Latin America is an ideal region for the sale of mass consumer products. An example of this kind of product is soft drinks. The business plans used by the manufacturers of this merchandise need a positioning through the most important media in each country. This implies huge expenses and distribution structures for the product, to make sure that it reaches every corner of South America.
It is true that these are profitable businesses, and that they have worked very well. But that is not the route that any entrepreneur could follow, obviously because of the investment that this business would require.
The solution is in the Internet and its enormous possibilities. However, it is necessary to understand several very important details before acting:
The cost of the product. If your product is for mass consumption, its cost should be low, as in the case of soft drinks. If it is a craft, artwork or something similar, the cost is not crucial, but it must be realistic. If we are talking about fruits or similar products, you should consider factors such as refrigeration costs. But for products that can be easily distributed over the Internet, such as artistic photos, videos, graphic designs or computer programs (software), the price will depend on the production costs, and the value you assign to them as an artist. Remember, the cost should always be reasonable and realistic.
Transportation and packaging. You must add transportation costs to the price of the product. If it is something physical, you must weigh it and send that information to the transportation company, which by the way should be able to take your product anywhere in the world. Regarding packaging, it is possible that the same company will take care of this matter, but if it does not, you must make sure that the product arrives in optimal condition, just as it came out of your hands.
Advertising, sales and customer service. Without a website to handle these issues, the situation becomes too complicated. It is advisable to buy one. Buying a domain (something like "thisesminegocio.com") and hosting (the storage space of your website) is easy and convenient. With $ 50 or less, you will have one for a year. Customer service is generally done via chat, email, or by phone (Skype is a good alternative). You can also create discussion forums on issues related to your product, such as opening the topic “things I would like to add to the current product”. This way you will collect valuable ideas from your own clients. You can also post offers and availability of new products.
Then you should focus on the sales strategy. Social networks are a gigantic potential market, but you need a precise knowledge of what you are doing, so as not to have the opposite effect to what you are looking for. And what is the effect? Make your product known and sought after. There are several companies that offer well-rounded courses on social media marketing and Internet marketing. Invest in at least one of them. These courses will expand your mental horizon and your creativity, while developing many ideas that you can apply to your own business.
There are many ways to earn money on the Net. They all require time, proper strategies, and dedication. But rest assured that they work and are profitable, especially in Latin America, which is characterized by its fighting spirit, persistence and creativity.
