THINGS THAT ATTRACT CLIENTS TO A LANGUAGE SERVICE PROVIDER
By Oluwatosin Adebomeyin
Life is all about providing or receiving services to make it habitable. Language service provision is no exception. Imagine a world without a language industry! Chaos is inevitable. If you want to terminate a people, take away their language. If you need to connect the world, language is necessary BUT have you ever thought about those who need the language service(s) and those who provide it? This is the main focus in this piece.
When it comes to language service provision, two important personalities are involved: the User otherwise known as the Client and the Provider. Without the need for the service, providers are useless. The question now is: Who is the client? In the context of language service, a client refers to the individual, organization, or business that hires a language service provider (LSP) to facilitate communication in multiple languages. This includes translation, interpretation, localization, or other language-related services like online verified definition.
From the above, it is clear that the one who requires language service is the client. A client in general is a person or organization using the services of another professional or company. The language service provider is the person or company equipped with the required knowledge to provide language service(s) to a prospective client. Connecting the two entities above is the target and as in every industry, there are requirements. The client who is in need of a service provider requires some qualifications from the provider and some of those requirements are highlighted below:
- Experience: As in every organization, experience is required from a language service provider. The client needs to know how experienced you are and in what field. Sometimes, the client might ask to see your credentials.
- Confidentiality: Every client requires some confidentiality from the service provider. What is the need of hiring you when I know that my document will be found in the public space? This is why signing of non-disclosure agreement (NDA) comes into play.
- Reasonable Pricing: Every client wants this but it should still be with great quality delivery. Clients oftentimes compare the rates given by their colleagues in the industry to guide their decision in choosing the one that goes with their budget and still does not want quality compromised.
- Honesty: Who would like to work with a dishonest person? Clients want service providers to be truthful and honest. If you are going to give my document to a third-party to work on, let me know and if you cannot meet up with deadline, come clean and let us agree. This is essential.
- Communication: This is important to the client. When there is a break-down in communication, things can go wrong. It is essential for every language service provider to learn the art of communication so as to know what to say or write per time. This will enable him/her to understand the job, what is required to be done, and how it is required to be done in terms of quality, and when to deliver.
- Timely Delivery: The client wants quality output but also wants it at a specific time. The client oftentimes wants it delivered fast and if you meet up with these two qualities, the client will always come back to you. It is important to keep to the delivery deadline, any deviation must be communicated to the clients in advance. According to a cliche, in business, it is better to underpromise, but overdeliver!
- Professionalism: Service providers should comport themselves in a professional manner and know that even though they work remotely, the client is always on their watch. Similarly, your expertise must show in the quality of your delivery. So, clients are interested in the demonstration of your knowledge, experience, and skill in the domain or field of work you are given.
* Reliability and Dependability: Reliable and dependable professionals are in high demand in the industry. There are some bad eggs in the industry, like in any other profession; but you can choose to be different, and you will be handsomely rewarded by repeated patronage of your clients. Let your words be your bond.
- Problem-Solving Ability: You should sharpen your capacity to solve problems. Clients are interested in those who can help solve their problems, that is the reason they engage you in the first instance. Therefore, make yourself the go-to person, make yourself the shoulder the clients can always lean on.
- Reputation: What are others saying about you? The testimonials they give about you in the Industry matters as it will determine how projects flow towards you. If you are known for late delivery, bad communication, etc. you are on your way out of this industry.
- Being Proactive: How soon or fast do you tackle issues? This will determine if clients will look towards you. You should have the ability to initiative; and know how to address potential issues you come across in the line of your duty. Think outside the box, be creative.
- Quality Delivery: Many are known for using MT, Google Translate, etc. to do their jobs when the client specifically stated otherwise, you surely will be caught in it and sincerely, it will not speak well of your job. All that clients want from you is quality output. You can even be an interpreter, if you don’t understand what you are in for, you are showing yourself the way out of the industry.
- Membership of Professional Association: There are tonnes of clients out there that will always request to know which association you belong to. This is an added advantage as the client will see you as a real professional and one to hold responsible.
- Credentials: Many clients request to know the academic qualifications you possess and they always state it in their request. If you have the certificate they want, you are in for their projects.
In conclusion, a careful consideration of the above will enhance your goodwill among the clients and your success in the industry
