Where to find International Buyers for your Product

Looking to connect with foreign buyers? This is a complete and definite guide

How to find International Buyers for your Product

Finding strategic buyers for your business starts even before formalizing your venture. Knowing your buyer is the first step in starting a business, and it is a part of planning and goals. Buyers are the source which drives many decisions like hiring marketers and getting investors.

As an exporter, finding buyers for your product can often be the most difficult challenge in your business, particularly when you’re just getting started out or if you are selling in a new market. Anyone could be a prospect. A buyer can come from your employees, customers, suppliers or competitors

Selling in another country is never easy. You need to adapt to cultural norms, language, and travel barriers in order to succeed. But new technology makes the world smaller and makes finding buyers overseas much easier than it was in the past. With different languages, geographical locations, cultural variations, and lack of market knowledge are some of the real challenges to any business.

It’s true that new businesses always struggle in the start to find buyers. It takes months of hard work and dedication to become a recognized authentic supplier. However, if you act through these tips and tricks, Not only will global buyers see your contact details and products available online, but you can also reach out to these international buyers and connect with them to close your first deal.

B2B platforms:

There are many ways for businesses to get acquainted with potential buyers but the most successful tried and tested way is by using a B2B platform. B2B is an abbreviation for business to business. Implication is that businesses connects with businesses directly to form a deal. B2B platforms are having various buyers from all over the world. Here you will find some of the most authentic and reliable buyers of a wide variety of products.

B2B platforms started out with Alibaba and after its booming success, many B2B companies followed its prints and became successful. Their aim is to provide business to both buyers and sellers by acting as a Centrepoint for them. One such B2B platform that is hugely impressive in terms of gathering international buyers is TradeWheel.com.

Foreign Agencies

Many foreign countries have state-sponsored or state-controlled companies — called trading companies — which import products, usually in bulk orders. Do your homework and identify countries you believe your export would be great for, then contact their embassy in the U.S. or their agency directly in their own country.

United States-based embassies usually have a representative who can help you, and they almost always speak English.

Different agencies are going to specialize in different imports, such as raw materials, agriculture, electronic/IT equipment and more. Having a foreign representative on your side can help you find exactly who you need to be in contact with.

Trade Fares and Expos:

All expos and trade fares are the very busy marketplaces where interested companies and people are attending. You can make lots of connections there. At the expos, you can introduce your product to the international buyers. You can advertise your product to the world by joining trade fares in your country. For example, if you are garment manufacturer you display your product in expo or trade fare where many local or foreign companies meet you can get the export order for your garment.

Buying Agents:

Some foreign agencies are proactive and have buying agents in the U.S. actively looking for suppliers such as yourself. Again, your local embassy is a great place to start looking for these specific buyers but don’t forget the power of the internet.

Browse the country’s import-export agency’s site, or simply search for local representatives. When you do make contact, ensure you’re dealing with an official or accredited representative with the authority to do business on the agency’s behalf.

Commission Agents

Similar to foreign agencies having their own agents looking for your products, foreign wholesalers do as well. The difference is usually these agents are middlemen, finding great export products and buying on behalf of the foreign wholesale distributor. You can appoint an agent in another country where you want to market your product. They help you communicate with the international buyers and make the deals for you. They can help you generate good business in international market. They can find buyers for export for you and helps improve the business.

Dealing with a local agent can be far easier than dealing with a foreign-based agent. These agents are usually very motivated since they’re paid on commission.

Foreign Wholesalers

Just as there are wholesale distributors in the U.S., there are wholesalers in other countries. Dealing with private firms instead of government agencies may be much quicker, and letting them deal with the red tape of imports is a big benefit, too. U.S.-based import-export organizations have lists of reputable foreign distributors, saving you the time of searching for them yourself.

While your margins may be smaller by selling to a middleman, the time you save trying to sell your exports directly to the market may be well worth it.

I hope these options work out for you as they did for many other businesses. Share any feedback or suggestions in comments.