How Can You Get Export Orders Without Spending Much On Marketing?

Do you know that... how to do export marketing. Perhaps your answer would be that "yes we know that how to market our products in global market".

But, you might be thinking that marketing your products in global market is an expensive procedure. It is also possible that you have spent a lot of money and time in export marketing but still not succeeded in getting a single order.

I am going to share you how to do cost oriented but effective export marketing.

The following are some important steps to market your products in the global market:

1. Open your office in that country to whom you intend to export your products. It is a great way to market your products in that country.

But can you afford this? As opening an office in that country and hiring staff for that office can be very costly for you.

You might be thinking that “then what could I do?”

If you can’t setup your office in importing country now you would be thinking what would be the other options to advertise and display your products in other countries.

2. Another way of export marketing is appointing your agent or a distributor of your products in the importing country.

But finding an agent or distributor might not be possible for you. As for that purpose you have to do a lot of work & research to find an honest agent or distributor.

3. Third way of export marketing is to attend trade fairs in different countries.

It is also a costly way, as you have to arrange a lot of things like tickets, purchase a place to display your products, arrange stock of your products to display etc. to attend any trade fair.

4. The fourth way of export marketing is to give phone calls to the importers of your products in different countries by colleting the list of importers from the export development authorities. But when you call them they will be asking about your products catalogue. Making phone calls to the hundred of importers and sending them your products catalogue is too much expensive.

Now, you will be thinking that I cannot follow any of the above mentioned steps for export marketing.

But what to do now?

I will suggest you to use Internet for your export marketing that is called "electronic commerce". There is no universally accepted definition of the term "electronic commerce" or "e-commerce". However, it is generally used to cover the "distribution, marketing, sale or delivery of goods and services by electronic means.

You can use the following e-commerce ways to market your products worldwide in very cost effective way:

1. Open a web site of your company to display your company’ profile and products on it. This will help you to display your all products with their complete specification. Any one interested in your products may get knowledge of your products and company by simply visiting your web site rather you send your catalogue to them. Only refer your web site to the importers for complete details of your products.

The following are the benefits that you can get from opening a web site.

(i) Promote/display your products and services with complete details.

(ii) Provide online quotations to your buyers.

(iii) Advertise your products worldwide at less expense.

(iv) Obtain feedback from your customers/importers.

(v) Improve customer services by providing same day answers to online inquiries.

2. Another way to market your products by using Internet is use of Business to Business (B2B) web sites. There are many B2B web sites like www.pakimportexport.com that give you opportunity to market your products worldwide at no expense. B2B web sites are providing great services for importers and exporters to have their company's products and profile online.

On these B2B web sites, you can contact importers, exporters and services providers directly. You may browse worldwide selling and buying leads posted by worldwide importers and exporters.

B2B web sites are powerful e-commerce marketing tool for manufacturers, importers and exporters to promote their business activities to acquire information and to increase market access. It is a relatively inexpensive way in international trade to disseminate in depth information, receiving direct replies, suggestions and inquires from worldwide importers and exporters and contacting potential trade partners.

B2B web sites allows the worldwide exporter and importer to sit anyplace and become a global competitor with no investment, no infrastructure, no representative, nothing except importer or exporter ability to put their products and profile on the internet.

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The above stated two e-commerce methods have proved cost effective way to export marketing. I am working as a consultant and I have given the above suggestion to many exporters who are using these ways very successfully.

You can do it too. Try it today. 

A Dozen Tips for Starting an Import/Export Business

Thinking of starting an import/export business? Jennifer Henzel, a Certified Import/Export Trade Professional offers these tips for getting started:

1. Many countries have set up offices (Consulates or Embassies) in foreign countries to promote the exporting of their goods. The Consulates will supply you with industry directories and more. Embassies are located in a nation's capital and Consulates in different cities. In many cases, the Embassy web site will contain directories and manufacturer lists, as well as an email link that you can use for sourcing

2. To import goods, communicate with that country's Consulate situated in your own country. If you are uncertain what products the other country wants, you can obtain catalogues and lists of manufacturers.

3. Contact your country's taxation department to ask about registration numbers or other procedures that you must follow. For example, if you are Canadian, you will require a Registration Number, issued by Canada Customs and Taxation Agency (CATA). When you inform CCTA of your plans to import or export, they issue an extension to your business number. This number is used on all related documents.

4. Find out about licensing requirements, if any. Many countries do not have licensing requirements for most products. However, if you are importing or exporting high-risk products (pharmaceuticals, liquor, chemicals, arms, certain food items and certain articles of apparel), you might need a license. "I strongly recommend that people start out with low risk items that can be easily traded and have fewer barriers  like giftware and consumer items," said Henzel. "Certain industries, like dairy, are guarded by lobby groups in some countries. You will be faced with quotas and restrictions."

5. Embargoes are trade barriers set up against other countries. Many countries have embargoes against Cuba, for example. First, contact your own government to determine whether there are restrictions or embargoes against the country you are considering. Next, contact that country's Consulate or Embassy to see if there are restrictions against goods from your country.

6. Participate in the local Boards of Trades (or Chambers of Commerce if there is no local Board of Trade). In addition to networking, you have access to research libraries and other resources that will offer good trade information.

