Different apps
Chinese consumers use WeChat instead of WhatsApp and Facebook, Baidu instead of Google, Douyin instead of TikTok and Xiaohongshu instead of Instagram.
MARKETING IN CHINA FOR EUROPEAN BRANDS
Your brand.
Found in China.
Your European marketing playbook won't carry over. Google, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube are blocked in mainland China, so Chinese customers discover brands on entirely different apps. We help you show up where they're looking, with content that actually makes sense to them.
GET DISCOVEREDMake every click count.
01 / HOW CHINA IS DIFFERENT
Why European marketing doesn't translate.
Different expectations
Language, humour, trust signals and buying habits all shape whether your message lands. Direct translation rarely works.
Different rules
Account verification, advertising law and website filing (ICP) requirements need local knowledge and, often, a Chinese entity.
Start with what you want customers to do.
Before planning a campaign, decide on the action: request a quote, book a meeting, visit your store or buy a product. Then make sure your content, contact details and follow-up process all support that action.
A good first campaign answers three questions clearly: who is this for, what problem does it solve, and how do I get in touch?
02 / WHY OUR MARKETING TEAM
Native creatives.
English-speaking project management.
Our approach draws on TheChineseMarketing team's China-based creative capability and experience with international clients.
Native Chinese content
Our Hangzhou creatives bring local context to everything they produce.
One point of contact
An account manager connects your brief to the team doing the work, in English.
Specialists working together
Strategy, search, influencers, copywriting and analytics, coordinated around your goals.
Team and service information adapted from TheChineseMarketing.com.
Before we start, we agree the audience, deliverables, approval process and reporting schedule. You'll always know what's being created, what we need from you and what the next report will help you decide.
03 / SERVICES
Build the presence you need.
Pick individual services or combine them into a launch plan. The three new-business essentials at the end are simple starting points for founders setting up in China.
01
SOCIAL PLATFORMS
WeChat / Weixin
Official accounts, publishing and campaigns on China's everyday super-app.
Discuss this service ↗02
SOCIAL PLATFORMS
Xiaohongshu / RED
Account setup and content for China's lifestyle discovery app, often compared to Instagram plus Pinterest.
Discuss this service ↗03
SOCIAL PLATFORMS
Brand accounts, content and campaigns on China's public microblogging platform.
Discuss this service ↗04
SOCIAL PLATFORMS
Douyin
Account setup and short-video campaigns on the Chinese version of TikTok.
Discuss this service ↗05
SEARCH
Baidu SEO & SEM
Organic and paid search on China's leading search engine, where Google isn't available.
Discuss this service ↗06
WEB & CONTENT
Chinese Websites & Mini-sites
Localised websites and landing pages that load well inside China.
Discuss this service ↗07
WEB & CONTENT
Chinese Content & Translation
Copywriting, Mandarin voiceovers and cultural adaptation, not just word-for-word translation.
Discuss this service ↗08
BRAND
Basic Brand Creation
A Chinese brand name and a clear local brand presentation.
Discuss this service ↗09
DIGITAL DEVELOPMENT
WeChat Mini-programs
Custom in-app experiences for enquiries, bookings and sales.
Discuss this service ↗10
CREATOR MARKETING
KOL & Influencer Collaboration
Influencer selection, outreach and coordination.
Discuss this service ↗11
MARKET ENTRY
E-commerce Entry Consulting
Cross-border routes such as Tmall Global, JD Worldwide and WeChat stores.
Discuss this service ↗12
LAUNCH SUPPORT
Marketing Compliance Support
Advertising law review and ICP filing guidance.
Discuss this service ↗13
GROWTH
Lead Generation & Conversion
Plan how interest turns into enquiries and sales.
Discuss this service ↗14
NEW BUSINESS ESSENTIAL
China Launch Starter Kit
Your Chinese company introduction, service list, contact details and branded WeChat QR code in one consistent set of launch materials.
Discuss this service ↗15
NEW BUSINESS ESSENTIAL
Chinese Sales Materials
A concise company profile, product sheet or pitch deck in Chinese for meetings and prospective customers.
Discuss this service ↗16
NEW BUSINESS ESSENTIAL
Enquiry Response Kit
A practical Chinese FAQ and reply templates so your team answers common enquiries quickly and consistently.
Discuss this service ↗Custom development, video production, advertising spend, platform charges, influencer fees and compliance work are quoted separately unless expressly included. Verification, platform approval and regulatory filings depend on eligibility. We confirm the right filing or licensing route for a website before launch; no approvals or sales results are guaranteed.
04 / ONGOING SOCIAL MEDIA
Three plans. A steady monthly rhythm.
Start on one platform or run a coordinated presence across several. Extra services can be quoted alongside any plan.
PLAN 1
One platform, done well
8posts / month
WeChat or Xiaohongshu
- 1 platform: setup and verification support
- Content and copywriting by our Hangzhou team
- Monthly performance report
- Chat support
Request a tailored quotation
Discuss Plan 1 ↗PLAN 2
Two platforms, one voice
20posts / month
WeChat + Xiaohongshu
- 2 platforms: setup and verification support
- Content and copywriting by our Hangzhou team
- Monthly performance report and strategy session
- Chat support
Request a tailored quotation
Discuss Plan 2 ↗PLAN 3
Make some noise
40posts / month
WeChat + Xiaohongshu + Weibo
- 3 platforms: setup and verification support
- Content and copywriting by our Hangzhou team
- Up to 2 influencer (KOL) outreach activities a month; influencer fees not included
- Bi-weekly reporting and strategy calls
- Chat support plus on-demand calls and video meetings
Request a tailored quotation
Discuss Plan 3 ↗Post counts are monthly totals across the selected platforms. Setup and verification depend on platform eligibility and approval; some platforms require a Chinese business entity. Influencer fees are not included. Your proposal confirms formats, scope, turnaround, account ownership, reporting and any extra charges.
05 / FROM BRIEF TO LAUNCH
A practical process, from day one.
- Tell us about your business. Share what you sell, who you want to reach, your target cities, existing materials and priorities.
- Agree a focused scope. Choose the services and channels that matter, then confirm the quote, deliverables and launch date.
- Prepare and review. Send your business documents and brand assets. Review the proposed content and how customers will contact you.
- Launch and improve. Publish the agreed content, review the results and use reporting calls to decide what to do next.
Not sure where to start? Send us your existing website or a short company intro, and we'll suggest a sensible first step instead of asking you to pick every service at once.
CLIENT STORIES
Good work deserves a real story.
We're gathering approved feedback from our China marketing clients for this section.
Verified client stories will appear here. Ask our team for examples relevant to your business.
MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION
Let's introduce your brand to China.
Tell us what you sell, who you want to reach and what a successful first campaign looks like.
THE BUSINESS BEHIND THE BRAND
Your other services, connected.
01
Read our marketing FAQs ↗Company Formation
Form your WFOE and open a bank account.
See setup packages ↗02Visas & Work Permits
Plan your work visa and family visas.
Explore visa support ↗03Accounting & Tax
Keep your finances and compliance on track.
See accounting plans ↗04Virtual & Serviced Offices
Get the right address or workspace.
Explore six cities ↗