MABC Blog

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:  1/9/2024

Tingalls Graphic Design, a leader in creative graphic design and digital solutions, proudly announces its 10th consecutive year of recognition by InBusiness Magazine’s Executive Choice Award for website development services. This achievement celebrates the company’s unwavering dedication to superior digital solutions serving the diverse and dynamic businesses of Madison.

Now in its 24th year, Tingalls has established itself as a small yet mighty design firm, successfully launching over 50 websites in 2023 alone. This includes a beautiful new online presence for Badger Prairie Needs Network (www.bpnn.org), a vital non-profit tackling food insecurity in Dane County. For Dane Dental (www.danedental.com), a business known for its welcoming approach to dental care, Tingalls developed a website that perfectly showcases its extensive in-house services. And lastly, the firm’s collaboration with Top Pop Fundraising (www.toppop-fundraising.com) resulted in a whimsical and engaging website, reflecting their innovative approach to fundraising. These projects exemplify the versatility of Tingalls’ creative design team and their commitment to capturing the unique brand and mission of each client.

“At Tingalls, our design process is engaging, stress-free, and fun,” said Tara Ingalls, owner. “This award also affirms that our designs are not just visually stunning but also SEO-savvy, ensuring they’re as effective as they are visually appealing.”

“Tara and her team provided our company with outstanding work in creating our new website www.teamstercenter.com. Our website stands as a testament to Tingalls Graphic Design’s skills and commitment to delivering high-quality design solutions. The site showcases a seamless integration of functionality and aesthetics, providing an intuitive user experience while maintaining a visually captivating appeal. Throughout the design process my staff and I were very impressed by the level of expertise, creativity, and professionalism demonstrated by the Tingalls team; especially when it came to communication and collaboration. Their dedication to understanding our needs and exceeding our expectations was evident at every stage of the project,” noted Andy Johnson, Fund Administrator for Teamster Center Services Fund.

As Tingalls celebrates this significant milestone, the team extends heartfelt gratitude to the Madison business community for their continued support and trust.

Learn more at www.tingalls.com.

As we look ahead towards 2024, most business owners take a quick look back to take into account all the accomplishments and achievements that you, your company and your customers achieved over the past year.

We also look ahead to the new year to think and plan about what goals, opportunities and achievements lie directly before us. 

If you’ve never worked with an independent, professional before to get a non-biased perspective related to helping you achieve your goals this could be the time.

Madison Area Business Consultants brings over 60 experienced professionals to you to help you achieve your goals and overcome any obstacles that might be in the way.

We have experts from every discipline in business.  Click here to start your journey towards getting some professional consultation from experts that matter the most. https://madisonconsultants.com/sys/website/?pageId=18162

Tara Ingalls embodies the spirit of the Walter Jankowski Award through her active engagement within MABC. Her unwavering willingness to contribute, whether it's lending her talents, time, or resources, has significantly impacted our organization. Tara's dedication shines brightly, from spearheading updates to our website to participating in authoring within Vol 1 and Vol 2 of We Wish We Had Known, to her enthusiastic hosting of our book launches. Congratulations once again to Tara and heartfelt gratitude to all nominees for their invaluable contributions to MABC

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Established by the MABC Board of Directors in 2022, the award honors the legacy of former member Walter Jankowski who passed away suddenly in 2021. While he specialized in process improvement, metrics, and change management, Walter will be remembered for the gracious way he volunteered his time. And for the unforgettable joy he exhibited when sharing his knowledge and mentoring others.

By Mary Helen Conroy

So, you've got this big dream of writing and publishing a book, but it feels as daunting as eating an elephant, right? Well, fear not! Getting your thoughts and ideas out of your head and into the world is entirely doable, and it starts with taking small, manageable steps.

Think of your dream book as that enormous elephant. Trying to devour it in one gulp is overwhelming. Instead, break it down into bite-sized pieces. Start with an outline, then tackle one chapter at a time. Before you know it, you'll have devoured that elephant-sized project, and your book will be a reality.

Getting your thoughts on paper is a powerful act. Remember, books are not just ink on paper; they're ripples of ideas you send out into the universe. Your words have the potential to make a real difference in someone's life. Whether it's a novel that transports readers to a different world or a self-help guide that helps people overcome obstacles, your book can be a source of inspiration, knowledge, or comfort.

So, how do you start? Begin by setting aside dedicated time each day to write, even if it's just 15 minutes. Those small, consistent efforts add up over time. Write about what you're passionate about, what excites you, and what you believe will resonate with readers.

Don't worry about perfection in the early stages; it's more important to get your ideas down on paper. You can always revise and polish it later. Find a writing routine that works for you, whether it's early in the morning, late at night, or during your lunch break. Consistency is key.

Once you've written your book, the publishing process can seem like another daunting elephant. But again, break it down into manageable steps. Research publishing options, whether it's traditional publishing or self-publishing, and seek guidance from fellow authors or professionals in the industry. If you want help, just let me know.

Remember, every book starts as a collection of thoughts and ideas in someone's head. By taking small, deliberate steps and persevering through the process, you can turn those thoughts into a book that makes a real difference in the world. So, grab your fork and knife (or, in this case, your pen and paper) and start eating that elephant, one delicious bite at a time. Your dreams are worth it!

I love making dreams come true. Let’s talk about your elephant. Contact me today at maryhelenconroy@gmail.com

About the Author:

Mary Helen Conroy is your go-to source for inspiration, reinvention, and literary adventures! As an accomplished three-book author, she's got the storytelling chops to inspire you. But that's not all – Mary Helen's own journey of reinvention has been spotlighted in the Huffington Post, Wisconsin Public Radio, and on various podcasts. She's earned the nickname "Midwife for Midlife" for her exceptional knack for guiding people through transformative life shifts. When the pandemic rolled in, Mary Helen pivoted her focus to help folks bring their book dreams to life. Since 2020, she's coached and published an impressive 17 authors. With her company, "Life's a Daring Adventure," Mary Helen's on a mission to remind everyone that age is just a number – there are endless adventures waiting, and you're far from done!

