Getting Started as a Freelance Interpreter: Essential Strategies for Launching and Growing Your Business as a Spoken-language Interpreter

by Corinne McKay

Getting Started as a Freelance Interpreter is the essential guide for anyone looking to build a successful career as a spoken-language interpreter. Written by Corinne McKay, author of How to Succeed as a Freelance Translator (15,000 copies sold across three editions), this book walks you through everything you need to know to launch and grow your interpreting business.

As a certified French court interpreter with a Master of Conference Interpreting degree from Glendon College, Corinne shares insights from her 20+ years in the language industry. She breaks down key steps, including how to decide if interpreting is right for you, set up your business, pursue certification, find your first clients, set your rates, and improve your interpreting skills.

Strong language skills alone won’t make you a successful interpreter—business and marketing know-how are just as crucial. Many aspiring freelancers struggle to get started because they don’t know how to attract clients or run a sustainable business. Getting Started as a Freelance Interpreter helps you avoid common mistakes and build a thriving career on your own terms. Whether you’re completely new to the field or looking to transition into freelancing, this book gives you the tools and confidence to succeed

155 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 14, 2025

Reviews

[Anna Ivanchenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid book for budding interpreters, though seasoned colleagues will undoubtedly find something of interest as well. Due to the author's location, she talks primarily about the US market so that's why I took one star a way - in many places it was not relevant enough for me.

[JT Hine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are competently bilingual (and this book explains how to know), Corinne McKay can help you get started as an interpreter. She aims her book at those you have never been professional language mediators (translators and interpreters) as well as translators considering moving into interpreting.
I read her book on succeeding as a freelance translator. This book is just as good, but in a different way. She has developed a more personal writing style, like listening to one of her presentations (which I have also done). She makes the subject approachable without underplaying the challenges.
Even if you don't decide to try interpreting, you will be glad you read this book, and I bet that you will enjoy it. Considering how misunderstood interpreters are in general, you will be much smarter for having read it. Enjoy!

[Veronika Demichelis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a must-have for those curious about the interpreting profession or those getting started as an interpreter! Corinne shares practical and honest advice on taking your first steps on the interpreting journey, working on the interpreting skills, preparing for and taking interpreting certification exams, working with different types of clients, setting your rates, marketing your services and much more. The book is such a fun and easy read, and you’ll want to keep it close by and refer to it often. It is very well-structured, clear, and engaging, and it has answers to all of the most common questions freelance interpreters have when they’re starting and growing their business—plus tips on where to find more information. As a freelancer, you often have questions or encounter situations when you wish you could phone a friend who gets it. This book makes you feel like you’re having a friendly chat with a lovely colleague who sincerely wants to help, encourage, and lift you up. You’ll feel more confident, re-energized, and have a clear idea of what steps to take next.

[Victoria Moroz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lovely book about our profession, highly recommended to all new and seasoned colleagues.