A Translation Service Making $1k/month

Sure! My name is Maya, and I run a part-time freelance translation service specializing in English to Spanish and vice versa. I started this as a side hustle a few years ago while working full-time as a project coordinator at a nonprofit. I’m fluent in both languages, having grown up in a bilingual household, and I’ve always loved playing with words and meaning. Eventually, I realized I could put my language skills to work and help businesses, content creators, and academics reach wider audiences.

My business mainly revolves around translating website content, marketing materials, product descriptions, and academic papers. I’ve worked with clients across industries—from tech startups launching in Latin America to YouTubers who want subtitles for their videos. I operate mostly through freelance platforms like Upwork, but I also get referrals through LinkedIn and word of mouth. It’s been an incredibly rewarding journey to turn something I enjoy into a profitable venture.

The real push came when I helped a friend translate her resume and cover letter into English. She landed a great job shortly afterward and told me how much that translation helped her confidence and chances. That made me realize how valuable language services can be. Around the same time, I noticed more businesses were globalizing their content but often relied on clunky machine translations that lacked cultural nuance. I figured there was a gap I could fill.

I’ve also always been passionate about bridging communication gaps. I studied international relations in college, so the idea of helping people understand one another—across borders and languages—has always been close to my heart. Starting this side hustle allowed me to combine that interest with practical skills and start earning on the side.

For me, success is about flexibility, impact, and client satisfaction. Since this is a side hustle, it’s important that it fits into my life without burning me out. When I’m able to manage a consistent stream of clients, maintain my full-time job, and still feel energized by the work, that’s a win. I also consider it a success when clients come back for repeat work or refer me to others—that’s the best validation.

On a deeper level, I define success by the quality of the communication I help facilitate. If a translated document or video helps someone land a job, reach new customers, or just feel more seen and understood, that’s incredibly fulfilling. It means I’m doing more than just converting words—I’m connecting people.

If I could go back, I would definitely spend more time upfront building a solid portfolio and investing in a professional website. In the beginning, I relied heavily on freelance marketplaces, which are great for getting started but can also be competitive and limit your rates. Having a polished online presence would have helped me attract higher-quality clients sooner.

I’d also be more strategic about niching down earlier. I tried to take on every kind of translation job at first—legal, medical, technical—but I later found that I was most comfortable and effective with marketing and content localization. Focusing on that niche not only improved my efficiency but also allowed me to market myself as a specialist, which led to better rates and stronger client relationships.

Start by leveraging your strengths and building a focused portfolio, even if you have to do a few small jobs for free or discounted rates at the beginning. Clients want to see samples of real work, so create examples based on industries you want to serve. Also, don’t underestimate the power of networking—join translator groups, attend language-related webinars, and be active on platforms like LinkedIn where potential clients hang out.

Another key piece of advice is to set clear boundaries and manage your time well, especially if this is a side hustle. It’s easy to get overwhelmed if you take on too much. Use tools to stay organized, communicate professionally, and always prioritize quality over quantity. Reputation is everything in freelance translation.

On average, I earn between $800 to $1,200 a month from translation work, depending on how many projects I take on. Some months are lighter when my full-time job is more demanding, but during busy periods or when I take on large contracts, I’ve made as much as $2,000 in a month. It’s a nice supplement to my income and has helped me save for travel and pay off student loans faster.

What’s great is that the income is fairly steady now that I have a few recurring clients. I also raise my rates gradually as I gain more experience and better understand my value. So while it started small, it’s grown into a meaningful and reliable source of extra income.