Punx

Formerly Global Readership. We translate strategy into visuals, and branding across culture and language.

We collaborated with ecom, SaaS & coaching industry leaders like:

– Klint
– Bridge LT
– Wondershare
– Upwork
– Canva
– Younity
– Sojern
– HeatXpert
– Checkyeti
– Snippet
– Spotahome and more...

Founder, CEO

Maria Britze

I translate strategy into identity, and identity across markets.

An artist at heart, a designer by profession, and a linguist in spirit. | Founder, CEO @ Global Readership

Designer by profession, linguist at heart, artist in spirit. My true passion is to translate strategy into visuals, and branding across culture and language. 

👇

I’m a polyglot linguist with a bachelor in graphic design and ten years marketing industry experience. 

My degree in fine arts makes me obsess over beautifully crafted, eye-catching content, whilst working at rocketship brands such as Billetto, Klint and Global Readership has had me constantly searching for newness.

I’m also a huge advocate for inspiring, empathetic and creative leadership.

You will always find me sharing motivational musings and creative advice for those who need it ✨

This week was a good one.

10 highlights from a happy founder:

→ Our client got featured in SCHÖNER WOHNEN 
→ Paid out a team member for their overtime 
→ Embraced the 80 work, 20 life imbalance 
→ Got a bonus from a client (thanks Adriel!)
→ Switched tool: Calendly to Cal.com, Inc.
→ Sat down to teach my partner writing 
→ Implemented new outbound systems
→ Ate home cooked, organic meals 7/7 
→ Declined an offer that didn't align 
→ Asked for help and got supported 
→ Upgraded my Featured section

Also, LOOK at those freshly squeezed orange peels!

What made your week?

I help the tech, e-com & education sectors to expand and 3-5x their ARR thru translation frameworks | Millions driven for SME500 & FTSE100 | DACH Expert | Multilingual Content as a Service | Localization Strategist

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I’ve built a small team and worked with names like Wondershare or nicorette®. And yet some days I feel like I'm not enough.

Women are silently expected to do other things than business.

Even if I solve complex problems every day:

☻ I reduce translation costs for teams by +60%.
☻ I align marketing strategies for international projects.
☻ I develop strategy and content identities for small agencies.
☻ I educate fellow freelancers and lead them to success.

The career I enjoy is a privilege. 

And that is just one reason why I work with more compassion, creativity and commitment.

There is an enormous amount of social pressure on us women. 

And if you are one of the lucky women who lead a self-determined life then you are privileged, too.

It's 2024, and time for our sisters to start doing what they love ♀️♥ 


👇 This my granny. What a strong women. She had never seen the Mediterranean Sea, so I bought her a ticket to enjoy it together. 〰

I help the Tech, Ecom & Learning sectors to expand to DACH countries and 3-5x their ARR through localization + translation frameworks | $1,000,000s driven for SME500 & FTSE100 | Localization Strategist

How I got my Top Branding Voice batch in less than 3 days and how this affects my hiring process:

1. Pick a niche
2. Search for an article with few posts
3. Comment something (it really doesn't matter what)
4. Bookmark the page (important!)
5. Reopen the article and like your own stuff.
6. Wait 2 days

Stats:
– I commented on 2 articles with a total of 5 comments
– Got a badge after only 3 days

Tools used:
– ChatGPT 4
– LanguageTool Pro

Remember: These badges should never be impact your hiring decisions.

I help the Tech, Ecom & Learning sectors to expand to DACH countries and 3-5x their ARR through localization + translation frameworks | $1,000,000s driven for SME500 & FTSE100 | Localization Strategist | Proof👇

Here's how I would outperform conventional translation agencies localizing a SaaS product into 5 languages on less than a $4250 budget:

I'll break down the steps and tools.

→ Tool: Notion

I'd create a comprehensive localization strategy, identifying key brand messaging, tone of voice, and the tech peculiarities of the product that must be preserved across languages.

I'd ensure that the project's vision and objectives are well communicated across all team members by maintaining clarity and organization from the start.

