Anton Konashenok wrote:
Some people will like the topic starter's business coach approach, but personally, I am not very fond of it, so I'll just play an
advocatus diaboli and suggest alternatives that I learned over the last three decades of work.
- be able to touch type with 10 fingers
I agree with this one, but it can be learned on the job. For a novice, the bottleneck in the translation workflow is the brain, not the fingers.
be very computer-savvy
Yes.
- do your own accounting and know the accounting standards in your country (alternative: employing and paying corresponding professionals)
In most countries, the requisite knowledge of accounting for a translator can be gained within a day or two. After that, the actual accounting work can be automated with cheap (or even free) software. Also, at the very beginning the earnings may simply be below the reporting threshold (though this varies from country to country).
- learn marketing basics
Ask the old translators about marketing and they will tell you that nothing beats the word of mouth, so first and foremost, be a perfectionist, build your reputation, and have good friends.
- know how to run/program your own website...
See above. Having a website won't hurt, but don't count on it too much.
...including SEO
SEO will do precious little without a unique selling proposition (ugh... never thought I would use this term). For a novice, the value of SEO is close to zero, and may even be negative.
- do proper cost calculation and know average rates for various professions in your country (in order to make sure that enough money remains to be spent after paying office/material costs, taxes, social security contributions, health insurance contributions, pension fund contributions, paying your service providers' invoices, etc.)
More importantly, do proper
value calculation and don't buy things or services that bring you less value than they cost. Be frugal, and make it a habit.