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The strategy you choose to pursue foreign market opportunities usually depends on a number of factors including costs of alternative strategies, the amount of inherent risks involved, government regulations, local market conditions, and your control over decision making. The following are the various methods you can enter foreign markets:

Direct Exporting

1. Establishing an export department within the firm
Selling through your business' sales department allows you to establish a good relationship with the overseas market and buyer. However, such strategy may be banned in some Middle-East and Asian countries.

2. Sales representatives or agents
A sales representative/agent promotes your product/service, but assumes no risk or responsibility for them. They are generally only responsible for taking orders and closing the sale on a commission basis.

3. Distributors
Distributors take ownership of the goods and are responsible for payment of the items purchased. They will bear the financial risk and generally provide support and service for the product as well. Furthermore, they typically sell through wholesalers and retailers to end-users.

4. Foreign retailers
Selling directly to a foreign retailer through mail catalogues, brochures, or other product literature to generate sales. This will reduce commissions and travelling expenses, while at the same time reaching a broader market. This strategy relies principally on travelling sales representatives.

Indirect Exporting

1. Export management companies (EMC)
Also known as "off-site" export sales department, EMCs usually export products on behalf of indirect exporters, operating either as an agent or distributor.

2. Export trading companies (ETC)
ETCs provide services in addition to indirect exporters' exporting activities including storage facilities, countertrade and distribution.

3. Strategic alliances
This is when you and one or more companies collaborate in order to achieve strategic objectives.

4. Joint ventures
This is when you and one or more companies form a jointly-owned firm to achieve specific business objectives.

5. Wholly owned subsidiary
This is when your company is fully owned and controlled by a single parent company through foreign direct investment (FDI).

6. Licensing
This is when you grant an overseas company the right to use your intellectual property for a limited period of time. Licensed property may include brand names, trademarks, patents, designs, copyrights, and know-how.

7. Franchising
This is where you grant another company the right to use your intellectual property while also offering assistance and support over an extended period of time in exchange for fees or royalties.