1 Linguist, 3 Questions with Anna Lycett

4 Jan 2013 | 1 Comment | posted by Megan Onions | in 1 Linguist, 3 Questions, Colleagues

After a break from the 1 Linguist, 3 Questions series , I’m pleased to welcome Anna Lycett as my interviewee today.

Here are her answers:

If you could change one thing about your freelance translation career up to this point, what would it be?

I really don’t like it when some clients show a lack of respect for my time and effort, e.g. by not answering questions regarding project specification or acknowledging receipt of my work. If I am not clear on project requirements and I don’t get answers to my questions, how can I meet a deadline? On the one hand, people say that when you freelance, you can pick and choose who you work for. On the other, when times are a bit lean, in my experience this certainly is not the case!

What is the best piece of advice that you have been given by a fellow translator, or about business in general? 

There have been a few great pieces of advice that several wonderful people gave me and they could be summed up as follows: Don’t leave things to the last minute. Don’t give up in quiet times. Learn from your and other people’s mistakes. Oh, and have a good professional etiquette. If you don’t, the word will spread quickly and hit you right back. Luckily, I don’t think this has ever happened to me yet and I hope it never will.

If you weren’t working in the language services industry, what would you be doing?

I’m not sure but I’d probably build on my career in the online marketing industry (although my niche was language services anyway, just of a different kind!) or I’d start something afresh, maybe in journalism or art.

Thanks, Anna!

Freelancing under the name KeyCheck Translation, translator between English and Polish (MA), philosopher (BA), online marketer (4 years) and blogger. Born in Warsaw, Poland and living in Leeds, UK. Specialising in marketing and SEO-translations, business, tourism, correspondence and art. In private time mother of one and wife of another one, photographer, crocheter, due to an injury no longer a traditional archer and martial artist.

Website: keychecktranslation.com 

Twitter: @keycheck_t9n