You don't have to figure it out alone

Translation work always came to you but times have changed. With a little help, you can market yourself confidently to direct clients and create the business you truly want.

Translation - love. 

Languages – fascinating.

Marketing? Let's come back to that later.

You may love translation more than marketing but a linguist's got to eat! Until now, you've never needed to actively promote your translation services because work always came to you. But recently you've found that agency work has declined, the projects on offer are uninspiring, and word of mouth referrals aren't as frequent as they once were.

You'd love to work with (more) direct clients but it's hard to know where to start. Once you've found them, how should you approach them? What should you say? And what are the steps after that? You want to be more proactive, consistent and create the opportunities you want but man, it's a hard slog doing it solo. 


Procrasti-planning

I've been there. Stuck at the planning stage but not actually doing it. Always on the cusp of changing my business but not quite getting it done. 

Until I joined a group that broadened my horizons and kept me accountable to my plans. They challenged and supported me and we helped and learned from each other. That group no longer exists so I created my own, specifically for translators. 

I've been working with direct clients since 2015 and have experimented with all kinds of marketing approaches because there's no one-size-fits-all strategy. Let me share them with you.

Imagine if: 

  • You no longer felt guilty about putting aside your marketing because you knew exactly what to do next 
  • You understood what your ideal clients wanted, their challenges, and how you could help 
  • There was someone you could ask for feedback, ideas and suggestions whenever you felt unsure or needed another perspective on your specific situation
  •  You had a group of people you could come to at any time for motivation and to celebrate your wins 
  • You had all the inspiration you could wish for at your fingertips with step-by-step guides to boot

Imagine if marketing actually felt fun!

The Expedition Group could be just what you need


Within 3 months of joining, one Expedition Group member had this to say:

“This month has been one of my best ever despite only working part time! I'm definitely attributing this to some big mindset shifts inspired by the group and the concrete steps I've taken thanks to the modules, so thank you!”  Josie Worrall

Marketing adventures to grow your business


Inside you'll find more than 30 structured training courses and challenges to stretch your comfort zone. These expeditions cover a range of inbound and outbound marketing and business topics and are designed especially for translators. 

You can expect: pitching for PR opportunities, crafting a persausive portfolio for your business, preparing for trade shows and other client-side events, keeping in touch with your contacts, and compelling client-focused resources. 


A common destination

All of these topics have one goal in mind: Greater job satisfaction, better clients, and making sure you are equipped with everything you need to tackle those inevitable business surprises that pop up along the way.

Testimonial

"One of the reasons the group is so good is that it feels intimate and there's a great community spirit. It's clear that Sarah genuinely cares and wants to help. She's very generous with her time and an excellent listener. She answers every question and goes above and beyond to help." 

 — Ronan Grace, German, Spanish & French to English translator, specialising in Tourism, Sport & Marketing

What's inside the membership?

As well as all the training you need to start approaching direct clients, you also get:

Your questions answered

Monthly group Q&A call on Zoom to help you get unstuck and brainstorm. At all other times, you can reach me by email and Slack.

Mission of the month

Every month we have an expedition or challenge to complete with different levels according to your workload. Make rapid progress when you have time to commit and take smaller steps when life gets busy.

Personal feedback

Share your plans and marketing for feedback. Market with confidence after getting a quick sense check or a video walking you through my suggested tweaks to your portfolios, sales letters and marketing copy.

Quick-start kit

No expensive branding or survival gear required. You'll get all the training content you need in the form of easy-to-absorb, practical written and video content. We also have a secret podcast feed.

Team and community

Slack is our base to regroup, recharge and share stories from your latest adventure. Spur each other on, celebrate wins, get help and share resources and ideas.

Ongoing support and accountability

Share your plans and the group and I will keep you accountable. We also have a monthly focus call to get that marketing done. Motivation guaranteed.

Adventures at your own pace

Everyone has different goals, commitments and enjoys a different pace. I've designed each expedition so you can pick the right level for you.

