Building on 20 years as a mailing house providing a comprehensive range of mailing services to businesses, Mail Shot International is expanding nationwide via franchising. Seeking candidates with management potential and good communication skills, the company aims to significantly extend its reach within this niche market.

By focusing on the smaller and specials market, Mail Shot International has secured regular repeat business. "In fact, some of our clients have been using our services for more than 15 years," reveals Founder Candy Bayley. "Clients are typically businesses that see the organisational and financial benefits of outsourcing such services as mailshots, laser printing, data management and final postage options. Mail Shot International has become an extension of many clients' businesses, providing an efficient and reliable service on demand but without being a fixed cost overhead.

"This is a large market. Any business, organisation or charity could be a potential customer, and as more businesses move away from volume driven mailings the market for smaller targeted mailings is set to increase."

Mail Shot International has undertaken mailings for clients from under 1,000 up to 250,000 in volume. Its PO Box facility is increasingly in demand from publishing companies running competitions, which can generate many hundreds of responses each day.

Franchisees will be trained to run their own premises-based mailing house managing a team of employees, and to maintain the high professional standards set by Mail Shot International. Candy points to a support system to help ensure every franchisee's ongoing success: "We will support franchisees every step of the way via our helpline, regular visits, research and development, marketing initiatives, group meetings, technical advice, and specials assistance."

While experience in business or direct mailing would be advantageous it is not essential. Franchisees must possess a genuine desire to build and run a business, have good communication skills, feel confident about leading a team of staff, and be equally confident being part of a franchise team.

"This is a first class opportunity," Candy furthers. "With a successful 20-year history behind the Mail Shot International name and hard working entrepreneurial franchisees, the future looks promising. We will choose the people we consider likely to succeed, provide them with our franchise business format and back them all the way."