Does marketing influence your book purchases?

Moejoe · 05-11-2009, 10:31 PM

I don't pay much attention to the gender of an author, or for that matter much else. My reading decisions are based upon three or four seperate facets: Reccomendations from friends, the blurb on the jacket and cover design, and sampling the first few paragraphs of a book.

So this got me thinking about all those marketing ploys that we see out there. The reviews and reccomendations by other authors. The reviews by industry critics shown on the covers. The advertising (print mainly) campaigns.

I don't think I've read a book review in years (not by any official critic at least) and I can't say I've ever bought a book because it has another author on the cover reccomending that book (maybe an author introduction in some cases). And as far as prizes go...well I tend to shy away from a lot of fiction that is too highly praised (my suspicious nature, I suppose).

So my question to you is: Does marketing influence your book purchases?

desertgrandma · 05-11-2009, 11:37 PM

No.........I'm like you on this one......the subject matter has to interest me, and the blurb is way more informative and reliable than recommendations by celebrities or other authors. I can usually tell with the first few pages if its a "keeper" for me.

I have found this boards recommendations on a particular book especially helpful and on the mark.

But thats just me.

Andybaby · 05-12-2009, 01:36 AM

Recommendations on Library Thing
Summary of the book

very simple way to find new books

HappyMartin · 05-12-2009, 01:54 AM

If supplying a free book as a sampler is an example of marketing then yes. I frequently give free books a try as long as I can establish that the authors other books are available in the mobi format. If I like the free book I will purchase the others.

Peverel · 05-12-2009, 02:51 AM

I voted a maybe and this is why. I tend to find what I read almost by accident. I find a subject or genre/sub-culture and then look for books that reflect that (example - recently heard of a guy who builds steam powered robots - started to read The Difference Engine (steampunk)). However.......

I do look out for particular authors and subjects I enjoy, so if I am in the bookshop and see a huge display for a book in an area I like I am more likely to give that book a try and see if it works for me - hence the maybe

Sweetpea · 05-12-2009, 03:15 AM

For me, the cover is very important. And the synopsis you can find at the back of a book or website.

And word-of-mouth. If somebody I know thinks a book is good, I generally will read it, unless it's a genre I know I won't enjoy.

Oh, almost forgot: the title is also very important.

Dylrob · 05-12-2009, 03:37 AM

I cannot recall a single book purchase influenced by an ad. Of course I've rarely even seen such marketing material.

astra · 05-12-2009, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moejoe

the blurb on the jacket and cover design
sampling the first few paragraphs of a book.
The reviews and reccomendations by other authors.
The reviews by industry critics shown on the covers.
The advertising (print mainly) campaigns.

I don't think I've read a book review in years (not by any official critic at least) and I can't say I've ever bought a book because it has another author on the cover reccomending that book (maybe an author introduction in some cases). And as far as prizes go...well I tend to shy away from a lot of fiction that is too highly praised (my suspicious nature, I suppose).

So my question to you is: Does marketing influence your book purchases?

I say No, but in truth it probably is influenced by marketing, indirectly.

I read a few fantasy book forums wher I can see what people read, their opinions etc. Sometimes I make mental notes about some users who like/dislike the same books I like/dislike and I regard their posts and short reviews more seriously.
However, the question is...do these people read the very things you (and I) avoid? Probably some of them do. Probably some of their friends do and recommend them...who knows?
Otherwise whatever I quoted from your post applies to me.

Sweetpea · 05-12-2009, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

I cannot recall a single book purchase influenced by an ad. Of course I've rarely even seen such marketing material.

Every once in a while you hear about a few books on a radio ad. But mostly it's about books in general. There are some book reviews in the newspaper, but mostly those are boring books (or at least, I think they are boring) and I don't read those (they never talk about a nice SF or Fantasy, mostly it's drama, the sadder the better, and I never liked those...)

lilac_jive · 05-12-2009, 09:02 AM

Free books influence me. I've gone on to buy quite a few books because of freebies. I also like the ads on Sony's main page. Sometimes a book there will catch my eye and I'll buy it.

Tattncat · 05-12-2009, 10:12 AM

I pick my books by author and subject relevance. However, I do read the free eBooks. I have found several authors that way. Another and probably the most effective method of finding enjoyable reading material is from MR readers forum and Goodreads.

astra · 05-12-2009, 11:05 AM

On free ebook subject: it doesn't influence me at all. I have a long list of 122 books to read and my choice is not based on freebies but only on recommendations and reviews of ppl. I believe to. Sure it would be wonderful if a book I want to read happened to be free but so far I am out of luck.
Another thing I don't believe to is all sort of blogs such as: pat's fantasy hot list. So much over hyped. They would prise anythjing just to become more popular and get free books and more visitors to add to blog counter. Some of them just use many beautiful words, but make no sense, but it sounds wise and beautiful.

GeoffC · 05-12-2009, 11:09 AM

generally the only thing that influences me is what the story is about and then the style of the writing - with paper that meant a browse through a book - with electronic versions it has to be the "offer" of a chapter or so.

i cannot relay on author names, 'cause some authors write good stuff and also yeuch !!!

columbus · 05-12-2009, 11:11 AM

Recommendation by friends etc. was by far the most important to me.

Now however a 'freebie' is also, as I can try new authors without risking cash on work I may not like.

So I think you should have added an option for - yes free (Drm free) books do.

