Expanding globally? Great news! There’s only one problem: you need to speak your customer’s language. 65% of consumers prefer to read content in their own language, and almost half of them won’t buy if it’s not. That means you’ll need to set up a localization process for your company.
However, you may not have the in-house expertise to manage translation projects across multiple languages — a common roadblock faced by established companies and bootstrapped startups alike.
This is where JOEL Localization comes in. Whether you need just a few files translated or full-brown project management — including everything from recruiting translators to tool integration — here is what you can expect from partnering with us for your localization needs.
What we offer
- Standalone translations: Perfect for when you just need individual documents, videos, or any other content translated.
- Localization project design: This is a comprehensive approach to managing your entire localization project from start to finish. It includes linguist recruitment, tool training, glossary and style guide development, ongoing translations, and more.
- Interpretation turnkey packages: Ideal for events and conferences, this package includes not just professional interpretation services but also the provision of all necessary equipment and booths.
Standalone translations
At the outset, you’ll kick things off by submitting a translation request — usually through email, but we can also collaborate using any of your preferred tools.
Be it Slack, Notion, Teams, Lokalise, or Smartling — we’ll meet you where your company works.
Once you submit your request, we’ll go over the essentials together:
- the volume of content to be translated,
- the desired delivery date,
- any specific requirements you may have.
This stage is crucial for setting expectations and ensuring our localization process aligns with your expansion goals.
Essential materials and preferences
To ensure high translation quality, we encourage you to provide us with any available resources or preferences that you may have:
- Glossary/terminology: If you have an existing glossary or specific terminology that’s used internally, it’s good to share it with us. It’s especially important for proper nouns, product names, or industry-specific jargon. If you don’t have a glossary, no worries — any guidance on preferred terms or spellings is still extremely helpful.
- Style guide: Understanding your preferred voice and tone is essential for us to convey your brand’s message accurately. If you don’t have a formal style guide, simply let us know the intended purpose and style of the material—be it formal, friendly, or sleek for marketing purposes.
Translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) process
Once we have all the necessary information, the TEP part of our localization process begins. This involves:
- Translation: Your content is translated by a professional linguist with subject matter expertise in your niche — ensuring it’s not only accurate but also culturally relevant.
- Editing: A native editor of the target language reviews the translation for any nuances or subtleties that may have been overlooked, ensuring the translation feels natural and authentic.
- Proofreading: The final layer of quality assurance, proofreading, eliminates any lingering errors or inconsistencies, ensuring the translated content is polished and ready for your audience.
Special formats and video subtitles
For content requiring Desktop Publishing (DTP) or video subtitle translations, we offer tailored services to accommodate these needs:
- DTP Services: If your material has a special format, we’ll ensure the translated content is perfectly aligned with the original design, maintaining the integrity and professionalism of your documents.
- Video Subtitles: We adopt a concise and streamlined style for subtitles to enhance readability. Additionally, we can embed these subtitles into your videos or provide a version of the video with the subtitles burnt in, ready for distribution.
Delivery and follow-up
Your translated content is delivered by the agreed-upon deadline upon completion. Typically, little to no follow-up is required once the content is delivered and approved, as our thorough TEP process ensures the highest quality output from the start.
While we strive for perfection in every project, we remain open to feedback and are ready to make any necessary adjustments to ensure your complete satisfaction.
Localization project design
Every business has different needs, and flexibility is key in addressing them.
That’s why our localization process is modular, allowing you to choose the components that best suit your requirements. Whether you’re looking to localize a mobile app, a website, a game, or marketing materials, we offer a range of services that can be combined into a custom package.
Arranging localization resources
A dedicated team of linguists is the foundation of any successful localization project. Here’s how we assemble your dream team:
- Recruitment of linguists: We understand the importance of niche-specific expertise, which is why we create a customized test kit for each domain to ensure we recruit the best linguists for your project.
- Glossary development: To ensure consistency and accuracy, we collaborate with you to create a comprehensive glossary of commonly used terms within your company and industry.
