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Category Archives: Advertising
The Cost of Producing a Website Video
There is a very good article in the most recent issue of InBusiness Magazine about “The Online Video Phenomenon.” The article does a nice job presenting the emergence of online video as a powerful marketing tool as well as providing businesses with some things to consider if they are thinking about creating video content for their website. In this blog posting, I wanted to touch on one of the topics in the article where they discuss the cost of producing an on-line video: “Overall, the cost of producing videos in high definition can range from $500 per finished minute to $3,000 and up per finished minute, depending on variables like … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Website Design
How is Printer Ownership Like Pool Ownership?
Every once in a while we get thrown for a little printer loop. This time we were prepared because we had our trusty new printer selection algorithm to help us. The loop in question was that often the needs of a customer do not equate with the dollar amount that a customer is willing or able to spend. Naturally not everyone considers a new office machine to be an investment. I would counter that if you are looking to replace a machine that has lasted 10 years with little issue than it may be possible to look toward investing in another machine with a similar lifespan. That machine will likely … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Print Design
Sticky Prints by Dan Dettman
Wells Print and Design Services offers a number of ways to print leave-behind materials with friends, customers, and colleagues. As fall sporting seasons move on, a printed schedule is still the preferred way to look up the home team’s opponent and game time. Wells is able to print magnet schedules or static cling schedules on the new wide format press. Printing a company logo along the hometown’s team creates a subtle customer loyalty piece. An office or home refrigerator may be the place to keep your logo in front of customers from the beginning of fall into winter. Along with refrigerator magnets, car magnets are a non-permanent approach to promote … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Print Design
Website Trends from Tingalls Graphic Design
Tingalls Graphic Design has seen the web play a more important part in our business and in yours over the years. Web design is one of those ever changing fields that is often dictated by trends and public demand and acceptance. While some trends are absolutely spot on and important for the evolution of your website, others are exactly the opposite and can turn off your target audience. And some trends are just like fashion; your look doesn’t affect performance, but your customers may find you outdated. We’ve looked at our web design projects for the last few years and made note of a few … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Search Engine Optimization, Website Design
Direct Mail Brings Home Charitable Donations
Charitable causes that aren’t reaching out to their donors through social media and direct mail may want to reconsider their fundraising efforts. A recent study from Campbell Rinker found that a direct mail appeal for donations was more than three times likely to receive an online gift as a response than an email was. The study also found that among donors that were aged 60 and above, online donations as a result of direct mail rose from 18% just two years ago to 30%, clearly showing that direct mail is hitting its target. Thirty percent of the younger set, donors under the age of 40, said that they contributed to … Continue reading
Posted in About Tingalls, Advertising, Email Marketing, Marketing
Are You Effectively Using Your Mobile Marketing Budget
The phone, or mobile device, has evolved so much that people now carry their photos, their calendars, their personal data with them at all times and constantly refer to it to stay connected with loved ones and the world around them. Obviously, this hasn’t gone unnoticed and marketing to people on mobile devices has become a huge business. In 2012 mobile ad spending in the United States is expected to hit $2.6 billion and by 2015 it’s predicted to be slightly less than twice that amount. But is this money being spent effectively? Many people are having a hard time adapting to this new technology and are approaching it as … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Email Marketing, Marketing, Tips
Localized Search Engine Optimization (LSEO)
Some of you may have noted that when you’re doing a Google search the results seem to be more localized. If you type the query “Mexican restaurant” into Google you’ll get results from your area, not from all over the country or the world. You may also be aware of Google Places; which is something to look into and sign your company up if you haven’t already. These small changes show that there is a larger change underfoot, the change to localized search engine optimization. For some companies this is very important, for others it’s not very important at all. If you’re a company that feels your location is important, … Continue reading
Why You Should Have a Professionally Designed Website
Let’s be completely honest for a minute, we often judge by appearances. Look at the old cliché…how many times have you actually selected a book because the cover looked interesting. Take it a step further, which cookbook is more likely to succeed, the one with a mouthwatering photo of a delectable delight or the one with a picture of cooking utensils. You get the picture (sorry – bad pun intended). So why wouldn’t you want to put your best foot forward when it comes to your first impression with potential customers on the internet? When appearances matter and your competition is just a mouse click away, having a professionally designed … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Search Engine Optimization, Website Design
How to Incorporate Social Media into a Print Campaign
A recent study by the Pivot Conference discovered that 37% of marketers plan to be more active in their social media campaigns in 2012. Why the push for social media? It appears as though people are beginning to grasp the benefits of a social media arm inside of their marketing strategy. There are a number of different ways to incorporate social media into your customer outreach programs but most of them are web based. How can you use your print marketing to boost your social media interaction? The easiest way to bring social media to your print materials is to include your social media information, Facebook web address, your Twitter … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Marketing, Networking Tips, Social Media Marketing, Tips
