What is international marketing? International marketing is the publicising, advertising, and selling of a product or service on a global scale. A product or service that has an international demand is something that would be marketed internationally. Companies such as Coca-Cola, McDonalds, or IBM that have internationally recognized brand-names engage in international marketing.

International marketing uses the same techniques as local marketing but their are certain differences that need to be taken into account. When a company sells worldwide, it needs to understand and respect customs, cultures, and traditions in countries around the world. A marketing technique that works in, say, North America, may not work on another continent, like Asia. Using the same marketing method may actually backfire and even cause harm to a product or service when used in a country with a different culture.

The following factors need to be considered in international marketing:

• Customs
• Cultures
• Traditions
• Demographics
• Religions
• Social habits
• Geographic landscapes
• Wealth
• Economies
• Laws (copyrights, trademarks, patents, intellectual properties, etc.

Prior to engaging in an international marketing campaign, it is strongly encouraged to research all of the countries that you attempt to target. The above are just a small sample of issues that would need to be researched prior to launching your campaign. Keep in mind that a mistake in an international marketing campaign could negatively affect your products and services abroad and could be costly. But if it is a success, international marketing could be a tremendous boost to your business and help your business grow quicker.