Sarah Silva - Translator & Marketing Coach
This Freelance Insights interview features translator and marketing coach Sarah Silva.
I first came across Sarah when I heard her interviewed on the Marketing Tips for Translators podcast in 2019. The direct marketing tips she shared were fresh and gave me lots of ideas for how to do things differently in marketing my translation business.
Sarah runs a 12-week course called Direct Marketing Live that will guide you through all the steps to run a direct marketing campaign, and she’s currently got a waiting list open via her website.
Sarah provides a free, practical guide called ‘Direct Marketing in 5 Easy Steps’, which she follows up with weekly emails containing marketing tips and inspiration. The material has been designed with translators in mind, but it is applicable for all freelancers. You can get hold of Sarah’s guide by clicking the button further down this page.
How do you describe what you do for work?
I’m a German-to-English chemical translator. I tend to work with companies in the paints and coatings industry, food and beverage, and for manufacturers and research institutes that have a focus on chemistry. I occasionally write as well, and now I also offer coaching to translators in a group format to help them with their direct marketing campaigns.
What's your favourite thing about working freelance?
The flexibility. When I worked for other people, I didn’t like having to follow their decisions if I didn’t agree with them. Now I have children as well, so it’s a lot more flexible and I can pick them up from school. I can also work from somewhere else if I want to and travel a bit so long as I can be contacted. Working freelance also allows me to see more of my husband, who works different hours.
Where do you usually work from?
I’ve got a dedicated office at home. When we bought the house, I decided straight away that the downstairs bedroom was going to be my office! I rarely work from anywhere else because everything’s already set up. I’ve got my PC and all my reference materials around me. I thought about travelling to an office to separate work from home, but it just takes up a bit too much time.
What does a normal working day look like for you?
I do the school run in the morning, and then I’m usually working between nine and three. I’m part of a writing group, so the first hour is like a writing power hour. We meet on Zoom and all have different projects of our own to complete within that hour. The rest of the day is dedicated to client work until the school run. I generally finish then unless I have a few emails to catch up on afterwards.
What one tip would you give other freelancers about running a freelance business?
I would recommend outsourcing, not necessarily the service you provide but all the other things. When we start out, we want to do everything ourselves. Now, as well as my accountant and proofreader, I have someone who does my admin and someone who takes care of my website for me. It’s so nice not to have to do everything yourself and, especially if you’re restricted with time, it helps.
Free resource
Sarah is offering readers a practical guide entitled ‘Direct Marketing in 5 Easy Steps’, plus weekly emails with marketing tips and inspiration. If you’d like to access the marketing guide, click on the button below and provide your name and email address.