It was in December of last year when I began to feel the strong tug of needing a new website for The Madera Tribune. I had received many emails from website developers who noticed we needed work on our web presence and were willing to help.
I deleted a lot of emails from salespeople who were trying to sell us a new website. However, there was one developer that seemed to surface for me. The name of the company was Workingarts Marketing, Inc.
I wasn’t sure at first why I was drawn to research this company. I think it was because I began to realize how desperately the Tribune needed a better website. So, I began saving the emails from various developers.
When I got to one from Workingarts, I found out they actually live in Madera and had worked with several business owners here. Most notably, the Madera Unified School District had used them to develop their website, and also to work on other projects with them.
I was interested. However, I was concerned about what it would cost to have a company of this caliber to help us. It sounded expensive, and I could not responsibly agree to a high-cost project the Tribune could not afford.
Nevertheless, I contacted Workingarts Marketing. We scheduled a meeting, and the owners, Fredo and Renee Martin, came to the Tribune, prepared to give me information on what they could do for us. They made a good presentation, but I continually asked the “cost” question, which they ignored.
We emailed back and forth a few times for some clarifications, and they put together a plan. When I received the proposal, I choked, telling them we could not do it.
Several discussions later, I signed a contract with them.
I do not regret it.
This couple, Fredo and Renee, have worked with us for the past six months. They began by getting to know who we were, how we worked together, and what we cared about. The time spent with them has been filled with information and direction, some disagreements and some laughter. They’ve made suggestions we had never considered, and some we may never do, but they have inspired us in many ways.
On the fourth of July, the new website was launched, maderatribune.com. It was different. It was Madera. It was the Tribune. It was us.
I hope you will visit the new website, and enjoy what you see there. It has taken a lot of hard work on the part of the Martins, and for us. We had to think a bit differently. We are still adjusting, and we know a few things we did not know before.
The Martins are still working with us, not only with the website, but also with our social media. They have become part of The Madera Tribune because they believe in what we are doing. They attend our meetings. We are in contact with them nearly every day, and they “have our backs.”
It is a pleasure working with Fredo and Renee. They’ve been good for us. They care about us, as they do for all the others who work with them.
If you are looking for a website developer, or a company to help you with your online presence, I would strongly suggest checking out Workingarts Marketing, Inc. You can find their ad on The Madera Tribune’s website. Remember: maderatribune.com.
Thank you for supporting your local community newspaper, The Madera Tribune!
— Mi amor para todos,
Nancy
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“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”
— 1 Thessalonians 5:11