7. Use customs brokers. "Small businesses attempting their own paperwork can run into delays at borders. If you make a mistake, you can be fined," said Henzel. "A custom broker's service is well worth the fee you pay."

8. When exporting, understand that there is no one solution to shipping and customs handling that will work in every situation. Every deal is different. Each company and each set of products will require a different set of services, or a combination of services. Engaging the services of a freight forwarder is one possibility. Freight forwarders arrange shipping and customs for goods going to other countries. "You have to shop for these services and do your research," Henzel explained. "Ask a lot of questions. It's no different than buying a piece of furniture. You shop around first."

9. Be familiar with Incoterms, as posted to the International Chamber of Commerce Web Site (http://www.iccwbo.org/index_incoterms.asp). Incoterms are standard trade definitions that dictate the shipping and payment responsibilities of each party. The two companies involved negotiate Incoterms for each deal. The best known Incoterms include EXW (Ex works), FOB (Free on Board), CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight), DDU (Delivered Duty Unpaid), and CPT (Carriage Paid To). "You negotiate according to the Incoterms," Henzel said. "You decide who pays for shipping, who pays for insurance, etc."

10. Consult your bank for information about Letters of Credit, the most common form of payment when trading internationally. With a Letter of Credit, you minimize your risk because the banks assure that the goods are delivered before the money is exchanged. As an importer, a Letter of Credit reduces the risk of having to pay in advance for goods, or of paying for goods that are inconsistent with the product description in the Letter. As an exporter, you have the buyer's bank's assurance that you will receive payment provided you ship the goods as specified within an agreed-upon time.

11. Participate in Trade Missions. Consult your Board of Trade or local Chamber of Commerce to discover what is available.

Import/Export – Building A Profitable Home Based Income For Life

Woolen jackets, paper rolls, light up teddy bears, clocks and DVDs – there is tremendous potential to make a very good profit from all of these products and countless others just by knowing the basics of one of the worlds oldest trades.

Importing & exporting may not be the first thing that leaps into your mind when you think of home based businesses. However, there are few genuine opportunities that offer better prospects – big profits, subsidised travel and a good work-from-home lifestyle are just a few of the benefits you’ll enjoy once your import/export business is up and running. The set-up and operational costs can also be accommodated on a total shoe string budget.

So is importing/exporting from home right for you? Here are a few factors you need to consider before taking your first steps into this lucrative business:

1. Creating Contacts – You will need to contact many different importers and exporters and this can be difficult for some. In the internet age just about every contact you need is already online. There are hundreds of free bulletin boards you can visit to see who wants to buy or sell any number of products, in addition to several specialist websites and trade magazines.
2. A fair level of attention to detail is required – by keeping your customers satisfied and providing them with exactly what they request you will be setting yourself up for a good stream of future business.
3. You will need to create a detailed plan to identify your own desired goals and objectives from your business. We all know the saying “if you fail to plan then you plan to fail” – ask yourself the difficult questions that many shy away from. Here are just a few of these…What do you have going for you to make this a success? Will you start full time or part time? Can you get any help (family/friends) in the beginning? What type of products will you trade? In which countries? What mode of transport will you use to get your goods from A to B? How will you learn about international trade regulations? What method of international payment will you use? What foreign regulations must you be aware of? Again, these are just a sample of the questions you need to ask – get some paper and scribble down everything you could possibly think of.
4. You will need to decide on your form of organisation – will you operate as a sole trader, partnership or limited company? Each form has it’s own distinct advantages and disadvantages.

So how do you go about finding products to import and export once all the nuts and bolts are in place? One great way is actually by travelling around – there are literally millions of products out there that have the potential to make you a small (or large) fortune once you import them into your domestic market. To illustrate my point, last year while on a holiday to India I stumbled over some delightful glow-up keyrings that were being sold for 10 rupees each (about 40 cents) – instinct had told me there was enormous profit potential here and upon returning home I found the same key-rings selling for $7.95 in a popular department store. Do you think it would be possible to profit from this situation? Of course it is, and there are countless other opportunities like these simply waiting to be discovered. It is also possible to write off your travel expenses (flights, hotels, dining costs etc) against your profits which gives you a great chance to travel the world at a heavily subsidised rate.

You can also find ideas on what to sell by sifting through specialised publications & websites, investigating trade shows and by browsing national trade statistics (eg via the United Nations Yearbook Of International Trade Statistics). But above all, be alert – when you see something interesting, ask yourself “can I import this thing in my home market?”

Now a word about marketing – whether you like it or not, the long term success for any product depends to a large degree on the way it is marketed. Get this right and you could make a lot of cash very quickly. Get it wrong and you could struggle. Like most things marketing technique can be acquired and refined but you should come up with a marketing plan in addition to your general plan. Encouragingly from a work-at-home perspective there are any number of marketing methods that will bring you success, some at very low (or no) cost.

OK, what we have gone through is just the tip of the iceberg. A profitable work from home import & export business is more possible than most could envisage but as with any worthwhile venture you will require some level of persistence and willingness to learn. If you’re willing to put in the effort the rewards are far greater than you could possible imagine.