If content is king, then video content reigns supreme. There are estimates that state homepages that include video are able to produce 20% more conversions and landing pages see 80%. It is no wonder that more and more companies are looking to add video to their sites. As a company’s reach expands, it is likely that video translation will be necessary to keep global customers engaged with the video content. To save time and reduce costs, these are four ways that companies can plan ahead for video translation from the first time the camera rolls.
1. Understand the benefits of professional video translation.
Working with a professional video translation company is important. Not only does it ensure that you will receive a quality product that contains accurate information, but it can actually provide a considerable amount of cost savings as well. Professional video translation includes an efficient workflow that takes the guesswork out of translation. The team will help your company decide on the best translation approach – from subtitles to voice-over recording – and provide turnkey services to allow you to focus on other aspects of growing your company while your work is translated. As you take your content across the globe, you want a quality reputation to grow with it.
2. Keep a global perspective.
Everyone has to start somewhere and often times, you aren’t thinking about the big picture or the long run when you first get started. However, if you shift your perspective from the beginning, your video content will be primed for translation long before you need it.
How do you keep a more global perspective? When you are planning your initial script, examine the figurative language that you are using. Proverbs, idioms, turns of phrases, or anything else specific to English is best avoided. It is also important to consider the symbols you might project on the screen or the gestures your actors might make. A professional video translation team can help with audience analysis and avoiding these faux paus, but it makes sense to omit them from the start.
3. Slow and steady equals success.
Speaking clearly and slowly should be a top priority when recording any video content even if you never intend to translate your videos. Not only does a slower speech help audiences process the information as it is shared verbally, it also gives them time to process the information displayed visually on the screen.
If speech speed is slow in the original video content, video translation will be much more effective. If subtitles are utilized, it will be much easier to sync the subtitle to the scene. By having less information displayed on the screen at a time, your viewers have more time to digest the information and are less likely to run into issues with the information disappearing before it is understood.
Additionally, this speech speed can also impact video translation when text expansion occurs. If your content is translated into a language that grows in size when it is translated, the screen will become even more crowded with subtitles or you might simply run out of space. A more deliberate speed when you record the initial source file will help avoid these challenges during video translation.
4. Save some space.
When creating your video content, it is important to consider the different screens that viewers use to access information. While some people may still prefer to consume content on desktops or laptops, more and more people are using their smartphones to view mobile content. These considerations are important even if you are not translating your video content initially.
Different screen sizes can impact the way that on-screen text is viewed, especially if there are banners or other text boxes. The shifts in size can alter the layout, resulting in shots that look cluttered and confusing. This matter is further complicated when you look to use video translation later. If your screen already displays banners with scene titles or speaker bios, it can be difficult to fit the subtitles in the same space.
You also want to make sure that you are not overwhelming your viewers with information that is on the screen. If you are displaying complex graphics or nuanced charts, it is important to not overload viewers with a complicated audio message as well. Instead, you will want to make sure the audio is complementary. Walk your viewers through what they are seeing and give them plenty of time to digest the information.
Final Thoughts on Getting Ready for Video Translation
Your company might only deliver content in one language now. Even so, there are simple steps that you can take when creating video content now that will save you time and money in the future. By following these steps, future video translation will be a smooth process, and you can take your vision to screens around the globe when you are ready.