Tips Archives - Page 8 of 8 - Tingalls Graphic Design

What’s so Special About Google’s First Page?

If you are new to search engine optimization, or are looking over an SEO proposal and deciding if it’s worth the expense, you might be tempted to consider whether it’s actually that big of a deal to show up on the first page of Google’s search listings anyway. Could it really make that much of a difference to a company just to show up a little more often on the Internet? Believe it or not, it could – and probably more than you think. That’s because the average searcher, and especially one who’s looking for a particular product or service, doesn’t spend a lot of time on each particular query. […]

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

What’s in a Business Card?

“Wow, now that’s a great business card!” If you haven’t heard this about yours, what are you missing? Business cards are an invaluable opportunity to leave a lasting impression of your organization in the hands of a new contact. They create first impressions, start conversations, express your professional personality and serve as a reference for the future. So, with all the value that can come from a business card, why are so many professionals still using the same tired white cards? Can you remember the last GREAT white business card you’ve seen? Here are a few tips to incorporate into your business cards to make them memorable and effective for […]

Posted in Branding, Networking, Print & Package Design, Tips

Effective Networking

When you attend a networking event, are you an effective listener? Do you have a great elevator pitch? By Tara Ingalls, owner Tingalls Graphic Design Below are just a few networking tips I’ve picked up the past few years to get the most out of your next event. 1. Bring Plenty of Business Cards. I’m always amazed how many people don’t bring enough or any business cards to a networking event. Your business card is your first impression and often the only way for someone to remember you in the stack of cards they leave the event with. 2. Listen. Whenever I meet someone new, I introduce myself and my […]

Posted in Networking, Tips

Value of Testimonials in your Marketing

Why are testimonials important on your website? Here’s what sales guru Jeffrey Gitomer has to say about the use of Testimonials in your marketing: “Testimonials are the only proof that your claims are valid. When you say it about yourself, it’s bragging, when they say it about you, it’s PROOF!” How true! When asking for testimonials from your customers, ask them to comment on something specific aside from price or general customer service. Ask them to comment on their first impression, follow-up, value-added services, what surprised them most about working with you, three adjectives to describe your experience, etc. These are the types of testimonials that make the most impact […]

Posted in Marketing, Print & Package Design, Tips

Tradeshow Dos & Dont's – A Tingalls Insider Exclusive

Exhibiting is a great way to increase awareness and create new leads for your business. Last night, Tingalls participated in the South Metropolitan Business Association’s Networking & Exhibit event at The Coliseum Bar in Madison, WI. Because we’re a small business, just like most of you reading this, we compiled this list of tradeshow do’s and don’ts from our experiences at the event. Don’ts: 1) Clutter with too many handouts – It makes you look unorganized. Attendees might infer that you’re trying to do too many things and not doing any of them well. Instead try to pick a few services the attendees might be interested in and concentrate on […]

Posted in Networking, Tips, Tradeshow Marketing

"Resolutions" too daunting? Try these New Year's "Intentions" instead.

Reposted from Rhonda Abrams, USA TODAY It’s that time again, time for New Year’s resolutions. You may be making a few resolutions for your personal life such as quitting smoking or losing weight. But what are your hopes and aspirations for your small business in 2011? How do you intend to make this year better for you as an entrepreneur? What are your small business New Year’s resolutions? Don’t like the idea of “resolutions?” My friend Connie lists “intentions” instead of “resolutions.” “What’s the difference?” I asked Connie. She explained that an intention is a direction — a course you set for yourself. You can’t fail at an intention; sometimes […]

Posted in Tips

12 Days of Christmas – Tingalls Style

On the 1st day of Christmas, Tingalls gave to me … ONE eye-catching logo! On the 2nd day of Christmas, Tingalls gave to me … TWO-sided informative business cards! On the 3rd day of Christmas, Tingalls gave to me … THREE colorful pieces of stationery! On the 4th day of Christmas, Tingalls gave to me … FOUR quarterly HTML email newsletters! On the 5th day of Christmas, Tingalls gave to me … FIVE Golden leads! On the 6th day of Christmas, Tingalls gave to me … SIX Professionally-designed panels in a tri-fold brochure! On the 7th day of Christmas, Tingalls gave to me … SEVEN Giving Tree Recipients! On the […]

