Chimney Sweeps are Cleaning up!

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[2] Which means-whether they know it yet or not, and more and more people are discovering the fact every day-that an increasingly large percentage of this continent's population is destined to live with a steadily increasing risk of fires in their flues.

[3] Which just as surely means that anyone who can nip this growing danger in the bud is suddenly going to become very, very popular and is going to be very well rewarded starting now and continuing throughout the years ahead.

... FOR CHIMNEY SWEEPS!

And who is the most logical candidate to cash in on this burgeoning new demand? Who is the "anyone" most likely to become well rewarded for nipping the danger of flue fires in the bud? Why, a brand-new version of that fine old almost-mythical character of European folklore ... the chimney sweep. That's who!

And that's also exactly how today's new breed of sweep is bursting upon the scene . . . as a black suited, top hatted, dancing-on-the-roof reincarnation of the character Dick Van Dyke played in the movie, Mary Poppins. Or, to put it another way, as a modern-day version of the traditional 19th century European chimney sweep.

Laugh at this showmanship if you like, but the sweeps who've tried it recently here in the U.S. and Canada have found that the legendary "top hat and tails" outfit of their trade has rocketed them to success overnight. As one of the new and very dedicated young men in the trade says:

"By recreating the image of a 19th century sweep, we accomplish several important things. [1] We grab people's attention, thereby making it easier for us to tell them about the dangers of chimney fires. [2] We grab the media's attention, and the newspaper stories and TV features which result both help us spread the word about the hazard of flue fires and, just incidentally, makes our business grow by leaps and bounds. [3] Our image puts a little fun back into life. Stop and think. Who would you rather have clean your chimney: a 20th century serviceman wearing white coveralls and a baseball cap ... or a 19th century tradesman dressed up in top hat and tails? Hell, I've even had grown men go out of their way to shake my hand and pretty girls give me a kiss--just like something out of Mary Poppins --when they see my outfit. And [4] this simple little bit of imagery all adds up to a more lucrative operation for us. We attract people's attention, they feel good having us do a job for them, and-instead of begrudging us a reasonable fee for our services-they usually seem downright happy to pay for our work."

GOOD SWEEPS DELIVER THE GOODS

That same young man -- and every other "new breed" chimney sweep worthy of the name -- is also quick to point out that his "top hat and tails" image is just that. An image. Frosting on the cake. Gilding on the lily. A lot of fun as far as it goes ... but nothing in any way that should be considered a substitute for doing an important and worthwhile job in a craftsmanlike and highly professional manner.

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