Feel free to check out my LinkedIn Page for Further Information: LinkedIn - Mary Helen Conroy

Website: www.lifesadaringadventure.com

Speaking Opportunity for MABC Members

MABC member, Stuart Fields, was recently contacted by the International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) and was asked to share potential speaking opportunities for their organization.

The IDDBA membership includes more than 1500 companies ranging from small independents to the world’s largest corporation, and one of their activities is to bring expertise to their members from experts in the industry through webinars.

They are looking for possible Webinar presenters to give educational/business presentations (30-45 minutes) on a topic relevant to the industry; attendees to the webinars include c-suite to line-level managers. The According to the formal request:

“Presentations should be educational in nature and should be brand agnostic. We are not looking for a sales presentation; however, you would note your affiliation at the beginning of the presentation to establish your expertise and you would provide your contact information at the end so that the audience knows how to seek out your services. The live webinars are free to the public and there is no financial exchange involved, but you get the opportunity to connect with the audience. We can share the registrants’ contact information with you as well.”

If an MABC member is interested in collaborating with the IDDBA on a Webinar topic, please contact Stuart Fields, and he will share contact information and any additional background on the request.

By Tara Ingalls, Owner Tingalls Graphic Design

Becoming a guest author in our blog has three main benefits since only members can post articles:

1. Expanded Reach and Exposure for MABC: Guest blogging allows you to tap into a new and potentially larger audience. When you contribute content to the MABC website, you expose your work to their established readership.

2. Building Authority and Credibility: Publishing guest posts can enhance your reputation as an authority within your field. When you share valuable insights, expertise, and well-researched content, you position yourself as a knowledgeable and credible source.

3. SEO Benefits and Backlinks: Lastly, articles will make a positive impact your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. When you include relevant links back to your own blog within your guest posts, you create valuable backlinks. Backlinks from reputable websites signal to search engines that your content is credible and worth ranking higher in search results.

Below is a collection of resources and tips to help guide you as you write your article.

Brainstorming Topics/Titles

Below are tools to help brainstorm topics for your blog articles:

https://answerthepublic.com/ - Get Instant, raw search insights, direct from the minds of your customers

Google.com - In the search field, begin typing your industry's keywords and see what Google fills in as suggestions
* TIP: once you get search results, look for the "People Often Ask" section of search results for FAQs

5 Great Blog Topics You Can Use Today (Tingalls blog article)

Popular Blog Article Formats

• How-tos: "How to Boost Your Productivity in 5 Simple Steps."
• Listicles: "10 Tips for Healthy Eating" or "7 Ways to Improve Your Writing Skills."
• Questions: "Are You Making These Common Marketing Mistakes?"
• Problem-Solution: "Struggling with Insomnia? Try These 5 Natural Remedies."
• Comparisons: "WordPress vs. Squarespace: Which Website Platform is Right for You?"
• Personal Stories: "How I Overcame My Fear of Public Speaking and Became a Confident Presenter."
• Behind-the-Scenes: "A Day in the Life of a Digital Nomad: Working and Traveling.

Imagery/Photos

My opinion is that original, non-stock photos are best but if you need to use stock, you can find free images at Unsplash.com or paid stock images at istockphoto.com. Before uploading images with your article, be sure you rename the files from their stock name, i.e. "IMG_08383.jpg" to something more keyword-rich like "tingalls-graphic-design-website-tips.jpg"

Structuring Your Copy

To ensure your blog is SEO-friendly and ranks well in search results, it's important to structure it effectively. As far as length, some content marketing experts suggest that 1500-2000 words are the ideal length of a blog post. However, many companies and brands stick to shorter blog length guidelines (500-750 words) to honor a specific element of their marketing strategy.

Below are the essential sections to include in your website blog:

1. Compelling & Keyword-Rich Title - Craft an attention-grabbing title for your blog posts that contain relevant keywords. Compelling "problem-solving" headlines not only improve readability but also help search engines understand the content hierarchy. Remember, the headline you write should summarize the content of the article and resonate with your target audience.

2. High-Quality Content - Create well-researched, original, and valuable content that addresses your audience's needs. Focus on a specific topic and provide comprehensive information. Subheadings should be used to help to break-up long sections of copy and can also allow for quick skimming by the reader. Incorporate relevant keywords naturally into your content. Research keywords using tools like Google Keyword Planner to identify terms with high search volume and low competition.

3. Add a Clear Call to Action - In the conclusion, add a clear and relevant calls to action that guides readers on the next steps. Whether it's signing up for a newsletter, downloading a resource, or leaving a comment.

4. Author's Bio - Since this is a blog article for our MABC website, include a short paragraph about you as the author with a headshot and relavent links to your website and/or social media accounts.

By structuring your website blog with these sections in mind, you'll not only create a user-friendly experience but also enhance our organization's SEO efforts.

Email me (Tara) your blog and imagery and I'll get it scheduled to post on our website!

https://youtu.be/zlDmYkeQpVQ Elon Musk On Success

There are many pathways to success.  Making a commitment to yourself, your career and your customers requires dedication and commitment.  What are you committed to?  At what level?

Click Here To Watch the Video Presentation
Madison Area Business Consultants is proud to present How to Get the Appointment with John Russell of The Business Source LLC and Gap Selling presented by Bob McDonald of Midwest Sales Consultants.  If you are needing help to increase your sales here's a great one hour program to help you gain momentum towards increased sales success.

Enjoy Walters great talent and passion for helping others succeed in business.