Posted in Logo Design, Print & Package Design, Tips

K.I.S.S. Logo Design

By Tara Ingalls, Owner I was recently interviewed and asked to describe something that frustrates me in my job. That was a tough one. I had to actually think long and hard because I really love what I do and there are very few things that stress me out. I think the most common design faux pas is when I’m asked to add too many details to my client’s logo design. To explain further, let’s first breakdown the three areas of branding: 1. Logo Icon (think Nike’s swoosh or Target’s red target) 2. Company Name 3. Company Branding (all the photos, messages, graphics, colors, etc.) I think clients have a […]

Posted in Branding, Logo Design, Tips

Tingles vs. Tingalls

Doing some SEO research on my own company’s website today, I came across a design firm company called Tingle Design out of New Jersey. Just goes to show that you need to cover all areas of keyword search possibilities … especially when your company name is spelled uniquely.

Posted in About Tingalls, Tips, Website Design

10 Common Errors “Spell Check” Won’t Catch

Article by: Kaboodle.com via Shine from Yahoo. While we can rely on a spell checker to catch glaring errors, a computer can’t pick up on all careless mistakes, especially if the word could be correct in a different context. Often word misuse is our mistake. The English language is full of homonyms, or words that have different meanings but sound and look similar, which makes it easy to confuse proper usage. For instance, verbally, you might not even notice the difference between “your” and “you’re.” But in print, the error can lead the reader to perceive you as less intelligent than you are. For this reason, it’s important to spell […]

Posted in Tips

Words That Impact Your Business

By Sarah Sarbacker, Tingalls It’s simple; let your happy clients speak FOR you. They will be the best people to talk for your product or service, and the most believable! Testimonials-done right, can be incredibly useful when trying to get new business. Not only will it open the door to new clients, but also it will take the pressure off those who fear that a company is “bragging” or “tooting their horn” if you will. What Makes A Great Testimonial? 1) Specifics. Don’t stop at “they did a good job” or “the product made a difference in my life”. Really try to get the client to explain why the service […]

Posted in Print & Package Design, Tips, Website Design

Do you have PMS colors for your branding guidelines?

McDonald’s Golden Arches™, Coca-Cola’s red logo, IKEA’s signature blue and yellow logo—all of these companies and many more use color to maintain a consistent and readily identifiable image. But, how does a global company like McDonald’s ensure that their trademarked logo printed on packaging in Japan matches the color used on signage here in the US? Enter the Pantone® Matching System®, known to many as PMS or simply Pantone colors. First created in 1963 by Lawrence Herbert, the Pantone system has become the worldwide trusted source for the art and science of color. According to www.pantone.com, Herbert was “fascinated by the challenge of developing a universal color specification system.” He […]

Posted in Color, Logo Design, Print & Package Design, Tips

10 Business Building Tips

As you may know, Tingalls Design has grown solely by networking and word of mouth marketing. Below are some of my best kept secrets to help build your business. 1. Be seen as a pro. Write an article about your profession and submit it to your local newspaper or neighborhood association’s newsletter. 2. Vehicle Mobile advertising. Letter your vehicle’s bumper with your website address. 3. Join forces. Contact members of your power team; vendors you regularly do business with. You may have the same niche and can share client lists. 4. Exhibit. Showcase a new product or service at an upcoming tradeshow. 5. Be generous. Offer your services for free […]

Posted in Networking, Tips

How can I increase my website ranking?

A colleague of mine from a company that specializes in search engine optimization (SEO) said one of the most important searchable pieces of your website is actually in the title tag – the description that appears at the top of the window when you’re browsing. I recently changed mine to include logo design and website design in addition to graphic design and am seeing some results from doing so. As far as meta tags go, just because you have a keyword listed in your source code, if you don’t have it in your content, it’s basically dropped by search engines (i.e. google.com). It’s their way of weeding out sites that […]

Posted in Search Engine Optimization, Tips, Website Design

Tingalls Blog - Marketing Tips & Tricks