1. Building worldwide brand recognition is a daunting task, especially for smaller companies. First start in countries where your product or service is most well known and expand to other areas once those efforts prove successful.
2. Consider the rank of your product or service against competitors. If another company is already firmly entrenched in a particular country, it can often be better for you to try uncharted territory.
3. Target countries that have the best chance of raising your profit margins. This not only involves examining sales in a particular country, but the value of the nation's currency in contrast to your own.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tips & Tactics
Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• Know your customer. While it may seem obvious, it's important to keep to this basic principle in mind. International consumers may be as different from U.S. customers as they are similar. Know what your customers want, what their preferences are and how you will serve the niche.
• Figure out the rules before you play the game. Once you've gotten your own house in order, you'll want to make sure that you will be in compliance with U.S. export regulations. Go the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security or Unz & Co., international trade compliance experts, for information.
• Be patient if you want to be profitable. As you're building your international operations, you may notice initially that you're putting more money in than getting back. Set realistic timelines for seeing a return on your investment and booking profits. Also, international banks provide financing options and services that may help reduce risks.