Costs: $7.50/mo per user (100 guests free)



→ Tool: Upwork

I'd hire native speakers with a background in SaaS and emphasize the importance of on-brand messaging. The direct access to a global talent pool allows me to select talents who contextualize ideas, ensuring that the localized content is both accurate and engaging. 

Cost: 5% client marketplace fee, plus freelance costs (included below)



→ Tool: Figma

I'd integrate translations directly into the product’s design. Bridging the gap between design and translation ensures that the visual and textual elements of the SaaS product are in harmony, regardless of the language, and reduces lengthy communication back-and-forth. An alternative to Figma is Adobe XD.

Cost: Figma & Adobe XD are both starting at $12/mo



→ Tool: Lokalise

I'd implement Lokalise for dynamic, context-aware localization. It allows for the automation of routine translation tasks, while still providing translators with the context they need to make informed decisions about terminology.

This tool speeds up the process and ensures high-quality, context-specific translations. The integration with development tools means that updates can be localized almost in real-time, significantly reducing time to market.

Other options are memoQ, Transifex or Smartcat.



→ Bonus: Feedback Loop

If I wanted to stand out and have the budget, I would start an iterative loop with beta testers in Notion. 

Tracking and addressing feedback continuously improves culturally resonance and user-friendliness in target markets. 


[Total costs: 10,000 words per language for 5 markets]

Conventional translation agency
• Rate: $0.20 per word
• Total Cost: 50,000 words x $0.20 = $10,000

Streamlined workflow using Lokalise, feelance translators and QA
• Lokalise Cost: $140/mo 
  (assuming 1 month of project duration)
• Freelance Translator Rate: $0.10/word
• Freelance QA Rate: $0.05/word
• Total Cost: $7,500 + $140 = $7,640

Streamlined workflow using Lokalise with AI feature +freelance QA
• Lokalise AI Feature Cost: $1750 
• Total QA Cost: 50,000 words x $0.05 = $2,500
• Total Cost with AI and Lokalise: $1750 + $2,500 = $4250

The best thing about this? You'll get on-brand, accurate, and context-specific translations, in less time. 

One person can manage it. It can easily be scaled.

Let me know if you have any questions or want me to dive deeper into a specific area.

The language industry has a problem (it’s not AI).

I added memes for all visual learners. 


PS: Not sure whether your translation agency is ripping you off? Get in touch with me.

Translation agencies are ripping you off. Here's proof:

Your brand has already established itself in your root market. You have regular transactions. $100 to $350K ARR.

At the last board meeting, you agreed: you want to help more people.

Imagine a vibrant crowd oozing over your local farmer's product.

Last quarter, you~~’ve~~ invested $20K in product translations.

Excited, you click Launch.

But... crickets.

Huge disappointment.

3 months later… still crickets.

The next board meeting is close.

Anxiety.

This one is hard to digest.

But solely marketing in your root market's language won't cut it if you're looking to make real impact globally.

Germans love potatoes.
Austrians love tomatoes.
Swiss love artichokes.

(These are just examples)

To make your brand the favourite dish among various cultures, you need to offer more flavours.

Yesterday, I went to the farmers' market.

Because a varied diet is the basis of good health.

Just like in social media marketing, you have to offer your body (your brand) a diverse palette.

If you want to nourish your brand healthily, DM me ‘VEGGIES’ and I’ll send you the details.

About a year ago, I set up a full content audit for my client Jens. 

He sells B2B food tech gear with a $2K to $35K price tag.

Today, Germany is his best market. No surprise. The B2B sectors loves some high-end tech over there.

But Jens was stressed to his core. He couldn't see through it. Hustling between the daily operations and setting up the new market's infrastructure.

He contacted me to polish his ecom store. I made it scream quality.

With my LOT toolkit, it was a walk in the park:

- We kicked-off with a content audit 
- We built a brand dictionary
- We set up his TMS and integrated key data
- Then we pressed PLAY 

Music to Jens' ears 🎶 

When it comes to effectively migrating products, services and marketing for a new market, there's hardly anything more efficient than a simple 3-step plan:

1. Plan
2. Deliver
3. Automate

Here we are today with Jens' B2B ecom store and 8 effectively launched markets. 

