Would like to find out:

Where to find freelance translation work that is long-term and pay well?
Those overseas freelancing website, seems to low-ball a lot and cheapskate correct?

Any experienced freelancers willing to share more information?

1. what's your specialty? If you have one eg. legal or engineering then your rates are higher

2. are you looking at joining at agency eg. SDI Media or being a standalone freelancer on the likes of Upwork? The former is stable, boring work eg. RM1-2k monthly. The latter will probably net you a higher income but you have to market yourself well to avoid the lowballers

3. Provided your English is good and you can communicate well, you can also expand into proofreading and editing, however again these are full of lowballers from places like India. Best to establish your expertise and work locally rather than online.

I used to do subtitle translations for TV3. Rates were roughly RM200 for 1 hour of show times. 1 hour of showtime is equivalent to 3-6 hours of work. Unfortunately they don't hire directly anymore and have outsourced to agencies. Rates have also not gone up after many many years...

1. i have tech background.

2. I would say the likes of Upwork.

Oh okay. So I guess the subtitling work for TV3 and Astro etc. are done by external agencies like SDI Media ya?

Seems like more benefits to go into these full time agencies if one is keen rather than freelancing.

so low 200 ?

Is RM200 per hour of showtime really low?

Assuming you can do 1-2 hours of showtime per day (that's between 5-8 hours full time translation work), you're netting around RM200-400 per day or RM4-9k per month.

I'm sure many people don't think earning RM4,000 and above per month is low. I used to do it on top of my full time work and could easily earn RM2+k per month. Why did I stop? Because it's super boring

yes i'm thinking like this

that's between 5-8 hours full time translation work / RM 200

So low per hour. But it's per show.. if you can get constant show okay.. but if just twice a month.. so low la.

Realistically it's 4-5 hours per hour of showtime, so you're getting RM40-50 per actual hour worked.

Yes there are a lot of shows, out there, think of all those cooking, reality, korean dramas etc. The limit is more on how much work you really want. Once you have your schedule/process clear, then you can easily churn through the whole thing.

If you still feel that RM40-50 per hour worked is low then not much I can do, try competing on Upwork to see how low that can go even for specialized skills.

yup . .some freelancer even in malaysia drop their rate so low.. i will checkout upwork.. because in the future i will going some apps translation.. i wouldn't paid people like 200 lol.. it's nonsense.. Hopping for google translate,bing translate.. ,taibo i think translate..All people seem confuse. i also confuse with chinese slang.

200 still ok la haha but wont be rich..not so low also..

so i'm keen on doing freelance jobs as well, i've even signed up in upwork. however till now i have yet to get an assignment. would like to seek advice from you all.