A commodity is something valued purely by price and availability – like wheat, oil, or generic office supplies. That’s not what we do.
And yet:
Some agencies treat pricing as the sole differentiator, leading to a race to the bottom. Platforms allow anyone to market themselves as a translator, flooding the market with unqualified providers. AI-driven workflows sometimes reduce human expertise to an afterthought instead of putting it at the center.
The result? The conversation shifts from “Who is the best fit for this project?” to “Who is the cheapest and fastest option?”
Translation is, at its core, a business of communication.
And communication is built on trust (and respect):
Freelancers and agencies need clients to trust that we make the best use of the tools available to us – balancing technology with human expertise.
Agencies need freelancers to trust that they see us as true partners, treating us with respect and fairness.
Freelancers need agencies to trust that we deliver quality work – whatever "fit for purpose" means for the end client (which isn’t always about perfection but about meeting real-world needs).
When trust is strong, partnerships thrive. But when it’s broken, we end up with an industry where freelancers are treated as interchangeable service providers rather than skilled professionals.
Freelancers are expected to prove their value – but who reinforces it?
For years, we’ve been told that to thrive as freelancers, we need to “communicate our value.” Build a strong brand. Differentiate ourselves. Prove that we’re not just another name in an endless database.
That’s great advice – and I fully believe in it. But what happens when the industry itself doesn’t reinforce that value?
We are the ones providing the actual services that allow agencies to deliver results to their clients.
We are the ones carrying the burden of educating clients on why humans should not just be “in the loop” but at the helm of the process.
We are the ones being asked to prove, over and over again, that AI-driven workflows still require human expertise.
We are the ones pushing for professional associations to advocate for our value, raise awareness, and influence industry standards.
And yet, despite all this, some still believe that freelancers are a commodity?
Who benefits from this mindset?
It’s no secret that some agencies and platforms benefit from keeping freelancers in a commodity role.
If freelancers are seen as interchangeable, agencies have more leverage to drive prices down.
If clients don’t fully understand the value of human expertise, it’s easier to sell AI-heavy workflows as “good enough.”
If platforms allow anyone to call themselves a translator, they can grow their user base without accountability.
But here’s the reality: treating freelancers as a commodity is short-sighted.
Low-cost, high-volume approaches lead to quality issues.
If freelancers stop investing in professional development because rates don’t justify it, the industry loses expertise.
If skilled professionals exit the field, clients will struggle to find qualified language experts.
Many small-to-medium-sized agencies share freelancers’ concerns about these shifts. They also face price pressures, client education challenges, and concerns about AI workflows.
Freelancers can’t push back alone. If we truly want to shift the narrative, agencies need to step up too.
How do we shift the narrative?
Instead of just pointing out the problem, let’s talk solutions. Because we, as freelancers, have more power than we sometimes realize.
Strengthen freelancer-agency partnerships
The best agencies already treat freelancers as trusted partners, not just vendors. They understand that sustainable collaboration benefits both sides.
Freelancers:
Work with agencies that align with your values – those that prioritize quality, fair rates, and long-term partnerships.
Be selective about who you collaborate with. The more we normalize higher standards, the more agencies will have to step up.
Agencies:
Stop marketing "cheap and fast" as your main selling point. It undercuts the entire industry.
Communicate your commitment to quality and fair freelancer treatment. If you see freelancers as true partners, say it – clearly and publicly.
Push for fairer job platforms
Some platforms claim to be “built for freelancers” – but how well do they actually serve us? Freelancers and agencies alike should demand better because an unregulated marketplace helps no one.
Stricter standards on who can post jobs and join the platform.
A transparent feedback system where freelancers can leave honest reviews without being pressured to change or delete them.
Stronger protection against exploitative practices – whether it’s non-payment, AI abuse, or downward pricing pressure.
Change the conversation around AI-driven workflows
The conversation around AI is happening with or without us. If we don’t shape it, we risk being sidelined.
Why human expertise is essential in AI-driven workflows.
What “fit for purpose” actually means.
How translation quality impacts business outcomes.
Use our collective voice to influence industry standards
Professional associations, conferences, and networking groups exist for a reason. These are the spaces where we shape the industry’s direction.
Freelancers:
Get involved, even in small ways. Whether it’s attending industry events, contributing to discussions, or advocating for fairer treatment.
Agencies:
Speak up for your freelancers. Push for fairer practices. If your business relies on quality freelancers, don’t stay silent when the industry moves in the wrong direction.
Stop normalizing bad industry practices just because “that’s the way things are.”
Change starts with what we collectively accept and reject.
Freelancers drive this industry – let's act like it and never let anyone reduce us to a commodity.
At the end of the day, the industry doesn’t function without us. We’re the ones ensuring quality, pushing for professional standards, and educating clients on what truly matters. That’s not the definition of a commodity. That’s the definition of expertise. So besides asking freelancers to "communicate their value," we should be asking: What is the industry doing to reinforce it? Let’s make sure the answer reflects the value we bring.
