Best Practices for Developing Your International Communication Strategy

In a globalised world, researching how to develop a successful international communication strategy might seem unnecessary. On the surface, we are all great communicators because we express ourselves through available media. We break down geographical barriers with our phones, coexist with email and messaging apps, and social media has become commonplace. But is this all we need? Of course not.

Speaking or writing does not make us skilled communicators, just as owning a piano does not make us pianists. Having an international strategy for effective communication is a core value for any company—one that you cannot afford not to have in place.

So… Get ready! The clock is ticking, and minutes are racing by. It’s time to review best practices to get the most out of your communication strategy.

Delivering the Right Message While Considering the Purpose

International communication involves conveying a consistent message and achieving smooth interaction between people and organisations in different locations. Although the ability to speak a foreign language is advantageous, misunderstandings often go beyond linguistic flaws. Mastering the language of your international interlocutor is a significant step, but it does not guarantee they will interpret the message correctly. This is because each culture has different communicative standards and handles information according to its collective experiences.

How to ensure effectiveness? By developing a unique translation strategy tailored to meet your goals. The purpose of international communication can be either of the following:

• Managing global teams: Ensuring effective networking in which everyone is pulling in the same direction.
• Planning of marketing initiatives: Creating brand awareness, increasing online presence, and promoting a new product launch, among others.

#OptimationalTip: Regardless of your communication goal, you should rely on language translation services, especially for complex content or the ones designed to trigger specific audience responses.

Tips for Managing Your Business International Communication

Say no more: Here is the list of the best practices for your international strategy.

Get Ready for Cultural Differences and Make Them a Strength

When it comes to managing global teams, acknowledging and respecting cultural differences will show more than just compliance with diversity and equity policies. It will also lead to groups with broader perspectives, richer brainstorming and, consequently, better performance. For reaching global markets with your international communication, nothing feels more appealing than a marketing campaign that looks like a tailor-made outfit: The better the fit, the more comfortable the user will feel.

Discover more about multiculturalism in the workplace.

Foster Frequent and Regular Communication

Internal and institutional communication is a cornerstone value for any company. If language becomes a barrier, you need to implement a translation strategy that puts all teams on the same page and provides them with all the necessary resources—especially for interdepartmental collaboration. In terms of engaging with your foreign audiences, having a solid online presence allows you to benchmark against competitors and demonstrate business authority. Establish a content calendar that follows a set frequency and count on a multilingual SEO expert who follows best practices for positioning and search intent metrics.

Learn more about how to start your social media content calendar.

Remember That Content Is King

Design is important, as are all the elements that contribute to successful international communication. However, it is crucial to say something valuable when you communicate. Whether managing global teams or communicating with your multicultural customers, remember this: Speaking up just for the sake of saying something is not an option. Ensure your content translation is accurate, but first, make sure you have something relevant to communicate and the best way to convey that message.

Do Not Over-Diversify

Localising your international communication is a priority, but this does not necessarily entail developing thousands of different strategies, for each possible case. It is better to pursue a few objectives, but make sure to achieve them before playing the field too wide. Try A/B testing across different markets, get adequate language translation services, and do social listening. This will show you where you stand and what your audience’s expectations are—of your business, your services, or the industry in general.

#OptimationalTip: Counting on a multilingual SEO expert ensures that your texts gain visibility in search engines—for every language and location. It is not enough to have your content translated: You also need it to match local trends. Thus, consider SEO localisation as an advisable approach.

Bottom Line: International Communication Is a Two-Way Road

The international communication tips we reviewed are not outrageous, but they are indispensable. Many ideas fall into oblivion because the strategies in which they were conceived unfortunately omit these core practices.

Put these considerations into practice and remember the most important principle: Communication is not a monologue. Open the door for both your employees and customers to be part of the conversation.

Contact us today, so we can start planning your international communication strategy.