Rebuilding My Client Base: Round Two!

Nourhane Atmani
Nov 6, 2024
5 min read

As a freelancer building a steady client base is key to achieving professional stability. Establishing mutual trust with clients takes time, effort, and dedication—but it's essential for lasting partnerships and consistent work.

Landing in Ottawa was a reality check, a fresh start in every sense. All the networking, all the client connections I’d spent years building, felt like they’d evaporated the moment I stepped onto Canadian soil. Despite the achievements I had back in Algeria and the bits of Canadian work I’d managed remotely, I was now a newcomer, with no established presence here, no reputation, and no familiar faces to rely on (or so I thought).

Breaking into the Industry - Round One

Unlike many would believe, I didn't kick off my career directly in interpreting. Instead, I started by taking on low-paying assignments as a rookie translator, fresh out of college with a B.A. degree and no idea how to put it to good use.

My primary goal was to get my name out there. During this time, I took on a full-time job as an editor for an international online magazine to help raise my profile. It was there that I learned the value of networking, the importance of social media platforms like LinkedIn and Instagram, and how to cultivate a public image!

Although you don't need to physically put your name out there, leaving a trace is important for you to get recognition for your work or services. I took notes and learned from whomever I could.

My first-ever client was a PhD student seeking help to translate his 20-page article from Arabic to English. Thanks to a referral from my former translation professor, who kindly offered to review my work for free, I was given the opportunity. I dedicated six days, working day and night with little sleep, to ensure the article was perfect before delivering it to my professor (it felt like I was being graded all over again!).

Fortunately, my efforts exceeded expectations. That first client began spreading the word about my services, and I’m proud to say that this PhD student—now a professor—remains my client to this day, six years later.

Keep reading for interpreter training resources, and remote work platforms.

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And then what?

I continued following the same consistent path of small-paying jobs, for about a year and a half, while finishing my M.A. in Conference interpreting, and interning as a Translator. The latter helped me expand my network even more, and learned not to be too shy about providing my services whenever I could.

One day, I was able to get a remote assignment and partnered with my now forever booth mate, and went in head first. it definitely did not go as well as we would have expected, and after four hours, both me and my boothmate went to sleep dizzy and with an insane migraine.

It's safe to say that it was smooth sailing afterwards. Made easier by integrating the Hot Sauce Interpreters groups (shoutout Mike Lemay for giving me a push forward !) I have met a number of AMAZING interpreters, who gave me invaluable advice, and insight and helped me make my way around.

If you can learn one thing from this, is that networking is key. After spending years in the industry and learning how to manage it in one side of the continent, i found myself uprooted, shut down everything, moved across the globe and now have to start all over again.

Technically not all over, but I felt a pretty heavy push backwards, took fifty steps back if you may, and was wondering for a little too long: how on earth am I going to do all that again?

Rebuilding from Scratch - Round Two

So, where did I begin? By putting the same principles I’d learned years ago into practice. I reactivated my online presence, polished my profiles, and made it a point to join local interpreting groups and organizations. It was time to reintroduce myself—this time, to the Canadian market. I took on every opportunity to make connections, reached out to experienced interpreters I had previously worked with, attended online networking events whenever possible, and rejoined LinkedIn with renewed focus.

Starting over in Canada meant adapting to a new culture and pace. I had to be more proactive and build relationships with Canadian clients, colleagues, and agencies. I rediscovered the importance of building relationships. Everyone I would meet, would now become a small part of my -hopefully- big network.

I cannot say I was able to quickly and immediately regain my previous home reputation, because I did not. I am still in square one, a step up from zero, and a long way to go. But if I have done it before, with little to none to go on, I can definitely do it again with a million and one opportunities at hand.

Starting over has shown me that every professional journey is a process of growth and adaptation. No matter how far you are in your career. Building the latter takes time, but rebuilding it teaches you invaluable lessons of flexibility, patience, and courage to keep pushing forward.

So, if you find yourself starting from scratch or taking a detour, or maybe not going as fast as everyone else around you, remember that every small step matters, and every one of them brings you closer to where you want to be.

Each challenge is part of the journey that only adds depth and interesting plot to the chapters of your story.

Top Platforms for Remote Translation and Interpreting Jobs

If you're interested in remote translation or interpreting work, these trusted platforms offer opportunities to work from anywhere. Here’s a quick overview:

360 SMART LINGO – A platform providing translation, interpretation, and localization services. Great for experienced freelancers.
GLOBO – Offers on-demand translation and interpretation for businesses and government. Ideal for steady contract work.
LanguageLine Solutions – A leading provider of language services, connecting interpreters and translators with diverse clients globally.
Language Services Associates (LSA) – Provides interpretation and translation solutions for healthcare, legal, and government sectors. Known for remote interpreter roles.
MCIS Language Solutions – A nonprofit offering services in translation and interpretation. Also provides training programs to boost your credentials.
Propio Language Services – A language service company specializing in remote interpretation for medical and educational fields.
Homeland Language Services – Focuses on interpretation and translation for government and healthcare sectors, with options for remote work.
Translators without Borders – Offers volunteer translation work for humanitarian causes, perfect for building experience and giving back.
Pangea Translation Services – Provides translation, localization, and content creation services. Often hires freelancers for remote work.
TransPerfect – One of the world’s largest language service providers, offering opportunities for remote translation, localization, and interpreting roles in various industries.

Online Courses to Perfect Your Translation and Interpreting Skills

Enhancing your skills through online training can make you stand out in the competitive language industry. Here are some top programs:

Translation Courses

Translation in Practice (Coursera) – A practical course for honing translation skills across various fields.
MCIS Community Translation Program – Focuses on community translation, ideal for those wanting to work with nonprofits.
Certified Translation Professional Program – A certification program to validate your translation skills with industry credentials.

Interpreting Courses

MCIS Interpreter Training Program – A comprehensive program for aspiring interpreters, covering different interpreting techniques.
Interpreter Training Resources – A site full of tools, guides, and exercises for interpreters at all levels.
ALTA Language Services Interpreter Training – Offers specialized courses in medical and legal interpreting.

These resources might help you secure remote language work and enhance your skills through professional courses. If not, you'll at least have an idea of what you're getting yourself into.