...and windowing reduces them.
(Among other observations.)
http://dearauthor.com/ebooks/let-the-tail-wag-the-dog/
Quote:
Windowing, on the other hand, had no measurable increase in sales according to Dr. Hu and Dr. Smith.
We find that delaying the release of ebooks causes in an insignificant change in overall hardcover sales but a significant decrease in ebook sales, total sales, and likely total revenue and profit to the publisher.
The scholars determined that the reduction of digital sales overall was the result of a loss of marketing buzz:
This result is consistent with Elberse and Eliashberg (2003)’s finding that delaying the release of movies in international markets compared with the release in U.S. market reduces such movies’ box office in international markets, mainly because of the loss of marketing buzz.
While windowing the digital book after the print book release, it appears that the reverse is not true and that an early digital release can lead to increased print sales.
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Interestingly enough, Hollywood *has* taken notice of the quoted effect (and the link between international movie piracy and windowed releases): the generally poorly reviewed BATTLESHIP was released internationally weeks ago, gathering a couple hundred million worth of SFX-driven revenue, before it hits the US and vanishes shortly thereafter.
Similarly, the not-at-all-poor AVENGERS *also* raked in several hundred million in international revenue before doubling its take in its US launch. So it's not just plotless lightshow SFX movies than can benefit by reversing the traditional launch windows to minimize piracy and maximize "buzz".
Expect to see more simultaneous world releases.
Especially noteworthy summation:
Quote:
Eric Simonoff, a literary agent at Janklow & Nesbit Associates, said that whenever he discusses the book industry with people in other industries, “they’re stunned because it’s so unpredictable, because the profit margins are so small, the cycles are so incredibly long, and because of the almost total lack of market research.”
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All things that other industries see as *bad management*. Hmmm...
Lots of other interesting nuggets and links in there.