We use Slack to communicate.

By joining our Slack group, you confirm that you are a freelance working within the translation industry and if you ever stop being a freelancer, you will remove yourself from the group or ask one of our moderators to remove you. Of course, if you start freelancing again, you are more than welcome to re-join!

You also agree that you won't share the Slack invite link directly with anyone and doing so may result in you being removed from the group. If you would like to invite a colleague to join us, please ask them to visit the website or reach out to us at:

hello@team-translator.com

Conversations are split into various channels in the #TeamTranslator Slack workspace:

#hello-translators: this channel is for introductions, #TeamTranslator announcements, and general conversation. When you join, pop in to say hi and tell us about your language pairs, where you're based, and anything else you'd like to share with the group!

#how-to-run-a-business: this is where to go for general business advice. Get help from other translators about things like how to figure out your rates, establish boundaries when working as a freelancer, deal with difficult clients, and anything else that goes into running your own business.

#job-board: freelancers can outsource too! If you have a job that you need help with or if a client of yours is looking for a translator for a language pair you don't have, feel free to use this space to advertise.

#language-matters: language-related questions including everything from translation dilemmas to cultural insight. If you have a specific linguistic challenge, ask away!

#learning-cpd-events: this is the place to talk about any translation and localisation events, conferences, professional development courses and webinars. Share your experiences, ask for recommendations, all in the name of learning! 

#let-it-out: we are a positive space for freelance translators, but that doesn't mean we ignore our mental health or the support that we can find in one another. If you've had a rough day, need some encouragement, or just need someone to chat to, this board is for you.

#marketing-and-sales: here we'll be chatting everything social media, branding, prospecting, applying for jobs, lead generation, and much more.

#member-offers: exclusive offers for #TeamTranslator members. Save money on your favourite tools, software, online courses, and more! If you’d like to advertise your own service or freelance-friendly product, please get in touch at hello@team-translator.com!

#random: let's be honest, we'll be using this one for memes.

#tools-of-the-trade: in addition to talking about software and hardware, the channel can also be used to talk about any other tools that make our lives easier: stationery, music recommendations to boost productivity and concentration, ergonomic set-ups, etc.

#tt-irl: to arrange informal meet-ups with your fellow freelancers in real life. Would you like to see if anyone’s up for a coffee? This is the place to talk about it!

#winners-circle: got a big win but no one to celebrate with? Let us be your cheerleaders! Post your achievement and we'll be there to congratulate you.

• Feel free to post questions and start discussions based on any topics relating to the group's mission. We're here to support you!

• Remember that this is a positive space. We know that freelancing can be tough, but we encourage you to approach frustrations with awareness and solutions. If you're having trouble, try to #let-it-out.

• Be polite! Treat everyone equally and with respect.

• Respect the privacy of your community members. They may not be as willing to share as you are, and that's okay!

• Remember that this is a freelancer-first community. We recognise that as freelancers we often are spinning many plates – whether you’re working as an outsourcer, a VA, etc. However, in this group, we talk about and offer our experience as freelancers.

1. ZERO TOLERANCE FOR DISCRIMINATION & PERSONAL ATTACKS. This includes race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, or any other form of discrimination. Will will not tolerate name-calling, trolling, or abuse within our community. We are a group who accepts anyone and everyone as they are.

2. DO NOT DISCUSS RATES. Do not mention your or others' (including clients') rates. No accusations of "a race to the bottom", "bottomfeeders", etc will be tolerated. This is to ensure that #TeamTranslator is protected legally from price fixing accusations. Discussion and advice on methods for achieving financial stability is encouraged, but keep in mind that everyone's situation is different.

3. DO NOT MENTION CLIENT NAMES. We are not a review site. Do not talk about or ask for advice or feedback on specific agencies, companies, individuals, employees, or clients in any channels or private messages, even if that feedback is positive. Please use resources such as ProZ Blue Board, Google Reviews, Glassdoor, or another platform for this information. If you are looking for advice, you may describe your reservations about working with a client, but do not name them. If you are attaching a screenshot of an interaction, ensure that no names are visible. We strongly encourage everyone to do their own due diligence on the companies behind the job adverts on the #job-board before applying. 

4. NO SPAM OR INAPPROPRIATE CONTENT. Please be mindful of the channels you're using and make sure what you're posting is relevant to the topic at hand. Although we are an informal group, we would like to ask you to keep things professional and do not post any suggestive or sexually explicit content, content related to violence, or anything that the majority of people would consider not safe for work.

5. NO SELLING OR SOLICITATION. Do not ask for work. Advertising or selling any service or product is strictly prohibited. Please only respond to job opportunities on #job-board if you are personally qualified to handle the task, or if you can recommend someone who is. If you are advertising a job opportunity, only use the #job-board channel and do not message any members directly, even to invite them to apply. If you’d like to advertise your own service, training course or product aimed at other freelancers, please get in touch to discuss a possible collaboration in #member-offers!

6. DO NOT IMPERSONATE OR PRESENT YOURSELF FALSELY. Do not use stock photographs for your profile pictures (logos and personalised avatars are fine or you have the option to not add a profile picture), please use your real or business name, and please ensure that you aren’t falsely advertising your expertise. 

In the event someone violates these guidelines, we will take action to protect other members of the group. This might include deleting messages, giving a warning, or in the event of extreme or repeat behaviour the member may be banned from the community. These decisions are final. Everyone is entitled to feel safe within this community and the moderators will do what they can to protect its members.

If you experience or witness any behaviour that doesn't follow our community guidelines, please contact us directly at:

hello@team-translator.com

All reports are kept confidential.

Being safe. Your interactions with other members of the #TeamTranslator Slack group.

#TeamTranslator, Kelsey Frick and Anikó Pető-Mordovski ("the #TeamTranslator team") are not responsible for and have no liability for what members of the #TeamTranslator Slack group do online or offline. You are solely responsible for your interactions with other members.

Though the #TeamTranslator team strives to encourage a respectful member experience through its community guidelines which you agree to upon joining, the #TeamTranslator team is not responsible for the conduct of any member online or offline, including but not limited to on the #TeamTranslator Slack group. You agree to use caution in all interactions with other members, particularly if you decide to communicate off the #TeamTranslator Slack group or meet in person. In addition, you agree to review and follow #TeamTranslator's Staying Safe Guide before communicating off the #TeamTranslator Slack group or meeting in person.

You understand that the #TeamTranslator team does not conduct criminal background checks on its members or otherwise inquire into the background of its members. The #TeamTranslator team makes no representations or warranties as to the conduct of members.

If you believe that someone is violating #TeamTranslator's community guidelines online or offline, you should report this activity immediately to the #TeamTranslator team directly at:

hello@team-translator.com

Our Community Guidelines is a live document, and it's possible that things may happen outside of these rules. We're constantly improving and trying to make our community as safe as it can be. These rules may be updated, and those updates will always be signposted in the #hello-translators channel.

We're still growing, so we absolutely encourage feedback from our group members. 

While we do moderate the Slack group, it's a space for you to have open discussions. So if there are things we can improve upon, please don't hesitate to reach out at:

hello@team-translator.com.