Are You Tapping Into The 4 Billion Asian Market

The Internet makes it possible to become a global supplier of your own products, practically overnight. However, marketing on a global level can be a challenge. In this article we are going to focus in on marketing to the Asian consumer. Although their per year income may seem low, it is normal for someone to have a $2,000 per year salary. Don`t let that fool you though. Even individuals with the lowest of incomes have needs, and those needs could be your products or services.

"About 4 billion people in the world earn $2,000 a year. Across all of Asia-whether it be China, India, Indonesia or Vietnam-product innovation and new ways of thinking make it possible to meet these people`s needs ethically, fairly and profitably," claims Michele Kristula-Green of Advertising Age. She continues, "For decades, the majority of multinational corporations marketing in Asia have focused on the affluent minority, those who tend to live in urban areas and have shopping habits and product needs that are quite similar to those in the West. But by focusing only on the upper-income urbanites, marketers are missing a vast opportunity at the bottom of the economic pyramid."

In order to tap this market, you need to know the consumer. For starters, "the people have a strong sense of when and where brands play a role. They often want to buy brands not only for image but as a guarantee of quality," claims Kristula-Green.

One might think these people are price conscious, but what they really are looking for is value. As Kristula-Green puts it, "a miner in China wants a mobile phone with multiple functions, including an MP3 player. It costs a bit more, but it will also function as a camera, music player and calendar. In the Philippines, that cellphone is also used for banking transactions, which means you don`t need to leave the stall you run to make a three-hour round trip into town." In other words getting the most out of your dollar by combining different products.

Companies that have been successful in the Asian market have done so because they understand the consumer. They have taken the time to sit down and study the culture, the people, the way they work, play and so on. They also understand that the Asian market is really no different then the US market. They have a desire to dream, a solid work ethic and want the most out of life for themselves and their families.

Kristula-Green says, "Big opportunities lie at the bottom of the economic pyramid. Microbanking, distribution systems that employ rural villagers, the internet and cellular connections are at the forefront of microenterprise and economic development. Marketers also need to think in terms of new alliances, new business models and local support to get things done. Product, packaging and pricing innovation-which can arise only from a new way of thinking-are key."

If you sell products that can be manufactured at a low cost yet yeild a high quality as well as perform multiple tasks, the Asian market can be the place for you.

So how do you win the Asian market over? People in Asia are really no different then us here in the good ole USA. They gravitate towards brands that really understand their own lifestyle.

To start, listen to what is going on in the Asian market. Don`t assume a $2,000 a year income means no chance of a sale, when in fact it is the norm. Understand the Asian lifestyle. Find out how they would use your product or how you can incorporate more tasks or creative ways for them to use it. Next, tailor your product to their needs. In other words, using pro football as a marketing scheme won`t work. They don`t follow American football. Garner your product around what their cultures are, and associate it with something practical in their lifestyle. Most importantly, understand what people are willing to pay for your product, and make adjustments accordingly.

Your product may be perfect for the Asian market. The only way to find out is to do your homework and then plug your product into whatever niche it fits.

By: Bruce A. Tucker

About the Author:
Bruce A. Tucker is the Associate Director of http://www.Indocquent.com. http://www.Indocquent.com is an online resource that allows businesses and individuals to market their products and services for sale and hire in 20,000 cities throughout 200 countries around the world free of charge.