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Advertising
One of
the various methods used by companies to increase the sales of its
products or to promote a brand name. A very simple description given
in Encyclopedias. Yet complicated and intricate. But will that ad
reach properly all Spanish-speaking consumers? An intricate game of
words may not necessarily relay the right message. Let me give you
some pointers on how could we could effectively "work" with the
right words and meanings.
Appliances Owner and User Manuals
It has
been proven through many private polls... "Owners and Users Manuals
are generally discarded by the consumer, before they even use their
appliance". However, when the appliance reflects having a problem or
is not working, as it should be, the Owner or User Manual is resting
comfortably in the City's Recycling Bin. Yet, there is a large
percentage of consumers that actually sit down and read thoroughly
this kind of Manual, before they even use the appliance. A new trend
in this globalized line of business, manufacturers are now offering
Owners and Users Manuals in several languages. This is my "cup of
tea" if I may say so. Ample experience in translating and editing
this kind of Manuals.
Automotive - Truck Tools and Parts
Have
you ever heard of a car or truck made elsewhere but in the United
States, Great Britain, Europe or Asia? No other country in the world
manufactures cars and trucks, However, these cars and trucks are
driven throughout the world and its tools and parts are in the hands
of Auto Mechanics, Shops and Retail Stores. You could easily expand
your car and truck related business by packaging your products in
two or three languages as seen in Canada and all Latin-American
countries. I am offering my experience as a Certified Auto Mechanic
and translate anything you may need to reach this goal.
Cleaning Products Labels
The hardworking
Hispanic Labor force has been concentrating its efforts in the
janitorial field. More and more janitors and custodians are using
new cleaning products in the market. The majority of these
hardworking men and women need to know how to use, apply and take
advantage of these products. Many concerns have risen because these
workers have been at risk without knowing when using hazardous
products. Let me help you put together a translation program to
protect them and direct them on the proper use of those products.
Consumer Electronics User and Repair Manuals
Are you really well versed in programming your VCR? Don't worry
many people like you are not. Consumer electronics are growing at a
fast pace and reaching every corner of the world. Is your owner's
manual in Spanish? Was it translated properly? Is it clear and
concise for the Latin-American consumer? Give me the opportunity to
"check" on your User's and Owner's Manuals and evaluate their
translation. How frustrated can a consumer be when he doesn't
understand what he is reading...?
Distributor and Dealership Agreements
500 Fortune Companies, Middle Size and even Small Size
industries in the United States are expanding their franchises,
distributor and dealerships to Latin-American countries. I have
translated several agreements between distributors and dealerships
for a number of companies manufacturing and reselling products
willing to have a Distributor or Dealer in Latin-America and expand
their business South of the border. I have vast experience in these
matters, since I translate these Agreements frequently. Get to the
point, comply with the rules and GROW!!!
Drug Rehabilitation and Prevention Booklets and
Pamphlets
A big concern in our every day living. More and
more teenagers are falling in the hands of Drug Dealers, Sellers and
Manufacturers. But do parents really know how this could happen to
their teens? A large number of Immigrants not necessarily speak
English, have never faced this problem before and don't know how to
handle it. Any information regarding this matter in their native
language will prevent unnecessary grieves and suffering to Moms and
Dads looking for a new life and not able to prevent their teens from
getting involved in Drugs. Let them know in their own language how
to prevent and to look for signs of Drug Addiction among teens. Save
Lives!
Employee Handbooks
"You need to call the
office before 9:00 a.m. if you have a Doctor's appointment". "Wear
Safety Glasses before entering this area"."These are the
guidelines..." Are you sure that your Non-English speaking labor
force understands it? Have you been facing language barriers with
them? Do you know if your message is getting to them? Hand them an
Employee Handbook in Spanish. It is known to be as the "Non-English
Speaking Labor Force Aspirin". Tell them in simple and straight
forward words what you want them know. You will save time, headaches
and improve your production and packaging team.
Journalism
More newspapers, magazines
and publications are now in the hands of the unstoppable growth of
Hispanic communities in this country. A large newspaper like in the
case of The Miami Herald is now publishing a daily newspaper in
Spanish for the Florida Spanish-speaking residents. Is there
anything you are have written and thinking about publishing for the
Hispanic reader? Let me give you a helping hand on that. El Hispano
News in Dallas has used my services when publishing an article in
Spanish, originally written in English. Expand your thoughts and
news on to a new readership.
