Defining trade leads

A trade lead can be defined as buy or sell leads of products or services for export and import purposes. Decades back, before the Internet revolution, World Trade Centers, Chambers of Commerce, Export Promotion Bureau and few Government agencies, were authorized to gather and circulate trade inquiries by mail to subscribers. Subscription costs, however, was pretty high. Even trade journals, for that matter, had exclusive sections on trade inquiries. However, this turned out to be a long-drawn process and an outdated one too.

However, things took a drastic turn with the emergence of internet. The expansion of trade activities, e-commerce and the world-wide use of Internet have led to the surfacing of numerous bulletin boards, and trade leads sites. Country specific trade lead portals have become a common meeting ground for both importers and exporters aiming to conduct business in those countries. For example, Made-from-india.com ( Business to Business Marketplace ) is an India based B2B portal that generates genuine trade leads from India.

Importance of posting trade leads

When you visit a trade leads portal like made-from-india.com, you can do two things. You can find suppliers or buyers for products, by checking the latest trade leads. Or you can post your own trade leads. More often than not, posting of trade leads can be done for free.

While browsing the trade leads portal, find out whether the products or services you are planning to sell or buy have been already posted on the site or not. And in case you find the traders dealing in your products, then before getting in touch with them, do some background check. Like, study the profile of the company, check out their websites and even do some Google search. Since Google lays heavy emphasis on forums and web logs you will get a comprehensive picture on your potential business partners and their solutions. .

If you are a buyer, then you can post your trade leads too

Why should you post your own ads?

1. Generally suppliers keep looking for buyers for their products, but fail to post their own ads.

2. Your ads automatically get posted on other trade portals because of the partnership programs. This will give you bigger exposure than what you expect.

3. The major plus factor being if your posting gets indexed by search engines, this will facilitate in highlighting your requirements to a larger target audience.

How to make your trade leads informative

Follow the steps given below to craft an interesting trade lead. The trade lead should be so good that it will attract potential buyers or suppliers, automatically.

Pithy, precise subject lines

Your subject line shouldn’t go beyond eight to ten words. Don’t pad it up. Don’t use marks like “!!!” to grab the eyeballs. If you are posting a sell lead, emphasize on the value aspect, if you are posting a buy lead, elucidate on your requirements.

Body of the trade leads

Since, you are free to incorporate more information here, see that you are as clear as you can be. If you provide vague information, you won’t be able to get as many inquiries.

Product Description

• Specify the advantages of the product you are dealing in. If there are any freebies attached, make it public.

Specify the terms of sale, shipping terms, packing and location of the product.

If you are posting a buy lead:

• State in clear terms your requirement

• Provide a link to a picture of a related product

• Quantity required, delivery time, shipping destination and other important information should be incorporated.

Made-from-India.com, a complete B2B Marketplace

Made-from-india.com is an online B2B marketplace, set up with a single-minded mission to connect Indian suppliers with global buyers. Within a short span of time, the company has achieved good alexa rankings of 20,000, thanks to large number of visitors and paid members across the world.

Made-from-india.com’s B2Bmarketplace deals in 30 different major sectors, namely Agriculture, Apparel & Fashion, Arts Gift And Crafts, Automobile, Business Services, Chemicals, Computer Hardware & Software, Construction & Real Estate, Electronics & Electrical Supplies, Environment & Pollution, Food & Beverage, Health & Beauty, Home Supplies, Industrial Supplies, Jewelry & Gemstones, Logistics & Transportation, Machinery, Mineral & Metals, Office Supplies, Outsourcing, Packaging & Paper, Plastics and Rubber Products, Printing & Publishing, Scientific Instrument And Supplies, Security & Protection, Sports & Entertainment, Telecommunications, Textiles & Leather Products, Tours and Travels and Toys.

Thousands of successful trade transactions ride on our shoulders, given the fact that we offer genuine trade leads and massive branding opportunities to our suppliers. In fact, we try and give a face to thousands of small manufacturers, be it small and medium enterprises (SMEs) or micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), spread all across India.

Suppliers can find genuine and verified buy leads here, and prepare business proposals accordingly. While buyers can easily strike profitable deals with suppliers, manufacturers and exporters from all across the globe.

Additionally, suppliers can employ our site as a complete promotional outlet. For instance, we help you in brand promotion/brand creation/brand makeover through blog promotions, email marketing, search engine optimization, renovation of existing company’s site and through verified trade leads. Moreover, Made-from-India.com’s B2Bmarketplace is a complete information hub as both suppliers can get updates on market trends through Informational articles, Whitepapers, Case studies, Articles etc.

