Businesses seek new audiences to expand. A couple of decades ago, this dream could not be turned into reality. However, with the advent of social media, the consumer base has expanded by over 3 billion. With such a huge population explosion, a lot of businesses have been initiated to fulfill consumer needs.
This provides an opportunity for organizations to diversify their target markets. But, to do that, they need professional social media translation services to communicate with global audiences.
Conveying Proposition
The real question over here is that how a firm can effectively convey its proposition to the international audience vis-a-vis social media platforms? Considering the fact that there are 7.9 billion people in the world, is there a need to cater to all of them individually. Moreover, is it necessary to translate every portion of the text on your social media page? The fact that the intended meaning can get lost in translation is a very serious issue.
In this article, we will discuss some of the best practices of social media translation. This will enable firms to answer all of the questions mentioned above.
Exploring The Target Market
Creating A Strategy With The Creative Team
One should never jump into the process of translation. Before this step, one needs to ploy a strategy with its creative team. The creative team will derive a plan that will be followed by the functional departments.
The fact that only a few social media posts capture the attention of the audiences is something firms tend to ignore. People are bombarded with numerous ads and asked about their preferences on a daily basis. Unfortunately, this leads to diverted attention and a lack of interest. Moreover, it also makes the consumer trust its instincts, rather than consciously making the decision to opt for a product or service.
Hence, companies are never able to engage their audience in the way they hope.
Choosing Social Media Channel
Thereby, it’s better to have a plan beforehand. Organizations should start by discussing the languages that they will translate into. It should not be an impulse decision, especially if you are starting up. Do not make the mistake of following the trends, rather focus on what your resources allow you to do.
Once that is decided, they can easily identify their target audiences. This step should be followed by choosing the social media channels for respective markets.
One may ask that why should we waste time choosing different channels for every market?
Example
For this query, the answer lies in the fact that every target market has a different usage quantity. The fact China, Iran, and Syria do not use Facebook is something businesses cannot ignore. Hence, if you utilize Facebook as your choice of social media channel for these markets, then it wouldn’t render any results. And all the effort, time, money, and resources you put into translating the content, would eventually go to waste. Hence, plan and think before you jump.
Targeting Locales Separately
A Big Mistake
Organizations often make the mistake of using several languages on one social media account. This strategy is not always effective. And according to some experts, it’s a big mistake.
Targeting In Respective Language
Brands should target every locale in their respective language. Rather than offering all the content in multiple languages, it’s better to specify the language as per the local audience. This will mold your content for the target market. It will increase adaptability. And customers will be able to relate to the proposition that you are offering.
Example
Let’s take the example of film translation. If you want to release a movie in a locale that dominantly speaks the Hindi language, would you attempt to offer the subtitles or audio dubbing in the German language?
Of course not. It will be a waste of time and effort. Hence, film translation services should translate or dub a movie as per the demand of the local audience.
Initiating a Hashtag Approach
Hashtags Work In Your Favor
Social media marketing is not complete without the appropriate use of hashtags. Many firms tend to ignore the importance of hashtags in social media campaigns. Moreover, when you are in the process of translation, utilizing hashtags can work in your favor. Hashtags derive customer traffic and allow companies to target specific niches by using them.
Creating A Hashtag Proposition
Organizations should create a hashtag proposition before they initiate the process of social media translation. This will provide you with ample time in choosing which hashtags should be translated first and which second. Once that is decided, you would eventually inculcate them into the social media posts.
Never Translate Directly
However, there is one thing that you should understand. And that never to translate the hashtags directly into the specific language. This will do you no good. Instead, study the cultural intricacies and preferences of the target market.
Your research should focus on the daily life choices, interests, behaviors, and customs of the target audience. And after understanding what they are, concoct terms that will immediately capture the interests of the audience, as they will be able to relate to it.
Do not follow the strategy adopted by random people on social media. And how they use hashtags without any context and understanding of its working. Refrain from such activity, as it does not encapsulate a goal-oriented strategy.
Taking Assistance from Local Translators
Conceptualize Customary Patterns
Without conceptualizing the customary patterns of the target market, you should never aim to initiate a social media marketing strategy there. It is advisable to study the people who will be purchasing your services. And the best way to do that is to take assistance from the translators who belong to that locale.
Native Speaking Translators
Only a native-speaking translator can provide you with the required knowledge pertaining to the traditional preferences and linguistic intricacies of that locale. Moreover, he can guide the translators with the appropriate use of certain terminologies. Plus how to use them and when not to. These little intricacies can only be possessed by a native-speaking translator. VIsit Languex.co if you are in need of high-quality translation to meet all your business and personal needs.
Lucid Content
Furthermore, a native-speaking translator will be better able to guide firms as to which content can be lucid for the audience at the international level. English may be the principal language utilize on social media platforms. But certain words are unable to grasp the essence of the message.
Hence, it is preferable to use phrases, jargon, and slang from the regional language that can help locals quickly grasp what the message is all about. Because ultimately your goal is to capture the consumer audience. And opting for the best option is the only option in terms of business.
Conclusion
Expanding a business is no longer an endeavor that you can only dream about. It may have been in the past, but not now.
Social media platforms enable firms to convey their proposition to the world audience. However, one needs assistance from social media translation services.
These agencies can help you understand the local audience. And enable an effective communication process with them. Nonetheless, one should always try to take assistance from relevant parties that are working in the industry. Only they can optimize your social media translation process.