Specific Solutions
Finance And Economics
Manufacturing Industry
Entertainment And Media
Finance And Economics
Manufacturing Industry
Entertainment And Media
Why Your Content Should Be Produced and Localized by the Same Team
Many organizations opt to produce multimedia content internally or with the help of an agency, thinking it will save time and money. However, once the content is ready for launch, they may decide to broaden their target audience, whether domestically or internationally. At this point, the content needs to be translated and/or localized. If these needs were not factored in during the creation phase, delays and added costs may occur. Keeping content creation and localization under one roof helps ensure a smoother and more cost-effective process.
What is Localization?
Localization is the process of adapting a website or other digital content to suit the language, cultural preferences, and expectations of different regions. For example, a website in American English may need to be localized for a British audience, using British spelling, metric measurements, and culturally relevant idioms. If the site is being localized for a non-English-speaking audience, it will also need translation.
Here are four key reasons why it makes sense to integrate content creation and localization under one team:
1) Content Is More Easily Optimized for Localization
The way content is created can directly impact how easily it can be localized. For example, at TransPerfect’s ContentLabs, we avoid creating videos with excessive on-screen text and ensure there is enough space for subtitles or captions.
For instance, in a film with subtitles, if the scene cuts too quickly, subtitles may not fit properly and could overflow into the next scene. By managing the editing ourselves, we can extend the scene by a second to maintain visual continuity.
2) Source Files Are Well-Organized
Sixty percent of the source files we receive are not prepared for localization. These files may be poorly organized, which makes it harder for our engineers to work with them. They may contain broken links, lose branded fonts, or have issues with file transfer speed. For example, a 10-minute 4K video could be several terabytes in size, making it cumbersome to share back and forth.
At TransPerfect, we know exactly how to organize source files to meet our engineers' needs. All source files are stored securely on a central server, making them easily accessible without the hassle of transferring large files between agencies.
3) You’ll Save Money
Some companies might choose to use different vendors throughout the content process, thinking it will save costs in the short term. However, this strategy often proves inefficient in the long run. When files need to be transferred or assets don’t align properly, the added project management time can offset any initial savings. Sometimes files are even missing altogether. If the content creation and localization are handled by the same team, such issues are less likely to arise.
“Bundling” services can lead to greater savings. At TransPerfect, we handle both content creation and localization from start to finish. This approach has helped more than 2,500 clients achieve a 40% cost saving on localization.
4) Your Content Will Be Consistent and High Quality
When content creation, translation, and localization are all handled by the same team, it ensures a consistent vision for the final product. Choosing a vendor who understands and executes your expectations minimizes the risk of deviations and guarantees that your deliverables align with your original vision.
For example, if you send a video script for translation and localization to a third party, they may not have the full context of your content. When it is returned, quality issues may arise—such as misinterpreted context or cultural errors. For instance, if a visual of a woman is translated with masculine terms, the message could be misinterpreted by the target audience, leading to lower engagement.
Final Thoughts
Localization doesn't have to be complicated. Keeping content creation, translation, and localization under one roof ensures a streamlined, efficient process that saves time, money, and maintains consistency and quality.
