According to the Small Business Administration, nearly 96% of the world's consumers live outside of the United States, and two-thirds of the world’s purchasing power is in countries other than the U.S. In other words, if you’re not yet exporting, you're potentially missing out on a lot. Even if you're not sure where to start–or do know, but need some more guidance–fear not: Your business may be small by definition, but with the help of these four resources, you can be well on the way to international success.
Export Assistance Centers
There are assistance centers across the United States that were set up exclusively to help small businesses with exporting topics. United States Exporting Assistance Centers (USEACs) are staffed by professionals from the SBA, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Export-Import Bank and other public and private organizations. USEACs can help you understand the global marketplace and get you organized to join in and succeed. Some USEACs also have SBA representatives who are available to help you with your SBA export financing needs.
Export Business Planner
The SBA Export Business Planner (PDF) is a downloadable tool that provides you with an introduction to exporting and helps you determine your export readiness. It then walks you through training and counseling information; marketing plan and financial materials; transportation and documentation details and more. The Planner also provides practical worksheets, templates and forms, in addition to a glossary of industry terms and even more helpful resources.
Export.gov’s FAQ
If you have any questions about exporting, this is the place to go. Browse its frequently asked questions page with ease, as they’ve organized responses by categories. From exporting basics to trade agreements and regulations, this is a good place to start if you’re looking to learn more but aren’t quite sure where to start.
USTDA Consultant Database
The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) maintains a database of companies and individuals who provide fee-based consulting services to small businesses interested in importing and exporting. Best of all: Almost all contracts with USTDA are reserved for small businesses, specifically small businesses dedicated to technical experts qualified in the areas of energy and power; project finance; health; manufacturing; mining; natural resources; telecommunications and information technology; transportation; and water and the environment.
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