Increase in revenue potential EIGHTFOLD 🎱

#expansion #launch
#launchwithmaria

I help the tech, e-com & education sectors to expand to DACH countries and 3-5x their ARR thru localization + translation frameworks | $1,000,000s driven for SME500 & FTSE100 | Localization Strategist | Proof👇

2022 Notion rolled out German and French. 

2023 That move boosted its ARR with 36% more than last year's.

They’re estimated to make $67.2 million each year.

Notion pays its localisation project managers ~$200K to ~$240K annually. 

Do you still think localisation is trivial?


(source: simple.ink, notion.so)

Upwork is a giant mess.

(Everyone is an ‘expert’)

This leads to a frustrating search for quality among a sea of pretenders.

Heck, I've seen freelancers doing translations by hand without any tools.

Wave your brand consistency goodbye 👋

Or Google Translate & DeepL heroes, with a B2 level in German, who use words from the 18th century.

Formal, dry and lifeless. 

No wonder there are rumours of a 'conservative market', if most translated content sounds like the writers have a stick up their arse!

If you want your brand to look good outside your home country, you will need a professional.

There are only a few of them on Upwork. 

Maybe 1% of the offer.

You can imagine what that means for your product and marketing translations...

If you’re looking for a helping hand, comment “YES” below and we can chat.

Imagine marketing your product 2 times faster while raising customer engagement by over 50%.

No, I'm not delusional.

Global expansion can be both swift and culturally attuned.

I have worked at the heart of industry giants for many years.

Fun fact: Their expansions were chaotic 6 times out of 5.

Project briefs lack context, are hard to understand, and contain a maze of links.

It is challenging for linguists to understand what they should do and deliver what the client wants.

(Let alone what the client needs.)

Delivering compelling marketing translations and re-creations that meet desired standards requires constant effort.

You need to keep track of a million things:

- Use it to iterate
- New guidelines
- Review and modify
- Processes and systems
- Monitor output and feedback
- Keep everyone involved by staying in touch

A lengthy list…

I might have messy hair, but I will not surrender to messy systems. 

I'm too 'German' for that 💅

If you are looking for a focused and customer experience-centred launch, drop me a dm, and let’s work some LOT™ magic.

You’re designing a multilingual UX/UI. 

Design isn’t just aesthetics (it’s understanding)

Your goal is seamless integration across languages and cultures.. right?

If that's a clear Yes, then language localization isn’t just translation. It’s a dance between text length, design elements, and cultural insights.

Step 1: 
– Recognize that text volume changes. 
– Languages expand and contract. 
– Your design should too.

Step 2: 
–Connect your design tools with localization plugins. 
–Real-time updates bridge the gap between designers & writers.
– This allows for immediate, efficient adjustments.

Step 3: 
– Partner with translators and cultural consultants. 
– They’re your guides to genuine, impactful user experiences.
– There's a difference between a user feeling at home or out of place.

Ignoring cultural nuances in UX/UI design is risky. 

Start integrating these steps. Lean into the complexity of multilingual UX/UI design. Your users—and your bottom line—will thank you.

I’d love to hear how you’re tackling UX/UI challenges in your SaaS.

Cultural nuances matter. 👈

A competitor just knocked on my door, claiming that my prices were unethical. 

They are not. However, my rates are undoubtedly competitive as I do design and translation work myself. I'm not just a middle man who profits from freelancers' starvation wages. I handle the heavy lifting myself.

Good weekend yall ✌

2016 Toolkit: $30,000 in university debt + a graphic design diploma (I wish I was joking):

The next day I moved to the Netherlands.

“Bye mom”, she called me crazy.

This is the first time I moved abroad.

I became hooked on new cultures.

Lithuania, India, Senegal, Sweden, Portugal, Italy…

I soaked up new smells and experiences like a sponge.

2 years ago, I left Germany for good. I migrated emigrated to Italy.


Today, I speak 4 languages fluently.

Europe is a special continent.

We are have so many cultures, languages, and landscapes. And yet, we are united.

Brands from overseas find it difficult to understand that it's not enough to pick 2 or 3 languages and hope to do well all over Europe.

