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Need sample bid and contract documents
Autor wątku: zephyr
zephyr
zephyr
japoński > angielski
+ ...
Jan 13, 2009

Greeting folks -

I am considering starting out as a freelancer. I need some guidance regarding the 'workflow' that starts with compiling a bid and ending with getting paid by the customer. Does the sequence of steps given below make sense? Is it too overwrought? Is something missing?

Steps to be followed:
1) See job on the Web/Proz etc.
2) Compile and send a bid to the client.
3) Negotiate terms and conditions with client, if client shows interest.... See more
Greeting folks -

I am considering starting out as a freelancer. I need some guidance regarding the 'workflow' that starts with compiling a bid and ending with getting paid by the customer. Does the sequence of steps given below make sense? Is it too overwrought? Is something missing?

Steps to be followed:
1) See job on the Web/Proz etc.
2) Compile and send a bid to the client.
3) Negotiate terms and conditions with client, if client shows interest.
4) Nail down terms and put together a contract.
5) Get agreement on contract.
6) Receive PO.
7) Start work and finish before deadline.
8) Deliver work product and invoice customer.
9) (Hopefully) get paid.

Can some of you share with me sample successful bids that you made (please hide the $ nos.), and the contracts that were signed? For customers from non-English countries, are English language contracts OK? (My language of interest is Japanese, and my experience has been that "verbal" contracts work the best in Japan, but nonetheless asking the question so I know how it works in this industry)

Also, what are the areas that need to be discussed and clarified before starting work? What immediately comes to mind is:
- Format in which original will be delivered
- Format in which work product needs to be delivered
- Who will be in touch (and how frequently) if clarifications need to be made
- What conditions indemnify me from delays (customer contact unavailability, delay in receiving originals, etc.)

Thanks in advance!
- Zephyr ▲ Collapse
 
Soonthon LUPKITARO(Ph.D.)
Soonthon LUPKITARO(Ph.D.)  Identity Verified
Tajlandia
Local time: 07:34
angielski > tajski
+ ...
Essential steps Jan 14, 2009

My reply:
1) See job on the Web/ProZ.com etc.
Yes
2) Compile and send a bid to the client.
Yes, with a very low rate.
3) Negotiate terms and conditions with client, if client shows interest.
Yes
4) Nail down terms and put together a contract.
Yes
5) Get agreement on contract.
Yes. Few agencies give you a paper agreement/contract.
6) Receive PO.
Yes
7) Start work and finish before deadline.
Yes
8) Deliver w... See more
My reply:
1) See job on the Web/ProZ.com etc.
Yes
2) Compile and send a bid to the client.
Yes, with a very low rate.
3) Negotiate terms and conditions with client, if client shows interest.
Yes
4) Nail down terms and put together a contract.
Yes
5) Get agreement on contract.
Yes. Few agencies give you a paper agreement/contract.
6) Receive PO.
Yes
7) Start work and finish before deadline.
Yes
8) Deliver work product and invoice customer.
Yes
9) (Hopefully) get paid.
Yes

Bidding is not ideal as a new freelance translator since the rate will be very low. You may also hit with a novice agency who gives you troubles as well.

- Format in which original will be delivered
Yes
- Format in which work product needs to be delivered
Yes
- Who will be in touch (and how frequently) if clarifications need to be made
Yes
- What conditions indemnify me from delays (customer contact unavailability, delay in receiving originals, etc.)
Yes

Your work flow is quite complete but it may not always be successful. I think that you try with many bids and can obtain 'continuous' work flow from a few agencies/client. That is better to manage with: You are a freelancer and have limited resource to manage with the translation projects.

Soonthon L. ▲ Collapse
 


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