10. FAQs
How big is the marketing and printing industry and how is it evolving as technology advances?
Printing is America's third largest manufacturing industry and employs more than one million people, attributing to more than $160 billion in sales. The industry continues to grow at three to five percent per year. Key segments experiencing increased growth include digital printing businesses, growing at 25-30 percent per year; direct mail, growing at eight percent per year; and full-color printing, growing at eight percent per year. The marketing consulting industry, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is a $120 billion industry and continues to grow and change with the nature of the economy.
What kind of customers will I be working with?
Allegra Marketing•Print•Mail centers provide digital and print communication services for small to medium sized businesses. Since you will be working primarily with other business people in your community, most of your customers will be professionals like yourself. Your job will be to provide them with professional, marketing communication materials and programs that will help them meet their business goals.
What kind of hours can I expect to work?
Starting a new business may require more hours in the beginning, as you learn the ropes. We recommend that you stay open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
What type of investment is required?
The estimated initial investment for a New Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail center ranges from $172,348 - $455,784. The estimated initial investment for a Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail MatchMaker™ center ranges from $259,314 - $520,814.
This is the estimated initial investment for opening a new Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail center. For detailed investment requirements for an Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail MatchMakerTM or an Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail AdvantageTM center refer to Item 7 in the appropriate Franchise Disclosure Document.
This is the estimated initial investment for opening a new Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail center. For detailed investment requirements for an Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail MatchMakerTM or an Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail AdvantageTM center refer to Item 7 in the appropriate Franchise Disclosure Document.
What impact has the increase of e-commerce and the Internet had on the marketing and printing industry? How has Allegra taken advantage of online opportunities?
Even though the usage of the Internet continues to increase, the printing industry continues to grow as printed materials are extensively used by businesses, organizations and the community at large. In fact, a recent study by CAP Ventures indicated that in many cases, print volume actually increases when the Internet is used for marketing and communication. Through our customizable Website and online ordering and proofing program, our franchise members offer their customers the convenience of order entry and print management through e-commerce that increases sales, client loyalty and satisfaction. In addition, franchise members develop Websites, email campaigns and social media campaigns for their customers, often tapping into the headquarters-based Marketing Resource Center for help with development and implementation.
Do I have to start a business from scratch?
No, you can get a head start and buy an existing business. Let Allegra Network help you purchase an existing Allegra Network franchise member or an independent printing business and convert it to an Allegra Marketing•Print•Mail location through our MatchMaker Program.
Where do I get the supplies to run my business?
Allegra will provide you with comprehensive information regarding our National Contracts pricing with preferred vendors and recommendations for all areas of your business. In addition, your regional operations director will help you identify local suppliers.
How do I access copywriters, designers, Web developers, etc. who won’t be on my staff when I start?
This is where the Marketing Resource Center comes in. It’s a professional service resource that gives you access to strategic planning experts, as well as top quality copywriters, designers, digital technology experts, media analysts—every function you may need to plan and execute marketing plans and projects for your customers. In the early days, you focus on sales and production functions and the Marketing Resource Center will provide you with any or all services you either don’t have in-house or have sourced locally. In the future, you decide whether to add marketing service specialists to your business, develop a local partner network, continue to rely upon the Marketing Resource Center, or use any combination of these options to execute client programs and projects.
What do you offer in the way of technical support?
Our Technology Group is available to answer your questions about everything from computers and prepress, to printing and bindery, mailing services, and business operating software via a toll-free 24-hour help-desk phone line. In addition, our Technology Team evaluates new products, researches ideas to enhance operations and publishes numerous technical bulletins, manuals and other training materials throughout the year.
What are some of the most important skills necessary to become a successful Allegra Network franchise member?
Some of the most important skills effective franchise members possess are “people skills.” Because you will be managing your staff, dealing with customers, making sales calls on potential customers and networking within your community, a wide variety of people skills will definitely enhance the performance of your business. Other important skills include organizational ability, an understanding of finance and marketing and a willingness to implement our proven systems. Finally, it has been our experience that franchise members who get the most out of this business simply have a strong desire to succeed.
How do new technologies automate pricing and order entry?
There are key order entry computer software applications we highly recommend to our franchise members. These valuable tools facilitate order entry, pricing, billing and other functions essential to operating a business. As a new franchise member, you will be fully trained on how to use this system and our Technology Group provides ongoing support for these software programs.
What does Allegra do to help me promote my business in my local market?
Our in-house Marketing Group provides complete sales, marketing and public relations support and produces turn-key marketing materials and programs to build brand awareness, generate sales leads and develop key accounts within your business community.
What are my ongoing fee or royalties?
Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail receives a six percent (6%) royalty on your center’s gross sales receipts, including new products or services authorized for sale in your center by Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail. The royalty fee decreases to lower levels down to as low as 0% as various sales volume thresholds are achieved during each year. Allegra Marketing*Print*Mail collects an additional one percent (1%) marketing, advertising and promotions contribution in order to help subsidize a huge array of proven marketing programs, collaterals, creative support and promotional tools to help you attract and communicate with your customers. The marketing fees are capped at certain sales volume levels each year as well.
What are the benefits franchise members receive as part of the Allegra Network?
The benefits of belonging are so comprehensive, that it is not possible to summarize them in a sentence or two. Please review the Web site for more information on the all-inclusive support, programs and advantages you’ll receive as an Allegra Network franchise member. You may also download our franchise kit for more information about this exciting opportunity.
Why does Allegra go to such great lengths to support its franchise members?
Our company’s mission is – to enhance the value of the businesses we serve. By providing franchise members with the tools they need to improve the performance of their business, we enhance the power of the network.
It's an exciting industry, and we feel like it has a lot of potential. There are so many businesses out there that need help. And from the marketing standpoint of where Allegra is going with the marketing services along with the printing, the mailing, the diversification into signage, all the graphic communication, there is still a very wide, open market out there.
