Episode 48: Smart Habits for Maintaining a Professional Image

We all know that first impressions count, and this applies to all interactions you have with other people–both online and in person. When you run your own business, it’s even more important that you come across as a reliable, trustworthy professional, someone who clients and colleagues can trust and value.

After all, this is how we often choose service providers ourselves. Whether we need a graphic designer or an accountant, or when we’re looking for colleagues to collaborate with, we want to find someone who portrays themself as a professional from the start.

But since so many of our interactions with the outside world are online these days (and most of us are used to working alone), it can be easy to forget how other people may perceive us.

So, what strategies and smart habits can help you maintain a professional image?

Here’s what we discuss in this episode:

- What to keep in mind when you have email and phone interactions with clients and colleagues

- How to elevate your professional image online: in directories for translators and interpreters and on your website

- How social media presence can influence your professional image

- How your behavior impacts people’s willingness to work with you

- Our own reflections and tips on maintaining a professional image toward colleagues and clients

Resources we mentioned in this episode:

• Madalena’s master class: Write Better Copy for Your Freelance Website

• Madalena’s 4-week course: LinkedIn for Translators and Interpreters

• Madalena’s blog posts:

o How to Maximize Your Email Signature As a Professional Translator or Interpreter

o How to Maximize Your Email Signature - Updated with More Strategies

o 8 More Ways to Maximize Your Email Signature As a Professional Translator or Interpreter

o 3 Ways to Use Testimonials When You Have NDAs

• OSTI (Oregon Society of Translators and Interpreters) 2021 Conference

• ATA (American Translators Association) 62nd Annual Conference

• ATA Back to Business Basics webinars on the topic of professional image for translators and interpreters:

o Personal Branding Basics

o Phone and Email Etiquette for Freelancers

o Getting and Incorporating Feedback

o Building a Network

• ATA webinar: Personal Branding 101 for Translators and Interpreters

• Grammarly: grammar, tone, and style checker

• TextAloud: Text to Speech Software for Windows

• Speaking of Translation episode “Tools that keep us productive and happy”

• FREE webinar on protecting yourself against scammers: Don’t Fall for It! Scams Targeting Language Professionals

• The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth

• The Talented Miss Farwell by Emily Gray Tedrowe

See the full list of links and resources for this episode: https://smarthabitsfortranslators.com/podcast-episodes/48