I have recently launched my sourcing consultancy (www.alcglobalpartners.com) that helps entrepreneurs and small and mid-size businesses buy and design products in China. My company can provide assistance during the entire buying process from researching which factory best suits the customers' needs, to contract negotiations, to import procedures.
I have had lots of interest in my company and many people have told me I have a good business model. However, I seem to have a lot of trouble actually attracting enough customers to make my business profitable. Here is what I have done:
1) I have joined local trade associations and attended events
2) I have offered to give lectures about Chinese business culture at a local university (was accepted but lecture was cancelled due to snow :( )
3)I have tried marketing my company on Twitter and a blog – but I don’t know if I have been getting enough "legitimate" interest there. I know these venues are good ways to market products, but service companies seem to be more of a challenge since you only get paid after you have done some of the work leaving you open to disreputable people.
4) I have tried reaching out to people through alumni networks.
Any advice?
Thanks,
Andrea
(Also, of course, if any fellow entrepreneurs would like to source their products/ inventions in China I would be happy to help.)