If you don’t speak the same first language as your client, how do they know they can rely on your expertise? Luckily, working internationally doesn’t have to come with language barriers. Today, we’re looking at how translation for consulting services works.
Is consulting services translation important?
Every word counts when it comes to good business communication. Misunderstandings cost time and money, and can damage your reputation. It’s vital to have everyone on the same page. That’s where translation comes in.
Delivering information to current or potential clients in their own languages can build trust. But this won’t work if the communication is patchy or confusing. Working with a knowledgeable translation service can help you get your message across in just the right way, protecting your image and boosting your reputation.
Localization for consulting explained
Translation changes text from one language to another. Localization expands on this. The process takes cultural differences into account, making changes that help deliver the meaning rather than just the words.
This is because cultural differences impact how products and services resonate with an audience. A tone of voice that creates a friendly atmosphere in one language might be deemed overly familiar in another. Imagery can change meaning. Cultural references can be confusing. Even details like units of measurement need to be considered.
In short, localization can help your business work abroad.
Steps for localizing consulting services
The exact steps you need to localize your services depend on your offering. Below you can find examples of how these might look.
- Choose the right language (and dialect)
Working out exactly who is in your target market will help you choose the right language. Which regions do you currently work in, and which do you expect to expand into?
It’s also easy to make assumptions about which languages people speak on a daily basis; without cultural knowledge, you might find yourself making the wrong choice. For example, if a country is bilingual, do you know which language your clients speak day-to-day? Are you choosing the right dialect?
- Consider your web presence
Your web presence is like a window into your business. It shows how professional, approachable, and communicative you are. If you have a successful web presence in one language, you’ll need more than simple translation to make it work in another language.
For example, how do your potential clients find your website in their language? 68% of trackable traffic starts at a search engine, meaning multilingual search engine optimization is vital.
If you use a social media platform like LinkedIn, are your posts suitably localized in the new language? Do they speak about the topics your target audience cares about, in a way that resonates with them?
- Know when to translate
Translation and globalization are both important when branching out internationally. However, localization is best suited to creative texts such as marketing materials. When it comes to legal documents, it’s vital to maintain the exact original meaning.
This means working with an experienced legal documents translator who understands the field, translation techniques, and the appropriate languages.
Future Group
Whether you’re launching abroad for the first time or want to boost your consultancy business, future group can help. We work with native speaking, professional translators who truly understand your field as well as theirs.
Also, We offer translation and localization across a range of fields, including legal documents translation, marketing localizations, and more.
We work to the highest standards. See how we could help your business or get in touch for more information.