Dutch company expanding to the USA

[L457dwj]

Hello all!

It's a very big step for me to leave the slowlane and introduce myself into the fastlane.
I'm from The Netherlands and creating my own Digital Marketing Agency.

I'm in doubt where I should get my clients. It's hard to outsource in The Netherlands because the people ask for high $ hourly rates (50-60$). Also compared to English speaking people it's very difficult to find the right people.

I'm offering services like SEO, Google Adwords, E-mail marketing and Social media marketing.
I had some comments of others why I'm not expanding to the USA while I'm Dutch and my company Dutch registered.

How do I proceed? I think my English is average, I understand the most and I can make myself clear as well, of course it's not my native language. And is it possible to get American clients while I'm not American myself, company isn't American etc.

How does this work with taxes? How to approach American companies, I guess it's different then in The Netherlands/Europe?

 

Don't like ads? Remove them while supporting the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[jpn]

I don't understand, you're creating your own digital marketing agency, what does that have to do with outsourcing? Why should it matter that starting rates in NL are 50/60 EUR? Or are you trying to outsource sales? In which case, aren't you supposed to be able to generate warm leads using SEO and SEA, as that's your business?

On a more general note, do you have a successful existing business in NL?
If yes: it might make sense to expand to the US.

If no: you're choosing to compete in one of the most competitive markets in the world, and everyone in that market speaks the language like a native and understands the business culture like a native. I'd take a step back and re-evaluate the likelihood that'd you'd succeed, unless you can hire a team locally, but I don't think you'd be asking these questions if you'd be in a position to do that.

I don't want to be a downer, I just think that you should stack the deck in your favour. Don't compete in a crowded space, in a competitive market, where everyone has a leg up on you because they're locals. Just doesn't make sense.

I can answer some of your questions on taxes and legal structures as I've started companies in NL before and did some business outside of the EU, send me a PM if interested.

But honestly, consider what has a higher chance of success (when starting) doing business in the country where you have a network, speak the language like a native, are based, and understand the culture. Or doing business where everyone else has that except you, plus you're 6-9 timezones away from your clients.

 

[Longinus]

Like @jpn says, start doing the work yourself first in your own country.

I'm offering services like SEO, Google Adwords, E-mail marketing and Social media marketing.

Are you an expert in these fields? It won't make sense to outsource if you don't know what your freelancers are actually doing.

 

[L457dwj]

I don't understand, you're creating your own digital marketing agency, what does that have to do with outsourcing? Why should it matter that starting rates in NL are 50/60 EUR? Or are you trying to outsource sales? In which case, aren't you supposed to be able to generate warm leads using SEO and SEA, as that's your business?

On a more general note, do you have a successful existing business in NL?
If yes: it might make sense to expand to the US.

If no: you're choosing to compete in one of the most competitive markets in the world, and everyone in that market speaks the language like a native and understands the business culture like a native. I'd take a step back and re-evaluate the likelihood that'd you'd succeed, unless you can hire a team locally, but I don't think you'd be asking these questions if you'd be in a position to do that.

I don't want to be a downer, I just think that you should stack the deck in your favour. Don't compete in a crowded space, in a competitive market, where everyone has a leg up on you because they're locals. Just doesn't make sense.

I can answer some of your questions on taxes and legal structures as I've started companies in NL before and did some business outside of the EU, send me a PM if interested.

But honestly, consider what has a higher chance of success (when starting) doing business in the country where you have a network, speak the language like a native, are based, and understand the culture. Or doing business where everyone else has that except you, plus you're 6-9 timezones away from your clients.

Thank you for your reply.
I know all the basics of my services, what it does, what's good for, how it helps my client.
I'm outsourcing all the work (via Upwork). I'm selling my services in packages (€899/month cheapest).
If my outsourcers ask for $60 an hour I'm never going to make any profit.

I'm leading the company with the sales, documentation etc.

The reason I was thinking about expanding abroad is because the outsourcers are way cheaper, easier to find and easier to replace if needed (very few Dutch people who know my services).

 

Don't like ads? Remove them while supporting the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.

[L457dwj]

Like @jpn says, start doing the work yourself first in your own country.



Are you an expert in these fields? It won't make sense to outsource if you don't know what your freelancers are actually doing.

See my reply on the other person in this topic .

 

[maverick]

Welcome to the forum.

If you're not knowledgeable on the subjects yourself, how are you planning on sourcing and vetting quality freelancers?

The value you will be adding, will be in sales however:

I'm in doubt where I should get my clients.

very few Dutch people who know my services

Very few Dutch people know SEO, Google Adwords, E-mail marketing and Social media marketing?

digitale marketing agency - Google Search

I'd suggest you create a profile on Upwork and try to land 1 project yourself so that you truly understand what is needed and what the process should be.

 

[Longinus]

I'm outsourcing all the work (via Upwork). I'm selling my services in packages (€899/month cheapest).
If my outsourcers ask for $60 an hour I'm never going to make any profit.

I'm leading the company with the sales, documentation etc.

Just curious: how many clients you currently have?

 

Don't like ads? Remove them while supporting the forum: Subscribe to Fastlane Insiders.