Website Must Haves
A website is the foundation of a good, solid online strategy and in today’s digital environment, having an online presence is almost necessary to reach buyers. But having a website and having an effective, quality website are two totally different things. As online marketing experts at HubSpot say, “a website needs to not just exist, it needs to perform.” Whether you are considering a new website or evaluating your existing website, there are some key elements every website should have that will attract viewers, inform, educate or entertain them, and eventually convert them into customers. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) The most appealing and useful website is worthless if no one … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Search Engine Optimization
Creating a Social Media Campaign for Trade Shows
A trade show is a major investment in time and money for a business, but it can also be one of the most valuable marketing opportunities around. The challenge is to really create an impression at the trade show so people remember your company and not your competitors (and your competition is probably just down the aisle). Social media can help you get a leg up on your competition and make a stop at your booth a must for all attendees. And, if done properly, the constant reinforcement of your company name and message on social media will make you more memorable. A social media marketing plan for a trade … Continue reading
Tips on Planning for a Tradeshow
Too many companies sign up for a tradeshow and then forget about it until a month before the show when they realize they’re going to need some material. Some companies don’t even put that much planning into it. To get the most out of a tradeshow and have the best attendee response you need to plan for the event. The first thing to remember is that a tradeshow is a marketing event and this means it needs to be treated like every other marketing event. You need to define your goals and then identify the metrics you will use to see if you’re meeting them. Then, it’s time to create … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Tips, Tradeshow Marketing
Social Media and Your Tradeshow
Remember the good old days of tradeshows; people approached your booth, you shook hands and met and exchanged business cards. Maybe you gave them a pen as a parting gift. Now, with social media you can virtually meet the person months before the tradeshow, become Facebook friends, create a business circle on Google+, share business contacts and tips on LinkedIn, give them a virtual video tour of your company, and tweet them your every move; all before you meet in person. By the time the tradeshow rolls around you can have a customized business plan and contract waiting for them at the tradeshow. So how do you go from one … Continue reading
3 Key Components to a Good Logo Design
If you’re considering replacing your company’s logo or you’re trying to come up with your first logo design, there are three key components to a good logo design that will help you find a logo that best suits your company image. Simple Logos In a very practical sense, a complicated logo isn’t easy to reproduce. What may look great on a sheet of paper becomes a bit more blurry when printed on a small business card and suddenly resembles a smudge when printed on a pen. A complicated logo is also more difficult for your customers, current and potential, to remember. Think of the most famous logos that instantly pop … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Logo Design, Print Design
Outsourcing Can Increase Your Bottom Line
Have you ever considered outsourcing your marketing or design projects to a freelancer? Did you know it can actually increase your bottom line? By outsourcing, your business can continue marketing in tough economic times and avoid the expense and commitment of hiring additional staff. Remember, the best outsourcing arrangements are partnerships. Ideally at Tingalls Graphic Design, we work with you, not for you. It’s a win-win relationship for both of us. As a business owner and/or decision-maker, consider the following benefits of outsourcing: Controlled Costs Cutting costs may not be the only reason to outsource, but it’s definitely a big one. By outsourcing, money is more readily available for use in … Continue reading
The Importance of Font
You put a lot of thought into your company colors, the images or icons you’ll use to represent your company, the placement of elements on your website and print materials, but did you stop to consider the font style you’d use to convey your message? Font selection is just as important, if not more important, than all of the other elements combined. The wrong font and your company message (or even the name) could be confusing, even downright unreadable. Sometimes the font choice is pretty obvious, a construction firm won’t be represented well by a font that looks like a calligraphy master created it. Likewise, a wedding planner probably won’t … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Branding, Logo Design, Print Design, Website Design
Do You Need a Logo?
A quick search on Google and you’ll find a number of graphic design and marketing companies give you lists of reasons why you need a company logo. BUT not everyone needs a logo. Having a little mark that symbolizes your company is sort of cool and a lot of people just simply want one, but how do you decide if you actually need one or not. The first thing you need to do is ask yourself why do you need a logo. There are no set rules to determine if you need a logo but a basic review of your company, your customers, your competition and your market may help … Continue reading
Posted in Advertising, Logo Design, Marketing
Branding vs. Logo
Before comparing branding and logos let’s take a step back and define what each element is. A logo is a symbol that consumers can quickly recognize as belonging to a business, product(s) or service(s). A brand is an idea or an impression that consumers have, branding is attaching that idea to your business. Branding also consists of the overall image you portray via your business cards, website and additional marketing materials. For example the “golden arches” of McDonald’s is iconic and just the sight of that big rounded yellow M makes you think of the restaurant. But the company’s brand is the impression it brings to mind, which for most … Continue reading
Posted in About Tingalls, Advertising, Branding, Logo Design