Translating content on a blog? Many are already doing it, but there is still room for some “niche” content and other languages less exploited than English. In this article, I’ll explain exactly what it’s all about, tell you about the free tools you can use to create your blog, and give you a series of useful tips for successfully implementing this idea.
- Here's the program
- What is it all about?
- How do you find your ideal niche?
- How do you choose which articles to translate?
- Effective translation and copywriting techniques
- How can you monetize your translated articles?
- Blogging tools
- Tips and tricks for success
- Conclusion
- EcoTips
- Pros and Cons
- Information recap
What is it all about?
There is already a multitude of blogs and websites that do this, but there is room for some so-called “niche” content or for languages other than English. For example, if you are a perfect bilingual in French/Mandarin, there are plenty of websites and blogs in China with content that may interest many users who do not speak that language. And the topics are interesting too: cooking recipes, economy/stock market, arts, politics…
However, be careful not to translate the entire text word for word because you could have trouble with the law for copyright issues (unless you have an agreement with the author), but also be penalized in your SEO by Google. Summarise, and do not forget to quote your sources.
IIt is certain that the subject/language combination is also quite important here. Translating an article about Inca earthenware in Quechua into Luxembourgish will probably not be widely consulted nor popular. Although I am using a very extreme example here, it is to get you thinking about this topic before you head down that road. Bear in mind that the subject’s popularity is crucial if the goal is to make money.
You could also write a review of the articles you translate or complete the information. Anything that might be of interest to your readers is welcome.
It is also good to know that if the article you wrote is of high quality, you may be able to offer it to other media (web or paper) in exchange for money or traffic to your page.
Let’s take a closer look.
Reading foreign newspapers is also an idea to find content to translate. Image: PixabayHow do you find your ideal niche?
As I said, the first step in starting this business is to find your niche. This involves identifying an area that’s not too competitive, but that attracts enough readers. To do this, start by assessing your passions and skills. Ask yourself which topics deeply interest you and on which you can write with a minimum of expertise and a lot of enthusiasm.
This first step is important because it will enable you to focus on a particular market rather than covering too many diverse and sometimes diametrically opposed subjects. If you’re interested in this topic, I suggest you read my article “How to find the perfect niche for your business, in 3 steps”. You’ll learn everything you need to know about it.
How to create your own blog
There are several options available to you, but if you don’t have any experience, the easiest way is to use a platform like WordPress or Wix. They offer all the necessary tools for creating and managing a blog, as well as a free plan that allows you to start without any risk. I cover this topic in more depth in my article on the best platforms for creating a website, just in case.
You’ll also need to come up with a name for your blog. Choose something that’s easy to remember and reflects the main subject of your blog. Once you’ve set up your blog, you’ll need to choose a theme that’s both aesthetically pleasing and intuitive, then customize your design by adding a logo, colors and fonts that blend in harmoniously.
Then all you have to do is publish quality content on a regular basis, using catchy headlines and attractive images to capture your readers’ attention. And don’t forget to interact with your audience by replying to comments and sharing your articles on social networks to increase your visibility.
How do you choose which articles to translate?
Choosing the right articles to translate isn’t necessarily the easiest step. There’s an absolutely colossal mass of diverse content on the web, and it’s a matter of choosing those with the greatest potential to interest your readers.
One of the most effective ways of doing this is to use keyword research tools such as Google Trends, Ahrefs or Moz (you can use them to find a good niche too). These tools will enable you to quickly and easily discover the topics your audience is actively searching for on the web.
Try to take into account current trends and popular topics in your niche. For example, if you run a cooking blog, seasonal recipes or current food trends can attract a lot of readers. The aim here is to keep an ongoing interest in your content by choosing articles that answer frequently asked questions or provide solutions to common problems.
But that’s not all, you’ll also need to consider the cultural and linguistic relevance of the articles. Content that is successful in one language may not necessarily work in another. The key here is to assess whether the topic is culturally appropriate and interesting to your target audience. While, for example, an article on Asian wedding customs may be fascinating for a certain audience interested in foreign cultures, it may not be so for others.
Also consider the quality and credibility of the original article. Translating well-written articles is one thing, ensuring that the information they contain is accurate and verified is another. I therefore advise you to select well-researched articles, as this will reinforce your own credibility as a blogger. And don’t hesitate to do your own research and add your findings, results and conclusions to your articles (don’t forget to quote your sources).
Which language should you work on?
No matter how polyglot you are, there’s always one language with which you feel most at home. In my opinion, the best approach is to work on a text written in the language you’re most comfortable with.
In my case, I always start by writing my articles in French, which is my mother tongue, and then translate them into English. I then entrust this translated version to someone native, who proofreads it. So before working on them, you should start by converting the articles you select into the language of your choice.
And why not summarize entire books, short stories, poems or biographies? Don’t just translate blog posts, because there is plenty of interesting content out there, and not just on the web.Effective translation and copywriting techniques
Translating an article is far more than a simple language conversion. You need to adapt the content so that it is both natural and relevant to your target audience. This means understanding the cultural context of your audience. For example, specific cultural references used in the original article may need to be adapted to make them understandable and relevant.
