Businesses that sell abroad are generally more successful than companies that sell solely to the local market. Export (including services) expands your market, lowers risks and expands market share. It makes you less dependent on the crowded local market.
Companies using Free Zone have successful international track records and can provide useful insights on how you can build your international business. Therefore, we, Free Zone asked several successful businesses, which are operating internationally, for their best practices.
How to expand to international markets?
Thoroughly research your market before you start attracting international clients. Monitor international trends and use experiences to create a successful business strategy. Don’t stay focused on past business solutions, be prepared for rapid market changes and be open for new strategies, techniques and innovation. Leverage technology to improve the speed of your business and use it to capture future market trends. Technology facilitates change, it moves fast and helps you reach your potential if you use it right. Stay up to date and find innovative ways to attract potential customers. Seek win-win situations and make sure you know your customers well. Communication is key for a successful international business strategy. Keep your communication simple. Personal contact remains highly appreciated in many business relationships. Make sure you are easy to reach and be transparent to your contacts. Always reply and respond to their requests. Be honest and give your clients the feedback they are looking for. Use your customer’s feedback to make your business grow and improve. It can provide you with valuable market insights.
How to find international customers?
Referrals are the most important source to acquire international customers. Offer what your potential clients are looking for and they
will find you. Don’t focus on just one market, try to broaden your potential markets and experiment with different approaches. Another successful way to acquire international customers is to make an irresistible offer. Gather their attention with professional promotions and communicate with influencers in your market. Try to let them make an extra effort to help you get your business out there.
Create and maintain a network
email marketing is a great tool for it. Send targeted emails to potential clients, follow up and stay friendly. Find out who the decision makes are, learn about their plans and their interests, etc. Listen to their feedback and stay open, kind, respectful and humble. Even if your clients are businesses, don’t forget that you work with people. Your most trusted relationships are willing to bring your business to the next level. Customers love being part of your success story. It makes them more engaged with your company and if you use your most trusted sources, your competition is less likely to hear about your next move. Another successful tip is to contribute to well-read blogs/forums. Give kind answers and help others out. It helps spread your good name and you build trust among international audiences. Share your success.
As business expands, share, donate and do good for others. Most potential clients research your business before they even start talking to you. In most organizations, multiple people are involved in the purchasing process. Someone may not have the final decision, but does have the power to influence based on their perception of your business and you.
Which marketing strategies are successful?
Always do your research before you act. Choose international and challenging projects based on research and stay focused. Be ready to fail and have patience.
Use failures as a lesson and use them to build your business’s foundation. Be prepared for changes.
Think about levering your existing contacts. If you build good relationships with your customers they are willing to help expand your business in their market, using their unique knowledge and network. They can open their network and can help you finding the right marketing strategy. Your customer can serve as an important bridge to your new market. Let them call new potential customers, it will increase the chance of a sale. This strategy works in both directions and helps improve the relationship
with your customer. Surprise your clients and give more than they expect. It will help to make them great referrals to acquire new customers.
What are the benefits from operating from the Free Zone of Aruba?
Tax structuring plays a very important role in international business. It helps offset any additional costs. A lower profit tax may be a critical factor for financial feasibility. Aruba’s free zone offers small international companies a reputable home-base. It shows clients that they are dealing with a trustworthy company. Many businesses want to check your company before they start doing business with you. Being a free zone company is very helpful for your legitimacy and information is available from a serious referral source. In general, free zone companies are very satisfied with the service offered by Free Zone Aruba. They are pleased with the policies, support, assistance and referrals.