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Translator rates vs. Agency rates
投稿者: John Fossey
John Fossey
John Fossey  Identity Verified
カナダ
Local time: 06:03
2008に入会
フランス語 から 英語
+ ...
Jan 15, 2010

One statistical tool available on this site is the chart of rates translators have reported that they charge.

What I would like to know is how does that compare to what agencies are charging for selling our work? How much margin do they allow (or get) for such things as editing and revision, marketing and sales costs, overhead, reserve for bad debts (the ones that do make provision for bad debts, rather than not paying their translator), their own profit margin, etc. Does anyone... See more
One statistical tool available on this site is the chart of rates translators have reported that they charge.

What I would like to know is how does that compare to what agencies are charging for selling our work? How much margin do they allow (or get) for such things as editing and revision, marketing and sales costs, overhead, reserve for bad debts (the ones that do make provision for bad debts, rather than not paying their translator), their own profit margin, etc. Does anyone know if this information is available anywhere? ▲ Collapse
 
Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL
Stanislaw Czech, MCIL CL  Identity Verified
英国
Local time: 11:03
2006に入会
英語 から ポーランド語
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SITE LOCALIZER
ask for a quote option Jan 15, 2010

Many translation agencies offer an online automatic quote so you can look around. My guess is that most agencies pass to freelancers 30-60% of what they get from the client.

Best Regards
Stanislaw
 
Samuel Murray
Samuel Murray  Identity Verified
オランダ
Local time: 12:03
2006に入会
英語 から アフリカーンス語
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Search the forums... Jan 15, 2010

John Fossey wrote:
What I would like to know is how does that compare to what agencies are charging for selling our work?


Previous discussions include:
http://www.proz.com/forum/being_independent/7725-agency_makes_35_profit.html
http://www.proz.com/forum/money_matters/42865-what_is_the_standard_profit_margin_of_an_agency_on_a_project_outsourced_to_a_freelancer.html
http://www.proz.com/forum/business_issues/81469-purpose_of_an_agency.html

Stanislaw Czech wrote:
My guess is that most agencies pass to freelancers 30-60% of what they get from the client.


I would be greatly surprised if an agency can survive on anything less than 100%. Unless business is brisk, clients are easy to find, and local taxes are low.
 
jaymin
jaymin
カナダ
Local time: 06:03
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interesting topic... Jan 15, 2010

Is it true that agencies are turning to find freelancers to reduce their cost?
 
John Fossey
John Fossey  Identity Verified
カナダ
Local time: 06:03
2008に入会
フランス語 から 英語
+ ...
TOPIC STARTER
Margin vs. markup Jan 15, 2010

Samuel Murray wrote:

Stanislaw Czech wrote:
My guess is that most agencies pass to freelancers 30-60% of what they get from the client.


I would be greatly surprised if an agency can survive on anything less than 100%. Unless business is brisk, clients are easy to find, and local taxes are low.


Aren't we talking two different measures here - margin vs. markup?

What agencies pass on to their service providers is related to their margin. In other words, an agency that passes 60% of their sale price to their translator is running at a gross profit margin of 40%. They can't pass on, or keep, 100%.

Whereas, an agency that adds 100% of the freelancer's charge to arrive at their sale price (in other words, a 100% markup) is operating at a gross profit margin of 50% - they are passing on 50% of what they get from the client.

[Edited at 2010-01-15 14:37 GMT]
 


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Translator rates vs. Agency rates







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