With some planning and foresight, marketing to Latin America Markets can be a boon for
your business.
Marketing web based products and services in Latin America can be a real boon to small
businesses, medium-sized companies and entrepreneurs. These kinds of products and services
circumvent many barriers typically associated with Latin American trade. The Latin market
may even appear to be invisible to many large companies due to such factors as:
-
disparity in economic levels compared to the USA and Europe
- fluctuating currency exchange rates
- high-end shipping and merchandise transfer costs
- instability of governments and international trade policies
- corruption
- differences in local customs and regional business practices
- pilferage and other major loss leaders
While these
factors do raise concerns, there are ways of minimizing them and effecting viable
business and trade venues that can provide medium to small businesses and
entrepreneurs with an instant client / customer base into the hundreds of millions.
Latin America’s current population hovers at nearly 351 million with projections of
435 million by 2025. Some countries like Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, and Brazil are
considered to be economic powerhouses in the Latin world doing billions in trade
annually. Even Argentina, Ecuador and Chile, in the process of re-building damaged
economies; continue to show positive business growth and progress in their economic
sectors. Providing web based products and services bypasses many of these areas of
concern. Here are six keys to tapping that market:
1. Adjust prices to the economy
Use rebates, discounts and other promotional tools to adjust prices for your online
products and services to increase their affordability. Currency conversion rates for many
Latin countries, when heavily in your favor, can be brutal for the client / customer. Rates
can also reverse fortunes in a matter of hours. Unfortunately, currency exchange rates are
a factor over which you have little control.
Up to the minute currency exchange rates are available online at the Universal Currency
Converter website: http://www.xe.com/ucc/
2. Market to organizations that service Latin regions
While many may find your products and delivery costs nearly unaffordable, many
organizations can and will jump at the chance for dependable, high-quality goods and
services which may be unavailable in the regions they serve. Food, health, dental, medical
and government organizations can also become key clients. Don’t forget to cover economic,
business, trade and marketing seminars and conventions in your marketing plans.
3. Use Affiliate Programs or MLM to maximize marketing coverage
Entrepreneurs and small businesses to medium – sized companies in many Latin countries
are clamoring for new ideas and business options. With backgrounds that include healthy
doses of innovation and “espìritu empresarial”, the possibilities exist for nearly
exponential growth. There are hundreds of examples which confirm that the Latin market,
despite its “poor” status, is a growing and viable one.
4. Provide a variety of payment options
The quantity of business transactions will be directly in proportion to the number of
viable payment options available. A number of Latin countries have stringent procedures in
place to control illegal money laundering, counterfeiting, fraud and. Inflation. Helpful
payment options that could be considered include, among many others, such services as:
- Click bank (http://clickbank.com/)
- Pay Pal (http://www.paypal.com/)
- Western Union (http://www.westernunion.com/info/)
- American Express (https://corp.americanexpress.com/)
- Inter-bank transfers and other money transfer services
5. Consider using bi-lingual business materials
Language barriers in business are crumbling but you can greatly increment your
information providing coverage by the use of bi-lingual materials. A page on your website,
flyers, brochures, FAQs and other online distribution materials can be provided to aid
prospective clients and customers in developing detailed knowledge of the benefits and
features of your company. Copywriting and translation services for converting your business
stationery and key documents into Spanish, French or Portuguese are readily available at
cost-effective rates.
6. Allow for typically slower transaction speeds
Whether it’s the climate, the
culture, the temperament or the customs, life proceeds at a slower pace south of the
border. Same-day transactions in the USA can take two days to one week or more.
Decisions can be made more slowly at times as skepticism is higher among our Latin
neighbors. But don’t let the possibly slower pace fool you, the region is “open for
business” in a big way. Get ready to cash in on it – just at a little slower pace.
Repeated efforts, regular contact and patience are paramount to establishing successful
business relations in virtually any field of endeavor. Though not every transaction in
every case is slower, you should be prepared for the differences in business ethics and
time constraints. So with some planning and foresight, marketing web based products and
services in Latin America can be a boon to you and your company using these six keys to
help boost your success.
Prof Larry M. Lynch is a bi-lingual copywriter, expert author and photographer
specializing in business and education-related writing in South America. His work has
appeared in Transitions Abroad, South American Explorer, Escape From America, Mexico News
and Brazil magazines in print and online. He travels researching materials throughout Latin
America and teaches at a university in Cali, Colombia. To get original, exclusive articles
and content for your newsletter, blog or website contact him at: lynchlarrym@gmail.com . For
quotes on Spanish-English business services and copywriting Email: pentagon_elsb@hotmail.com
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