Standort

Marketing Translation

Poland has been a steadily growing and emerging market for years, attracting increasing investment from German and international companies. Companies like Siemens, BASF, Bayer, and numerous automotive manufacturers have long been benefiting from the advantages the Polish market offers. The key to success lies not only in good technology and pricing strategies but, above all, in smart positioning and marketing tailored to Polish customers. An indispensable element of any campaign is well-translated advertising that meets the expectations of Polish customers.

German Advertising for Polish Customers?

Polish customers don’t want German advertising—they expect Polish advertising. Whether it’s a slogan, a commercial, a sponsored article, or a poster, the text cannot simply be a direct copy of the German original. Doing so often results in a lack of clarity. For instance, the slogan “Come in and find out!” by Douglas was misinterpreted by most customers as “Come in and find out [what’s wrong]” instead of “Come in and try it out!”—an unfortunate and frustrating misunderstanding. Another example is the company Back-Factory, which has been active in the Polish market since 2013. The wordplay with the German verb “backen” (to bake) and the English word “factory” is difficult for Polish customers to understand. Because of the English “factory,” the preceding “Back-” is interpreted as the English “back,” rendering the name meaningless. These examples highlight the importance of accurate and meaningful translations for foreign markets.

The Internet as a Launchpad to Success!

Many German companies operating in the Polish market still lack a Polish version of their website. This is a significant mistake, as readers always expect a website in their native language. An English version won’t suffice, even for younger customers who understand the language. Polish customers appreciate it when companies make an effort to communicate in their native tongue. The absence of a well-translated website leads to a substantial loss of customers over time.

What Defines a Good Translation?

A small percentage of German companies have a Polish version of their website. Even when they do, it is often of poor quality. Frequently, these websites are translated “word for word,” lacking the linguistic finesse that only someone deeply familiar with German life while still rooted in Polish culture can provide. This results in literal translations, inappropriate phrasing, and stylistic errors. Although Polish customers may understand the product being offered, the linguistic barriers create a sense of distance, and the website appears unprofessional. As a result, purchases or deals often fail to materialize, and the customer turns to the competition. A good marketing translation—including localization and SEO translation—can effectively prevent this.

You Deserve to Succeed!

In summary, to achieve success in the Polish market, you need a reliable translator who:

  • Has the linguistic intuition of a native speaker.
  • Knows the Polish market inside and out.
  • Has experience in the marketing industry.
  • Is an entrepreneur and possesses relevant business expertise.
  • Works full-time as a translator and is readily available for your needs.
My Qualifications at a Glance
  • Graduate of the European School: German-Polish Gymnasium Löcknitz with a bilingual high school diploma
  • Master’s degree in Philosophy, English Studies, and German Studies from Goethe University Frankfurt and Cardiff University
  • Certified and sworn translator authorized by the Regional Court of Frankfurt, the Higher Regional Court of Koblenz, and the Polish Ministry of Justice
  • 10 years of experience in legal, marketing, and IT translation
  • Professional experience in the media and marketing industries (Nordkurier, dpa, Fleishman-Hillard)
  • Numerous marketing and advertising translation projects backed by reference letters

In the case of marketing translations, it is challenging to provide a universally applicable price range due to the varying scope of requirements. The fee may include the following services:

  • Precise research of vocabulary and terminology relevant to the specific industry
  • Gaining an understanding of your company’s products and services
  • Comparison with competitors’ advertising campaigns in the Polish market
  • Adherence to corporate language and development of Polish equivalents
  • Verification of whether the proposed key terms are suitable for online positioning (SEO)
  • Ensuring that all terms are comprehensible and familiar to Polish customers

Due to the complexity of translation projects, I would be happy to provide you with a personalized quote.

You can find more information on this topic here.

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