U.S. businesses may not think they need to speak Chinese, but the reality is each day it is more and more important.

Chinese are traveling the world, investing, learning and relocating. If you want to tap into this growing market of overseas Chinese, we will inspire you with reasons why in today’s article.

Chinese Are Coming To Your Business Already

Chances are if you survey your customer base, you will find that there are already a considerable amount buying from you! Why not increase that amount and add a Chinese version of your website or menu?

Chinese people love to have authentic foreign products and services. They are hunting out foreign owned businesses as they trust them more and want the real experience. If you spend a little bit of time to target them, you can grab a bigger part of this growing pie!

They Are Spending More Online

In China, e-commerce is all the rage! In less than 10 years, the Chinese e-commerce industry has gone from nothing to a considerable movement. This habit of buying online in China has spread overseas as they travel and do business.

You would have never expected Chinese to be willing to PAY for something online. Yet nowadays the hard work of Taobao and other Chinese online marketplaces have eased the fears they had and have their credit card in hand ready to buy.

Adding Chinese language, and Chinese social media accounts to your US based business will help you grow your orders. Whether the Chinese are in China or down the road from your local business.

They Have More Discretionary Income

There is no secret, the Chinese middle class is growing steady, up and to the right! While a lot of news sites predict a Chinese economy meltdown, the fact is - the Chinese consumer continues to spend money. Real estate prices are at an all time high and Chinese consumers are ready to enjoy the good things in life.

Having a Chinese customer service representative in your business will give you a new channel of growing Chinese customers.

Growing Pool of Chinese Students Looking for Internships

You may have been reading this and wondering how you can find qualified Chinese people to help you with these projects. But that is less and less of a problem. Chinese students are flocking to US universities, and they are more than willing to do internships at businesses in the area.

Show these students they can leverage their Chinese culture and language skills! They are also getting an “international” or English job experience and they will be a happy camper. Don’t believe me? Post some jobs online in your local Craigslist or student bulletin boards and you’ll be happy and surprised at the amount of candidates you can attract.

Stay Ahead of Your Competition

Most businesses in America are still blind sided to this growing market. Or they feel they will leave it up to the Chinese business owners in the area to pick up this channel. Don’t miss out! Chinese want to buy from locals! As we mentioned earlier, they want the authentic experience, and not buy from other Chinese living in America or other overseas regions. Yet they may need a little bit of local Chinese language sales materials - and you will stand out from your crowded marketplace and bring in a healthy new stream of customers.

Excited yet? It is the summer, try this out as and find a local Chinese intern to translate and localize some of your sales materials. Just a small effort can go a long way. Chinese love it when you make the slightest effort to understand them and their culture - so get out there and get ‘em!

Michael Michelini is an Asia business consultant with his firm GlobalFromAsia.com.