LetSpeak.com Translation Alert

LetSpeak.com Translation Alert

Communicate Without Limits!
June 2004

In This Issue:

How to Get Publicity in the Foreign-Language Press
Quotes of the Month
LetSpeak.com® News Wire

How to Get Publicity in the Foreign-Language Press

A great way for firms to test the waters for expansion into a non-English-speaking community is to get a little press in one of their publications.

In South Florida the Haitian and Latino communities have numerous publications in Spanish, French and Kreyol. And throughout the U.S. there are plenty of other ethnic groups that have their own publications, which shouldn't be ignored when you're looking for publicity for your latest accomplishments.

Getting a story placed in one of these publications is a low-cost way to test the market for more business opportunities. If you get a positive response and numerous inquiries about your business from the foreign- language community, you could consider translating other business communication tools such as your Web site or your company brochure.

For some, going about getting this much-needed publicity can be a daunting task in any language. Here are a few keys to getting a placement in your local foreign-language publication:

- Study the publication's advertisers. Consider working with a translator or someone familiar with the publication to explain the focus and it subtle nuances.

- Craft a press release - in English - based on what's important to the foreign-language audience. There are some universal themes that will work such as triumph over business challenges or the introduction of a new/interesting product or service. (Writing the release in English first ensures you'll get your main ideas across from the beginning.)

- Have the release translated by a professional translator very familiar with the audience of your target publication. You'll want to be sure to hire a translator who is a native speaker of the publication's language. The translator's intimate knowledge of the language will be priceless when it comes to avoiding those small mistakes that make bad impressions on your target audience.

- Anticipate follow-up. In your release, encourage interested parties to contact you via e-mail. You can forward this information to your translator for easy processing. (Also, you may not need the services of a translator when working with the staff of the publication since decision makers such as editors and publishers often speak English, too.)

Getting press in the foreign-language press is a great way to break into new markets. Repeat the steps above more than once to develop a reputation and solid relationship with your audience before launching an all-out foreign-language campaign.

Quote of the Month

"When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on." - Franklin D. Rossevelt

LetSpeak.com® News Wire

May 18, 2004-- LetSpeak.com sponsored the 13th Annual Claims Management Conference in South Seas resort in Captiva Island.

April 24, 2004-- LetSpeak.com's CEO, Allendy Doxy, spoke at the Unviversity of South Florida in Tampa on the subject of Professionalism in the Delivery of Language Services.

LetSpeak.com® Affiliations and Memberships

ATA

FLATA

NAJIT

REKA

Netcheck Commerce Bureau

Lee County Chamber of Commerce

Bonita Springs Chamber of Commerce

The Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce

Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

Cape Coral Chamber of Commerce

The European Chamber of Commerce of Southwest Florida