| What We’ve Learned in Sandwich …and why the new 2026 Earthly Comforts Loyalty Programme is our most sustainable one yet |
| The new styled Earthly Comforts A5 Window Poster will have its own QR Code for 2026 linked directly to the website. |
| Since 2023, the A5 window poster has been one of Earthly Comforts’ simplest but most effective community-support tools. It began as a small initiative to help our young business grow in a town where reputation, continuity, and visibility matter. And for the most part, it worked beautifully. You’d be surprised how many clients first heard of us while passing an A5 poster in a neighbour’s window. In compact residential zones and busier walking routes, the posters have always been a quiet but powerful form of hyper-local advertising. But as with everything, time has revealed both strengths and limitations — and as Earthly Comforts has grown, so has the need to evolve our reward structure. This article explains what we’ve learned, why we’re moving forward with a new loyalty system in 2026, and how this shift supports both our clients and the sustainability of our business. |
| The Strengths of the A5 Window Poster When placed in the right location, the poster delivers real value — not only to Earthly Comforts, but also to the local economy and the clients who display it. ✔ Hyper-local visibility Garden services are overwhelmingly chosen based on trust, local presence, and recommendation. Posters quietly reinforce all three. ✔ Social proof When someone sees several posters in a neighbourhood, it signals reliability — a “this gardener is trusted around here” effect. ✔ Supports a circular, community-led approach The poster programme has always helped keep our business rooted in Sandwich. It acts as a bridge between clients, neighbours, and our wider presence in the town. |
| But Posters Have Limitations — Especially in “Hidden” Areas As we expanded, a clear pattern emerged. Not all street placements perform equally. ❌ Low footfall = low visibility Some clients live on quiet cul-de-sacs, private drives, or tucked-away residential corners. These areas receive little to no natural foot traffic, meaning posters do not generate meaningful exposure. ❌ Windows not visible from the road A poster is only effective when it can be seen. Many properties simply don’t have clear roadside-facing windows. ❌ Fairness concerns Clients in high-visibility locations unintentionally advertised more for us …while clients in low-visibility areas received the same reward for vastly unequal benefits. We also found that clients in high-visibility zones contributed noticeably more to brand awareness and new enquiries — something that needed to be recognised in a more proportionate way. |
| A Look Back: The Old Reward Systems (2023–2025) We’ve tried a few programmes since Earthly Comforts first launched, including: ● 10% off every monthly bill This worked wonderfully for the first year, when we served only a very small client base. But as the business grew, the discount model became: financially unsustainable inconsistent with the real value gained from each poster unfairly weighted toward certain clients, depending on visibility and monthly spend Some clients understandably miss this older system — discounts are always appealing — but as external business costs continue to rise (fuel, insurance, eco-tool replacements, waste disposal, labour, and regulatory compliance), we simply can’t subsidise those margins the way we could in our start-up stage. The business has matured, and with growth comes the need for a reward system that is fair, sustainable, stable, and scalable. |
| Introducing: The 2026 Earthly Comforts Loyalty Programme After three years of reviewing what works (and what doesn’t), we’re excited to introduce a new loyalty structure designed for fairness, clarity, and long-term sustainability. The Tick System A simple, universal system where each action earns small “tick values” that can be redeemed for rewards. ✔ 1 tick = £0.50 ✔ 20 ticks = £10 reward No complications, no percentages, no confusing tiers. You earn ticks by: 1 tick per garden visit Predictable, fair, and works across all garden sizes. 3 ticks per month for displaying an A5 poster This acknowledges the actual value of genuine visibility. Less than the old 10% system — but far more sustainable in the long term. 6 ticks for each client referral Because word-of-mouth gardening is priceless. 1 Christmas tick A seasonal thank-you. Optional birthday/anniversary tick A warm gesture we may use from time to time. This new structure ensures: fair rewards financial stability equal opportunity across all clients a scalable framework that can grow with the business seamless integration with future offerings, including the Soil Builders Hub Membership, launching in late 2026 |
| Why We Chose the Tick System The tick system fixes every issue we encountered: ✔ Scales evenly as we grow One reward unit works for every client, regardless of how long they’ve been with us. ✔ Neutral across location Clients in low-footfall streets still earn poster ticks — but the value is now proportionate and financially realistic. ✔ Easy to track internally We now keep loyalty records in-house, ensuring clients don’t lose cards or forget to collect points. ✔ Supports eco-friendly, long-term planning As the business grows toward the Soil Builders Hub (our 2026 green-waste circular-economy initiative), the loyalty system will become an integral part of client engagement and rewards. |
| What This Means Going Forward Earthly Comforts is no longer a small start-up garden business. We now run a professional, eco-minded, multi-role gardening team with: Garden Butlers Trainee Garden Butlers Project Utility Butlers (supporting clearances + Soil Builders Hub) Registered waste-carrier services Seasonal and eco-centric garden care A two-page premium website A structured loyalty system And a more robust brand identity The rewards programme must reflect that growth. The A5 poster remains an important part of our community identity — but now sits within a loyalty system that is balanced, fair, and financially sustainable. |
| Final Thoughts The A5 window poster will always be part of the Earthly Comforts story — a symbol of shared community support that helped build your business from the beginning. But as Sandwich changes, and as your business grows into a premium Garden Butler service, your loyalty system needs to grow with it. The new tick-based system honours: loyalty fairness sustainability and the future of your eco-driven work It also gives clients more control over how they earn and redeem rewards — and creates a stable foundation for your upcoming Soil Builders Hub in 2026. A stronger business means better care for every garden — and every client. |
| Two Meaningful Ways to Redeem Your 20 Ticks One of the most important changes to our new loyalty programme is choice. Every time a client reaches 20 ticks, they can redeem them in one of two equally valuable ways: £10 Off Your Monthly Invoice A simple, practical reward for clients who prefer a direct saving on their garden care. It’s straightforward and instantly recognisable value, especially during a period when everyone is feeling the squeeze from rising living costs and higher taxation. A £10 Voucher for One of 19 Local Retailers in Sandwich For clients who want a little treat or who enjoy supporting local shops, this option turns loyalty into something that boosts the entire community. We partner with a range of independent retailers — cafés, homeware shops, lifestyle stores, gift boutiques, and more — so there’s always something enjoyable to choose. This dual-option reward system is designed to be fair, flexible, and genuinely appreciated, while also being sustainable for the business as Earthly Comforts continues to grow. |
Earthly Comforts 
I think you’re very business savvy Rory. It’s a great program and the incentives it gives are very attractive.
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Thanks Sadje.
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Most welcome my friend
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A ‘no fuss’ loyalty program is fab. I know I never could be bothered with those little cards you had to carry around. And a voucher for a local business is a great idea for the customer and the local businesses. You know what works best for you and your locale.
(On a personal level, and therefore of no importance, I can’t say I have ever paid much attention to window posters and would not engage with a QR code. I am more prone to picking up, and keeping, a business card I pick up at the register or a small flyer I can keep for reference. I’ve used these consistently over the years. I really, really like business cards LOL)
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Hi Grace, thank you – admittedly l have handed out more business cards in the last year than ever before. The posters work more as a behind the scenes but visually in your face if someone sees them whereas the cards over here have always been a secondary for businesses. But then also l am a true town gardener and l walk everywhere so more people see me and l now give out more business cards than say a tradesperson who drives everywhere and doesn’t meet people on the street.
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