Americans Spend Half of Their Spare Time Online

MediaPost reports that "according to Netpop I Play, a new report from Media-Screen, broadband users spend an hour and 40 minutes (48% of their spare time) online in a typical weekday, and more than half of that is spent accessing activities related to entertainment and communication.

"Josh Crandall, managing director of Media-Screen, says "Many broadband consumers go online for entertainment, and to talk about entertainment with other fans. Marketers need to leverage that interest..."

The report indicates search engines and social networking sites are gaining in popularity. And only two online media activities, sending email and visiting Web sites for personal reasons are more important than watching TV.

For more information, please visit Media-Screen

Image is Everything

I'm working with Chesed Dog and Cat Rescue as we redesign their website. Part of the site is being managed by volunteers who post the animals available for adoption, the new posts to the Blog and info about current events.

One of the volunteers questioned why some of the animals chosen to appear on the site are so sad looking. "We should have happy dogs so people will adopt them," she suggested.

A website promoting dog and cat adoption is marketing a message; These animals will suffer and might even die if homes are not found. We want people to feel sorry for them. A plaintive face behind a cage is a lot more compelling than a cuddly puppy safe in a rescuer's arms.

Selecting images for a website or a Blog should be done with as much care as the words you choose. Think about the overall message and complement the photos accordingly.