A message that hits the mark

Ask me what I do for a living, and I’m only half joking when I reply: ‘I sell dreams.’

As a transcreator, I render your French marketing texts into an English that stirs the desire and interest of readers, so they want to know more about your products and brand.

As a copywriter, I inject a storytelling exuberance into your branded content, corporate communications, ad campaigns, slogans, and the like.

As a translator, I craft accessible English-language versions of your words so you really connect with your audience – online shoppers, magazine readers, museum-goers, event attendees, travellers, or whoever they may be. I’ll make sure your message is presented in a way that’s not just palatable, but appealing to the non-French reader.

‘What’s the angle?’ is always my first question, so I can deliver work that’s fresh, impactful, and ready for publication.

Quality-first clients

The state-of-the-art Musée des Confluences in Lyon – ‘telling the story of humankind’ – entrusts its major museum exhibition translations to me because I make their English interpretative panels and gallery texts enjoyable to read (their words, not mine).

The French regional tourism and economic development agency, Vaucluse Provence Attractivité, has selected me as their translator of choice. As a result, they’re building up an attractive and clear set of materials to promote themselves as a cultural and holiday destination, and to attract inward investment to local industries.
I’m well known for my marketing mindset and many of my agency clients call me first when they need a winning test piece for new business pitches (well, I did win the prestigious 2015 Translate in Chantilly competition, adjudicated by Chris Durban, Grant Hamilton, Ros Schwartz, François Lavallée & Dominique Jonkers).

Original creative thinking

When my phone rings, it’s often a project manager with a slightly unusual job or hazy brief that calls for an imaginative approach – and someone recommended me.

It might be a famous anthem they want a jokey brand-promoting lyric for, an ad involving lots of tricky wordplay, or a client who’s not quite sure what they want – but they’ll know when they see it!

I have a reputation as an original thinker who likes creatively demanding projects. As an ex-boss of mine once put it, ‘I marvel at how Helene brings order from chaos!’

And, what’s more

If you need proofreading or revision to put the final polish on your English texts, I’m up for that too.

And if you’re a translator seeking to up your game and move into the premium market, I offer a tutoring service to help you on your way.