Buckle up.

Because what you’re about to read will knock your socks off.

It’s going to sound crazy.

But you might be the first one who is witnessing a great moment in the translation industry.

Something that has the potential to change our lives completely.

But let me start from the beginning.

I’ve been doing this for 10 years and this was one hell of a ride for me.

I was fired from my job as an in-house translator, I’ve started freelancing, I worked for peanuts and built my business from the ground.

I’ve spent several years using Proz to gain experience. Then I quit Proz and completely changed my approach to business.

I’ve built this website, I started this blog. I started improving my online presence and getting direct clients.

After Proz, I feel like my career did a U-turn and I’m finally heading in the right direction and I’m the one who’s behind the wheel this time around.

I finally have a goal in life. And that’s after 10 years of hard work, millions of translated words, countless hours of sitting behind a tiny desk and feeling burned out and stuck in a rut.

I’ve seen it all: excitement and thrill, replaced by depression, fear, uncertainty, hunger, lack of motivation. And then I’ve picked myself up, I clutched my teeth and kept fighting, trying to find my place in this industry.

And you know what I realized?

Getting Your Ideas Out There Is Not Easy.

It takes a lot of time, patience, and effort. Plus you have to learn like crazy before you can even start writing.

And I know that a lot of people feel like technology is not their strongest suit. They feel intimidated by it and sadly that’s the main reason many people in our industry reject the idea of blogging and sharing their ideas.

This sucks.

And I want to change that.

I want to give every single freelance translator out there an opportunity to share their stories. Stories that matter to them. Stories that can change the lives of other people. Stories that can teach and inspire and help other people build character.

Because if not us, then who?

[clickToTweet tweet=”We are translators. We craft beautiful stories every day. It is our job.” quote=”We are translators. We craft beautiful stories every day. It is our job.”]

And it doesn’t matter what field you’re working in: literature, IT, medicine, law – it’s irrelevant.

[clickToTweet tweet=”Translators change the lives of millions of people all over the world. Every single day.” quote=”Translators change the lives of millions of people all over the world. Every single day.”]

And I find it so frustrating and disappointing that we cannot defend the image of our profession. When I see people and companies abusing us, dictating our rates, diminishing our accomplishments and taking all the credit.

There is such a massive knowledge gap in our profession. I’ve seen thousands of people craving for knowledge, looking for advice, trying to make it in the profession.

And some of them will never make it to the end.

THIS IS SO FUCKING UNFAIR!

Because I know there are so many talented people out there.

People like you.

People who deserve a break.

I know that because I’m one of those people.

I look in the mirror every day and ask myself same questions:

“How can I be better? How can I improve? How can I change this profession? What can I do to give back to my community”

And I bet you’re asking yourself the very same questions.

And that’s why I’m launching The Open Mic.

What Is The Open Mic?

The Open Mic is a new way of sharing your ideas and thoughts about translation industry.

Tell everyone about the things you’ve lost and found in translation.

Share your passion and contagious ideas.

Set an example.

Be proactive.

Shape the future of translation industry.

Translation is a very lonely job. But trust me, you’re not alone. There are hundreds of thousands of people out there trying to figure out where the hell is this whole freelance thing is going.

By sharing your stories, you can show everyone in the world that we’re not alone.

That we’re stronger together.

You can start a revolution in the minds of the people.

And who knows, maybe your thoughts, your passion, your motivation will change this industry and the lives of individual translators.

How Does The Open Mic Work?

The Open Mic is a new platform that allows you to publish your stories via a WYSIWYG editor. You can create a profile and start writing and sharing your ideas about translation industry.

You can browse through different categories (Marketing Advice, Business, Social Media, Inspiration, Client Relationships, Rates, etc).

Every story you publish will be presented in the most beautiful way, that is unseen in this industry (the article you’re reading right now was created on The Open Mic).

You can save, edit, preview and publish your stories in real time.

It’s a community.

You can edit your profile, add important information about yourself, your languages and the ways to contact you.

You can meet your colleagues and read their stories. You’ll be able to communicate with people you like and comment on their stories.

If you don’t feel like registering, you can just sit back and enjoy reading inspiring stories from the most influential members of the translation community.

Gain new knowledge.

Read and share the stories that resonate with you in social networks.

As a community, you’re in control of the way The Open Mic looks and feels.

You will be deciding what features should be added and removed and how to make it even better.

But the best thing is: IT’S FREE.

No fees. No catch. Not now. Not later. Not ever.

Dude, That Whole Open Mic Idea Is Crazy!

I know. But I have to try it.

I realize that there is a high chance it won’t get much traction it needs.

I understand that there will be lots of criticism and nay-sayers.

I understand that it will be ridiculously hard to make sure the content is good.

I understand that there will be people trying to abuse the system.

I understand that not everyone will be happy and someone will leave disappointed.

I understand that it will be hard to get people on board.

But as Michael Scott Wayne Gretzky said:

That’s why I want to take that shot.

I want to give YOU a shot.

An opportunity to write and be heard.

This project means so much to me and I have never been more certain of anything in my life.

We can make it happen.

After all:

So what do you say?

Sign Up For A Free Account

Read On

What Happens When You Publish A New Story On The Open Mic?

How To Find Your Friends And Colleagues On The Open Mic?

How To Publish Stories On The Open Mic?