When organizing a conference, event, or business meeting, many assume conducting it solely in English is the easiest and most cost-effective approach. Indeed, that’s probably the most common answer I receive when speaking with potential clients about live translation services — AKA simultaneous interpretation.
While English is widely spoken, relying on it as the only medium in international or multilingual contexts can create barriers, limiting your event’s reach and engagement. Whether it’s a face-to-face event in London or a virtual one via Zoom, offering multilingual options can transform your event into a global opportunity.
Here’s why sticking to English-only events may be costing you, and how embracing professional interpreting services (also known as live translation) can boost your event’s success.
Alienating non-native English speakers
While English is important globally, it’s not universal. Many people, particularly in regions like Latin America, Asia, and parts of Europe, are more comfortable listening and speaking in their native languages. By hosting an English-only event, you’re excluding a large portion of your potential audience.
Imagine an attendee who isn’t confident in their English skills. They may feel anxious about missing key information or being unable to contribute fully. This could lead them to skip your event or disengage, resulting in lost opportunities, fewer ticket sales, and reduced engagement.
Offering live translation, whether for in-person events in London or virtual events on Zoom, broadens accessibility. Multilingual events ensure participants can engage with content in their preferred language, leading to higher satisfaction and a greater willingness to invest in your offerings.
To put it simply, live translation services are an investment, not a cost.
Poor engagement affects conversion rates
Even if attendees understand English, they may not fully engage with the content: language barriers, even minor ones, can reduce how effectively your audience absorbs information, impacting conversion rates.
For example, at an international product launch, some attendees may be fluent in English, while others may struggle with comprehension. Those with limited English skills might miss crucial points or feel too uncertain to ask questions, leading to fewer sales or missed networking opportunities.
By providing interpretation services, whether live in London or online via Zoom, you ensure your audience remains engaged throughout the event. This increases the likelihood of participants taking action, such as making a purchase or signing a deal.
Losing out on high-value speakers and keynote
The success of your event often depends on the quality of its speakers. However, limiting your event to English-only presentations can restrict your pool of speakers, especially from non-English-speaking regions.
Many experts may feel uncomfortable presenting in English, which could prevent you from securing high-profile speakers who could elevate your event. Offering interpretation services allows speakers to present confidently in their native language, ensuring their message is understood by all attendees.
This not only enhances the quality of your event but also makes it more attractive to a global audience, driving higher attendance and revenue.
Missing out on global sponsorship opportunities
Sponsors often prefer multilingual events, especially if they operate in multiple countries. An English-only event may seem too narrow in focus, limiting its appeal to sponsors looking to target broader markets.
A multilingual event signals to sponsors that your brand is global and inclusive, which can lead to better sponsorship deals. For instance, if you’re hosting a conference in London and include live translation services, your event becomes more appealing to delegates, buyers and companies from different countries. Similarly, providing live translation for virtual events shows sponsors you are committed to inclusivity, making it easier to attract global brands.
Overlooking post-event monetisation potential
Events don’t end when the last speaker finishes. Post-event content, like recordings and written summaries, can continue generating revenue. However, English-only content limits your ability to monetise these resources.
Offering multilingual post-event content, such as recorded live translations or translated materials, allows you to reach a wider audience. Attendees who couldn’t join the live event or who prefer consuming content in their native language can still benefit from the information. This extends the life of your event and opens up additional revenue streams, such as selling recorded content or offering on-demand access in multiple languages.
Investing in interpretation services pays off
While cost is a consideration when planning an event, skimping on interpretation services can end up costing more in the long run. The revenue lost due to low engagement, missed sponsorships, and limited speaker options can far outweigh the cost of providing live translation.
Investing in professional interpretation services broadens your reach, enhances engagement, attracts high-quality speakers, and appeals to global sponsors. These factors contribute to higher monetisation potential, ensuring your event delivers a strong return on investment.
Conclusion
English-only events may seem practical, but they can severely limit your ability to fully monetise your event. Offering interpretation services creates a more inclusive, engaging, and global event experience, driving higher attendance, better engagement, and stronger post-event revenue.
Whether you’re planning a face-to-face event in London or a hybrid Zoom event, multilingual communication can unlock new opportunities and make your event more profitable.
Get in touch for a FREE consultation call for live translation services and Italian interpreter in London – and beyond.