Foreign trade is not simply about posting products on platforms and sending emails; it is a comprehensive battle of "international markets and communication skills."
To succeed in foreign trade, you must understand these three core elements:
Customer mindset : They don't buy "cheap," they buy "trust and professionalism."
Long-term perspective : Foreign trade has long order cycles, so a stable mindset is key;
Systematic learning : From quoting, developing emails, and negotiating, to website building and promotion, there are reusable systems available.

| stage | time | Learning Objectives | Core content | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | 0–30 days | Understanding Foreign Trade Processes and Basic Terminology | Quotation, Proforma Invoice (PI), Contract, FOB, CIF, LC, etc. | Introduction to Reading + Watching Courses |
| Phase 2 | 30–60 days | Mastering customer development methods and email communication | Finding clients on Google, writing sales emails, and following up with clients. | Practical experience in writing letters and finding potential buyers |
| Phase 3 | 60–90 days | Develop sales skills + Establish a personal marketing system | Customs data, foreign trade website building, SEO promotion | Build a website and organize a customer database |
✅ Recommended schedule: 1 hour of theory per day + 1 hour of practical training + weekly review.

| Serial Number | Book title | author | Suitable stage | Core Values |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Practical Guide to Foreign Trade English Correspondence | Li Yuhua | getting Started | Quickly master email writing structure |
| 2 | International Trade Practice (12th Edition) | Zhou Ji | getting Started | Understanding foreign trade processes, documents, and payment methods |
| 3 | Google's Complete Guide to Customer Development | Huang Rong | Practical training period | Systematic explanation of search techniques |
| 4 | "A Foreign Trade Expert's Practical Notes" | Xie Runlin | Beginner to Intermediate | Case-based learning |
| 5 | Negotiation Skills | Roger Fisher | Full Stage | Improve communication and sales skills |
| 6 | Influence | Robert Cialdini | Full Stage | Understanding Buyer Psychology |
| 7 | The Art of B2B Marketing | Philip Kotler | Advanced | Developing a brand-oriented foreign trade mindset |
| 8 | "Practical Handbook for the Entire Foreign Trade Business Process" | Wang Jun | getting Started | Systematic introductory textbook |
| 9 | Cross-cultural communication | Samovar | Advanced | Understanding Communication Strategies in Cultural Differences |
| 10 | SEO and Content Marketing Practical Handbook | Wu Xing | Promotion phase | Essential for website building and customer acquisition |
| Platform/Courses | Synopsis | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| AB Foreign Trade Academy - Smart Website Building Course 🔥 | Learn how to use AI to build multilingual foreign trade websites and automatically generate inquiry systems. | Factories and newcomers who want to quickly establish their own websites |
| Alibaba Academy | A complete course covering everything from product launch to store operation. | Platform sellers |
| Google Digital Garage | Free digital marketing course, including SEO/SEM basics | Newcomers to Google Ads |
| LinkedIn Learning | Foreign Trade Sales Communication and Negotiation Skills Series | Improve customer communication skills |
| Udemy – International Trade Fundamentals | The course is taught in English and covers the basic structure of international trade. | Those with a certain level of English proficiency |
| YouTube – China Import Channel | Free lectures on foreign trade export, certification, and compliance. | Want to understand the requirements of overseas markets |
| HKTDC Training Center | Provides international market trends and compliance knowledge | Hong Kong/International Trade Direction |
| Private tutoring sessions at the Foreign Trade Experts Club | Experience-based training with abundant practical case studies | Salespeople who want quick results |
| Classification | name | Website | Instructions for use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer Development | AB Customer Customs Data ✅ | https://www.cnabke.com/customsData.html | Access global buyer purchasing records to precisely target customers. |
| Platform | Alibaba | https://www.alibaba.com | Largest B2B platform |
| Platform | Global Sources | https://www.globalsources.com | Global buyer concentration |
| Search | https://www.google.com | Find customer company information precisely | |
| Email tools | Gmail | https://mail.google.com | Mainstream tools for sending out sales emails |
| Translation | DeepL | https://www.deepl.com | Multilingual Foreign Trade Copywriting Translation |
| exchange rate | XE | https://www.xe.com | Real-time currency conversion |
| Website building | AB Customer Smart Website Builder✅ | https://www.cnabke.com/aiWebsite.html | One-click generation of multilingual foreign trade independent websites |
| Image source | Canva | https://www.canva.com | Free design tools |
| Analysis | SimilarWeb | https://www.similarweb.com | Analyze competitor website traffic sources |
Recommended reading: A must-read for foreign trade professionals | 50 most practical foreign trade tools for 2025, boosting efficiency by more than 10 times!
| platform | Website | feature |
|---|---|---|
| FOB Foreign Trade Forum | https://bbs.fobshanghai.com | The largest Chinese forum in the foreign trade community, full of useful information. |
| Alibaba Foreign Trade Circle | https://waimao.alibaba.com | Platform seller experience sharing |
| Foreign Trade Home Forum | https://www.waimaojia.com | Questions suitable for newcomers to discuss |
| Zhihu Foreign Trade Forum | https://www.zhihu.com/topic/19561367 | Learning through case studies and Q&A |
| LinkedIn International Business Community | https://www.linkedin.com | Communication with overseas sales representatives |
| Reddit r/InternationalTrade | https://www.reddit.com/r/InternationalTrade/ | International Buyer-Seller Exchange |
| Foreign Trade Experts Club Group | Private Domain Community | Real-world cases and experience sharing |
| AB Foreign Trade College ✅ | https://www.cnabke.com/blogs.html | A practical foreign trade community for learning website building, SEO, and inquiry techniques. |

Spend 30 minutes reading every day: "Foreign Trade Practice" and "Foreign Trade English Correspondence"
Learn trade terms: FOB, CIF, EXW, PI, LC, TT, etc.
Experience the entire website building process with the free version of ABker Smart Website Builder and understand the architecture of foreign trade websites.
Start understanding customs data and learn to analyze buyer information.
Practical experience in finding clients and writing sales emails using Google
Reference book: *Google Customer Development Guide*
Send 10 outreach emails daily and record the response rate.
Learn to use AB Customer Customs data to screen high-value customers.
Follow up with potential clients and learn email communication skills
Use Canva to create promotional materials and company brochures.
Learn website SEO promotion and publish English articles.
Weekly Summary: Which clients are effective, and which development channels are best?
Recommended reading: Client Case Study: New Client Secures First Order in 3 Months! Unveiling the Path to Client Development from 0 to 1!
A foreign trade novice, as long as they have the right direction, dedicate 2 hours to learning every day, and practice for 3 months, can understand customers better than 80% of their peers.
🌟 You can start today:
First, bookmark all the websites mentioned in this article;
Follow the learning schedule every day;
Use AB Customer Customs Data to Precisely Identify Customers;
Use ABke Smart Website Builder to build your own independent foreign trade website.
📚 The book teaches you the principles.
💻 Tools help you get to the ground.
💬 Forums and communities give you confidence.
💥 Keep learning, and you won't get lost on the road to foreign trade.
