Hello dear reader, this post might appear to be something right out of your childhood moral science classes, but trust me for I have been in the translation industry for many years- the principles mentioned below work! Moreover, how do you think the world has come so far? Certainly not by dishonest means, dishonest efforts may prove to be a shortcut to good business, but you better be good enough in the first place to keep getting good business. Working with a few solid principles would ensure that you win the trust of your clients and they keep coming back to you, as well as refer new clients. My personal checklist follows-
- Be a master of your advertised language pair(s). The learning process never stops, so even if you think you are a master, keep working on your languages in a disciplined fashion to ensure that you remain an expert.
- Take translation projects in fields you are knowledgeable about. If you get an English to French translation project involving a medical journal, and you are a Professional English to French translator but don’t know anything about medicine, don’t take the project. Don’t take up anything that lies outside the area of your expertise.
- Protect your client’s interests – As a professional language translation services provider. I have frequently come across information that the client would prefer to keep secret. And that is what I do for my clients. No questions asked. Of course this does not cover protecting illegal activities! So always review every project in detail before taking it up, and make sure you avoid shady clients.
- Clarify all matter related to the translation project, right at the beginning. This includes your side as well your client’s. The elements include the language translation project requirements, format, delivery time, charges, payment modes and conditions, among others.
- Never over-promise, nor under-deliver. Whether it is doing translation work that does not lie within the area of your expertise, or taking up much more than you can deliver in the promised time or within established quality requirements.
Just a few pointers and you needn’t be a saint to fulfill them 
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