Why New Markets are required For One's Products:

Before one understand this mystery , three factors are to be known for revealing the mathematics of any market players :

a) Demand and Supply
b) Quality at competitive rate
c) Growth for survival in tough competition

I remember , last Saturday I got a call from a senior president of a MNC , saying that I am looking for new market but cant make as to where shall I go for and especially when the management is insisting for fast set up of new supply chain in new markets but I am afraid with global melt down of economy , since , it has broken the backbone of every company irrespective of country.

I started to deal the situation with certain things which I am just reiterating so that some one can use it as to why new markets are required . New Markets can be set up by adopting any of the ways as is practiced by the global players :

a) Setting up a subsidiary unit
b) Making up channel sales force
c) Making business associates
d) Making assignment based agents
e) Generating continous leads for business deals

People may choose as per their best economy , nature of business and longetivity of business interest. But, the gentleman was sounding over enthusiastic and even said ,…….yes , Mr Becker , I know this all but my problem is still as such and repeated it as well for times .This made me to finally ask him to accompany me over tea which longed to dinner.

In our first sitting , he had a very long brain storming session and he was only interested to know an answer to why ? instead of knowing how to do it so , let us name it “Why Session” Why Session New Market means more business and new business as well. In other words means more profit and revenue irrespective of its sustainability .

Again the same question cropped as to why new market , ofcourse ! for this I am paid for and companies make business out of such advises.
a) What is the meaning of new market ?
b) How to explore new market ?
c) Which market will be the best new market ?

All the aforesaid questions have simple answer as discussed below. It can be understood by simple formula of demand and supply. Where there is demand which is sustainable and with better prospects will be considered as new market . The new market can be within the territory of one’s country or may even cross the barrier of international market. If demand is more in a new market , then it is always advisable for exploring a new market . The market can be explored with better pricing with best quality , since the golden rule is quality should always command the pricing factor and pricing factor always follow quality factor . Since, both are incomplete without each other and compliment vice versa.

As already said , the new market could be explored with new subsidiary , joint venture, partnerships, business associates, deployment of work force or even without substantial investment by way of continous generation of business leads , may be a B2b platform or b2b portal can get business leads for you like www.made-from-india.com ,which I recently saw and seems to be a promising one for global traders and exporters.

Exploring new markets can be even by way of launching your product in unexplored areas of one’s country and even exporting the product to a particular country where best demand is there . The result will be more demand will always give better pricing factor. Ofcourse, such markets will be the best market to be explored since business is done for profit and the market which can give more profit will always be the best market whether it is new and unknown as well. Say , a ball pen has the best quality over the existing ball pens in its segment and usage, but unless not being sold in better market will always get less revenue over inferior ball pens which are in best market where the demand is more for ball pens and for quality .

After listening such simple things , the gentleman said , Mr Becker even I knew this but you made me understand the simple analogy and now I am sure to give some promising result to my management. We shall be discussing other aspects of other sessions in due course of time , meanwhile , simply understand the fact that business is for profit and it is always dominated by demand and supply .

