Your website and your Facebook page are already well established? Are you thinking about expanding your audience by launching a French version? While this is great news, you must also be careful, since what already works with your current fans might not have as much success with your new target audience. Here are a couple of tips you could use in your social media management strategy in order to better deal with the culture clash and reach your visibility goals. Do not hesitate to call upon a social media agency in order to successfully manage the transition and get the success you deserve with your new audience.
Use the Appropriate Tone
While we tend to be a little bit more informal in English, French speakers tend to be on the more formal side. Memes and puns can be fun, some pages use them carefully and their audience appreciates it, but make sure you choose them well since your French audience might not get the cultural references. A joke you have to explain is never a good joke!
Less Talkative Does Not Equal Less Attentive
While their English and Spanish counterparts seem to be more talkative, French speakers tend to be more reserved by nature. They rarely comment or share content, and when they do, it is often to mention additional information, point out a mistake (oops!) or ask questions. However, this does not mean that they do not appreciate what you publish! A quick look to your hits will confirm that they indeed read your articles and visit your website. They are just not very keen on leaving their personal impressions. Just make sure you acknowledge them. Let them know that you appreciate the information they provided, correct any mistake you might have made in a timely fashion, and of course, answer their questions.
Know the Language
There is one thing everyone can agree on, regardless on the language spoken: you should avoid grammar and spelling mistakes at all costs! If the content you share has been translated, make sure it was well translated, and if it was written directly in the target language, carefully check for any grammar or spelling mistakes.
You decided to write your articles yourself? Get them proofread! The French language can be very tricky, so make sure that your articles are well written. People in general are not fooled easily and they know a good translation when they see one. They can tell if an article has simply been put through an automatic translation engine such as Google Translate or if it was translated by a true language specialist. You must also make sure that the person in charge of managing your Facebook page knows the language. Your fans will certainly appreciate it and this will positively impact your credibility.
If you are ready to expand and launch a French page, give us a shout! Our social media agency in Montreal can help you achieve your goal and we will be more than happy to assist you in building a great social media management strategy.