A Gentle Stroll

For when you have more client work or lots going on but still want to make progress towards your goals.

Off the Beaten Track

Step it up a little by exploring away from the well-trodden paths and put your new plans into action.

Hike to the Summit 

Challenge yourself to venture out of your comfort zone. Choose this option when you're eager to make swift progress.

Your next business adventure awaits!

Choose between a monthly or annual membership. 


Monthly
membership

£45/month
 + VAT

Most popular

Annual

£495/year
+ VAT

A whole year of marketing support with one month free

Hi, I'm Sarah

Dedicated translator since 2008, lifelong language lover and marketing guide. I also love travel and exploring new ways of doing business. But when there are too many options, I need a nudge in the right direction and a little structure to keep me on track. That's what I've created for you.
* Author of Your Ticket to Explore and the Marketing planner for translators

* Tutor on the ITI's Advancing your freelance translation career course and guest workshops

* I've been running marketing training for translators since 2019 and The Expedition Group since Oct 2021. 

All alongside my own translation business as a German into English chemical translator because I believe you can only share what's working if you're putting it into practice at the same time.

FAQs

Why is it a membership not a course?

Setting aside the time every day or week to work on your business is hard when you have client deadlines, family commitments and you want some spare time! However, regular and consistent action builds momentum and gets you where you need to go.

You might love the intensity and support provided by a course but you don't have the time (or cash) to devote to continuously taking courses in various subjects. And yet you want to make progress in your business and have a thirst for learning.

A monthly membership offers content you can digest in bite-size chunks and fit around your workload and lifestyle.

In one member's words: 

"My marketing efforts are more consistent now, even when I don't have much time available".



Will I get value from the group even when I've got a packed schedule?

Some months you might go hell for leather and other times you'd prefer to sit back and take in your surroundings. You'll still be benefiting from the group. Seeing other people taking action and discussing their challenges gives you useful intel and you've got all the guides and call recordings to refer back to when you are ready.

I'll provide motivation and nudge you into action where possible but the beauty of a membership group is that there's no end date and you can move at your own pace.

Having a community to ask questions about translation work, check in with a native speaker, or chat about the latest mission is a valuable part of the group. And I'll encourage you to take even a tiny step in the right direction to keep you making the progress you signed up to achieve.

How big is the group, I don't want to get lost in the crowd!

You won't! The group typically has 20-25 members at any given time so I can get to know you and offer practical suggestions that work for you and your business. You'll receive personalised feedback, get timely answers to your questions and be able to get to know the other explorers in the group. The friendly atmosphere is one of the most talked about features:


"The sense of community and genuine support. It’s such a relief to have a space where you can share wins, doubts, and questions without judgment."  Grete Hauser 



Why does it cost £45/month?  (+ VAT)

I wanted to make this as affordable as possible while still being able to deliver great content and bring in guest experts from time to time. I invest a lot of time providing individual feedback to each member of the group and answering questions so this isn't your average community. 

The practical focus on taking action is intentional so that you implement your plans and start getting results – those direct clients and higher-paying projects.

One member has this to say: 

"It's an incredible resource. For a fraction of the cost of expensive 1-to-1 mentoring programmes, there are considerably more resources and aids provided. "


More questions? 

Here's a blog post detailling Everything You Need To Know About The Expedition Group written as objectively as possible! You can also read more about this membership group in the article The CPD that transformed me (written by Dean Evans and published in the Jan/Feb 2024 issue of the ITI Bulletin).

Are you ready?

It's way more fun to head off exploring when you have the support of like-minded individuals. And a guide who can pinpoint the best spots and help you avoid the overcrowded marketplaces and tourist traps. I've been told I have a knack of coming up with ideas most people wouldn't consider to make your marketing stand out. 

Discover new ways to keep in touch with existing clients and connections, establish contact with new people, promote your services in a way that feels genuine and right for you. And enjoy these new marketing adventures!

“The Expedition Group is the perfect combination of learning and motivation” Chiara Vecchi