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Interpreter Trainers: this manual and workshop makes a great complement to any preparation program. Typically, interpreting students graduate ill-prepared for the business aspect of their new careers. Signs of Development, LLC is available to provide a 1/2 day or full day business session developed especially for the Sign Language interpreter as a private practitioner. We will provide information about developing invoices, billing, contracts, non-compete clauses, marketing, setting up a business and much much more.
Order it Now.
Contents
 Introduction..........................................
3
As interpreters in private practice, so much of our education is devoted to the acquisition of language and culture and the subsequent work on interpreting between the two languages, English and American Sign Language, and between the two cultures, Deaf and hearing. Little emphasis is placed upon the reality that upon graduation and entrance into the profession of interpreting, we are frequently ill-prepared for
the business aspect of our work. Regardless of how we acquired our skills that enable us to work as interpreters or what motivation we have
for entering the field of Sign Language interpretation, it is incumbent upon us as professionals and members of a profession to acquire those
skills that also enable us to practice our craft in accordance with standard business practices. Much of the struggle of interpreters over
the past 30 years has been to acquire a professional status and the conditions and remuneration enjoyed by that status.
It is my hope that this manual will be one step in the journey toward equal and full acceptance of Sign Language interpreters as professionals. It is my primary goal, in writing this manual, to give practicing interpreters and students of interpreting the tools for conducting the business of interpreting in accordance with business standards. This includes understanding of business structures so that you, the interpreter, are equipped with the knowledge essential to selecting the structure appropriate for you and your business needs.
A secondary goal is also to provide information to assist interpreters to make the most of the deductible expenses. This manual is a guide and should not replace the counsel of a CPA whose responsibilities are to keep up with current tax legislation changes. Included in this manual are tips for tax planning that are unique to Sign Language interpreters along with a discussion of deductions.
The tertiary goal of this manual is to provide sample forms specifically tailored to the business of interpreting. These forms are also made available on an accompanying disk in either Macintosh or Windows format. This should benefit interpreters by minimizing the need
to create new forms or can serve as a guide to revise current forms being utilized.
Finally, no manual on business practices would be complete without a discussion of appropriate business protocol. Business practices include not only the paper aspect of our business but also the relationship aspect. The manner in which we conduct our business can determine our success in this profession.
I have selected the style of this manual to be a dynamic, as opposed to a static, format. This dynamic format mirrors the nature of tax laws. With this format, sections related to these changes can easily be updated. This satisfies the need for this manual to remain current for
future students of interpreting.
Getting Started
Step 1
Staff, Employee
or Independent...... 3
Contractor?
Distinctions
Benefits
and Disadvantages
Step 2:
Determining a
Legal Structure......... 5
Step 3:
Do
your homework...............................
11
Assess the Competition
Step 4:
What's
in a name?.................................
12
Step 5:
Budget
your Time and Money............. 12
Record
keeping
Bookkeeping
Accounting
Step 6:
Benefits
of a Business Plan................. 16
Step 7:
Legal
Legwork.......................................
16
Step 8:
Generate
Start-Up Capital................ 17
Step 9:
Marketing
Your Business.................... 18
Product
Price
Place
Promotion
Profit
Taxes.....................................................
21
Deductions
Donations: Time vs. Money
 Insurance.............................................
31
Business
Liability
Professional
Health
Disability
Contracts.......................................... 32
Working Conditions......................... 32
Business Protocol............................. 33
Professional Assistance................. 33
CPA's
Attorneys
Mentors
SCORE
Taking advantage of Technology. 35
Building your web presence
Resources............................................ 36
Appendices
Appendix A.........................................
37
Corporate Structure Matrix
Appendix B..........................................
38
Salary Comparison Matrix
Appendix C..........................................
40
Business Start-Up Projects
Appendix D.........................................
45
Start-Up Time Lines
Appendix E..........................................
50
$'s & Sense Disk Contents
Contract
Marketing Plan
Non-Compete
Financial Planning
Non-Solicit
Invoice
Rates and Conditions Business Plan
IRS Independent vs. Contractor Test
Interpreters'
Hourly Rate Worksheet
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