The author is business editor with www.made-from-india.com

B2B ONLINE EXHIBITION- AN ERA OF ONLINE REVOLUTION

Exhibition is one of the glamorous media for exploring business branding and finding new avenues of expansion as well. I remember the days during 2003, when I was working in one automobile accessory parts manufacturing company and the company was very aggressive in media participation. The entire emphasis was on Exhibition . Those days were very hectic. Before, the exhibition was to start long brain storm sessions with technical team and reporting to top brass for strategy for the specific exhibition was normal for almost every week. Also, at times, had to complete all formalities of visa and et all , so that I can safely land in international territory for new international territory of business for the company. With the completion of new exhibition , the tension of attending the another one was on the chart and again the same cycle .The same type of preparations and activities were at par with daily sops of channels . Once, I had to make a last minute visit to Nairobi for an international exhibition. I alongwith my team reached in late night , unfortunately the hotel denied to honour their commitment of booking and the very next day , we were also supposed to look fresh so that visitors can be attended in a sophisticated manner. The night was very long by the time we settled for some roof for our head . All such experiences taught me one lesson that attending an exhibition successfully requires preparation for every phase : a) Tracking exhibition on regular basis. b) Choosing and getting a stall booked. c) Pre-preparation for attending an exhibition including accommodation and other reservations. d) Making stuffs for distribution and packing it for transportation . e) Study of participants of a particular exhibition. f) Reaching in advance . g) Attending the days of exhibition and explaining to visitors. h) Compiling all data’s of probable’s and packing on completion of exhibition. i) Reporting on exhibition to management and action plan . Over twenty five years of experience in attending exhibition and trade events , I always wish that if I had some alternative to attending an exhibition. Since offline exhibitions are very expensive, time consuming, requires intense travelling, devotion of entire days during exhibition, limited reach to the visitors and participants of exhibition and requires extensive preparation. Finally, I got online B2b exhibition not only as an alternative but is more effective and advantageous than offline exhibition. Really , want to know how , then please read it very carefully: a) No international Boundary – Online exhibition has deepest reach and penetration since any person at any point of time and from any part of the world can see the exhibitors products and services . No international boundary exist for the visitors who want to go for online exhibition, whereas, offline exhibition always have a barrier of international boundary. Since, entire world is for business and b2b portals just make it happen. b) No Travelling – Neither the exhibitor need to travel to a place to show their products or service nor a visitor need to travel to see the products or services of the exhibitors. c) Very Less Cost - The cost for travelling , lodging and boarding, cost of distribution stuff and manpower gets reduced to almost 5% .It is very cost effective since , costing is the need of the hour especially when entire world is pointing on costing. d) No Time Limitation – Convenience is the other name of online exhibition since there is no restriction of time for visiting online exhibition. Any person can visit such exhibition at any time of day or night and see and find the products and services of his/her need. This is not possible with offline exhibition. With such innovative online B2b exhibition people don’t have to plan out time ,out of busy schedule to visit upto the place of offline exhibition but as per their convenience , it can be explored . e) Maximum ROI- Business world always care for return on investment i.e profit , for them online exhibition always have maximum ROI in return .Since, not only it is cost effective and reaches maximum mass and targeted genuine audience but also more people can participate in exhibition. f) Better Communication – On finding a particular exhibitor, a visitor can immediately contact him/her by email or call as entire details are available . It makes communication more effective and fast as well. g) Maximum Exhibition can be Attended- One can attend atleast 5 online exhibitions at the cost of 1 offline exhibition. Moreover, frequency of participation also increases without much preparation and no need to settle again after visiting one exhibition before preparing for participating the other one. h) Tension free- The term tension can include any and everything which is associated with offline exhibition . Whereas, online b2b exhibition is totally tension free and blended with latest technology to improve the chances of success. The list of advantages are more and more …….just think once again , but I really wish it had been in existence atleast ten years back as well. The author is an exhibition advisor to www.made-from-india.com

Business Vs Marketing Via Strategy

If Business is to profit , then Marketing is to business . Since, without marketing , business is not possible whether it is done in any form

Even traditional business had some marketing tactics, be it delivery at buyer place or flexibility in payment terms. Ultimately, what can turn on more business is often considered as marketing and its implementation after analysis of the situations from time to time can be termed as strategy.

I often found, when you say strategy, people nod their head but when it comes to know what is strategy they loose the colour of their face.

Strategy is a factor which construes marketing and marketing runs on strategy. What RCC beams are to a building in the same manner strategy is for marketing. if one claims to be doing marketing without strategy then he may be fooling himself and more to others as without strategy in any manner, marketing is not possible.

The very next thing which comes is how to make strategies for marketing the product?

Before that, let us take some pain to understand what exactly strategy is. Strategy is nothing but understanding the basics of positioning a product, features and potential of product, strength and weakness of products, timely review of planning etc and then analyzing it to conclude with some parameters for selling the same product with respect to different zones and geographical areas, this result into strategy. Isn’t is very simple .If one makes simple strategy, he makes simple way to success in business.

After Strategy , What Next ?

Then comes the real marketing play. Again, it is followed by another question how to and what can be the modes of marketing.

Lets us see which mode is required, when marketing modes option comes to be chosen for business:
Whether Online Marketing?
Whether Offline Marketing?

Before, discussing about advantages and dis-advantages as well as requirement of online marketing , lets see the modes and strategies of offline marketing .

a.Direct Marketing
b. Telemarketing
c. Advertisement in TV
d. Campaign based advertisement in Radio.
e. Advertisement in public places, public transportation
f. Participation in Exhibitions & Trade Shows
g. Door to Door Marketing
h. Promotional campaigns
i. Discounts and offers
j. Referral Marketing
k. Public Relations
l. Print Media
m. sponsoring some events, sports etc.

