Mailshot franchise pushes the envelope on success

The Design Print Distribution Group is a low-risk option for anyone considering investing in a franchise

With 80 per cent of the UK’s top advertisers using door-to-door mailshots, and this form of marketing seeing continual year-on-year growth, The Design Print Distribution Group franchise is pushing the envelope on success.

It was this annual growth, even at the height of the pandemic, that encouraged founder Mike Ethridge to decide to franchise.

“I’ve always believed that as long as people live in homes with letterboxes, and as long as there are businesses looking for new customers, there will be demand for leafleting and direct mail, and this confidence has paid off,” said Mike.

The Design Print Distribution Group offers its franchisees four ways to earn money. Many customers want a design service for their marketing material; others may already have the design but need their leaflets or flyers printed. These two services offer added value to the customers.

When it comes to distribution, customers may opt for either door drop delivery, direct mail, or even both. Door-to-door leafleting is the ideal way for businesses to target a specific audience in a geographic location. Through direct mail, customers’ marketing material can go nationwide, with no capacity limit and the ability to target specifics, like income groups and property sizes.

The market

The scope for doing business is vast. Ideal for B2C businesses, in particular, door drop and direct mail are attractive options for gyms, restaurants, venues, salons, estate agents, schools and tradespeople alike.

Each territory is based on a city or large conurbation postcode, within which there will be around a quarter of a million homes – that is a lot of marketing potential.

Franchise package

The four income streams form the backbone of each franchise, which are low risk, low cost and low overheads: low cost because there is just one investment option, with one territory per postcode; low overheads, as other than their initial investment all the new franchisee needs are a car and laptop; and low risk, because it is a proven business model, with each new franchise owner, offered two months’ extensive training and ongoing 24/7 central team support.

Essential skills

“Our franchise is ideal for someone with a background in marketing, customer services or logistics, who wants a new challenge and the opportunity to build a significant business, using a proven model in a growing market,” said Mike.

“We have kept the model simple – one franchise, based on one postcode area, at one cost – and that is proving attractive, as we have more franchises due to come on stream. But with so many cities and large towns in the UK, the scope is enormous. With our training and ongoing support, this really is a low-risk option for anyone considering investing in a franchise.”

At a glance

Established:

2016

Number of franchised outlets:

Seven

Location of units:

Bristol, Bath, Swindon, Sheffield, Plymouth, Exeter, Reading

Investment range:

£15,000

Minimum required capital:

£7,500

Contact:

Mike Ethridge 0333 202 6989