How to become an exporter?

Know your sector

You have measured your product, company and potential at the stage of getting to know yourself, discussed in the previous article. Now you have solid data that will guide your plans and goals for the future, and you are aware of what you can or cannot do, but this is not enough for you to export and be permanent in international markets. You should have knowledge and intelligence by researching some issues such as the markets you are addressing, the popularity of your product in these markets, the reason why the product is preferred. The more you know about the sector, the more you know about your competitors, the better you know, and the more you can share what you know about the product in various mediums, which allows you to be recognized as a professional in the eyes of your competitors and all people in the industry.

Questions you need to find answers to in order to dominate your industry

  • What is the amount of production in Turkey? There are few manufacturers in Turkey is that the manufacturer is known by the world? Are domestic producers working mainly on the domestic market or export? What are the organizations where companies come together? Turkey is in the international market share of the pie, how?
  • How are the developments in the sector going? What are the world export and import figures? What are the exporting countries and importing countries? Do other countries that are the producers of the same product have any advantages to get in front of you? Are they better or cheaper than you, or are they producing more?
  • Does the world's needs balance supply? Is it a product that will be needed in the future?
  • Are large-scale fairs organized in various countries of the world in this field or are the number of fairs organized in a small number?
  • Are the competitor countries or companies mostly composed of large businesses or can you find customers to easily sell this product even if you are a small business?
  • Can you benefit from government incentives?

After answering the above questions, you have presented yourself a kind of report by measuring your product on a sector basis. Is it enough? No. You have to repeat this process constantly, because every day there are changes in the industry, domestic and foreign markets, legislation and regulations. If you don't follow the current, you will be left behind.

Be aware of events

Simply missing an important event, training or seminar in your industry means you're missing potential new connections, new opportunities and information. Therefore, follow various domestic organizations (fairs, seminars, trainings, conferences, meetings) and try to participate in these events as much as you can. You will definitely come across the useful events organized by the ministry of economy, the ministry of customs and trade, exporters unions, chambers of commerce and similar organizations. From time to time, business trips are organized as a delegation to abroad or delegations come from abroad, and there are events that provide bilateral meetings with them. If there are associations related to your product, join them, even take charge, take responsibility, make speeches.

Subscribe to news bulletins, sectoral newspapers, magazines and various publications

Subscribe to publications such as magazines and bulletins in your product's industry. Follow the statistical reports published by organizations such as TURKSTAT, TOBB, TIM on the internet. Follow the accounts and people you find useful on social media (facebook, twitter, linkedin) and show yourself by giving your opinions in the comments from time to time.

Trips abroad

Meet people and industry leaders by going to fairs in the countries you target, and even watch for the opportunity to dine with a few business people that you catch your eye. The people you shake hands are standing in front of you with their experiences. Remember that every person you meet is an opportunity for you and you never know what doors will open to you. Likewise, you are for the other person. Don't be afraid to meet and talk. Nobody will scold you for this.