If today you are the head of a company that operates in the global market, or if you are just an entrepreneur who dreams of reaching such heights one day, you will not object to the importance of communication. When it comes to communicating with clients from different cultures and regions, translation becomes a pressing need. However, a quality translation is much more important than it seems at first glance.
To translate does not mean simply isolating the content of the source text and conveying it using the words of another language. To date, the translation of business documents provides for the achievement of unhindered communication. It is about knowing the target audience and the ability to formulate a long-term connection with it.
Below we draw the attention of each international company to what must be taken into account when ordering a translation.
1. A QUESTION OF QUALITY
When it comes to translation, “quality” comes first. The correct combination of verbs or other grammatical criteria is not so important. It is important not only what you say, but also how you say it – the form, not just the content.
FIRST IMPRESSION
Think back to a poorly written article or book you last read. Most likely, it seemed bad to you not because it was difficult to understand the content (or not only because of this). Perhaps the text was poorly readable or there were inappropriate turns in it. In general, the idea arose that the author did not care at all about the impressions that his work would cause in the reader.
If you trust mediocre, low-paid best certified translators, you risk making that impression on your clients. It is important to understand that those who translate for you do not just sell your products and services, they also help create an unforgettable first impression. After all, you can’t make a first impression twice. Therefore, listen and remember!
PRESERVE BOTH MEANING AND EMOTIONAL TINT
In order for the translation to make the necessary impression, it is necessary to work with native speakers. They are well acquainted with the clichés that are used in a particular field and have experience of communicatf you are just an entrepreneur who dreams of reaching such heights one day, you will not object to the importance of communicationing with the people for whom the products are designed. They will ensure that the resulting translation will have a “local flavor” that no book or dictionary can teach.
Localized translations will help to find a common language with buyers. Thanks to this approach, advertising texts will be much more effective. Highly qualified translators, accurate in their translations, friendly and sensitive, will make buyers fall in love with you. They will believe that you are really interested in connecting with them – and in business, as you know, this is extremely appreciated.
After all, translation into another language must be done with the same attention to detail that you give them in texts in your native language . It should be informative, relevant, easy to read and capture. This is the best way to show that you care about your foreign clients and give them the proper attention. Great content will show them how serious you are about entering their market and meeting their needs.
2. CREATE CONTENT
In order to show customers that you care about their wishes and needs, you need to consider whether your product will be available to the entire international customer base. In most cases, a complete “content dump” is not the best option. Let’s find out exactly why.
PRODUCT AVAILABILITY
To conduct international business, it is safer to assume that each of the markets in the international arena will need different types of your products and services. Are your products available everywhere? Will every customer in the world you serve be able to purchase them? If yes, then it is definitely worth the time spent on translation.
On the other hand, if your catalog is offered in every market, make sure you only translate content that is related to the products and services available there. Otherwise, you are simply teasing customers by offering them information about products that they will not be able to purchase services that will not provide to the population of their country. This can be confusing, can be regarded as a manifestation of disorganization and unprofessionalism. You run the risk of prompting your customers to think that you have not thought everything through. You are pushing them to be disappointed in advance.
AVOID EXCESSIVE COSTS
Proper distribution of funds is beneficial not only for customers, but also for the company. Not only will this give customers a good impression of your company and your products, but it will also save money and the integrity of the bottom line. Why translate all content into all languages when only some products will be offered in every language?
From the very beginning, consider selecting content in each language, developing it for each market separately – first in English, paying attention to each individual set of commercial and cultural expectations. If you do this in advance, you will not only reduce the cost of translation services, but also speed up the work. In the end, if you do the extra work to make sure that the content is selected correctly, it will only benefit you. You will save time and money and show your customers that you are organized, insightful and attentive when it comes to their individual needs.
3. DIFFERENT TRANSLATION OPTIONS FOR DIFFERENT CONTENT
It is important to understand that translation is not a type of service to please everyone. A variety of options are at your disposal. What works for one content may not work for another. Plus, if you’re a small business, a company that’s new to the market looking for ways to establish itself in the international market, or any other entity on a tight budget that knows options can help save money, you need to hold on. afloat.
AVOID THE EASY PATH
The temptation to use fast translation methods can be overwhelming, especially if you are on a tight budget and short on time. In such cases, the option to use free translation programs may seem like a good idea. But in most cases, this is exactly what should be avoided. Yes, they are cheap (or even freely available) and work quickly. However, most of them fail to provide the quality translation your clients deserve.
Turn to translation programs only if the target language is common both in life and on the Internet. For example, it could be French or Spanish. Internet translation systems tend to “learn” from content that is available on the Internet. The more matches, the better the translation. Do not forget that such a transfer should not take place openly.
Never offer a client translations that were made using these systems. You can find and correct errors and incorrect phrases together with your colleagues; allowing your clients to do this work is a manifestation of unprofessionalism.
TRUST PROFESSIONALS
When you are preparing materials (of any nature) for clients, and especially materials for translation into languages and dialects that are not common in the world, do not look for workarounds. This applies not only to the use of free or inexpensive Internet-based automated translation systems. A colleague or friend who speaks the language cannot replace a true professional.
Take no chances and contact a professional translation agency in London that has an impeccable reputation and is well versed in your field. There, your project will be entrusted to a proven team of professionals. All members of this team will be native speakers and experts in any industry.
When and where appropriate, it’s a good idea to have certain pieces of content written in the target language available. This will make the content authentic and akin to the reader more than a translation. Any content written in a foreign language must go through an established quality assurance process to ensure accuracy, error free, and readability.
4. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
In the course of planning a translation project, company managers may forget the importance of proper management. They mistakenly believe that there is nothing difficult in this, but later realize that they should have planned everything in advance.
When you take on a project, immediately ask yourself if you have the necessary resources and time to complete the manager’s job from start to finish. If not, then leave this job to the professionals.
UNDERSTANDING THE SCOPE OF THE PROJECT
It’s easy to underestimate how much time, effort and commitment a project will require, even if you already have management experience. This process involves a lot more than just constantly checking in with the team to make sure everything is going according to plan.
Translation projects, especially large ones, can involve a lot of work besides the translation itself. For example, if your project is the translation of a website and materials that are hosted on it, including a content management system, a lot of time can be spent on manual work – copying and pasting the translated data into this system. If the project involves translation into several languages, then we are talking about work for several days or even weeks.
This does not mean that you cannot plan your own translation projects. However, it is important to evaluate each new project on a case-by-case basis to make sure you really have the time and desire.
PROFESSIONAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT
From a management point of view, a project manager can do any job for you: select a team, coordinate schedules, establish communication, and ensure that each phase of the translation is given the necessary manpower and time. A professional project manager can be a real godsend when it comes to expert advice in life.
One more thing to keep in mind: a professional translation project manager will have access to tools, methods and resources that you may not be aware of – the translation industry, just like the industry, has its own tools that are improving every day. Your projects will be executed with excellence, and the use of advanced technologies, equipment and software during the translation process will ensure a quick completion of the work.
A good translation company will be able to handle all the major components of your project, even the management details. Leave their work to the professionals, and together with the team, manage your own company and develop your brand.
CHOOSE THE RIGHT COMPANY TO WORK
You wouldn’t even think of entrusting any other job in the company to an inexperienced company. Why then save on translation? Remember, translated materials will serve as a way to connect with important clients, buyers and readers around the world. The quality of translations will affect the company’s bottom line and reputation from the first impression until the presence of foreign languages in your business increases. You need to entrust this task to the right company from day one.
