As the world grows smaller, especially in the area of commerce, international marketing can play a big role in a company's ability to thrive. There are free trade zones currently, and more under negotiation. American companies can use international marketing to bring their products to countries hungry for American culture.

International marketing has been going on since the ancient days of trade. Caravans and ships traveled the known world looking for people in far away places to buy their goods. It is much the same today. Large corporations and many small businesses canvas the world, internationally marketing their products to new places in an attempt to grow their customers and expand the market for their merchandise.

For large corporations, international marketing isn't such a hard thing. They have large amounts of money behind their international marketing efforts. They can afford to take their more traditional marketing strategies overseas. However, smaller businesses have a harder time with international marketing. Small businesses and sole proprietorships don't have the vast resources.

While some large firm have an entire division devoted to international marketing efforts, or can hire specialized agencies, most small businesses have to do their marketing as a small, in-house project. The Internet can help these small businesses with international marketing. A presence on the World Wide Web can allow the small business owner to internationally market his or her wares at a relatively low cost.

In addition to help from consulting firms, international marketing help can be found in the form of software. There are also many Web sites devoted to this subject. Books on international marketing can be found at most libraries and purchased at some bookstores, as well as online.

In today's world it pays to devote some business resources to international marketing. Thinking of and paying attention to possible buyers in other parts of the world can help your business grow. After all, selling and delivering your product to a new market in another country is what international marketing is all about.