Last month, we shared the first blog post in a two-part series highlighting the many ways Northeast US seafood suppliers can utilize the Branded Program beyond traditional international trade shows. In this month’s post, we will outline how you can utilize this unique cost reimbursement program to support international social media content development, overseas e-commerce storefront setup, website optimization, foreign compliant packaging and labeling, and overseas sampling.
If you’re not familiar with Food Export–Northeast’s Branded Program, it provides 50% cost reimbursement for a wide variety of international marketing activities. Think of it as a program that will help you make your marketing dollars go farther. To qualify for the program, your company must:
If your seafood company fits all these criteria and is accepted into the program, your business will be eligible for reimbursement on international marketing activities such as:
Social media content: From influencer marketing to digital advertising, content management, and international (in-market) dedicated accounts, the Branded Program can support your company’s social media presence overseas and help you reach new online audiences. Additionally, this program not only supports US company’s social media channels but also partner importer’s as well.
E-Commerce: Build online storefronts or advertise on international platforms like Amazon, Momo, TMall, and Alibaba with the Branded Program’s financial support.
Compliant Packaging and Labeling: To be able to sell overseas, your packaging must be compliant for the market. Each market has unique packaging requirements. Create labels for new products, make updates to non-compliant labels, cover the costs of plate fees, graphic design, the labor to re-label your products, and more. Plus, even if Food Export–Northeast has reimbursed your company for your export packaging, labeling, and/or stickers in the past, you can still submit each year for printing runs of the same SKU.
Website Optimization: Ensuring that your website is international audience friendly is key. Food Export–Northeast’s Branded Program supports website optimization with reimbursement for export-targeted landing pages, translation services, search engine optimization (SEO), and product locator tool installation.
Freight costs for samples: Getting your products into the hands of buyers is the best way to build relationships and showcase your high-quality seafood products. Freight expenses for sample shipments are reimbursed through the Branded Program.
As you begin to plan for 2022, consider the Branded Program as another tool to have in your export business marketing toolbox. You can even get pre-approved for 2022 Branded Program funding participation as soon as today. If you have other questions about how Food Export–Northeast can support your seafood company, get in touch or visit our website to learn more about our programs.
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With its extensive programs and educational offerings, Food Export USA–Northeast (Food Export–Northeast) is recognized as the preeminent expert and cost-effective resource for Northeast seafood and agricultural suppliers looking to sell their products overseas. Founded in 1973, Food Export–Northeast is a non-profit organization that works collaboratively with its 10 member states’ agricultural promotion agencies from Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont, to facilitate trade between suppliers and worldwide importers and to promote the export of food, agricultural and seafood products from those states. Since its founding, the organization has helped Northeast seafood suppliers gain access to a broad range of export markets, supported overseas in-market educational and promotional programs and offers emerging suppliers access to funds to help grow their export business. The organization is funded through the Market Access Program (MAP), administered by the USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service.
Learn more about us and what we do for the Northeast seafood industry here. Contact us.