It’s an amazing experience to communicate with amy_zw, so do the Clients who have chosen her service. amy_zw knows how to grasp the client’s requirement and show her talent, as well as how to promote herself to increase business opportunities. It’s not long after she became our VIP translator, but she’s already a star on Elanso. Now let’s share the experience from amy_zw.

Elanso: You have a full-time job, why would you like to be a Translator? For the money?

amy_zw: In fact, I don't believe those who regard the job of translation purely as another source of income can stick to the job for several years, since it’s a job with high pressure, not only from timing, but also from clients’ expectation on our professionalism. Perhaps that’s partially personal and psychological pressure. After all, every one requires themselves with different standards.

Maybe it seems unnatural if somebody says they regard translation as a job they love, but it is not an overstatement that I treat translation as something artistic.

I always remember what my mentor said in the graduation ceremony, “use your English everyday, just like using your toothbrush. It will be your close friend for a lifetime.” Very pertinent comparison, English is an indispensable part of my life.

I major in English with International Business as a second degree. Therefore, deep down in my heart, I want to change things around me to something more international, with my limited energy, and add one more channel for foreign countries know more about China.

Elanso: Do you think that any one who knows English can be a Translator？
amy_zw: Two requirements are basic for translators or interpreters: 1. Understanding English Language well; 2. Know how to well communicate with different target audience.

Elanso: How’s your first translation job? Have you got payment?
amy_zw: It was a proofreading task done in my university dorm 7 years ago, which took me around two days. Surely that was paid but not much.

Elanso: How do you feel about a project after years of experience as a Translator? Anything different from your first project?
amy_zw: Now I am relatively relaxing when receiving a new task.

But I was a bit nervous in the beginning, worried that I may not live up to client’s standards.

Elanso: Have you ever stayed up a whole night to complete a project? How’s the feeling?
amy_zw: Of course it’s unavoidable to work overnight as a translator. There are many assignments with tight schedule as well as strict criteria, and usually used for important purpose.

But it’s an inexpressible feeling hearing nothing but fingers dancing on the keyboard. With several years’ practice, while doing the translation, I can be very calm even at night with a sole purpose of getting it done as well as possible, no matter how hard it is, for which I would admire myself sometimes.

Elanso: What’s the “tough” Client like? Have you completed the project? How’s the paymemt?
amy_zw: I think if you have communicated clearly in the first place, clients themselves will not have too many questions or concerns. What they expect is only satisfactory works.

I get used to look for problems from myself. I believe I have excellent communication skills. However, that some clients can’t define their assignment clearly is headache somehow.

Elanso: What’s the “nice” Client like? What’s the project you are not ?
amy_zw: I like clients in media, finance, auto, IT, website or business documents (e.g. PPT), which can give full play to my strength and working experience, and is also interesting from time to time. However, no matter what kind of assignment, I will treat them equally and seriously.

Translating contracts, in my opinion, require more expertise and being meticulous.

Elanso: Have you ever been required to modify your translation? How did you deal with it?
amy_zw: Listen to their opinions, and communicate with them my thoughts as a professional translator. Of course, clients will make the final decisions. But there are many cases they are persuaded by me~

Elanso: We heard that you undertake projects from many channels, what’s the percentage of Elanso projects among all your projects? What are the other channels? Do you worry about your payment from other channels?
amy_zw: Currently, one third of my orders are gotten from Elanso. And I plan to attract more of them to the platform in future.

I think Elanso is not only a great community for translators, but also guarantee of interest for translators as well as quality for clients.

There are many sources if you intend to promote yourself on a regular basis. Usually, I am active in various online communities, especially those related to translation. I will write them down when I discover new and quality platforms, and communicate with English fans and potential customers. Moreover, I will competent enough to recommend myself to corporate clients if there is any chance, to pave the way for future cooperation. In fact, many clients come to me gradually from these channels and clients do respect my professional expertise.

Elanso: How do the Elanso Clients contact you?

amy_zw: Mostly from MSN and QQ

Elanso: Are you often online? What’s the percentage of successful deals?

amy_zw: I will be online in the regular working time, so that it’s easy for client to get in touch with me. Successful deals account for more than half due to part-time availability, but I would like to give a hand to my old clients upon urgent occasions, since I know it’s not easy for them to find a reliable translator immediately and guarantee trustworthy quality.

Elanso: You have undertaken 10 projects on Elanso, why did the Clients choose you in your opinion?
amy_zw: 1. They may notice my VIP sign, which for them symbolizes high quality;

2. My experiences in this domain;

3. I believe my university is another indication of professionalism in language.

Elanso: You have become a VIP after your trial period, what helps you make the decision so fast?
amy_zw: I realize the high traffic and values of the platform in terms of marketing for myself and good return on my initial investment.

Elanso: Besides a successful Translator, you are also an active volunteer on Elanso Translation Community, would you please tell us how many Articles you have translated, and how many comments you have given to other’s Articles? What’s the relationship between your activities on Elanso Translation Community and Translation projects?
amy_zw: I have joined Elanso for almost one month. So far, I have translated 13 pieces of articles and feedback on 74 articles.

I believe frequent interaction and exchange with other peers can further refine language skills.

I have commented on each article with pertinent and hopefully helpful perspective for the translator.

Besides, I will try to comment in English and translate articles with certain level of difficulty or focusing in several fields such as finance, marketing, pets, for others to comments.

Last but not least, I hope to encounter some foreign clients on the Elanso platform, and further develop my potentials.

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We appreciate amy_zw’s time for the interview, which should be a good instruction to other Translators. Wish you get more projects on Elanso!

If anyone would like share with us your story as a translator, please email to our Customer Service!