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In today’s episode, Steli and Hiten discuss how startups can enter the US market. There are several myths that say tapping into the US market is the answer to a startup’s success. While this may be true for some, does that mean one needs to relocate to the US in order to grow? Steli and Hiten argue that not only is moving to the US a nuisance, it is also UNNECESSARY for growing your US client base—especially if you’re a SaaS company. Tune-in to learn when moving can be beneficial for you and why it’s important to prove your product or service in your own country first. Time Stamped Show Notes: 00:26 – Today’s topic is entering the US market with your startup 01:09 – Hiten is approached often with questions about entering the US market 01:24 – Steli believes you do NOT need to move your life to the US to be able to enter the market; it’s not necessary 02:05 – It’s more than possible to start your company where you are and build your brand and customer base in the US 02:28 – Entrepreneurs don’t realize that startups cost more money in the US than in most other countries 03:56 – Money isn’t the only issue living in the US – the change will disrupt your life 04:48 – A lot of people think that being in the US will mean BIG business for them   05:29 – Moving to the US does not guarantee success 05:38 – Steli shares an example using Greece’s economy 06:48 – If you can’t get local traction for your business where you are, chances are that US customers won’t like what you have to offer 07:10 – You can always visit the US frequently 07:41 – Visiting 3-4x/year will let you accomplish many things 08:32 – Start experimenting with your marketing by targeting US customers 09:10 – If you don’t get any success through marketing, there’s no guarantee your startup will make it if you move to the US 09:59 – You can still find success in your market even if you’re not in the US 10:13 – There are a lot of myths that say business is easier in the US 10:50 – If you’re building software, being in the US is never necessary 11:58 – If you have an accent, OWN it, but make sure you’re being understood 12:37 – It's a shame when your accent affects your confidence 13:24 – Work on confidence, not just your accent 13:46 – If you don’t want to talk to people, hire someone who’ll do that for you 14:23 – Your accent matters less in New York or San Francisco 16:19 – Hire a freelancer or have a friend look over your written copy on your website 16:48 – “People are very conscious about cultural differences” 17:21 – If your copy is on point and your product is of value, Americans won’t mind your culture 18:45 – Reach out to a startup that had success entering the US market 3 Key Points: Moving to the US is NOT necessary for you to build your brand, following, or business—it’s not even necessary if you want to grow your US client base. Visiting the US a few times a year can help you accomplish your goals for your business. If you can’t acquire business in your own country, it’s likely that you won’t be able to acquire business in the US. The post 251: How to Enter the US Market With Your Startup appeared first on The Startup Chat with Steli a Hiten.