The internet has opened up a whole new realm of possibility for small businesses. As an entrepreneur, you can now run a global company from your humble bedroom!
The web gives us access to every country on the planet. We can reach any target audience we like in seconds. The opportunities are endless.
But, is this a good or a bad thing? For some, it’s too large a playing field. You can quickly realise you’re a small fish in the world’s biggest pond.
However, if you’ve got global ambitions, who are we to stop you? In fact, we’re here to help! We have plenty of experience running a global company, and today we’re passing on the knowledge.
Here’s what you need to know.
Translations
If you’re going to effectively market your business in a foreign country, you need to master the language. Every culture has its linguistic tweaks, phrases, and colloquialisms.
Marketing is all about playing on words, and making sure the message has a strong impact. It’s very easy for your marketing material to get ‘lost in translation’.
The experts at MI translations tell us that an experienced human translator is essential for global marketing. They’ll help you craft your message with the foreign market firmly in mind.
Offices and telecoms
If you’re going to expand into new regions, it’s well worth having a presence there. For your largest territories, we suggest opening a small office in the region.
It provides a real face for the business. Your employees can make real connections and partnerships too. If that option is too expensive, consider hiring a foreign worker on a telecommute basis.
Having regular contact and advice from that territory is essential.
Foreign market research
You can never assume that your marketing methods in one country will work in another. Different countries and cultures react to different marketing stimuli.
We’ve already established how certain slogans and messages will get lost in translation. But think deeper than that. People have different lifestyles and ambitions in foreign markets.
Is there even a market for your product or service? Conducting this research before you launch in another country will save you a lot of future trouble.
Tweak your product and service
Again, every country and culture has its own values, styles, and priorities. Don’t be afraid to tweak your product or service to fit the target country.
This is particularly important if you envision a lot of sales from that territory. Use your market research to determine what exactly the audience is looking for from your product.
Partnerships
It’s very difficult to make your mark in a new country. Especially one that you’re not particularly familiar with. That’s why it’s often a great idea to partner with established companies.
Reach out to similar brands and business that already have an ‘in’. Suggest a partnership based on mutually beneficial services.
It’s a fantastic way to tap into existing markets, and get more attention online.
Going global is something you should think long and hard about. If the time is right, use this advice as your starting point.
Good luck, and let us know how you get on!