16 years in business as a freelance linguist
What has changed in my 16 years as a solopreneur?
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16 years in business as a freelance linguist
28 Feb
What has changed in my 16 years as a solopreneur?
Today marks my 16th year in business. I first went freelance in 2008, after several years of working as an in-house translator within an international organisation.
Time has certainly flown, but a lot has changed since I first sat down at my home office desk on a grey February morning in 2008, having left my secure(ish) in-house translation job.
When I began my business, I was keen for more diverse opportunities and projects. I wanted to use my relevant experience to work with a broader range of clients, and to expand into new and related services such as editing and proofreading.
I’m sure that version of me would have felt proud to have made it to 16 years as a professional translator, and now also editor. The translation industry has changed enormously since 2008, of course.
Things that have not changed since I went freelance:
❌ I’m still deliberate in my approach to my business planning.
❌ I still love what I do, helping my clients communicate fluently across cultures.
❌ I still love language(s) and fervently believe in the power of words.
❌ It’s still just me here – I wear all the hats in my business (except for accountancy, which I gratefully delegate to an excellent accountant).
Things that have changed since I went freelance:
✅ Most of my work is no longer in legal translation. I decided a few years ago that I wanted to move into doing more of the work I enjoy most. For me, that's international development, policy and education.
✅ I’ve discovered my niche. Within the international development and charities sector, food security, food policy and food systems are the sub-specialisms that fascinate me most. These are the subject areas that I read about endlessly.
✅ I now have two children who are growing up far too fast and who challenge me every day (in good and bad ways).
✅I’m more sociable. I’ve joined accountability, networking and marketing groups. I also take part in regular translation revision clubs with colleagues, and I’m much more proactive about getting out to events. This is great progress for a self-professed introvert.
✅ I’m more knowledgeable – I’ve done more CPD than ever before. Most of that CPD has focused on deepening my understanding of and expertise in my specialist fields.
✅ I have started doing actual marketing. It feels hard to believe now, but back in 2008 my unstructured marketing strategy can be best described as ‘wishful’ and under the radar. It mainly consisted of occasionally sending my CV to translation agencies. These days, of course, we know that's no longer enough.
✅ I’m now also a copy-editor and developmental editor. I have taken multiple training courses through the CIEP to get formal accreditation in this service, and editing now makes up at least 40-50% of my workload.
✅ I now also offer plain English services. Having done editing work for a few years, I’ve branched out into plain English editing and writing (and translation!) services.
What has changed in your business since you first started?
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Hi, I’m Philippa and I’m a translator and copy-editor.
I take Spanish, French and Portuguese (and English!) content and transform it into snappy and 100% engaging English.
I love to bring clarity to other people's writing and helping to share it with the world.
I love to work with people who are making the world a better place.
Why not book a call with me to see how I can help you.
Philippa Hammond https://www.philippahammond.net
