The biggest difference between foreign trade and other industries lies in the fact that — our daily interactions are with foreigners. In such work scenarios, it is essential to master effective communication with customers from different cultural contexts.
All language learning that is not aimed at communication is futile. Language is like a bridge, connecting two countries and two different cultures. Linguists, through observation and research, have summarized the commonalities and specificities between different cultures and classified them accordingly. In 1976, Edward Hall proposed the concepts of High-Context Culture and Low-Context Culture in his book "Beyond Culture."
According to Hall's perspective, High-Context Culture refers to cultures with strong awareness of tradition, history, and heritage. They do not easily change or diminish their cultural consciousness over time. Mutual understanding can be achieved with minimal language communication, and countries like China, Japan, and Korea are typical examples.
On the other hand, Low-Context Culture implies that both parties do not share a common context, and everything needs to be expressed through language communication for understanding. The United States is a representative example in this regard. Americans are characterized by encoding information as direct message delivery, requiring explicit communication for understanding.
Americans tend to respect each other's privacy during conversations and usually avoid discussing topics like age, occupation, and income. Questions commonly asked in China, such as "Have you eaten?" are not suitable as greetings or opening remarks in American communication. A more appropriate icebreaker with Americans might be asking about the recent football game. With Britons, inquiring about the weather could be a suitable way to start a conversation. In low-context cultures, direct expression is preferred, while high-context cultures tend to use more indirect and subtle ways of communication.
In business negotiations, Americans typically prioritize product quality and design. They tend to be direct in their approach, clearly expressing acceptance or rejection of terms. If they agree with a term, it means acceptance, and if they disagree, it means rejection. They communicate their thoughts and suggestions clearly and unambiguously.
On the other hand, in high-context cultures like China and Japan, there is a more indirect approach. The emphasis is on maintaining harmony in the relationship, preserving face for both parties. However, such practices may be perceived by Americans as lacking professionalism, problem-solving capability, or even as attempting to manipulate or deceive, potentially leading to frustration on the American side.
In a low-context culture, people often choose to overlook some non-verbal communication behaviors. In contrast, in a high-context culture, individuals pay close attention to subtle facial expressions, body language, nuanced gestures, or the tone of speech – details that can reflect one's psychological state indirectly. Therefore, in cross-cultural communication, individuals from different cultural backgrounds should be mindful of the cultural influences on the communication environment to avoid unnecessary conflicts and misunderstandings.
Optimize web keywords to improve web search experience
When consumers engage in online shopping in different countries, cultural differences give rise to distinct web search habits. Therefore, when formulating international trade online marketing strategies, it is crucial to consider the use of keywords that facilitate users in searching and purchasing products. In the process of product optimization, keywords should be tailored according to users' linguistic and cultural habits.
For instance, when designing keywords for "长裙" (long dress), the following four expressions are more aligned with the search preferences of people in Western countries: "long dress," "dress long," "floor-length dress," and "floor length dress." However, keywords like "ankle dress" or "floor dress" may not resonate well with the search habits of users in these countries.
Marketing planners, therefore, need to conduct statistical analysis and data organization of keyword search habits when creating product webpages. This involves setting up an indexing system for each product that aligns with the search habits of the respective country's users. This approach aims to enhance the conversion rate between natural search rankings and advertising search rankings, thereby improving the overall online shopping search experience for users.
In terms of web text design, Chinese readers tend to prefer the "Times New Roman" font when reading English. However, surveys indicate that Western users, when browsing web pages, have a preference for the "Tahoma" font. These reading and visual preferences reflect underlying cultural differences. Therefore, when optimizing the web search experience, efforts should be made to cater to the habits and preferences of Western users, providing them with a more comfortable and practical experience.
Furthermore, in some language expressions, adjustments should be made in foreign trade marketing based on the language habits of the target market. For instance, when Chinese people express a discount, they might say "打7折," which translates to "30% discount" in English. Similarly, translating "男女都可使用" (suitable for both males and females) might be done as "For both males and females" on some platforms. While this translation can be understood by Western consumers, it doesn't align with the typical language expression in the West and is overly verbose. Therefore, a more direct translation like "Unisex" can be used, emphasizing the high applicability of the product and allowing consumers to perceive the product's features in the shortest time possible.
Combining the folk culture of Western countries to promote festival network marketing
In Western countries, every September marks the "Back to School" season, during which schools welcome alumni, organize beauty contests, bonfire parties, and social dances. Therefore, during this period, Chinese overseas shopping websites can introduce marketing plans targeting the student demographic. For example, aligning with the current trend of "ecological and environmental protection," a marketing campaign like "Capsule College" could be launched. This campaign could offer minimalist dressing suggestions suitable for students, catering to the Western students' desire to challenge themselves, break limits, and have a fresh start in the new semester. Additionally, promoting discounted clothing during the Back to School season can encourage Chinese apparel industry's globalization development.
Highlight product personalized marketing, show the intrinsic value of products
Chinese cultural thinking tends to be abstract and emotional, while Westerners are more concrete and pragmatic. Westerners often prefer to have a thorough understanding of a product's practical uses, pricing, and performance. Therefore, when formulating international trade online marketing strategies, utilizing "review marketing" can be effective. This approach allows customers to judge whether to purchase a product based on the experiences and feedback of other customers. It aligns with the Western preference for practical information and helps bridge the cultural gap in communication and marketing strategies.
Encouraging customers to share their diverse and personalized usage methods can further enhance the interaction among customers. This approach promotes a sense of community and encourages customers to collectively "unlock" innovative features of the product. By fostering a "product social circle," customers can expand their daily social and entertainment activities around the product. Ultimately, this engagement can lead these customers to evolve into loyal fans of the product. Creating a community where customers share their experiences and ideas not only strengthens the bond between customers but also contributes to building brand loyalty and advocacy.
In formulating international trade online marketing strategies, it's crucial to consider the differences in customer aesthetics resulting from cultural variances between China and the West. For instance, when selling clothing, the prevalent aesthetic inclination for Chinese men is often towards a refined and elegant "gentlemanly" style. In contrast, Westerners may lean more towards a preference for strength and athleticism. Therefore, when showcasing clothing products, it's beneficial to invite models of different types to display various aspects of the clothing. This approach allows customers of different styles and backgrounds to envision the effects of wearing the clothes through promotional images and videos. By doing so, the utility and practicality of the clothing can be significantly enhanced, ensuring that customers from diverse cultural backgrounds can find a connection with the product.
Bizarresports will provide a variety of customized sportswear, whether Unisex, school uniforms, etc. We can customize the order
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