Entering the world of exports is both exciting and challenging. One of the biggest questions every new exporter asks is: “How to find buyers for export?” As someone who has walked this path and successfully exported black tea, I want to share my personal journey, struggles, and learnings on how to find buyers for export business, especially for those just starting out.
My First Export Experience: A Long Wait for the First Buyer
When I started my export business, I chose black tea as my product. I was confident in the quality and demand for it in international markets. But like many new exporters, I quickly realized that the toughest part of the journey was how to find buyers for exporting.
Despite my research and efforts, I had to wait a very long time before I could find my first genuine buyer. That period taught me a very important lesson: in export, the first and foremost thing is patience.
How to Find Buyers for Exporting: What I Tried
Over time, I experimented with various methods to find international buyers. Some worked, some didn’t, but every step added to my learning:
1. Participating in Trade Fairs
I attended two international trade fairs with high hopes. Surprisingly, I didn’t find a single buyer through them. This taught me that trade fairs are not a guaranteed solution. While they help build networks, they don’t always convert into actual deals.
2. Creating a Website
I created a professional website for my export business to showcase my products, company profile, and contact details. While it did help in building credibility, it didn’t bring in buyers directly unless paired with other strategies like SEO and B2B platforms.
3. Registering on B2B Platforms
I registered my company on multiple B2B platforms, both paid and unpaid. What I learned is:
- Paid B2B platforms offer better visibility and more serious inquiries, but still, there are no guarantees.
- Unpaid platforms can also work, but response rates are lower.
- some examples of indian b2b sites which i have used is exportersindia.com,indiamart.com.tradeindia.com.tradekey.com,alibaba.com etc
Eventually, one of my buyers found me through a B2B platform, confirming that these sites can work if used smartly and consistently.
4. Yahoo Messenger Connection
Believe it or not, I found my first-ever buyer on Yahoo Messenger, many years ago. The buyer was from Singapore and that one conversation eventually turned into my first deal. This just shows that buyers can come from unexpected places, and staying open to all possibilities is crucial.
5. Relying on Friends or Relatives Abroad?
Many first-time exporters think that having a friend or relative abroad will help them find buyers. I tried this too and learned that it’s not a reliable method. Most of the time, your contacts are not in the right industry, or don’t have the network needed to help.
You may also like:how i executed my first export order without investment
What Really Works in Finding Buyers for Export Business?
Based on my personal journey, here’s what I believe works best:
- Patience: It can take time to get your first buyer, and that’s perfectly normal.
- B2B Platforms: Both paid and unpaid can work. Paid platforms offer better leads, but don’t rely solely on them.
- Consistent Outreach: Keep contacting importers, sending emails, and responding to inquiries.
- Product Quality and Presentation: Make sure your samples, packaging, and documentation are professional.
- Online Presence: A good website and social media pages add credibility.
- Persistence: Most exporters give up too early. Keep trying different methods and refine your approach as you learn.
Conclusion
Finding buyers in the international market is not a one-size-fits-all process. If you’re wondering how to find buyers for export, remember my story. I waited a long time, tried multiple ways, and finally succeeded through a mix of persistence and learning.
Whether you’re wondering how to find buyers for exporting black tea or any other product, stay patient, stay active, and be open to all channels. Your first buyer might come from a trade show, a B2B site, or even an old-school messaging app like mine did. What matters most is that you don’t give up.
