Resources for creative exporters
Global markets offer significant potential for Canadian creative businesses and organizations to expand. Exporting can help you grow and diversify your customer base, lower your costs, and be more profitable in the long term.
Explore these useful resources to learn more about exporting and preparing your business for the world.
On this page
- Check if you’re export-ready
- Identify and research your market
- Create your business plan and strategy
- Enter a market and meet your buyers
- Find the right funding programs
- Learn about trade rules and agreements
- Get insight on intellectual property and copyright
- Ask the experts
- Related links
Check if you’re export-ready
Exporting is a big step that requires preparation. The best way to start is by evaluating your organizational capabilities.
- Get help assessing your potential for international expansion:
- Get export ready (Export Development Canada – EDC)
- Consulting services (Business Development Bank of Canada – BDC)
- Learn more about exporting:
- Step-by-step guide to exporting (Global Affairs Canada – GAC)
- Get accredited export training to gain the knowledge and skills you need to succeed internationally:
- Exporter training – federal, provincial, municipal (GAC)
- Forum for International Trade (FITT) Program (EDC)
- Canada’s Trade Accelerator Program (EDC)
Identify and research your market
To succeed in exporting, you must first identify the best international markets for your business. Selecting the appropriate markets is one of the most important decisions for any creative entrepreneur looking to export.
Find out more about exporting and international expansion:
- Three essential steps for entering an international market (BDC)
- Market reports and research on various industries and countries:
- Statistics on the trade of culture and sport products (2014-2022) can help point you to a foreign market to sell your creative product.
Create a business plan and strategy
Your business plan is crucial – it says who you are, describes your business and shows how you will generate profits. A properly formulated business plan will help you gain the confidence of investors and stakeholders. In addition, having a sound business strategy to guide your decisions and actions is critical to your long-term growth.
Consult these resources from BDC to get tips on preparing a winning business plan and mapping out your business strategy.
- How to write an effective business plan
- Map out your future business strategy
- Clear a path to growth – Sales and Marketing
Enter a market and meet your buyers
On-the-ground assistance is fundamental for exporters to make their business plan a reality. Networking, finding buyers, building partnerships and matching businesses in key markets can foster successful and profitable exporting for Canadian creators and creative entrepreneurs.
Find the right funding programs
There are numerous funding opportunities for creative businesses and organizations that wish to export.
Explore a range of funding programs available through Canadian Heritage, including Creative Export Canada, and other organizations that can provide support as you expand globally.
Learn about trade agreements and rules
There are technical aspects to consider when exporting goods and services, such as trade regulations, rules and agreements. It’s important to know how they impact your business and your exports.
Trade agreements are intended to reduce the barriers to exchange goods and services between countries, making it easier to do business internationally and providing frameworks for the rules that govern global trade. Trade rules have a narrower scope and may affect importers and exporters at the regulatory level.
Explore the following links for more resources:
- Supporting Canadian exporters through U.S. tariff challenges (GAC)
- Trade and investment agreements (GAC)
- Canada Tariff Finder
- Export commercial goods (Canada Border Services Agency)
- International trade in protected animals and plants
Get insight on intellectual property and copyright
Intellectual property (IP) rights give creators the ability to control, be recognized, and get paid fairly for their work. They also allow for enforcement against the unauthorized use of one's work. When it comes to exporting, it’s important to know that IP protections vary from country to country.
The Canadian Intellectual Property Office has extensive resources on how to protect your IP rights in Canada and abroad, including e-learning modules on key topics such as copyright and trademark and guides on doing business in various markets.
- IP Village: IP resources for your business
- Copyright: Learn the basics
- Trademarks: Learn the basics
- Canadian Intellectual Property Office
- “Doing Business Abroad” guides
Ask the experts
Canadian Heritage’s Creative Export Navigator Service
Canadian Heritage’s creative export advisors provide small and medium-sized Canadian creative industry companies and organizations with free export guidance and assistance navigating government export-related programs and services.
Global Affairs’ Trade Commissioner Service
The Canadian Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) is a free service that helps Canadian companies and organizations prepare for international business, find global opportunities and qualified contacts, and resolve business problems in 160 cities worldwide.
Export Development Canada’s Export Help Hub
EDC helps Canadian businesses grow internationally with financial solutions, insurance, and expertise to navigate global markets with confidence. Connect with our trade advisors to explore new markets, protect your business, and unlock new opportunities.
Business Development Bank of Canada's Advisory Services
BDC offers loans, consulting services and a wide range of risk capital solutions, including a dedicated financing envelope to support rapidly growing medium-sized businesses in Canada’s creative and cultural industries.
Connect with BDC’s national network of consultants and highly experienced specialists who can help your business scale up, be more productive, innovate and globalize.