MANY business owners and managers do not consider exporting their products or services abroad because of fears about difficulty and expense of trading overseas.

In view of this, South West-based Bibby Factors, a business-to-business service has launched a free guide to help with the crucial first steps in exporting.

Robin Goddard, Sales Manager of Bibby Factors said: "The guide details how to develop an effective export strategy, how to finance it and where to go for help and advice."

The guide focuses on the following:

Market research: how to identify and target key markets;

Distribution: how to sell your goods abroad;

Sales and marketing: how to choose appropriate promotional tools; and

Getting paid: methods to ensure prompt payment

Mr Goddard said: "Exporting is crucial to the economy's health. Increased exports mean business growth, and this means more jobs.

"The guide has been developed to help growing businesses embrace the opportunities of exporting.

"With export factoring levels up a significant 12 per cent on 2002, driven by the depreciation of sterling against the euro and as a result, vastly improved fortunes for UK exporters, there has never been a better time to take the plunge and seize the overseas opportunity."

Free copies of the Bibby Factors International guide "A World of Opportunity" are available by calling 0800 389 8811.