The list can have much more to it , but the aforesaid are considered to be the prominent amongst any other options possible or available for any person.

So , after doing , still one requires any other mode of marketing , before we make a hasty decision , what if some online marketing options are just explored :
a. Contacting and Responding through Mail
b. Advertisement in Google, Yahoo
c.Advertisement through Ad brite
d. Advertisement in Blogs
e. Advertisement in most popular sites and portals
f. Article Marketing
g. Affiliate Marketing
h. Online Viral Marketing
i. Email Marketing
j. Activities in Forum & Social bookmarking
k. Linking with quality sites
l. Banner Exchange
m. Search Engine Optimisation via Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
more to be added, even in this sphere alone.

After referring to all , do you feel one is required and sufficient and if one is , then which one .Then I must answer that absolutely NOT, one cannot be a substitute for other , but both are required .

Because, Offline, marketing is very well known potential mode of marketing and will always be required but at the same only offline marketing will not do justice to your marketing , still don’t believe , then just check the truth as stated below:

a) Round the globe more than 50% business is carried out and communicated through mails which is online mode.
b) Corporate , SMEs ,MNC all are dependant upon mail for communication .
c) Young generation is net savvy.
d) People are dependant upon websites to fulfill their basic necessities be it
i) jobs,
ii) accommodation,
iii) buying and selling
iv) marriage
v) chatting
vi) communication
vii) outsourcing work
viii) filing tax returns
ix) gathering any information etc
e) on an average more than 50% businessmen involved in international trade use B2b Portals to effect the business .

If this is the some eye opening facts , can still one keep away from online marketing ………….Now You Decide !

The author is a business editor of www.made-from-india.com

International Business is a Click away

The universe is small in front of speed and world of internet. Dont you believe ? through surfing, the unreachable can be surpassed at the speed of thought. The world is at reach with your laptop/pc, provided with internet connection. Khudos to business to business (b2b) portals, even in vacation , business seems to be fun.

Gone are the days , when one need to do endless correspondences and struggling to settle with a buyer and if buyer found , to settle in other terms was almost impossible job.Now , everything is transparent and at the reach of a businessman , afterall , time optimized signifies , time saved for more business , which always means money by way of profit.

Is any one really interested in travelling and wasting precious time of life in struggling for a buyer or take pleasure in finding buyer at ease .If no, then its high time to enter the game of e-commerce at clicks away.

A b2b portal is simply a magical wand for business in new age of e-commerce. If it comes to wonders in business , then it can be one . www.made-from-india.com matches the magic in business by its services for offers of buy and sell, lead on demand , SEO, 12 pages website with 12times more exposure to search engines and better Alexa ranking as well as virtual office.

It provides , all leads/offers from both buyer and sellers of manufactured goods and services without any hurdle . Genuineness always comes packed with every such information of products of Indian manufacturers, suppliers,exporters which is required by businessmen of India as well as traders form every part of the world.

In a b2b portal , a member can have spacious showroom to display their products and services , as the case may be, and to get maximum business offers round the clock by their virtual office , which is the most unique feature and never before offered by any single b2b portal of the world for years.

Virtual office is revolutionary tool to face the competition and outgo competitors, with all information constantly stored , even when office of a businessman is not working at woo hours.The virtual office has evolved after research and development in business needs for a b2b ,over two decades, so as to maximize the benefits of Indian manufactuers,suppliers,exporters and importers , beside similar generic of the world.

With the aid of virtual office one can manage the affairs of business be it procurement of raw materials, market their product in its own country , exporting , recruitment i.e manpower , finances and can even plan out its inventory and look for business services to run the show.

Benefits of Business to Business (B2b ) platform :
a) Viability
b) accessibility
c) time saving
d) better and more options of buyers and sellers
e) virtual office , a revolution in business i.e global power
f) presence in internet world through best SEO
g) brand creation, brand awareness, brand make over.
h) Business for 24hrs X 7 days for 365 days
i) Wider reach
j) Exploring untapped market
k) Boundaryless communication
l) Unlimited business via unlimited business querries/leads/offers
m) Quicker response
n) Business without travel
o) Better negotiation powers i.e buying power
p) Better price for final goods i.e selling power
q) Do business in your terms and conditions
r) Launching your products at zero cost
s) Enhanced profits , more turnover
t) Decreased expenses, more Profits i.e controlling the economy of business.
u) Buyers of your product can be from any part of the world which is not possible if not present in B2b platform
v) Show your products and potential to world and world will respect your product and demand it in turn.
w) It connects buyers and sellers at ease and business occurs at a blink.

