When translating marketing materials makes sense for your company

If your company uses marketing materials to reach potential customers, you may have already considered translating these materials into other languages, and wondered what the benefits could be for your company if you do so. Deciding whether or not translating these materials would benefit your company is a big decision, and we understand it may not be something you take lightly. There are a few things to keep in mind when making this decision:

–        Who is your target market? If your business is located in an area with a larger population of Limited English Proficient (LEP) speakers, it may make sense to target this demographic as potential customers. Translating marketing materials into a customer’s native language can help the customer feel appreciated and also help him or her fully understand your business. A customer who does not understand your advertisements is less likely to feel engaged with your brand. According to the 2010 Census, 12.4% of Americans speak Spanish as their main language, 3.7% speak other Indo-European languages, and 3% speak Asian and Pacific languages. Take a look at the US Census for further detail as to language use in your specific area. This is a great tool to help determine the need for translated materials and what languages make the most sense for your company.

–        How does it fit into your budget? Although translating your marketing materials may seem like an unnecessary cost up front, especially if you have a large number of materials to translate, it could easily mean a full return on your investment (and then some) in a short amount of time. If your translations help to attract new clients, it will earn your company new business. If these customers feel appreciated and fully understand how your business works, they will be more likely to become repeat customers, which is wonderful news for your bottom line. Moreover, you may not need to translate all of your materials at once. Prioritize those that will be most effective for this target market. Other materials can always be translated at a later date.

A professional translator will understand how best to deliver your specific brand and message to the desired demographic and provide that translation for these new customers. If the potential client base is there, whether in the U.S. or overseas, we certainly recommend making the initial investment to translate your marketing materials. The long-term payoff for your company is well worth the initial cost to start the translation process. For a free quote, contact us today.