You’ll also need to pay attention to idiomatic expressions whose meaning may escape the reader. For example, in French, the expression “poser un lapin” means “not to keep an appointment”, whereas in English it literally means “to put down a rabbit”. Conversely, in English, “it’s raining cats and dogs” means that it’s raining very hard, but taken literally, this phrase is nonsense in French. These expressions must therefore be adapted or replaced by equivalent expressions in the target language to make the translation comprehensible.
Also, make sure you maintain the style and tone of the original article while adjusting it to your audience. If the source article is humorous, then it’s important to retain this aspect, while respecting the linguistic nuances of your target language, of course.
Another essential element is to use terminology specific to your field of expertise. This will demonstrate your own expertise, and therefore your credibility with your readers. I also recommend using specialized glossaries, and seeking expert advice where necessary. Thoroughness and accuracy in your translation are decisive factors in this business.
On the other hand, avoid overly literal or word-for-word translations. Adopt a free translation approach to keep the text flowing and natural. Reread and revise your work to eliminate errors and improve text clarity. Finally, you can test your translation by asking native speakers of the target language to read the final result and give their opinion.
Avoid copyright problems
Copyright problems are a real scourge on the Internet. Scores of unscrupulous content “creators” reproduce the work of other creators (text as well as images, video, etc.) without authorization, and sometimes even manage to make money from it.
Don’t be such a fool. To avoid any copyright-related legal problems, follow these two golden rules when translating articles:
- Never publish copied/pasted content as is, even partially. It’s better to summarize or paraphrase the original content. This approach not only protects you legally, but also helps your Google ranking.
- Always cite your sources and make sure you include appropriate references to properly credit the original author’s work. Wherever possible, it’s even better to obtain the author’s permission before translating his or her work.
Do this and you’ll be able to translate and share content ethically and legally, without ever having to deal with any intellectual property claims.
How can you monetize your translated articles?
Working hard to deliver high-quality work is all well and good, but the whole point of this activity (for some at least) is to be able to earn an income from it. After all, “hard work deserves a reward”. You probably won’t get rich from blog posts, but there are a few methods that can help you generate additional income.
One common method is to integrate advertisements into your articles. You can use ad networks like Google AdSense, Outbrain or other platforms to display ads that earn you a little money every time a reader clicks on them. Make sure, however, that the ads don’t disrupt the reading experience by placing them prominently enough (without being too intrusive) in your content.
Another effective strategy is to use affiliate marketing. This involves joining affiliate programs related to your niche and inserting affiliate links into your translated articles. Each time a reader clicks on a link and proceeds to purchase a product or service, you receive a commission. This works particularly well if you recommend products or services that you know your readers will find useful.
Offering premium content is also an interesting option. You can offer high-quality translated articles on a paid-access or subscription basis. Readers who find value in your translations will be willing to pay for access to this type of exclusive content, which covers a subject in greater depth.
Finally, consider offering your translated articles to other media, such as specialized websites or print magazines. You can negotiate payments for your translations or request backlinks to your blog, which will increase traffic to your site and, consequently, your advertising and affiliate income.
As you can see, it’s by diversifying your monetization methods that you’ll be able to maximize the revenue generated by your translated articles. You’ll find more information on this subject in my article “How to create a profitable blog”.
Optimize your blog and articles for SEO
SEO brings together a number of techniques that enable content to be properly referenced by search engines such as Google, Bing and others. It’s an essential element in ensuring that your articles are visible and findable on the web.
I’m not going to go into that here, because there’s far too much to say, but I’ve written an entire article on the best SEO techniques to adopt. I highly recommend that you go and read it, as it contains crucial information that will help you optimize the visibility of your articles on the web.
Blogging tools
Let’s take a look at some of the tools that can help you with writing, translating, proofreading and other tasks involved in creating your articles.
- Google Docs or Microsoft Word: These platforms offer robust features for writing and editing texts, with real-time collaboration options, built-in spell and grammar checkers, and advanced formatting tools.
- Deepl or Google Translate: These free machine translation tools can help you get a first draft of your article’s translation. DeepL is renowned for the accuracy of its translations, while Google Translate is useful for its speed and the wide range of languages it supports.
- Grammarly or Ginger: These online grammar-correction tools help you identify and correct errors in grammar, punctuation and style, while offering suggestions for improving the clarity and conciseness of your writing.
- Hemingway Editor: A software program that analyzes your text to improve readability, suggesting changes to simplify complex sentences, reduce the use of passive voice and eliminate superfluous adverbs. All these elements also have an impact on SEO.
- Yoast SEO ou RankMath SEO: If you’ve opted for WordPress to create your blog, this type of plugin guides you in optimizing your posts for search engines, offering advice on keyword use, meta descriptions, readability and internal links.
