How would you advise an overseas Pastor friend of mine who wants to do exporting?

[MyrtleTrees]

Hi! My Facebook pastor friend of mine of Pakistan - whom I've known for many years - has done some exporting successfully in the past. And one year, a few years ago, I tried to help him advertize the things he was hoping to export for profit. But I had no luck with it, and got tired of it and quit doing it after a while. I don't feel like helping him advertize again, and I have other interests in life and busy as so many are. But I sill do at least try to give good helpful advice to my poor, overseas Christian friends - about how they might find good employment, as I can see that would most often I think - be their best hope of finding a way out of their poverty. I told him I've read that one cheap way to earn an income is through becoming an affililate marketer. But he still likes he idea of doing what he's done before - exporting. He has said that he can't afford to export small shipments, as that doesn't cover the cost of shipping, well enough - it prevents him from selling as profitably as he feels he needs to do in order to avoid losing money in his efforts. But what is the best way to find businesses that are willing to buy bulk goods for the purpose of re-selling? Just any stores there are around in the USA, or what?

Are there any free ways for him to sell his goods he hopes to be able to export for profit? Do you think that being an exporter is more expensive than being an affiliate marketer? How would you compare the 2 options for him, to help him understand what is best for him to try, in his situation?

What has been your experiences with this, or your observations of people you've personally known well, who have done any of these kinds of things? Thanks!

 

[yoriii]

I like the idea of becoming an exporter.

May I know what type of goods he will sell?
Has he already identified which countries need those goods?

The quantity of goods to be shipped will depend on the demand from the buyers, so it's best for him to know the target market for the goods he will sell.

For free marketing, he can use Facebook or LinkedIn and join export-import forums in the target countries. He can also find buyer data from other websites such as Trademap, Tradewheel, etc.
However, he should remain cautious as there are many scams in international trade. He should validate the prospective buyers before making any transactions and avoid buyers who refuse to pay at least a 40% deposit of the selling price. A deposit is one form of seriousness from the buyer. Letter of Credit is the best payment method, but this requires him to have enough capital.

If he has exported before, then I can assume that he already has knowledge about exporting, products, logistics, documents, payment, business with suppliers and buyers, marketing, and promotion.

 

[MyrtleTrees]

I like the idea of becoming an exporter.

May I know what type of goods he will sell?
Has he already identified which countries need those goods?

The quantity of goods to be shipped will depend on the demand from the buyers, so it's best for him to know the target market for the goods he will sell.

For free marketing, he can use Facebook or LinkedIn and join export-import forums in the target countries. He can also find buyer data from other websites such as Trademap, Tradewheel, etc.
However, he should remain cautious as there are many scams in international trade. He should validate the prospective buyers before making any transactions and avoid buyers who refuse to pay at least a 40% deposit of the selling price. A deposit is one form of seriousness from the buyer. Letter of Credit is the best payment method, but this requires him to have enough capital.

If he has exported before, then I can assume that he already has knowledge about exporting, products, logistics, documents, payment, business with suppliers and buyers, marketing, and promotion.

Hi! Thanks so much for your reply and explanations on the subject! I will share it with him. He has a large range of things he could offer to export. Anything at all that is available in stores in his area. If he gets any orders, he just buys the requested items from whatever store it is in, and than re-sells it at a marked-up price, plus the shipping cost.

He had difficulty exporting after the Coronovirus scare took place - and ever since. He used to just sell to Christian friends he'd come to know in the USA. He prefers selling to Christians if possible, he's said. But he may need to become willing to sell to anyone who wants his things, in order to avoid overly limiting himself, I think. He still needs help in understanding how to broaden his knowledge of how to find markets to sell to, I think. Back when I tried to find more buyers for him, by trying to contact companies here who carry the kinds of things he was offering for sale - I found that may of them when contacted online acted like they didn't like to be advertized to. I had no luck with finding him any additional buyers. Also had no luck with posting his goods in Facebook groups that allow sellers to post their goods for sale. But thanks for your suggestions of some ways to find more possible buyers through those sites you mentioned - LinkedIn, etc. Maybe they will be helpful to him!