Getting Paid as a Freelancer

Different translators use different methods to make sure that they get paid and while there are some methods that might be better than others, there isn't a single best way to make sure you get the money you deserve. Below are some payment options I've used in the past and continue to use, depending on the circumstances.

1) Payment by SWIFT - If you're not sure what SWIFT is, it is a "co-operative organization dedicated to the promotion and development of standardized global interactivity for financial transactions" or in other words, an international standard way for someone to deposit money directly into your banking account. You give the person you're routing number and account number, and they deposit the money into the account. One client that I currently work with pays me this way. I do really small jobs for him and after so many of these jobs add up (usually at the end of the year), he deposits the correct amount into the account.

Pros
The money is directly deposited into my account
Works well for international payees

Cons
The bank usually charges a certain amount to accept the payment (Some people might be wary of giving out there bank account number to someone they don't know -- I have a good working relationship with this customer and have never had a problem, but I wouldn't want to use this for every client I have.)

2) Paypal - Probably the most common way that I get paid for translations is using Paypal. There are some great services that they offer, including the ability to send and track invoices. I've used it many times and it has become so common among those online, that most people aren't wary of submitting payments to you through their service. There are other websites like Paypal that offer the same types of services (Moneybookers is one, I believe), but in my experience, Paypal is so popular that it helps set people at ease when they pay you. I've found that most of my one-time clients use Paypal over anything else and is one of the easiest ways of getting paid as a freelancer.

Pros
Easy to bill clients and send out invoices
Clients can pay without even having a Paypal account
Popular service that most people feel comfortable using
Doubles as a checking/savings account

Cons
Paypal takes out a percentage of the total amount for processing fees

3) Check in the Mail - This method of getting paid as a freelancer is surprisingly used fairly often, but I've found that it is used more for the bigger clients. For example, I have a contract with a public library to translate things for them when the need comes up. Because they are paying me with money from a grant, the paperwork involved demands that they actually cut me a check for every translation and then mail it to me.

Pros
Check comes straight to my address

Cons
Still have to deposit the check to my account
Always worried about mail theft (especially for larger amounts)

These are just some of the methods that I've used in the past for getting paid as a freelancer, and like I said before, there are many other ways that are fine. The important thing I've found is to understand the circumstances surrounding the client you're billing and bill the right way. For example, if someone contacts me out of the blue requesting a translation for a birth certificate or school grade report, and I've never worked with them before, I will almost always use Paypal. However, if a corporate client contacts me and we sign contracts and I feel more comfortable working with them, I am more willing to take payment by check or other method.

Should I Get Paid Before or After the Translation?

One of the most common questions I get regarding getting paid as a freelancer is whether or not a translator should do the translation first and then request payment, or request payment up front and then do the translation once payment is received.

Believe it when I say that everyone has an opinion on this, so if you don't agree, that's fine. However, what I've found in my years as a freelance translator is that most people understand the potential for a freelancer to get ripped off, and will understand if you request payment up front. That being said, some people feel that if they pay you up front, then they have the potential of getting ripped off by not getting the translation delivered. And I can understand that. I just had a friend get ripped off by an unscrupulous contractor who took their money to do some home remodeling and then decided to declare bankruptcy and take off with the money, leaving them with nothing. So I understand that people are wary of parting with their money without having received the product.

So what's the best solution?

Once again I don't think there is a best solution for getting paid as a freelancer, but there is a solution that I've found works for me. If the job is small, such as a translation of a birth or marriage certificate, I will usually do the translation because it doesn't take that much time. After the translation is done, I will put a watermark on the translated certificate. This is usually just consists of the words "www.spanish-translation-help.com" lightly printed diagonally across the page. Since I'm using desktop publishing software, this is pretty simple to do. Then I email a copy of the certificate to the person who requested it, along with an invoice for the appropriate amount, stating that as soon as I receive payment, I will send (electronically or otherwise) the translated document without the watermark. This seems to work pretty well, and I've never gotten stiffed using this method.

Obviously not every translation you do will be able to have a watermark put on it, either because the translation is a short paragraph of text that someone could easily copy if they saw the text, or for other reasons. In that case, I would request the payment up front. If someone really wants the translation, they will pay for it and you can deliver the translation. The one translation I never got paid for was one I did that was just a list of words (slogan, etc) for an advertisement. The translation was pretty short so I did it quickly, sent it off to the guy, and then sent an invoice by email for about $10. He never paid me. Luckily I was out only $10 so it wasn't anything to cry over, but if it had been a large amount, I would have been in a serious bind. For that reason, I will always either use a watermark on a translation, or request payment up front from clients that I have never worked with before.

Hopefully, that answers some questions that you might have as a beginning freelance translator who is looking to make sure you get paid as a freelancer for the work you do.Try out one or some of these methods to see what works best for you and most of all don't be afraid to be paid. Someone is requesting your help for a translation and you have the right to get paid for that. If a potential client demands that you do the translation and then he/she will pay you, don't be afraid to not take them on as a client. You don't deserve to get ripped off.