Even Europeans get lost when we cross national borders. 😅

My love of cultures, cuisine, and diversity has become my identity.

And it's an honour that I can live this out both professionally and privately.

Sunday, I'll share the most important lessons I learned travelling the world:

– How to sell to a diverse audience
– How culture affects consumer behaviour
– How to avoid multiple personality disorder of your brand

Sign up here to get it straight to your inbox: https://lnkd.in/d79jF9Zq

Germans don't speak English (and if they do, they don't want to).

72.2% of people browse in their language most of the time.

72.4% of people state that they only buy a product when offered in their language.

+50% of consumers said that the ability to obtain information in their native language was more important than the price.

I'm not making up stuff, those facts come from HBS.

Imagine the impact of speaking directly to your customers in their language...

+ increased trust
+ increased engagement
+ multiplied conversions

Focusing your content on the region allows you to reach the DACH population with authenticity and efficiency.

This is a huge opportunity for you to disrupt.

“People shop at our German store, but then abandon their cart.” 

Said an e-com client during our 1:1 meeting.

His green start-up is live since 2022.

We localized the store to an extent that people didn’t notice they’re based in Sweden. 

Good stuff. Exactly what localization is about.

The majority of entrepreneurs aiming for expansion stop at translation.

Local buying experience allows you to go from lightweight to heavyweight.

Particularly when it comes to e-com, education and tech.

The customer journey should be smooth. 
- Extra clicks
- Loading times
- Annoying pop-ups
- Notifications
- Terms
- Icons
- Payment provider

Browsing must feel effortless. 

We pressed REC and looked at my client’s shop. 

We took notes. Discussed ways to improve tech development.

We helped them.

Checkout rates are a good indicator. 

How many site visitors have abandoned their carts?

50% or greater? Good.
40% or lower? Meehh.

Interested in fixing your abandoned cart problem, comment SHOP, and I’ll send you a rundown.

"What is the difference between once-off and retainer content?”

(The exact words of a client)

ONCE OFF = Long-lived

Terms and conditions
Brand Identity Manual
Product packaging
Landing page
User manuals
Lead Magnet
Email flows
Stationary 
Brochures
About us
Forms

RETAINER = Short-lived

Weekly/monthly newsletter
Internal communication
Product descriptions
Compliance updates
Social media posts
Customer support
Event invitations
Meeting notes
Special offers
New releases
Blog articles

These are just a few examples, and can vary depending on requirements and market penetration progress. 

I am happy to help with questions, uncertainties and advanced formats. 

Shoot me a DM.

In 2023, Germany introduced a €1 billion deep-tech and climate-tech fund.

Resulting in a few of Germany's hottest startup sectors in–

– Energy, with $510 million in funding
– Food, with $355 million in funding
– Fintech, with $313 million in funding
– Enterprise software, with $275 million in funding

This is the first time that the energy sector has been the highest-funded in Germany…

Plus, a sharp increase in startup launches in–

– Tourism, with 111% growth
– Mobility, with 30% growth
– Grocery, with 28% growth
– Software, with 23% growth

This is a clear sign of post-pandemic recovery if you ask me…

Here's the hottest fact:

The Medical Cannabis market in Germany is expected to grow by 3.54% (2024-2029) and reach US$594.80 million in 2029.

Imagine grabbing only 1% of it. 

By expanding to Germany.

PS: I hardly see any local companies embracing this trend.

I've always had a love for tech, but no talent. 

After secondary school, I went on to do a technical college entrance qualification in IT. It took 2 years.

(Our school system in Germany is complex)

The timetable was practice-oriented:

- JavaScript, HTML/CSS and DOS programming
- We put computers together and fixed them
- We soldered circuit boards

I was 13, untalented and one of two girls in our class. 

Oh girl, it was quite a challenge for me.

But I got the best support I could imagine:

– The headmaster
– Class teachers
– Classmates

Everyone was so excited to inspire more women in IT.

Even though I don't work in IT right now, I know how to use code and the backend.

I am aware of the issues developers face and how to deal with them.

It was hard, but I will always remember it and be thankful for the knowledge I still use every day. 

Shoutout to my ex- classmates (sorry for failing you all at COD)

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