Freelance writers can acquire many skills that will push their careers forward. Whether it’s expertise in a specific genre or the ability to adopt the tone a client requests for an article, you can never have too many talents.
Learning a second language is one of the most flexible and lucrative skills professional can have. Following are five reasons freelance writers should learn a second language.
5 Reasons Freelance Writers Should Learn a Second Language
1. Earn More Money
Undoubtedly, one question that is at the forefront of every writer’s mind is: how much money can I actually earn from doing this? Well, U.S. News and World Report reported that the median salary for full-time translators is $43,590.
While that’s the statistic for a full-time translator on a payroll, in areas where the skill is in higher demand, this figure can double.
Being multilingual, with the ability to write and speak in a second or third language, can increase your income as a freelancer or full-time employee.
2. Wider Readership
You may think that writing in English will draw the biggest audience possible, but think again! There’s a potential gold mine of loyal readers who prefer to read in their own language.
Travel Blog Success recounted the experience of a blogger who began writing in his native Belgian and English. Although the audience was smaller, he soon learned that his most popular audience behind American readers originated in Belgium.
Regardless of what you write about, being multilingual allows you to connect with a wider audience in a meaningful, unique way.
3. Gain More Opportunities
The ability to read, write and comprehend a language other than your native one opens more doors of opportunity for freelance writers. Foreign language assignments; travel opportunities; and more income as a translator are a few such opportunities.
4. Become a Translator
All freelance writers are certain about two things: 1) working a job is hard and 2) developing your own writing enterprise is even harder.
One of the beautiful things about learning a second language is that you can gain time and earn extra income as a translator. You can work for yourself or for companies like Akeret that make it easy for translators to seek work and get paid.
5. Books and Beyond the Blog
Translating books into another language is another opportunity for multilingual freelance writers. ALLi (Alliance of Independent Authors) provides step-by-step directions on how to translate your book into a foreign language.
With a second language, you can translate the work yourself and retain the style and voice of the book you’re publishing. This could be lost if translation services were outsourced.
The truth is, the human touch is absolutely necessary for professional content, and translators will always be needed. If you are a freelance writer who want to expand your readership, earn more money, and gain more opportunities, consider learning a second language.
All good reasons to be bilingual!
I’m currently studying Spanish, although I’m nowhere near competent enough to write well in it. I do find that learning a foreign language is very good brain training, and that can “translate” into being a more successful freelancer.
John, I like that you pointed out that it’s “good brain training.” I loved learning Spanish. I studied it for four years in high school but never used it. However, it is on my list of things to learn in the near future. Let me know how it “translates” into freelance writing success.