So, can any one really miss the jet of success , when this jet is available for all. But at the same , one has to be careful so that the profit in business sustain even if b2b platform way is adopted for carrying out business.

Top On-line B2B marketing tips

Is it easy for decision-makers to track you?

In a recent survey, when around 4,000 B2B buyers/decision makers were questioned, as to how they chose their new vendors, 80% said they found the vendor.

So, as a B2B supplier what am I supposed to do now? Drop all sorts of marketing campaigns right away, given that prospects will zero down me anyway.

Sorry. But that’s not the case. It only means that market place has gone through a significant makeover, say experts, from a seller’s market it has grown to be a buyers market. Now, it’s not I who hunt down the prospects, even they are hunting me down. The buyers have taken the role of decision makers.

So, now onwards I have to play a more proactive role by making my presence felt especially in all those places the buyers prefer to look for.

And with Business to Business marketing speedily shifting to online venues for many reasons, so it becomes increasingly important for B2B companies to have an on-line presence. On line marketing helps businesses to cut costs, as it is quite cheaper in comparison to offline marketing. However, the results may not prove positive, until the strategies adopted are Google friendly.

Four significant ways to increase visibility and demand for long term.

Be noticeable: Though you may be proactively promoting your business to the potential clients, but the fact is they’ll track you down only when they need you. For this your business should have a presence online. Owning a search engine friendly website and a blog are just the starters. You will also have to ensure that your business name appears on the article directories, social networking sites and other places as well.

Do Networking: The basic fundamental for B2B marketing is networking. The wider your network the more number of prospects will crowd your site. Sites like Twitter and Stumple Upon will help in this cause of yours. They’ll aid in building bridges with other businesses having related interests. Also, start networking on other social networking sites and stay active on them. The best way to start is to post or bookmark three or four times of day and spend at least 10 minutes a day befriending people.

Emphasis on Quality Content – Unarguably the website should have SEO friendly content, but it is also important to see that your visitors like it. Though they seem to be disinterested in your products or services, but if the content leaves an impression, then there is a high probability that they are likely to recommend your website to their friends and peers.

Be Social: Leaving a comment on various business blogs is the right way to get started, in terms of B2B marketing. Sometimes you need to be more personal. E-mail marketing is also a potent strategy that could be worked out. Even joining hands with other businesses will aid in getting new clients

Online business to business marketing is a reasonable substitute to offline marketing, and the best thing being, you will be reaping in more than what you sow. By making your brand visible to the decision makers, you are ensuring that your business grows and flourishes.

Global B2B Marketplace

The new internet age has given the old age business models a clear go by. In fact, businesses are going through tremendous sea change. Now it is easy for any business, located in any corner of the world, to prosper and thrive, via internet. Geographical limitations are no longer an issue here. Interestingly, the use of internet has opened new windows of opportunity for suppliers, manufacturers and buyers and thereby transforms the world into a huge marketplace that you can venture into from the comforts of your home or office. Online B2B marketplace is the new business model that is creating ripples in the wider world.

B2B, in simple world means business to business marketing. Primarily, a global B2B marketplace or an Indian B2B marketplace consists of a website, where suppliers, manufacturers, importers, exporters and buyers come together for the purpose of carrying out a business activity. Suppliers from any part of the planet can approach buyers, via an online B2B marketplace. This is because a B2B trade marketplace acts as a nodal point for manufacturers, suppliers, and other companies to come together and carry out their business transactions. Such online B2B marketplaces carry out their business electronically, and offer each of the members all the tools they need to do business.

Today, the global B2B marketplace is chock-a-block with lakhs of trade portals being launched every other day. But every B2B trade portal may not offer genuine inquiries and services. Made-from-india.com, is one of the fastest growing Indian B2B marketplace in India, offering various services. To test the quality of a B2B marketplace, it is important to test the following features, like lead posting, catalog posting, business and product research, picture loading facility, inquiry and virtual transaction management.

The portal should offer the members all the required tools to display their products and services well. The customers should be able to surf through trade leads, tender offers, post biddings for partnerships and franchises, view company profiles, post sell and buy offers, and view as well advertise products and services. The members must also be allowed to access multiple markets, thus giving them the good chances of maximum return. All these services should be made available at one point. This is the most important feature of any online B2B marketplace.