- Canva ou Adobe Express: These are free, easy-to-use graphic design tools. Ideal for creating attractive images to illustrate your articles or promote them on social networks.
Canva offers thousands of customizable templates to create your blog’s illustration images, all for free!Tips and tricks for success
We’re coming to the end of this article, but before we go to the conclusion let me give you a few strategic tips that should be very useful in achieving the success you both deserve and hope for.
- Adapt style and tone to your audience: Take into account the cultural and linguistic preferences of your target audience. For example, a formal tone may be more appropriate for a professional audience, while an informal, friendly tone may be better suited to an audience of young students.
- Create a series of articles: Consider creating a series of translated articles on the same topic. This can keep readers coming back for more.
- Use local anecdotes and stories: Enrich your translations with local anecdotes and stories likely to appeal to or interest your target audience. This will make your content all the more lively and relevant.
- Highlight readers’ opinions and comments: Post positive comments and testimonials from your readers on social networks to reinforce your credibility and attract new readers.
- Integrate a newsletter: Create a subscription form for your newsletter and place it prominently on your blog. Then send out targeted newsletters with summaries, teasers on upcoming articles, additional information, etc.
- Create multimedia content: Add videos, podcasts or infographics in the target language to diversify your content and further engage your readers.
- Analyze the performance of your articles: Use analytics tools like Google Analytics to track the performance of translated articles, and adjust your strategy according to the data collected. Identify what works best and focus your efforts on those aspects.
- Collaborate with local influencers: Partnerships with bloggers or influencers can help you promote your articles and reach a wider audience.
Conclusion
So, there you have it: the essentials for translating content for your blog. We’ve looked at the importance of finding the right niche, choosing the right articles to translate (especially with the help of keyword research tools) and above all how to avoid copyright problems. We’ve also looked at the different ways of monetizing your blog, effective translation techniques, and useful blogging tools to make every step of the process easier.
Content translation offers a real opportunity to monetize a blog. If your articles are interesting and exciting enough to read, and you do everything you can to develop your online visibility (social networks, SEO, paid advertising, etc.), the chances of success are huge. It will probably be difficult at the beginning, as you’ll need to publish a lot of quality articles and be tenacious, but the potential is there. Above all, remember to have your articles read by those around you, so you can get honest, objective feedback on your work.
What’s more, with growing interest in information on various subjects from other countries and cultures, the future of content translation looks bright. But make sure you keep abreast of market trends and continue to adapt your strategies. That way, you can capitalize on this dynamic to grow your blog and your audience. In my opinion, bloggers who invest in good-quality translated content will have a competitive edge in an increasingly globalized world.
What do you think of this idea? Have you ever considered translating content on your blog? What’s motivating you or holding you back from starting up such an activity? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
EcoTips
Environmental and climate change issues are more than ever at the heart of the concerns of this 21st century, which is why I am proposing a few ideas that will enable you to limit the negative impact that the implementation of this idea could have.
These solutions that I suggest are sometimes largely insufficient to compensate for these negative impacts, such as carbon offsetting. Unfortunately, there is not always an ideal and 100% efficient solution, far from it. And if you have others, please do not hesitate to share them in the comments below.
All human activity has a greater or lesser impact on the environment. In the case of blogging, this impact is real, but can be mitigated in a number of ways.
The first element is of course the computer. If you have one, try to keep it as long as possible before changing. If it’s a little slow, simply reset it, add some RAM and/or an SSD drive can invigorate it. You will see that the result will be spectacular. And then get it fixed if it’s broken. In most cases, the problem will be minor and inexpensive.
If you need to change it, maybe explore the second-hand option first? And if you prefer new equipment, choose a laptop rather than a tower (much more energy consuming) and opt for a brand that cares about the environment.
The second element is online storage. The world’s datacenters alone are responsible for a large portion of the world’s GHG (Greenhouse Gas) emissions. There are some services that use renewable energy to power all their machines. This is the case of Apple and Google.
However, the best solution remains local storage, on an external hard drive for example, which will only consume energy when you plug it in. Moreover, the data transfer will be much faster and it will cost you much less.
Pros
- You calmly work from home
- Read fascinating articles and learn a lot about other cultures
- Have the ability to make friends on the other side of the world
- Flexible working hours
- The personal satisfaction of sharing knowledge
Cons
- Amount of uncertain income
- It can take a long time before you have a large number of readers
Info
- Location: You can work from home or from anywhere in the world, as long as you have Internet access.
- Investment: A computer, if you don’t already have one. A basic model is enough.
- Earnings perspective: It all depends on the topics you choose to cover and the languages you speak as I explain in the article, but it’s definitely possible to earn the equivalent of a full salary, or even more if you attract enough readers.
- Required: Have writing or journalism skills, know how to use a blog and know the basics of publishing and SEO, be multilingual
- Risk level: Low enough. At worst, you will have wasted your time.
- Implementation time: The creation of the blog can be done very quickly but be patient and persevering because it can take between 6 months to a year before seeing the color of your first income.
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