| If you are a product inventor or manufacturer | | | | are taking this into account each time they |
| who is looking to export your product | | | | purchase a new item. |
| internationally, there are several steps to take | | | | Step #3: Shipping Specifications |
| before getting started in order to secure the | | | | One of the most important steps that is often |
| most successful international campaign. | | | | overlooked is to have a solid understanding of the |
| Step #1: Marketing Materials | | | | packaging of your product. Does it come |
| Marketers in the Direct Response industry are | | | | bulk-packed? How many are in each master |
| fortunate to not only have marketing materials | | | | carton? What are the carton dimensions? Where |
| such as retail and print artwork, but may also | | | | will they be picked up? How many can fit on a |
| have developed a commercial for television airing. | | | | pallet? Accurate product specifications are |
| If this is the case for you, you will want to make | | | | necessary so landed costs can be calculated |
| sure to have split audio master tapes with no | | | | correctly. |
| superimposed images of your advertising media. | | | | Step #4 International trademarks |
| This ensures that once sent abroad, the master | | | | Make sure that your trademarks are not already |
| tape can be easily translated and new text or | | | | taken in a market in which you wish to sell. You |
| voiceovers added, and put on television right | | | | may need to pay fees to the person who already |
| away. For most other marketers, color retail | | | | holds the trademark there. Also, it is good to |
| packaging is a necessity, as this is the main | | | | secure a trademark in the USA – this helps |
| method in which international clients will be selling | | | | show the credibility of your product to |
| your product. Making sure you have all your retail | | | | international clients and can help with local |
| and print materials in order is your first step. | | | | approvals in their markets. |
| Step #2: Pricing | | | | Step #5: Look to export management companies |
| In order to accommodate the international | | | | with international expertise |
| clients’ needs, an extra low export price may | | | | The world is a big place, and each market has |
| be necessary to accommodate the international | | | | different regulations, restrictions, and etiquette. |
| buyer’s shipping costs, storage costs, returns | | | | Often, the easiest way to get your foot in the |
| and advertising costs. Often, marketing costs are | | | | door with new international buyers is to contact |
| quite high, and they may even need to send | | | | an export management company who specializes |
| approvals to their local health ministry if your | | | | in international distribution. Some do not charge |
| product is an ingestible item, or touches food or | | | | fees for their services, and they can provide the |
| skin. These costs add up for the buyer, and they | | | | connections that you do not already have. |