The job of a chimneysweeper is dangerous and not glorious. It requires getting up on roofs to do some of the inspection and maintenance of the flues, dealing with cresol build up, dust and dirt and more.

I know first-hand the job is dirty, grimy, sweaty and unhealthy or as I say down right "nasty." I know because in a previous rental residence I had to sweep the woodstove once a month or more due to an improperly fitted and installed woodstove the landlord just refused to correct.

According the National Chimney Sweep Guild "a chimney service professional is to aid in the prevention of fires related to fireplaces, woodstoves, gas, oil and coal heating systems and the chimneys that serve them."

But what about Roses?

Last week I had my chimney sweep company Seacoast Sweeps come for the annual fireplace chimney clean. I've been using this company for well over 7 years and have referred them to friends and neighbors several times. Philip Mitchell Jr. is the owner of the business and is someone whose experience and opinion I value. In fact, I have consulted with him on his recommendations for a new woodstove. And, he is just a down-to-earth good person.

Well, after his visit I noticed on my kitchen island a single Red Rose and note card left by Seacoast Sweeps thanking me for my business. I thought that was such a special touch I wanted to share it here with everyone.

There's more

The Saturday after my chimney sweep I was at a neighborhood potluck and noticed a rose and card in the host's kitchen. I pointed out that I, too, had just received one. "Yea." Bonnie, the host, said, "my chimney sweep guys gave me a rose, how cool. I love them."

A Special Touch

Bonnie and I went on about how we would use Seacoast Sweeps whether they give us roses or not because they are a top-notch quality service, but we agreed the rose certainly adds a special touch that shows they truly appreciate our business.

Thanks for reading

This is the Third in a Series of entries on Marketing Your Business without Breaking the Bank. The information is from a talk I presented at the Womens' Business Center Breakfast Table entitled Marketing without Breaking the Bank.

Onto the Series

Another strategy to help you improve your business is by Strengthening your Customer Loyalty and Growth. Doctors, sports trainers, physical therapists and our mom and dad teach us the basics about our health. If we spend time lying on the couch our muscles become soft, weak and unforgiving to us. Well, the same for our customers. If we aren't spending time with them, caring for them and helping them they will be unforgiving and go some place else for a little TLC.

3 Keys to Pumping the Iron

1. Communication

Increase the quantity or quality of your communications to your customers and let them know they are valuable to your business. You can highlight a customer in one of your newsletters, blog posts or put them in one of your brochures. Recognize their patronage to your business.

2. Create

Create specials or events just for your customers. If you're a retail business and have a list of key customers invite them to a pre-sale offer and open the store early just for them to browse and shop. If you have a membership program offer an upgrade to your customers for a limited time or at a discounted rate.

3. Leverage Partnerships

If you have complementary product or service business in your area that would interest your customers go speak to that business owner and suggest partnering with them in a introductory discount program that benefits both of your sets of customers.

Know, Listen, Learn and Thank

When you think about how you can show your customers you care it can be as simplistic as getting to know and listen to them first. When you do this you will always learn a little bit more about what makes them tic, what they care about and how to please them. This could give you some insight into what they may appreciate you doing for them to strengthen the relationship.

Thank You

I didn't forget this from the last paragraph. I purposely wanted to leave this as my parting thought for you. The two most important words we can all say to our customers is "Thank You". I find these two words dying in many retail businesses right along with the associate counting out my change. Both frustrate me to the point that I wish D-Fens (the character Michael Douglas played in the movie Falling Down) would accompany me shopping to point out to the associate behind the counter the obvious lack of care...well, maybe I don't want to go to that extreme... If you have a way to thank your customers let me know, I'd love to hear about it and if you'd like, I'll post it in a future entry.

Thank you for reading.