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It’s only partly a Minnesota theme this time. What can I say?

First, Target (picture courtesy of this Flickr photo of a 20 x 20 ad at Times Square):

Jason DeRusha covered the story as this snow angel ad winds up being dedicated to promote winter active wear. Some didn’t see this as a snow angel, but more of a girl’s crotch on Target’s bullseye at Times Square.

Amy Jussel and Lisa Ray from Parents for Ethical Marketing (from the Twin Cites) definitely have something to say. My first impression wasn’t that it was a “spread eagle” pose, but can definitely understand that others took it that way.

This is a debate in itself, but Ed Kohler gives some good input regarding this. It’s a very informative post, yet provides so much laughter it will make you cry (scroll down to see his own Target ads).

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PPC Advertising – the Yahoo Search Marketing blog provides the three biggest mistakes regarding using their search marketing (PPC) platform. The three mistakes they list are:

1) The Rank Amateur Error
2) The Traffic Report Error
3) The 24/7 Sales Pitch Error

The bottom line is to track your conversions and to make sure your site is worthy of it.

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Thinking of checking out domains to buy? Don’t do it with Network Solutions.

Bill Hartzer shows how Network Solutions automatically registers domains after you search for one to buy. Then, they get to sell it to you for a premium. Pretty sweet.

Example, I just checked out pauljahnsucks.com at Network Solutions:

I’ll check the same availability on GoDaddy now:

Go figure. 30 seconds later, it’s now unavailable.

There’s a reason for the above picture, really.

It’s a picture of the Hertz Music Hall at Central Washington University. Back in the day, I knew it all too well.

Hertz Hall is the place I took the majority of college classes, one being Music History taught by (now retired) Professor Eric Roth. After reviewing an essay/report, he singled me out in front of the class stating something like this:

“Paul, if you plan to graduate college, you should really improve your writing skills.”

It was years ago, it was embarrassing, but I absolutely thank Dr. Roth. I’m not a professional writer, but like to think the skills have improved since then.

With that said, Dean from Speaking Freely writes a post labeled Never Use a Large Word when a Diminutive (small) One Will Suffice. Example: “fabricated” = “lied”.

I’m looking at a client document for the FT job I presented this morning. It includes words such as “utilized”, “purchase”, and “query”. I’m thinking “use”, “buy”, and “question” may have been better words.

Barb, or anyone else, any thoughts?