (a direct client and two translation agencies). If they send me more work during the month I will charge by the number of words, otherwise I will charge my minimum fee.
| | | | | Confused dot com | May 31, 2017 |
Not sure why anyone would pass on the opportunity to get paid an hour for 5-15 mins of work...
Quids in, like. Bring it on.
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Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 02:11
English to German
We should have another poll for what people's minimum rate is. Equivalent to 1/4 hour? 1/2 hour? 1 hour? x words, for x=?
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Ricki Farn wrote:
We should have another poll for what people's minimum rate is. Equivalent to 1/4 hour? 1/2 hour? 1 hour? x words, for x=?
Mine is one hour (about 300-350 words). If it's more than 45 mins of work it's enough to be worth the trouble; if it's less I get free money. Billing and admin for a job amount to all of three minutes max.
And I never agree to a reduced minimum.
I think 5 words is the record.
| | | | Mario Freitas
Brazil
Local time: 22:11
Member (2014)
English to Portuguese
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| Many, but only for regular clients | Jun 1, 2017 |
I receive many of these. Some of them are so short, I don't even charge for them.
There are several situations when a regular client needs a little help. Why make them go through the trouble of opening a new PO and everything for a few words. Be professional. Be nice.
Now small jobs from non-regular or new potential clients are something else. I always give an excuse for things like less than 20 bucks.
[Edited at 2017-06-01 00:56 GMT]
| | | | Muriel Vasconcellos (X)
United States
Local time: 17:11
Spanish to English
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I don't have to face this problem very often. I'm not as clever as Chris, who says he can do the admin work for a job in 3 minutes. That's the part I like least about my work and it's the first thing I think of first when I'm offered a very short job. I typically don't accept anything that pays less than US$ 50.00. If the client is willing to pay that minimum, then I'll accept the job.
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Kay Denney
France
Local time: 02:11
French to English
I often do little blobs, for good customers only. I usually add it all up and charge at the end of the month. They make a welcome change sometimes when I'm slogging away at a long text.
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