What's the best aspect of being a freelance translator?

We recently asked all those who are part of the community on our Tomedes Translators Hub a quick question to find out what they like best about working as freelance translators. More than 7,000 people participated in the survey, giving us some great insights into what it is that makes freelance working so popular. 

Flexible hours 

It turns out that flexible hours and working from home are the top two best aspects of being a freelance translator. Both of these garnered 28% of the vote. 

Flexible hours are ideal for those with childcare responsibilities, other commitments like training courses or part-time employment and long-term health conditions that make working fixed hours difficult. But increasingly they also appeal to those who simply prefer to be their own boss and set their own timescales. Global economic events over the past decade have changed the way we view work and flexible hours are becoming the new norm for more and more people. 

Working from home

Also with 28% of the vote was working from home. Cutting out the daily commute, particularly for those who live in big cities around the world, can make a huge difference to a person’s stress levels. Working from home also means avoiding trudging to work in bad weather and incurring the cost of daily travel – all reasons why this is one of the best aspects of working as a freelance translator.

Other benefits

The survey found that the earnings potential and being your own boss were also popular aspects of working as a freelance translator. Each of these took home 22% of the vote in our recent survey. 

Final thoughts

What is your personal favourite aspect of working as a freelance translator? Let us know in the comments section. 

Be sure to check out the Tomedes Translators Hub for our future surveys as well, so that you can have your say!