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5 Ideas for Keeping an ‘Attitude of Gratitude’ All Year Long

If you’ve ever walked down a kindergarten in November, chances are you’ve seen cutout paper turkeys on the walls. The bird’s body is the child’s handprint, splayed out so all five fingers give “Tom” a head, torso, and feathers. Additional “feathers” made from construction paper might be affixed to the backside so that “Tom” now is a bit more colorful and robust. On the feathers you’ll see scribblings for what that child is grateful such as “Mommy”, “Daddy”, “strawberries” or “earthworms”. Thanksgiving is the holiday when our thoughts turn to gratitude. We may even feel inspired to take stock while we celebrate with family and friends. But then – as […]

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Posted in About Tingalls, Tips

3 Reasons Why Image Names Are Crucial for Website Search Engine Optimization

“A picture is worth a thousand words”. That may be, but within Google’s search engine a picture only needs as few as four words to translate into thousands of clicks and potentially sales dollars for a business.   For example: Say you own a bakery in Madison and you make the best chocolate chip cookies. You’re updating your online store with a picture of fresh-from-the-oven creations, which you just snapped with your smartphone. The phone automatically labels the image “IMG1823.jpg”, because that’s the generic file name phones use. How many customers are searching for “IMG 1823” when they’re seeking a local bakery for chocolate chip cookies? Zero.  Instead, you should rename […]

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Posted in Advertising, Search Engine Optimization, Tips, Website Design

Consistency: Your Key to Social Media Success

We all know the old saying: “out of sight, out of mind.” This is especially true for small business owners trying to break out from the crowd. If your potential customers don’t see you, how will they know you exist? Love it or hate it, social media is the easiest way to get your brand noticed without spending big bucks on advertising. When it comes to social media marketing, consistency is key. This means both consistency in how often you post content as well as consistency in your brand’s tone and style. Committing to a regular social media strategy not only helps create a better customer experience but it also […]

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Posted in Marketing, Social Media Marketing, Tips

Benefits of Supporting Women-Owned Small Businesses

Happy Women’s History Month! As a woman-owned and staffed small business, Tingalls understands first-hand how important it is to support other women-owned businesses. Here are five reasons to support women-owned small businesses in your community. Small business owners care about the people in the neighborhoods they serve. Building relationship with local small business owners means you can expect more personalized customer service that often goes above and beyond your expectations. Money spent at local businesses stays in the community. When you make a purchase from a small business, you are supporting a family in your community rather than lining the pockets of some executive at a big box store. Studies […]

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Posted in About Tingalls, Tips

Save Time & Money: Hire a Designer!

Good logo design requires creative expertise. It can be tempting to purchase a cheap design from an online logo maker, especially when you’re starting a new business and on a tight budget. But these designs tend to be very generic and there is a high probability that another business will be using the same logo. Investing in a quality logo design for your brand right from the start will save you time and money in the long run. A graphic designer will be able to work with you to determine what sets your business apart from your competitors. Equipped with this knowledge your designer will be able to craft a […]

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Posted in Branding, Graphic Design, Logo Design, Print & Package Design, Tips

Planning Your Start-Up’s Marketing Strategy

“How do I market my business?” This is a question I’m often asked by start-up business owners, and I’m always surprised to hear that they think I can give them a simple, one-size-fits-all approach to successful marketing. The honest answer is, “it depends.” There are many factors that play into my recommendations for an effective marketing plan. Determining the business’ unique selling proposition in the marketplace, their goals, and their realistic budget are all key components of a successful marketing strategy. At Tingalls, we dig deep to learn about our clients so we can tailor their marketing to the specific needs of their business. What makes you special? Identifying your […]

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Posted in About Tingalls, Marketing, Start-ups, Tips

I Received a Negative Google Review, Now What?

Since humans first started buying and selling goods and services, people have felt the need to provide “constructive feedback” to business owners – both positive and negative. Before the internet, criticism came in the form of letters, emails, or disgruntled customers at your front door. With the evolution and permanency of social media platforms like Google, Yelp, and Facebook, reviews now influence 80% of consumers’ online purchasing decisions. Other staggering statistics from the website ReviewTrackers, show you shouldn’t ignore reviews if you want to stay in business: 94% of consumers say that a bad review has convinced them to avoid a business 53% of customers expect businesses to respond to […]

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Posted in Social Media Marketing, Tips

5 Ways to Improve Your Business Page on Facebook

It’s no secret the goal of Facebook is to offer its users a customized, meaningful experience. They use a complex algorithm that decides what users see in their news feed based on many different aspects of their behavior. It calculates what they click on, who they’re friends with, and the type of Facebook Business Page or group they choose to follow. While Facebook hasn’t provided a precise definition of what makes a “meaningful experience,” it’s safe to say that users are increasingly favoring posts that encourage interaction, discussion, and engagement. What does this mean for you? This means that your business Facebook page should listen as well as speak to […]

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Posted in Tips

3 Rules for Effective Logo Design

Your logo is more than just a visual on a page. It’s an essential part of your company’s identity. An artistically balanced logo design should not only attract attention but create a fantastic first impression. When done well, your company logo will pull together the many aspects of your business identity and start a conversation with your customers and clients. Since you only get one chance to make a first impression, getting your logo right is critical. The following three simple rules will help make your logo stand out from the rest. 1. Make sure your logo has scalability Your logo needs to be able to be scaled up or […]

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Posted in Tips

10 Questions You MUST Ask Before Hiring a Graphic Design Firm

Finding the right professional for your next design project doesn’t mean you have to be super creative yourself. It just means you have to know the right questions to ask to find the best designer for you – someone who will click with your team and your company. Here are some questions to help you discover if the design firm you’re considering has the conceptual and collaborative skills, attitude, and the design mojo, to be a part of your creative team. 1. How long have you been in business? A firm that has been in business for a long time will likely know the ins and outs of marketing. Experience […]

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Posted in Tips

Can Your Web Design Pass the Five Second Test?

You know the saying; you never get a second chance to make a first impression. It’s logic that also applies to your company’s website. Wouldn’t you like to know right away people’s first impression when they hop onto it? Luckily, there’s a short test (five seconds short to be exact) that can do just that. The five-second test is a method that’s easy to conduct without a lot of setup and gives you valuable results fast. Acting on the results this logical method offers could be the difference between an engaged audience that goes on to gather more information on your website or one that bounces off to another site […]

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Posted in Branding, Tips, Website Design

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