KYLE GAWLEY (CEO, GET INVITED) DOING BUSINESS IN THE USA @kylegawley

WHY VISIT THE US? 1

1 WHY VISIT THE US? • Validate your business in the USA • HUGE market opportunity • Customer acquisition (lighthouse customers) • Build your network • To learn

YOU HAVE TO BE THERE 2

2 YOU HAVE TO BE THERE • You won’t get customers or build a network sitting in NI • The US is VERY competitive and there is a lot of noise • You need to go there to be in with a chance • You will be taken much more seriously • Higher chance of getting meetings in person

PREPARATION 3

3 PREPATION • Decide the best location to visit • Get a VISA waiver (ESTA) or B-1 Visa (£100 for 10 years) • It’s going to be expensive (£1k flight + £1.5k per week) • Use Invest NI support (50% airline + £100 per day)

SETTING UP MEETINGS 4

4 SETTING UP MEETINGS • Leverage your network in Northern Ireland • Use Invest NI (TAS) & Enterprise Ireland • Send cold emails (people will be open to meeting you) • Target the connectors • Play the Irish card • Aim high (people are generally more down to earth)

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NETWORKING EVENTS 5

5 NETWORKING EVENTS • Be selective • You probably wont find high value individuals there • Lots of startups promoting themselves • And people seeking recruitment • Ask locals for event recommendations

CULTURE & PROTOCOL 6

• Things happen fast • Follow up in hours, not weeks • Zero tolerance for lateness (you get one chance) • Adopt the local language (color, not colour) • Dress appropriately • There is no 9-5 culture (west coast) • They think BIG 5 CULTURE & PROTOCOL

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BE CAREFUL 7

6 BE CAREFUL • US income tax (31 days single trip, 184 days per year) • There are some dangerous neighbourhoods • People will approach you in the street • Don’t look like a tourist, walk with purpose

KYLE GAWLEY (CEO, GET INVITED) @kylegawley http://kylegawley.com/making-your-first-business-trip-to-the-us