The foreign market sector is filled with unique problems for the marketer. These are examples of these problems.

• Language and currency are issues to deal with.
• Unpredictability generated by political whims can be a big negative.
• Volatility due to varied monetary and fiscal policies in these other countries can be difficult to predict and deal with.
• Tariffs must be overcome in some cases.
• Questions of who controls off-loading, warehousing and transportation will need to be answered.
• Shelf life becomes even more critical, so how you set up your domestic systems may require more thought.

When looking to market products or service, one key consideration is whether you will expand the market or simply compete to replace someone who is already there. A chief goal of any marketing plan should be to find your own space in the market.

Relationships are key to all marketing. In the foreign arena this is doubly true. Work with people who know the territory and can help you interpret the culture and language. You will need a credible interface to quickly build trust. You need to be very responsive to the customer.

Keep in mind several key points:

• Foreign markets automatically demand a different product mix than our domestic markets. That offers great opportunity for market diversity.
• Probability is high that foreign economies will run on cycles that don't match those in the U.S., which is an advantage if you have some presence in both arenas.
• Currency values can offer opportunity or a hurdle.
• Politics are a wild card.
• We are in a global economy so the market increasingly expects to do business across borders.
• Digital technology can make this market possible for the smaller player.
• If you are thinking about entering the export market you will want to read the following: The Recent International and Regulatory Decisions about Geographical Indications.  As worldwide consumer demand for high-quality products and for information about these products increase, labels and geographical indications can be used to indicate quality traits to consumers. The authors discuss the dispute between the European Union (EU) and the United States, the World Trade Organization panel decision, and the EU response to the panel decision leading to a new regulation.
• Analyzing Vertical Market Structure and Its Implications for Trade Liberalization and Market Access.  This paper uses a general market model to simulate the impacts of trade liberalization for developing countries when market intermediaries may exercise oligopsony power when procuring raw product from developing country producers and/or oligopoly power in selling the product to downstream buyers. Results show that intermediaries can capture large shares of the benefits from trade liberalization when they exercise oligopoly and/or oligopsony power.
• International Trade – A Global Opportunity
• Are you Export-Ready
• The Export Decision
• Develop an Export Plan

If you are ready to explore placing your product in the export market, the following will be helpful:

• Research the Marketing Environment
• Market Research and Assessment Outline
• Test the Market
• Pricing and Promotion
• International Approaches to the Labeling of Genetically Modified Foods

Financing your export activities involves new challenges:

• Financing your Overseas Operations
• Trade Finance Tools
• Basic Methods of International Payment

Export distribution may involve working with foreign companies.

• Methods of Export Distribution
• Transport and Distribution

Check this out before you start.

• The 12 most Common Mistakes Made by New Exporters