You’ve found success in your home market. Congratulations! Now, how do you take this product or service and make it a hit in a new market? This is no easy feat.
Your company may have the best product or service out there, but if you find yourself struggling to connect with customers in a new market, it’s time to reevaluate how you communicate with them.
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Understand the new market’s cultural nuances and preferences. |
| 2. Tailor marketing strategies to resonate with local audiences. |
| 3. Prioritize customer feedback to adapt and improve your approach. |
| 4. Offer multiple communication channels for customer interaction. |
| 5. Create localized content that addresses specific market needs. |
Hire Local People
One of the most effective ways to make yourself accessible in a new market is to hire local people. This means that you should be hiring people who know the culture, language, and customs of your customers.
They should also be familiar with the market you’re entering as well as understand your customer needs.
Hiring such people is important because they will be able to communicate with potential customers more effectively than someone from another culture could ever hope for.
This will help you establish trust among your potential clients and increase sales opportunities by making sure they feel like they can get their questions answered quickly.
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Put Your Customer Service On 24/7
You may think that your customer service is available 24/7, but is it? When you’re in the United States or Europe, of course. But let’s say you’re a U.S.-based company trying to expand into Japan.
And while 90 percent of your customers happen to be American ex-pats living in Tokyo, you still have some Japanese customers trying to reach out via phone or email and find themselves unable to do so because their time zone doesn’t match up with yours back home.
Luckily for you (and for them), there’s an easy solution: hire people who live in Japan and are willing to work remotely from home offices around the clock.
This way, when someone calls during the middle of the night on their end of the planet they’ll be able to reach someone who can help them without having an awkward conversation with what might feel like someone who’s been sleeping through most of their life!
Research Their Culture
One thing that you can do to make yourself accessible to customers in new market is to research their culture.
This means knowing what they like and don’t like, as well as what they are talking about, laughing at, and sharing. It also means understanding what is trending in terms of social media and the content they’re consuming.
If you want these people to buy from you, then you must get this information right.
Otherwise, all your efforts will be for nothing and your money will have been wasted on hiring an advertising agency or public relations firm that doesn’t understand your target audience as well as it should have done
Learn The Language, At Least A Little Bit
You might be thinking that knowing the language is something you’ll do later, but it’s a great way to get started. If you don’t have time to learn the language in full, try learning a few words and phrases.
Knowing just a few keywords will help you better understand your customers’ needs and values. In addition, knowing how to say “thank you” in their language shows them that you respect and appreciate their culture.
Additionally, knowing how to say “thank you” will help build trust between yourself and your customer base because it shows that not only are you interested in understanding them but also that there’s any interest on your end in being part of their community.
The more comfortable they feel around people from other cultures (such as yourself), the more likely they will be willing to open themselves up for business opportunities with these types of individuals!
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Offer Them Credit Cards And Other Payment Options That Work For Them
Offer them credit cards and other payment options that work for them.
It’s important to offer your customers an easy way to pay you, especially if they’re located in a different country than the one where you live.
Some countries use different currencies than yours, some have different processing fees for credit card transactions, and others may require additional paperwork or legal compliance before accepting a foreign card on their behalf.
Offer Deliveries And Returns
- Offer deliveries and returns.
- Make sure you have the infrastructure to do this.
- Hire the right people for this, or train the people you already have in new areas of expertise.
- Have a solid plan in place, including how to deal with customer inquiries and requests for information and how to prevent delays as much as possible. You need a good system!
Make Sure Your Website Is Translated Into Their Language
- Ensure your website is translated into their language.
- Make sure your website works on their devices, and in the right format (e.g., responsive).
- Research their culture so you can offer them relevant products or services that will be meaningful in their lives.
Make Sure Your Website Works On Their Devices
Your website, of course, will be the first thing potential customers see. But it’s also one of the most important things they’ll use to get more information about your business and its services.
As such, you need to make sure that your site works on all devices and not just mobile phones. If someone can’t access it with their phone or tablet because they have an older model or one running an operating system that doesn’t support responsive design (e.g., Windows XP).
Then it won’t matter how great a job you’ve done with SEO and getting people to click on links from Google: Your site might as well not exist for them!
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Know The Rules Of Their Government And Country Taxes, Etc…
In a new market, you have to know the rules of their government and country taxes, etc… Know everything about your company, industry, and state and make sure you are following them.
Get To Know Their Personalities And Culture
When you enter a new market, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that people there will all be like you. They won’t.
Even if your company is based in an area where most people are similar to you, your target audience may not be. It’s important to understand who they are and how they think before trying to sell them anything.
To get started, follow these guidelines:
Be curious about others and take time to find out about them! Don’t just assume that because someone looks or sounds like someone else (or even like yourself), they’ll think or behave in the same way. It’s better if they don’t!
The more diverse perspectives people bring together in one place can only result in better ideas and solutions for everyone involved.
Be patient, don’t rush things along! Yes, there’s always a deadline looming overhead, but rushing through cultural sensitivity training may cause irreparable damage instead of fostering mutual understanding between cultures (and within cultures as well).
If possible try getting involved with local organizations where members represent different ethnicities so that both American and foreign individuals have their voice during discussions about diversity programs within companies such as yours.
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Educate Yourself About Their Holidays & Festivals So That You Can Celebrate With Them!
If you want to make a good first impression, you need to know the holidays and festivals of your customer. It is even better if you celebrate with them. You must understand their government and country’s taxes and laws so that you can avoid any issues related to these laws.
Follow Them On Social Media & Read What They’re Saying About You There!
Social media is a great way to interact with customers and see what they’re saying about you. Social media can also give you insight into what your competitors are doing, as well as the general trends in your industry.
You Can Make Yourself Accessible To Customers In A New Market With Some Straightforward Steps
You can make yourself accessible to customers in a new market with some straightforward steps.
First, you must hire local people. Second, you should put your customer service on 24/7.
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Conclusion
Accessibility is a broad term, with many different meanings in different cultures. Making yourself accessible to customers in a new market can be as simple as knowing their culture, or as difficult as learning how they celebrate holidays and festivals.
However you choose to go about it, I hope this post has helped you get started on making yourself more accessible in that specific country/region!
Further Reading
How to Attract New Customers in a Different Market Short Description: Discover effective strategies for expanding your customer base into new markets and reaching untapped audiences.
Making Your Product More Accessible to Customers Short Description: Learn techniques to make your products more accessible to a wider range of customers, fostering inclusivity and growth.
Tips for Getting More Clients Short Description: Explore practical advice on how to attract and retain clients, enhancing your business’s client acquisition strategies.
FAQs
How can I effectively target new customers in a different market?
Expanding into a new market requires careful planning and understanding of your target audience’s preferences and behaviors. Research the local culture, demographics, and competitors to tailor your marketing strategies accordingly.
What are some ways to make my product more accessible to a diverse customer base?
To make your product more accessible, consider factors such as affordability, usability, and inclusivity. Offer multiple payment options, improve product packaging for easier use, and ensure your marketing materials are culturally sensitive.
How do I increase my client base for my business?
To attract more clients, focus on networking, building a strong online presence, and leveraging referrals. Develop a clear value proposition and communicate how your services can address clients’ needs effectively.
What role does customer feedback play in acquiring new clients?
Customer feedback is invaluable for improving your offerings and showcasing your commitment to meeting customer needs. Positive reviews and testimonials can attract new clients by demonstrating your business’s credibility and reliability.
What strategies can I use to stand out in a competitive market and gain clients?
Differentiation is key in a competitive market. Identify your unique selling points, create compelling marketing messages, and provide exceptional customer service to establish your brand as a trustworthy and preferred choice among clients.
Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.