The current era includes some corporations and individuals that rack up billions of views on their content. For instance, the song Despacito has 8.3 billion views and Baby Shark accumulates nearly 20 billion views. You see, translation plays an important role here. Another example of translation helping people earn large sums of money is Mr.Beast. He has several YouTube channels, all localized for different regions. This has made him a billionaire, and we often see his antics online.
The reason why they are able to generate such high views is because they utilize video translation services to their full potential. You see, when you offer content in different languages, you automatically make it easier to access. The phenomenon has existed for decades now. Subbing is the most basic form of localization, while dubbing is more advanced and requires higher investments. But such investments are worth it in the long term. Since videos can be monetized for decades to come. The Godfather trilogy still earns money today, a movie that started in 1972.
Advantages of Dubbing
Dubbing is when a translation services provider replaces the original audio of a show, movie, or other form of video content with a new one that is translated. A new dubbed track is mostly recorded in a studio after hiring voice actors. Voice actors have the special skill of matching lip movements and offering emotional cues in their voices to mimic the original as much as possible.
Originality
When video content is dubbed, it gives ownership of the dubbing to the creator. He can ensure that everything is accurately translated and profits go straight to him. Moreover, it is important to hire the right people for voice overs. Low-budget fanmade dubbing has long ruined many films in foreign countries.
Wider Audience Base
Your video can reach more and more people. Moreover, through localization, you also ensure that cultural and emotional feelings are protected. The audience can experience different cultures from the right perspective.
Better Profits
Since profits are related to viewership numbers, you will naturally be able to make more profits. When you localize your content, you are more likely to get more sponsors to fund your movie. Streaming service providers such as Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc., are more likely to offer you contracts. The possibilities become ever-increasing.
Advantages of Subbing
Subbing is the process of translating a video script and inserting the content in relevant places. So the watcher understands what the dialogues mean. Subs are usually in the most commonly spoken languages like English, Arabic, French, Chinese, Hindi, etc. The process has been around for decades and has helped many filmmakers profit in different regions with the lowest form of localization expenditure. People mostly opt for dubbing in more profitable languages, while subbing is available in multiple languages.
Less Intrusive
Some people actually prefer watching subbed movies instead of dubbed movies. The belief is that the original audio gives the original effect. Such reasons are most common in the manga and Japanese content community. I believe that users should have options to choose the right pairings, and they usually do.
Cheaper
While dubbing requires you to hire voice actors, rent equipment, edit videos, and more. Subbing requires smaller crews and can be done much faster. A reason why new filmmakers or social media influencers choose to sub their videos initially. Moreover, AI software also makes it cheaper and affordable, but not quite accurate.
Engagement
There are places where you can not use the voice such as hospitals, libraries, events, etc. Here subtitles help users watch content without needing sound. Subtitles allow even the deaf to be able to enjoy videos.
Learning Language
Subbing helps learn a new language quicker. It allows users to identify the subtleties of the language and improve dialect.
Allow Users Both Choices
There are numerous other benefits of subbing and dubbing content. But we have identified two important ones. However, it is best to use both subbing and dubbing to reap the most benefits. A study can help you identify markets where projections for viewership are strong. Then one can manage the budget to choose what regions to do dubbing for and what regions should only be subbed. Once identified, you can cater to all markets in a way that benefits you the most.
Conclusion
Both subbing and dubbing are important tools of mass viewership. When used correctly, it can have an avalanche effect on numbers. Take Money Heist and Stranger Things, as a small example. There are countless others also. It is also important to hire a professional translation company and create long-term relationships with them. Users can recognize good and bad forms of translations. Users also expect a repeat in quality standards.