D&P I’m in China and looking to become a sourcing agent. How can I find customers?

[Elcotchoc]

Hello from China!

I recently left my full-time job and decided to become a sourcing agent, since there are so many factories here with a wide variety of products. It’s easy for me to find products and visit factories in person.

Here’s what I can offer as a sourcing agent:

Local Knowledge: I understand the Chinese supply chain, culture, and market trends, which helps make the process smoother.

Language and Culture: I speak both Chinese and English fluently, making communication easier and helping navigate cultural differences.

On-Site Visits: I can inspect factories and meet face-to-face to ensure everything is clear and negotiate the best deals.

Quality Control: I oversee the production process to make sure the products meet your standards and reduce any quality risks.

Efficiency: I use local networks to quickly find suppliers, which saves time and cuts costs.

Full-Service Support: I offer complete fulfillment services, making the process easier with one point of contact.

The problem is, where can I find customers who need my help? Any advice?

 

[ZenaRip]

I’d spend a couple years working at a factory and try to make connections with buyers in the U.S. Or maybe help a bunch of factories sell their stuff.

I’d visit the U.S., check out big events, meet people, talk a lot, and focus on one type of product to start with.

There’s a huge tech show in Vegas every January—that’s where I went a while back and met a ton of people who help find and ship products.

 

[BuggyTeenz]

One of the smartest ways is joining groups on Facebook, especially ones that talk about stuff like online selling and shipping. You can also make fun short videos on apps like TikTok or Reels to reach the right people.

But before that, you gotta build some trust. Make your Facebook or LinkedIn look nice—show what you’ve done and what you know, so people believe in you.

I’ve teamed up with folks from places like Yiwu, Dongguan, and around Shenzhen in the past.

 

[Fishapis]

I’d use Insta and make friends with people who might want to work together or buy stuff.

 

[Tersbyte]

Like some folks said, try hanging out in Facebook groups or Reddit pages where people talk about online selling and business stuff. If you’ve got a little cash, maybe offer to help one of the group leaders for free and ask them to shout you out. That way, people start noticing you and trust grows.

Another cool idea—give people from other countries a way to get their mail in China. Some folks need a Chinese address to get stuff sent. You could take pictures of their papers and email it to them. There are websites like Clevver that do stuff like this. Doing that could help more people learn about your business too.

 

[Synaterex]

Hey! I’ve got a few TikTok stores in the U.S., and I’m trying to team up with someone in China who can help me find and send products.

 

[CooledCrayon]

I have the same question. I'm from China. Where can I find customers and what should I do?

 

[Execusp]

Hello from China!

I recently left my full-time job and decided to become a sourcing agent, since there are so many factories here with a wide variety of products. It’s easy for me to find products and visit factories in person.

Here’s what I can offer as a sourcing agent:

Local Knowledge: I understand the Chinese supply chain, culture, and market trends, which helps make the process smoother.

Language and Culture: I speak both Chinese and English fluently, making communication easier and helping navigate cultural differences.

On-Site Visits: I can inspect factories and meet face-to-face to ensure everything is clear and negotiate the best deals.

Quality Control: I oversee the production process to make sure the products meet your standards and reduce any quality risks.

Efficiency: I use local networks to quickly find suppliers, which saves time and cuts costs.

Full-Service Support: I offer complete fulfillment services, making the process easier with one point of contact.

The problem is, where can I find customers who need my help? Any advice?

Message me. I still keep in touch with companies that run different factories in Shenzhen. Actually, I could use one for a project right now... Where are you based?

 

[Innisola]

What’s your area of expertise? Or are you just starting out?

 

[Tevetto]

Create your website and channel, then try to attract your target audience from there.