Step 1 – Deep Dive

Before you get started, it’s essential to scope out your competition.

The Exploration Phase

Before you get started, it’s essential to scope out your competition. You should know your export market like the back of your hand. This means asking yourself tough questions about how your product compares to what is already out there.

To do this thoroughly you will need to be in touch with your industry’s trends. There will be specific ways in which your competitors design their packaging, craft their campaigns, shoot their products and target their consumers. By the end of this phase you must have explored every major magazine and site in your industry to get a global perspective of what you’re up against.

For example, as a food brand, you’ll want to be clued up on diet fads, restaurant trends and everything that the major food influencers are saying…

In general, it is crucial to identify key areas of research which are important to your brand and products.