06-06-2007, 10:33 AM | #1 | |
Grand Sorcerer
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Shelf Awareness article: Getting a Read on Digital Reading
Shelf Awareness presents an optimistic article on Digital Reading, including comments by Bill McCoy of Adobe Systems, Dan Albohn of Sony, Willem Endhoven of iRex Technologies, and Brent Lewis of Harlequin Books.
Each (understandably) addresses a different area and perception of e-books: Adobe emphasizes getting the content out there; Sony is shooting for the right price to make e-books popular, and wants the reader not to associate e-books with "just computer and cell phone screens"; iRex echoed the "content is king" idea, downplaying specific devices; and Harlequin reminded everybody that e-books aren't just dominated by "the nerds," that female romance readers are the fastest growing segment, and emphasized letting the customers pick favorite formats. They saved the best quote for last: Quote:
Read the article here. Thanks to Rita Toews for pointing me to this article! Last edited by Steven Lyle Jordan; 06-06-2007 at 10:37 AM. |
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06-06-2007, 02:53 PM | #2 | |
fruminous edugeek
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This quote was mind-boggling:
Quote:
I also thought it was funny that the Harlequin editor thought that the popular perception of ebooks is that they're for "geeks and kids" (emphasis mine). I can hardly find books for kids in ebook format. Publishers are notorious for not wanting to bother with them. |
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06-06-2007, 04:36 PM | #3 |
Addict
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"Sony is shooting for the right price to make e-books popular"
This IS Sony of the Connect store, right? Cognitive dissonance...hurting...my...brain... |
06-07-2007, 05:42 AM | #4 |
The Introvert
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06-07-2007, 08:32 AM | #5 |
Grand Sorcerer
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06-07-2007, 09:01 AM | #6 |
Reborn Paper User
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OT---(Off Topic)
@Steve I still think you should have stuck to your previous prices. Have your changes done some good or has the(possible) increase in traffic amounted to an identical result overall ? |
06-08-2007, 07:47 AM | #7 | |
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Quote:
Based on my evaluation of the situation, a lack of notoriety seems to be my biggest drawback... |
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06-08-2007, 07:57 AM | #8 | |
Delphi-Guy
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Quote:
Eric Flint talks about that problem. |
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06-08-2007, 11:02 AM | #9 |
Reborn Paper User
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This is a totally new market that offers no definite tools to operate. Internet is way too diffuse we need some kind of focusing tool to concentrate the relation between buyer and seller. Unfortunately the bigger outfits who have clout in this do not want to play ball fairly. It's dog eat dog. Tough to be a puppy! Even a cute one!
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06-08-2007, 06:55 PM | #10 |
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I agree with Flint's assessment of "invisibility" in an "opaque" market... and I agree that that is certainly my biggest hurdle, too. This is why viral marketing is such a popular tool these days... anything to raise you above the throng is worth it, no matter how inane. (And trust me, the day I come up with a good viral campaign, I'm using it, too!)
Most of his comments, of course, apply to authors who use e-books to augment print sales, which are assumed to be their main source of revenue. Therefore, when he recommends giving away electronic copies, he isn't providing for revenue for us purely electronic authors. However... based on his theories, regular deals and "sales" to help get your books disseminated might be worthwhile. I'll have to give some thought to maybe a rotating selection of "monthly freebie" books, or something of that nature. Of course, the word still has to get out that they're there... |
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