Cross-cultural marketing is a whole science onto itself that no internationally active marketer can ignore, not even affiliates working across the seemingly open borders of the Internet.

So, how can you fully function are still be successful on the international front? Here are some tips:

#1 – Find a Good Program
The process of market research and researching a niche abroad isn’t much different than in your home market, but you will need to know which local tools to use and should pay attention to language differences. You also need to find a merchant who is willing to work with you as an international affiliate.

#2 – Get Creative with Your Search Tactics
Explore the local affiliate scene. Search for “affiliate network + country name” in your favorite search engine to find the local affiliate networks. Be prepared to find lots of sign-up forms that restrict applications to within the local country or region. Explore the local affiliate scene by browsing directories, blogs, and forums with a local focus. And if you participate in any affiliate communities, ask around to see if anyone is knowledgeable about your target geographic location.

#3 – Get Comfortable Working with Foreign Currency
Write the current exchange rates for the most important currencies you do business in on a Post-It note and stick it on the bottom edge of your monitor. It saves many unnecessary clicks. Just don’t forget to update it to current rates at least every other day. And when programming, aim to set your currency rates to update automatically.

#4 – Find a Way To Collect Payments That Works for You
Ask your local bank about cashing foreign checks and checks in foreign currencies, as well as incoming bank transfers from abroad and in different currencies.

PayPal is an easy way to deal internationally but it hasn’t quite caught on as an alternative affiliate payment option just yet. This leaves checks and bank deposits as the most frequently used options, and unfortunately at a price. If you are looking to be paid via bank deposit, ask your bank for the information that your merchant needs in order to send you a bank transfer. Other than your account number, this means international routing codes, and most often the bank’s address and phone number as well.

#5 – Brush up on Your Legal Knowledge
Entire industries may be illegal to promote in some regions. (Especially lucrative ones like gambling and betting.) Always read merchant agreements carefully, as they may refer to rules and regulations that you may not yet be familiar with.

If you are promoting offers internationally, talk to your affiliate manager about whether you need to pay attention to any VAT issues. VAT is the European equivalent to sales tax, and is a very complex system. Affiliates generally do not need to be concerned with VAT issues, but it is best to ask your merchant. Be sure to indicate to them where your traffic is coming from (geographically speaking).

#6 – Embrace New Shipping Options
If you are promoting merchants’ offers internationally, research their shipping destinations and charges. Don’t frustrate your visitors by presenting offers that they will later discover cannot be shipped to their country.

#7 – Remember You’re in a Different Zone
Keep in mind the time and seasonal differences when working internationally. If you are working with merchants from different time zones, don’t always expect an answer the same business day. Your affiliate manager may be getting ready for dinner when you just finished your breakfast. Merchants in the southern hemisphere may be in summer vacation mode when you are in the middle of a snowstorm.