Video Localization

What is Video Localization?

Video localization means making videos understandable and appealing to people from different places who speak different languages. It involves more than just translating words; it includes changing parts of the video to match the customs and interests of different cultures. This might mean adjusting what people say, what is shown in the videos, and what you hear in the video.

In the context of customer learning, video localization is the process of adapting instructional videos to suit the linguistic, cultural, and educational needs of learners in a specific region or country.

Benefits of using Video Localization

• Global reach-By creating videos in multiple languages, businesses can not only reach their global customer base but also tap into unexplored geographies.
• Enhanced learning experience-Localizing instructional videos improves learner engagement by making the videos more relatable and culturally relevant.
• Competitive Advantage-Today’s internet shoppers prefer accessing information in their native tongue before making a purchase. It is no wonder that the world’s most successful brands embrace a localization strategy. Investing in video localization sets businesses apart from competitors who may not prioritize catering to diverse audiences, giving them a competitive advantage in global markets.
• Better SEO Performance-Localized video content can improve search engine optimization (SEO) efforts by targeting keywords and phrases specific to different regions, driving more organic traffic to your business website.
• Opportunities for Market Insights-Through the localization process, businesses can gain valuable insights into the preferences, behaviors, and trends of users in different target markets. This can help develop future product development efforts and go-to-market strategies.

How does Video Localization work?

Here’s how video localization works:

• Translation-It begins with translating spoken dialogue, on-screen text, and subtitles into the target language.
• Cultural adaptation-It involves adjusting visual elements, symbols, and references to resonate with the target audience's customs and context.
• Voiceover or dubbing-Voiceovers are used to replace the original audio with recordings in the target language. These voiceovers should match the tone, style, and characteristics of the target language.
• Subtitling-Subtitles are added to videos to provide translations of spoken dialogue or text that appear on screen.

Post this, quality assurance measures can be implemented throughout the localization process.

What are the challenges of Video Localization?

• Cost and Resource Allocation-Video localization often involves significant financial investment and resource allocation –hiring translators, voice actors, and localization experts, as well as investing in technology and infrastructure to support the process efficiently.
• Hiring voiceover artists can be expensive-Hiring voiceover artists to record voiceovers in multiple languages can be both expensive and unscalable. Maintaining consistency and accuracy in pronunciation can be challenging.
• Cultural Sensitivity-Ensuring that the content is culturally appropriate and sensitive to the customs, beliefs, and values of the target audience can be challenging. It is important to avoid misunderstandings, offensive language, and negative stereotypes.
• Recording Quality Audio-You need access to high-quality recording equipment such as microphones, soundproofing materials, and acoustically treated recording spaces. Creating a suitable recording environment free from background noise, echoes, and other disturbances can be challenging, especially for businesses whose bread and butter is not video localization. When using AI-powered video creation software like Trainn, you can leverage the built-in Text-to-speech converter that automatically turns your script into human-like voiceovers in over 20 languages.

How to select the right tool for Video Localization

• Does the tool support your language requirements?-Ensure the tool supports the languages you need for localization.
• Does the tool support Subtitles and Captioning Features?-Look for capabilities to add and customize subtitles and captions in different languages.
• Does the tool offer voiceover generation?-Check for features that enable generating voiceovers in multiple languages.
• Is the tool affordable?-Decide your budget and assess the cost of the tool, including any subscription fees, licensing costs, or additional charges for premium features or upgrades.
• Is the tool scalable?-Consider the tool's scalability and potential for future expansion to accommodate your growing localization needs.
• Is the tool consolidated with video creation capabilities?-Check if you can both create instructional videos and generate voiceovers for these videos in the same tool. This eliminates fighting with a bunch of different tools and reduces costs.
• Seek User Reviews-Research user reviews on platforms like G2.com to gain insights into the strengths and limitations of different tools.
• Trial and Test-Take advantage of free trials, or demos of the software to test its functionality, performance, and suitability for your specific needs before making a final decision.

By following this checklist, you can evaluate and select the right tool for localizing your instructional videos for your global customer base.