Cindy King.biz

Cross-cultural marketer and international sales specialist - Aligning businesses with different cultures


Using Foreign Language E-Communication Tools

by Cindy on March 1, 2008

International Web Marketing Mix

International business expansion can be expensive and laden with risks. Well this is true when companies limit themselves to only using traditional marketing methods in their international business development.

This can also be the case when companies use some internet marketing but rely heavily on traditional marketing methods.

Creating foreign language content for one internet marketing communication medium is a good way to start.

Traditional & Internet Marketing Mix

Today’s best marketing practices are based on implementing both internet marketing and traditional marketing campaigns. Companies rarely rely on both methods to the same extent. One marketing environment is often used more than the other.

The emphasis of either of these marketing methods depends on several factors including the company’s culture and history. It can be said that traditional, long standing companies now have to develop real internet marketing strategies, beyond the brochure website. And it is recognized that internet companies will get better results with some traditional marketing added to their marketing mix.

Internet Marketing Reduces Risk In International Expansion

When considering your international business expansion internet marketing reduces the risk in international expansion. But how can you really develop your business with internet methods? Some companies put up a website and think this opens their doors to international clients. Yes, it may. But the results will be very limited.

An interactive internet marketing campaign must be carried out in each and every foreign market you want to target. Simply having your website written in a way that communicates with you will not get you many international clients.

A Single Foreign Language Blog Can Start Your International Development

Today most businesses understand the value of having a blog. Instead of thinking with traditional marketing mindset, why not use today’s trend in social media and start off your international business expansion with a single communication tool specifically targeting one foreign country.

For example, Abercrombie & Fitch has a blog in French specifically targeting the French market. They are not physically present in France. It is getting recognition.

Creating foreign language content for one internet communication medium will greatly reduce your costs. It would be easier to keep control on from where you are now and reduce a large percentage of the risk involved with your international expansion.

Companies seeking international business development should look at how they can use this to their advantage. Internet marketing can be used as the sole marketing strategy when targeting a foreign market in the beginning.

A Dynamic Foreign Lead Generation System

Once you get some feedback from your foreign market you would be in a position to adjust your offer to fit better with your foreign market and develop your first foreign client base using only internet marketing strategies. Your first clients could finance further foreign language communication to create a more dynamic internet marketing lead generation system.

An effective internet marketing campaign will give your company the knowledge you need to make the international business decisions. You will then be able to choose which traditional marketing you should use to further your expansion. As your international business you will then move towards localized websites in all of your foreign markets. This is how to become a truly international company.

If you follow these tips your web site will be friendlier for all of your international visitors.

Here are a few more International Web Marketing Mix articles:
- Web Marketing For International Sales
- What Set Of Marketing Methods Do You Need For International Success
- How To Give Turbo Power To Your Multicultural Internet Marketing To Actually Get International Clients
- Use A Multicultural Internet Marketing Strategy To Develop Your International Business
- Choice Of Internet Marketing Methods

Here's to your international success,


Cindy King
Cross Cultural Copywriter & International Sales Specialist
Find out about working with Cindy

{ 4 trackbacks }

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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Sara Malinowsky 03.20.08 at 13:07 pm

I found an interesting article about european languages and their development. Basically, it says that 4 languages will dominate: English, German, French and Russian. But only French and German can become the official languages. The article explains why.
http://www.newropeans-magazine.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=7264&Itemid=299

2 Wendy 03.29.08 at 12:45 pm

encouragements, almost all those different companies, must so far tend to restrain the industry of the country.

3 Kenneth Leong 04.07.08 at 8:31 am

Yes. Starting a foreign language blog is a good idea but we have to be careful that we have similar messages between the various languages. The last thing you want is a situation where the Spanish speaking person representing your company has a different view to the Chinese speaking person. Consistency in branding and values is something important to consider.

If you’re keen on languages and language learning I think you’ll like our blog. http://blog.euroasia.co.nz/

4 Cindy 04.12.08 at 9:59 am

Kenneth - I agree, care and good marketing practices have to be given to the foreign content. I checked out your blog - very good! I’m sure it will be a success!

Wendy - well global economy has sort of hit where I’m standing. I’m not saying its a good thing or a bad thing.
I have first hand view point on two countries, one big, one small, where the people did not pay attention to the direct implications of the buying and selling for products from other countries, and lost out in the short run.
….another blog post coming!

Sara - thanks for the interesting link!

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Using Foreign Language E-Communication Tools