What do you need to learn in foreign trade

Doing foreign trade requires learning product knowledge; Basic mastery of language is required; Internet knowledge should be mastered; Logistics should also be clear; Order follow-up skills; There is also time management and so on. Based on different shipping methods, it is important to understand the necessary documents in advance to avoid situations where the factory has completed production and your export, customs declaration, tax refund, and other documents are not yet ready; We also need to confirm with the customer the accompanying documents for customs clearance.

1) Product knowledge must be very familiar with the product. Know the cost structure, production process, production technology, and certification. These customers will all ask that the larger the buyer, the more important the buyer, and the more professional the product questions they ask. Understanding product knowledge is the first step in building confidence and the bond between you and your customers. Separated by thousands of miles, this step is essential to gain the trust of customers. No matter how lively and imaginative your conversation with them may be, you can understand both astronomy and geography. If you are not familiar with product knowledge, you cannot effectively and substantially solve customers' doubts and problems. In this cooperative relationship, your role is a messenger between "customer engineer", "customer factory", and "customer freight forwarder".

2) Basic mastery of language is required;

I am proficient in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, whether in English or a minor language. Of course, there is no need to be too proficient. It is normal to encounter confusion. If you start doing foreign trade and still learn English, then the starting point is -1.

3) Basic knowledge of foreign trade

There's no need to say that. If you don't even know how to add FOB to a quote, then study hard at CIF.

1. Confirmation of shipping method-

Should we contact the customer's own freight forwarder or use their own company's freight forwarder? Or use an official freight forwarder for international express delivery? Express delivery, air freight or sea freight? Do you need to book a shipment in advance or schedule a courier pickup.

2. Based on different shipping methods, understand in advance the information that needs to be prepared. In case the factory completes production and your export, customs declaration, tax refund and other documents are not ready yet; We also need to confirm with the customer the accompanying documents for customs clearance.

If it is the Middle East or other countries with strict customs clearance, customers should be reminded of any special documents that may be required for customs clearance and whether they need to prepare in advance. It cannot be ruled out that customers may hold a lucky mentality and save money by not doing special certification, which may ultimately lead to the risk of unqualified customs clearance documents, requiring the reshipment of documents, or even directly returning the goods.

In short, here you need to understand the process and regulations of international trade.

4) Internet knowledge should be mastered.

Understand search engine applications, know how to use e-commerce websites to receive orders, understand blog marketing, self media traffic, and accumulate knowledge in many aspects with dedication;

The first thing to understand is that today's foreign trade is very different from ten, five, or even two years ago: why do you say that? Set your sights higher and farther: the entire international market is changing, China's manufacturing industry, labor cost advantages, international trade tariff policies, logistics technology/costs/requirements are all undergoing earth shaking changes. Not considering these factors and not looking at this issue from the perspective of the entire international market may be limited by your own vision and lose the opportunity. so to speak,

In the next 5-10 years, the winners in the foreign trade industry will belong to those who can view this issue from the perspective of the entire international market.

What is the essence of foreign trade now? It means competing your products and business in the international market, competing with global competitors in the same industry and field (foreign trade referred to here is not the import trade of buying low and selling high on Taobao, only for export trade). So let's take a look at what your international competitors are preparing for and what knowledge they are accumulating:

1. Internet knowledge: mainly focusing on how to use the Internet to sell products (please ignore this answer if you have not done or plan to do online sales since you are doing foreign trade) - can include the following knowledge areas: B2B platform, website construction and maintenance, e-commerce network security and cross-border payment, etc

2. Marketing knowledge: mainly focused on how to sell products and obtain orders online, which can include the following categories:

Advanced SEO (Advanced Search Engine Marketing)

Social Campaign for E-commerce

Content Marketing (including self media creation, operation, and traffic diversion)

Review Operations and WordOfMouth Marketing

If it's just the beginning, mastering these points will get you started; If you want greater development, the following skill knowledge points will play a key role: Programmatic Ad (digital advertising, advertising platform selection, and advanced intelligent advertising settings)

photoshop， Various software applications. Let's not talk about it anymore. If you don't know what to learn, it's always right to learn Photoshop first. Nowadays, when doing B2B, making quotations, logos, or creating renderings, you can't use any of them. We have been discussing with foreigners for a long time and we can't figure it out. We can send a picture and everyone understands.

5) You need to be experienced in dealing with people,

Foreigners often visit or come to booths, so it is important to communicate effectively to make them feel comfortable. To understand some basic geographical knowledge, traditional Chinese culture, and customs of various countries. No product is perfect, and after-sales problems will always occur to some extent. In order to maintain a long-term cooperative relationship with customers, if you are doing foreign trade now and have an unconditional refund within 30 days after receiving the goods, just like Taobao in China, then you are amazing. Congratulations on finding a good company.

6) Logistics should also be clear

Which freight forwarding company offers cheaper prices and stronger container handling capabilities, and which courier company offers cheaper delivery services. The specifications for shipping each industry and product.

7) Order follow-up skills

This is the most difficult and nurturing aspect of foreign trade. The production and shipment of orders often encounter unexpected problems, requiring systematic thinking and controlling the problems in a slim stage to avoid the situation from escalating;

8) There is also time management;

Cross departmental communication; Think about how to learn how to communicate with factories that don't know how to use computers. There are also some old ladies and gentlemen who have been talking for a long time but haven't understood what you're talking about, such as public communication

Training assistant; When you are busy with business, the company will arrange an assistant for you, and you need to entrust the task to him and teach him how to do it.

Team management; You have a lot of business, and a few new people have joined you. Your assessment team has rewarded you, and you have to manage them

Internal training; Many companies hire salespeople with good performance, and at this time, you need to make PPTs, write speeches, and prepare courses.