- Style guide creation: A consistent tone and voice are crucial for establishing your brand identity across different markets. We help create a style guide that reflects your brand’s values and appeals to your target audience.
Training and tools
Ensuring that your team is well-equipped and knowledgeable about the tools and processes is crucial. That’s why we offer:
- Linguist training: We provide thorough training to all team members on the relevant tools and your specific project requirements.
- Tool integration consulting: If you’re new to localization, we offer consulting services to help integrate your content management system. We guide you through the process of preparing your content for localization, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow.
Ongoing support and communication
A successful localization project requires ongoing management and communication:
- Continuous TEP process: Translation, editing, and proofreading (TEP) are ongoing efforts. We provide continuous TEP services to ensure your content remains up-to-date and culturally relevant.
- Project management: Regular communication with a dedicated project manager ensures that your project stays on track and is aligned with your evolving needs.
Planning and prioritization
Understanding the scope and priorities of your project is vital:
- Volume and updates: Information about the initial volume of content and the expected size of regular updates allows us to plan resources and timelines effectively.
- Prioritization: Identifying which parts of your product need to be localized first is crucial for a targeted approach.
- Machine translation: For particularly high-volume projects, we can use machine translation (MT) as a placeholder for less critical content — allowing us to focus on high-priority areas first. However, this is not recommended for very visible strings.
Our goal is to provide you with a localization process that not only meets your immediate needs but also supports your long-term success in global markets. By combining our modular services, expert team, and continuous support, we ensure your localization project is successful from start to finish.
Interpretation turnkey packages
Got an international conference or event on the horizon? Here’s a breakdown of how we handle interpretation projects at every step, what we’ll take care of for you, what we’ll need from you, and how we support you even after the event is over.
Before the event: Laying the groundwork
- Understanding your needs: First off, we chat about what you’re aiming for with your event. We cover the types of talks, the audience, and any special requests you might have. This helps us figure out exactly what type of interpretation service you need, and what equipment will be necessary to make sure everything runs smoothly for everyone.
- Recruiting the right interpreters: This step is key. Based on the details of your event, we start hunting for the perfect match for your interpretation needs. We look for professionals who aren’t just fluent in the necessary languages but also have a solid grasp of the event’s subject matter.
- Tech setup: We get all the necessary equipment ready—like soundproof booths, microphones, headsets, and any other tech needed for clear, uninterrupted interpretation. On the day of the event, we’ll set everything up and run thorough tests to ensure no technical hitches will disrupt your event.
- Interpreter briefing: Now, it’s time to get our interpreters fully briefed. We share with them detailed information about the event, including the agenda, key topics, and any specialized terminology they need to be familiar with. This step is crucial for ensuring our interpreters are as prepared as possible and able to deliver accurate translations of your event’s talks.
💡 Read more about how to choose the right interpretation service provider for your events here.
During the event: Smooth sailing
- Live interpretation: As your event unfolds, our interpreters work their magic, translating speeches and discussions in real-time. They ensure that every attendee, no matter what language they speak, is in the loop and fully engaged.
- On-the-fly adjustments: Events can be unpredictable. Maybe a speaker goes off-script, or there’s an unexpected Q&A session. Whatever happens, we’re ready to adapt on the fly, ensuring continuous, high-quality interpretation.
- Tech support: Our tech team is always on standby, ready to tackle any technical issues that might pop up.
This way, we guarantee a smooth, professional experience for your international event, where every participant feels included regardless of their language.
Ready to go global?
At JOEL Localization, we offer a wide range of localization and interpretation services tailored to fit your unique needs. Whether it’s translating documents, localizing your latest app, or ensuring your international conference runs smoothly. This has made us the go-to localization provider for big global brands like Notion and KRAFTON.
You could be next. Let us handle the complexities of language and cultural nuances so you can focus on what you do best: growing your business.
Get in touch with us now to start your global journey with a localization process you can trust.