Who Are You? A Translator? A Writer? A Ghost Writer?
You are a professional translator. And you translate. So you have to write. Doesn’t that make you a writer too? Maybe you say, “I only write when someone pays me to translate.”
In that case, perhaps you are a ghostwriter. Still a writer. No denying.
Perhaps you write about anything and everything like a generalist. Or perhaps you have specialized knowledge and experience, and you translate or write particular types of documents—medical, technical, legal, marketing, fashion, sports—you name it.
Do you find your work interesting enough that someone might want to peek at your desk or screen? What do you think? Perhaps you feel it’s mundane.
Whether you are a generalist or a specialist, your work is interesting! And you should share your work.
Why you should start sharing your work as a translator is a topic for another article. But if you need inspiration, read Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. It’s an incredible book that motivates us, and one we often return to again and again.
Here’s the point: if you translate for a living, you definitely know two languages. You engage with a wide range of topics. And ultimately, it all comes down to you, sitting at your computer, crafting words.
You are a writer—and a translator. You are driven by curiosity, and you know how to choose your words.
So, why not give a glimpse of your work? Not as a sales pitch, but as an act of pure sharing. You’ll be surprised at the audience you may find.
Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Are You Being Seen?
Are you quietly delivering your translation projects behind the scenes, wondering why your work goes unnoticed? Most freelance translators just wait to be commissioned, missing a huge opportunity: building an audience that knows and values their expertise.
Imagine this: clients reach out to you not because they stumbled on a freelance platform, but because they follow your insights, trust your voice, and recognize your value. Sounds powerful, right?
In this article, we’ll explore practical strategies for you to stop hiding, start sharing, and become a creator translator in your own right. By the end, you’ll see how sharing your knowledge, curiosity, and perspective doesn’t just grow an audience—it builds a personal brand that attracts the right opportunities.
Why You Are Unique
Your value as a translator goes beyond completing projects because of your “specific knowledge”. This is a unique mix of your skills, experience, and curiosity—your personal toolkit that is difficult to automate and sets you apart.
Your value as a translator goes beyond completing projects because of your “specific knowledge”. This is a complex mix of your skills, experience, and curiosity that make you, you! This is your very own skills set that are uniquely yours, difficult to automate, and often born from your unique curiosity.
As a translator, you can leverage this uniqueness in several ways:
- Specialize: Focus deeply on one or two areas. These could be subjects you studied (literature, arts, history, engineering) or areas you have real-life experience in (marketing, human resources). If the market demand is low, don’t go all-in on it.
- Remain a Generalist: Being a curious generalist is often more important than a niche specialization. AI is likely to replace many standard translation tasks, so your curiosity and broad perspective become your competitive edge. This allows you to provide insights and expertise that only you can offer.
- Share insights only you can provide: Sharing your perspective deepens your understanding of your interests and builds a warm audience that values what you share.
Stop Hiding, Start Sharing
Visibility matters. You remain invisible online because you see yourself only as a service provider. You complete tasks efficiently but rarely share your expertise publicly.
Being visible shifts your identity from a contractor to a recognized voice in your field. When you share insights, you build credibility and trust, allowing clients and peers to see you as more than a task-doer.
Visibility isn’t self-promotion—it’s about letting your skills and insights be discovered and valued. It’s about showing your unique perspective.
Originality and nuance are rare in a world flooded with information and AI-generated content. This is exactly where you, as a translator, can stand out.
How to Start Sharing
- Write about your interests: A place you visit, a book you love, a poem that moves you, anything that interests you. Let curiosity guide your content. You will soon find out what you should be writing about and what you shouldn’t.
- Show your nuance: Highlight what others might miss—your translator’s perspective is valuable.
- Share experiences from your work: Challenges you solved, decisions you made, or unique approaches.
Why It Matters
- Translators who share industry insights attract international clients.
- Posting project highlights frequently leads to collaboration opportunities.
- Taking small steps work. Sharing notes or social media posts—make your skills and personality visible in the digital world.
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From Service Provider to Creator: How to Start Sharing
The shift from service provider to creator begins with clarity and consistency.
The goal is to share with purpose, not pressure. Make it a habit to offer glimpses of your work. For example, if you just completed a course, don’t simply post, “I finished this course.” Instead, share a valuable insight or lesson you gained from it.
Share from your knowledge, experiences, and ideas—this is what builds trust and engages an audience.
Identify Your Expertise
Focus on your core skills and interests beyond translation.
Do you specialize in technical texts, literature, or marketing? Are there side interests—like cultural insights, project management, or creative writing—that complement your professional identity?
Identify Your Focus Topics
Don’t just share your process—share content that attracts the clients you want.
For example, if you want to translate for the fashion industry, talk about fashion. Pick 2–3 topics to be known for and consistently create content around them.
Decide What to Share
Choose content types that demonstrate your expertise and perspective:
- Translation tips: Practical advice, shortcuts, or problem-solving methods
- Project insights: Challenges, unique approaches, or decisions made
- Industry news: Trends, updates, or market shifts
- Curiosities: Observations, experiments, or niche interests
Choose Your Platforms
Start with one platform to avoid spreading yourself too thin.
LinkedIn and personal blogs are excellent starting points for translators. Grow steadily, focus on building a consistent presence, and cross-promote when ready.
Create a Content Routine
Consistency beats intensity.
Even posting once a week is more effective than sporadic bursts of activity. Use a simple content calendar to plan topics, track progress, and keep your audience engaged over time.
Stop Waiting for Clients
Waiting for clients to come to you limits your growth. Sharing work proactively can open doors to new projects and collaborations. You can turn your followers into paying clients simply by sharing insights regularly, demonstrating reliability and skill.
- Showcase completed projects in public portfolios.
- Demonstrate your process, decisions, and challenges—this builds trust and social proof.
- Consistent, helpful content attracts clients who value your expertise.
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The Art of Sharing for Translators: Building Audiences That Value Your Voice
- Share your world, not just your words. An audience grows when they see the person behind the translations. Share your learning process, industry observations, and curiosities. This will humanize your brand and build a community that genuinely appreciates your voice.
- Craft your unique voice. Find a tone that reflects your personality and professional approach. Mix professional insights with personal touches to stay relatable. Keep content authentic, valuable, and approachable.
- Measure engagement. Track which posts resonate and refine your content strategy accordingly.
- Avoid burnout. Focus on quality over quantity. A steady rhythm of sharing keeps your audience connected without overwhelming yourself.
As a translator, your work doesn’t have to exist only when someone hires you. Stop hiding and start sharing. This is how you build trust, grow your audience, and attract clients who truly value your skills.
Begin today: share your insights, showcase your process, and let the world see the expert you are.
Your audience is waiting. Don’t stay invisible any longer!
