Know-How Exchange : Strategy

Thank you for your question. Here in the United States, the state and federal government have programs to help exporters sell to other countries. These offices can assist with information on marketing as well as tarrifs and other international issues. If I were in your situation, I would begin by seeing if I could find such an organization to help exporters in your own country.

I would also look for a mentor. A mentor is a person in your local area and industry who is willing to offer their guidance and expertise to help your business grow.

While google and facebook offer a way to reach the mareket and create a buzz. I fear you need to develop sales which are a bit more than 1 to 1. I suggest you find wholesale outlets in your selected market.

Look for companies that sell or advertise the products you sell online and approach them directly.

Leverage governmental agencies for small businesses, exporters and the like. Utilize your local library or the internet for searches on the topic.

Approach a local university or school that offers business classes and solicit support from an international trade, marketing or other such business class - the professor may have insights, and you may be able to make your situation a case study that the students work on for you.

Good luck!

You need to retain a consultant who is familiar with your market in the other country. Trying to do it remotely, even with good online communication, is not likely to be successful. A good consultant working on your behalf will be worth his/her fee.

Google Adwords has worked for many local companies to obtain customers globally. But I fully agree with previous responses you need to get your marketing strategy right first, to avoid wasting money

For a low-cost solution, hook up with a group of marketing students for the Google Adwords online challenge: https://www.google.com/onlinechallenge/
The students will help you develop/refine your marketing strategy and execute the agreed-upon online strategy with you.

First define your target customer.

Then determine exactly why they should buy from you.

Now work out the best way to each those exact people with a message that communicates why they should buy from you - in terms they will identify with.

If in doubt, hire an expert consultant in each country you're targeting. You need to be clear, specific and you must measure everything you try - so you can tell what works, and what doesn't.

Hope that helps.

ChrisB