Lawn Equipment Owner and Repair Manuals
No one else but the U.S. Lawn and Garden Equipment
Manufacturers have been successful in the Latin-American market. For
many years in Mexico, Central and South America Lawns and Gardens
where mowed and trimmed using hand tools. Now that NAFTA has opened
the doors to the mechanized mowing and trimming, this market has
grown tremendously. Do you manufacture or resell these products,
have your packaging and manuals written in Spanish and enter in a
very successful consumer market.
Material Safety Data Sheets
"Do Not
Induce Vomiting", "Drink large glasses of water or milk", "The mist
may cause irritation in the upper respiratory system". Non-English
speaking janitors and custodians should know this! They should also
how to treat the products in case of fire, keep them in a safe place
and away from children. Are they a threat to their health? I will
help you release these messages to them by translating any Material
Safety Data Sheets for the products in use. Prevent them from
risking their health. Let them know that some products may be
hazardous to their health. Translate these MSDS sheets into Spanish
and have them take the proper precautions.
Middle Schools Codes of Conduct
Many
local Independent School Districts are now adopting the practice of
offering a Bilingual Code of Conduct for their Middle and High
School students. Parents need to get involved in their children
education, and know what the School Policies and Rules are
applicable to their children. Involving parents and guardians in
their children education will result and better students and future
professionals. The Non-English Speaking parents and guardians will
be now aware on what the Independent School Districts requirements
are. An informed parent and guardian is a better parent developing a
better student.
Office Equipment and Furniture Presentations
I have been hired a number of times by a very important Office
Equipment and Furniture manufacturer in Iowa who took the decision
of inviting some of their Dealers and/or Distributors from Mexico,
Guatemala, Costa Rica, Venezuela, and Panama to attend to an Office
Furniture University. Simultaneously translating the new features,
products and equipment available for next year. Visited the
manufacturing facilities, guided the visitors through the process
and pinpointed everything they needed to know about this company. As
a result of this visit, the Dealers and/or Distributors had the
opportunity to learn hands-on the trade and manufacturing of this
equipment.
OSHA Warning Labels and Standards
Signs
in the manufacturing plants are very important and some of them must
be posted as per OSHA guidelines. Hundreds of manufacturers,
packagers, food and milk processing plants are now posting these
very same signs in Spanish and English. The job related injuries
have decreased, the manufacturing facilities are now safer and
cleaner, and the production and results have improved considerably.
Non-Spanish speaking workers will now read all warnings and prevent
injuries. Have you thought about starting such a program? If you
need my expertise, please don't hesitate in calling me.
Press Releases
Advitorials (a combination
of advertising and editorial) are proven to be very successful for
new and old business willing to promote their products and/or
services. The Non-English speaking consumer contributes very
significantly with the U.S. economy. Advitorials will provide all
the details on services and goods that you are currently offering
for the mainstream market consumer. A new advertising trend is to
send press releases to all Hispanic Newspapers, Radio Stations, and
Television Stations all that material that you think could be useful
to their readers, listeners and viewers.
Radio and Television Scripts and Commercials
Univision, Telemundo and Galavision are the three major national
TV chains now in full swing. More and more lawyers, doctors,
clinics, stores, car dealerships and restaurants are part of the
advertising portfolio for those media communications resources. A
good way to bring new customers, users or "tire kickers" into your
business is to advertise in their language. Remember that it has
been proven that the majority of the Hispanic communities watch TV
for 8 to 9 hours a day. Radio is the main source of information
while they work, commute or simply "stick around".
Small Engine Repair Manuals
The Hispanic
Culture is not a "throw-away" culture. Hispanics tend to fix,
repair, retrofit and do the impossible before discarding any product
that is not working as to their expectations. Hispanics are very
strong labor force in the gardening, mowing and upkeeping of yards,
parking lots and medians. If you have the need for them to know and
understand how your mower, tiller, edger or any similar products
work and need to be serviced and maintained, you should have those
prepared in Spanish for them. They will appreciate it, and you will
save money, time and effort.
Technical Writing
In most cases,
overseas and local engineers and technicians tackle the
responsibility of writing Owner's, User's and Repair Manuals.
Unfortunately, sometimes this ability is not readily available to
those professionals. Major Corporations, Resellers and Marketers
need the skills of a Technical Writer to put these operating and
repair instructions in a clear and understandable way. I have lived
the experience of editing their instructions and procedures in
"plain and understandable" English before translating them into
Spanish.
Web Pages
Have you recently checked how
many Multilanguage websites are now available in the new
globalization? I will assure you more than you and I could think.
Consumers are now ordering on line, and business shipping all around
the world. Wouldn't you like to be part of that? All there is to it
is to translate your website, upload it and start selling your
products or services worldwide. The future of many businesses is
opening to never expected horizons. | 