Independent Translator
A practical business plan template for launching as a independent translator. All figures are pre-filled realistic estimates — replace them with your own numbers using the Prévio spreadsheet.
Executive Summary (Template)
Replace brackets with your details.
[Name] launches as a independent translator serving [target audience].
Mission: [one-line promise].
Year-1 objective: $36 550 revenue, break-even in month 1.
Model: [main revenue type] + [secondary stream].
Key differentiator: [why you, why now].
Market Snapshot
Translation is being reshaped by MT/AI post-editing: pure translation rates compressed ($0.06–$0.10/word), but specialized transcreation, legal/medical review and localization QA hold $0.12–$0.20/word (estimation). Direct clients pay 30–50% more than agencies.
Offer & Pricing
- Standard translation: $0.07–$0.10/word
- Specialized/transcreation: $0.12–$0.18/word
- Localization QA retainer: $500–$1,000/month
Marketing Plan (3 Channels)
Three acquisition channels, started in this order:
1. ProZ/TranslatorsCafé + agency panels
2. LinkedIn positioning in one specialty
3. Direct outreach to SaaS companies localizing FR↔EN
3-Year Forecast
| Month | M1 | M2 | M3 | M4 | M5 | M6 | M7 | M8 | M9 | M10 | M11 | M12 | Y1 |
| Revenue | 400 | 1 000 | 1 600 | 2 100 | 2 550 | 3 000 | 3 400 | 3 800 | 4 150 | 4 500 | 4 850 | 5 200 | 36 550 |
| Fixed costs | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 300 | 3 600 |
| Variable costs | 28 | 70 | 112 | 147 | 179 | 210 | 238 | 266 | 290 | 315 | 340 | 364 | 2 559 |
| Net result | 72 | 630 | 1 188 | 1 653 | 2 071 | 2 490 | 2 862 | 3 234 | 3 560 | 3 885 | 4 210 | 4 536 | 30 391 |
| Cumulative | 72 | 702 | 1 890 | 3 543 | 5 614 | 8 104 | 10 966 | 14 200 | 17 760 | 21 645 | 25 855 | 30 391 | — |
| Year | Revenue | Costs | Net Result |
| Year 1 | $36 550 | $6 159 | $30 391 |
| Year 2 | $68 000 | $8 540 | $59 460 |
| Year 3 | $82 000 | $9 709 | $72 291 |
Break-even Analysis
Break-even is reached in month 1, when cumulative profit turns positive.
- Fixed costs: $300/month · Variable costs: 7% of revenue
- Contribution margin per euro/dollar of revenue: 93%
- Break-even revenue: $322/month ≈ $322 monthly revenue
- Reached in month 1 in the model below.
Risks & Mitigations
- Client concentration — No client should exceed 30% of revenue; keep prospecting even when busy.
- Price race to the bottom — Compete on specialization and outcomes, never on hourly discounting.
- Income volatility — Hold 3 months of fixed costs in reserve; push retainers/subscriptions.
- Burnout / capacity ceiling — Productize offers and raise prices instead of adding hours.
- Platform dependency — Never let one platform exceed ~50% of lead flow; build an email list.
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Figures marked “estimation” are indicative market estimates, not audited data. This document is a planning template, not financial advice.