Individuals how to do foreign trade orders (practical guide)

In today's deepening globalization, foreign trade has long since ceased to be the preserve of large companies.

A person and a computer, with the right approach, can also receive orders on the international market and earn dollars, euros and even long-term customers.

So, how can an individual start from scratch to do foreign trade orders?

Today, I will be from the underlying logic to the specific operation, systematic dismantling, to help you build your own foreign trade order system.

Cognitive chapter: individuals do foreign trade orders, relying on what?

poorly informed: Product prices, supply chain maturity, and service levels vary across the globe, so as long as you can find a product that can be delivered at a reasonable price with good service, you can make money on the information gap.
connectivityThe so-called "foreign trade" is essentially a cross-border connection between buyers and sellers. Your task is not to produce, but to find supply chain resources, find overseas demand side, connect the two, and earn intermediate profits or service fees.
trust construction: Whether it's the customer, the supplier, or the logistics company, trust has to be built at every step of foreign trade. Because of cross-border transactions, there is a natural uncertainty and risk.
continuous output: Individuals doing foreign trade, it is impossible to get rich overnight, you need a stable channel to accumulate customers, long-term maintenance of relationships, and continuous output of content or services.

To summarize: information gap + ability to connect + trust + continuous output = four elements of personal foreign trade success.

Preparation: do foreign trade orders, first prepare what?

1. Defining the product

Selection principles::

Small, beautiful and easy to transport (e.g., household goods, pet supplies, small mechanical parts)
High value-added, at least $30 per unit
Stable or growing market demand
Supply chain resources are easily accessible (factories are well resourced)

Common Misconceptions about Product Selection::

Product too heavy (high cost of sea freight)
Too low (thin margins)
Too complex (requires custom development)

If you don't have a factory of your own.Recommendation to start with "mature standards"The company's products include apparel, accessories, kitchenware, office supplies, construction hardware, outdoor sporting goods, and more.

2. Preparation of image materials

Basic equipment::

English version of the company profile (PPT or PDF, even if you are an individual)
Product high-definition pictures and videos (real photos, do not steal pictures)
English quotation form (Excel template, clear and concise)
An English email address for specialized domains (如info@yourcompany.com)
A LinkedIn (LinkIn) professional account
Build a simple English website (quickly with Wix or WordPress)

Even if you're an individual operation, it's important for your clients to perceive that you're a small team of professional companies thatA reliable image earns the first step of trustThe

3. Recognizing the supply chain

If you're not producing it yourself, have at least one or two stable suppliers and:

Sample confirmed.
Clear prices and delivery times
Able to accept small trial orders
Ability to work with shipments and invoices

Supply chain is the foundation of your foreign trade can not be stable single.Choose well at the beginning to go far behind.

Customer Acquisition: How do individuals find overseas customers?

1. Proactive client development

Common Channels::

Google Internet company: Keyword search for potential customers, analyze the company's official website, and directly send development letters
LinkedIn: Search for industry keywords, find purchasing managers, add friends, chat and say hello!
Facebook: Some small B customers leave contact info on the FB page!
B2B Platform: e.g. Alibaba, Made-in-China, Global Sources, etc.

Development letter template reference::

Subject: Reliable Supplier for [Product Name] from China

Dear [Name].

I hope this message finds you well.

We are a professional supplier specializing in [product category]. Attached you will find some of our product information.

We would be happy to offer you competitive pricing, reliable quality, and excellent service.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Best regards.
[Your Name]

Stick to sending 10-30 high quality development letters every day for 3 months and you will surely be able to open a list.

2. Passive customer acquisition channels

Laying out long-term traffic::

Build English independent website + SEO optimization
LinkedIn publishes professional content and maintains a persona over time
Participation in online virtual fairs (e.g. Global Sources, Canton Fair Online)

tip: Build an English inquiry form website by yourself, put a little bit of Google ads (for example, 5-10 dollars per day), you can also slowly accumulate inquiries.

Conversion: How to make a deal after getting an inquiry?

1. Rapid response

Foreign customers are generally accustomed to fast communication.reply in the first instanceIt can dramatically increase the probability of closing a deal. It better do:

Respond within 1 hour of receipt of inquiry
Be relevant, don't send template perfunctory quotes
Timely follow-up and proactive reminders for three days of non-response

2. Specialized offers

An excellent quotation should include:

Product Pictures
Model Specification
Unit price (FOB / CIF / DDP are available)
Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ)
delivery time
terms of payment

Small details:Quotes must be clear to avoid subsequent rip-offs.

3. Microtesting

Don't force large orders at first. Encourage customers to try small orders, for example:

Starting from $500
Small batch mixing
Provide flexible payment terms (e.g., 30% deposit, 70% paid prior to shipment)

Once the trial order is successful, the big orders will naturally follow.

Performance: Guaranteed Delivery and Payback

chain management: After the order is placed, keep an eye on the production nodes to ensure product quality and delivery.
Logistic Arrangement: Reasonable choice of sea/air/express transportation and booking of warehouses in advance according to customers' needs.
Documentation preparation: Contracts, invoices, packing lists, bills of lading and other documents to be accurate.
Collections protection: Most customers use wire transfers (T/T), but can also use letters of credit (L/C) or third-party platforms (e.g. Payoneer, Wise) to collect payments.

Reminder: for the first time cooperation, it is recommended to receive at least 30%-50% deposit to protect the security of funds.

Mindset: the road to personal foreign trade

Slow is fast.: It usually takes 3-6 months for an individual to go from unfamiliar development to getting their first order in foreign trade, hang in there.
customer-centric: Solve problems for your customers with your heart, and business will come naturally.
long-termism: Don't be in a hurry to make a quick buck, the real masters of foreign trade, relying on repurchase and customer referrals, the more you do it, the easier it is.
continuous learningEnglish, product knowledge, international logistics, and foreign trade processes are all lessons to be made up in the long run.

Individuals do foreign trade orders, do not need a luxury office, do not need a large team, only need a computer, a willingness to adhere to the heart, you can open their own global business.

Remember these four steps: