What I Wish I Knew About Exporting Before I Got Started (working title)

Your wit and wisdom are wanted to be included in our upcoming book project. The Division of International Trade is currently working on a special export handbook, geared at helping those who are currently exporting, or those who are just getting started. Do you have three tips to help others dealing with:

We would like to hear from you if you have ever experienced the following:

• Identifying your market
• Determining what barriers to trade are in this market
• Getting your product ready to hit a new foreign market-don't forget foreign standards
• Finding a reputable distributor-it can be done
• Contract negotiations with your new found distributor
• Customs issues-what could you have done differently-had you only known?
• Getting paid for your products-it's not an export until you get paid
• Cultural issues-what you wish you knew before you did what you did
• Any other relevant