(have not voted yet)

toomanybooks · 05-12-2009, 11:36 AM

I will download almost any free ebook. if I don't enjoy it I can delete it and I didn't waste any money. I am pickier for paper books. My preference is to wait ten years and see if people still like the book. Unless I know the author, I won't buy a book whose blurb mentions lovely, beautiful etc prose. This really means pretentious and dull.

View Poll Results: Do marketing efforts influence your book purchases. (Give reasons)
No.	25	50.00%
Yes.	10	20.00%
Maybe.	8	16.00%
The blue one next to the fish.	3	6.00%
yes, free (drm-free) books do	4	8.00%
Voters: 50. You may not vote on this poll

05-11-2009, 10:31 PM	#1
Moejoe Banned Posts: 5,100 Karma: 72193 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South of the Border Device: Coffin	Does marketing influence your book purchases? I don't pay much attention to the gender of an author, or for that matter much else. My reading decisions are based upon three or four seperate facets: Reccomendations from friends, the blurb on the jacket and cover design, and sampling the first few paragraphs of a book. So this got me thinking about all those marketing ploys that we see out there. The reviews and reccomendations by other authors. The reviews by industry critics shown on the covers. The advertising (print mainly) campaigns. I don't think I've read a book review in years (not by any official critic at least) and I can't say I've ever bought a book because it has another author on the cover reccomending that book (maybe an author introduction in some cases). And as far as prizes go...well I tend to shy away from a lot of fiction that is too highly praised (my suspicious nature, I suppose). So my question to you is: Does marketing influence your book purchases? Last edited by Moejoe; 05-11-2009 at 10:36 PM.

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05-11-2009, 11:37 PM	#2
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462843 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	No.........I'm like you on this one......the subject matter has to interest me, and the blurb is way more informative and reliable than recommendations by celebrities or other authors. I can usually tell with the first few pages if its a "keeper" for me. I have found this boards recommendations on a particular book especially helpful and on the mark. But thats just me.

05-12-2009, 01:36 AM	#3
Andybaby Wizard Posts: 1,279 Karma: 1002683 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: New York Device: PRS-700	Recommendations on Library Thing Summary of the book very simple way to find new books

05-12-2009, 01:54 AM	#4
HappyMartin Martin Kristiansen Posts: 1,546 Karma: 8480958 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Johannesburg Device: Kindle International Ipad 2	If supplying a free book as a sampler is an example of marketing then yes. I frequently give free books a try as long as I can establish that the authors other books are available in the mobi format. If I like the free book I will purchase the others.

05-12-2009, 02:51 AM	#5
Peverel Still Easily Confused Posts: 889 Karma: 505319 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampshire/Berkshire/Surrey - yes I am that big Device: Kindle	I voted a maybe and this is why. I tend to find what I read almost by accident. I find a subject or genre/sub-culture and then look for books that reflect that (example - recently heard of a guy who builds steam powered robots - started to read The Difference Engine (steampunk)). However....... I do look out for particular authors and subjects I enjoy, so if I am in the bookshop and see a huge display for a book in an area I like I am more likely to give that book a try and see if it works for me - hence the maybe

05-12-2009, 03:15 AM	#6
Sweetpea Grand Sorcerer Posts: 9,707 Karma: 32763414 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Krewerd Device: Pocketbook Inkpad 4 Color; Samsung Galaxy Tab S6	For me, the cover is very important. And the synopsis you can find at the back of a book or website. And word-of-mouth. If somebody I know thinks a book is good, I generally will read it, unless it's a genre I know I won't enjoy. Oh, almost forgot: the title is also very important.

05-12-2009, 03:37 AM	#7
Dylrob Murderous Mustela Posts: 10,234 Karma: 48000000 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: The other land of schnitzel and beer Device: iPad M1 Pro, Kindle Paperwhite	I cannot recall a single book purchase influenced by an ad. Of course I've rarely even seen such marketing material.

05-12-2009, 09:02 AM	#10
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	Free books influence me. I've gone on to buy quite a few books because of freebies. I also like the ads on Sony's main page. Sometimes a book there will catch my eye and I'll buy it.

05-12-2009, 10:12 AM	#11
Tattncat Bookworm Posts: 673 Karma: 1029391 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA Device: Nook Tablet, Samsung Galaxy Tab3, Sony PRS700, Sony PRS505	I pick my books by author and subject relevance. However, I do read the free eBooks. I have found several authors that way. Another and probably the most effective method of finding enjoyable reading material is from MR readers forum and Goodreads.

05-12-2009, 11:05 AM	#12
astra The Introvert Posts: 8,307 Karma: 1000077497 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: United Kingdom Device: Sony Reader PRS-650 & 505 & 500	On free ebook subject: it doesn't influence me at all. I have a long list of 122 books to read and my choice is not based on freebies but only on recommendations and reviews of ppl. I believe to. Sure it would be wonderful if a book I want to read happened to be free but so far I am out of luck. Another thing I don't believe to is all sort of blogs such as: pat's fantasy hot list. So much over hyped. They would prise anythjing just to become more popular and get free books and more visitors to add to blog counter. Some of them just use many beautiful words, but make no sense, but it sounds wise and beautiful.

05-12-2009, 11:09 AM	#13
GeoffC Chocolate Grasshopper ... Posts: 27,599 Karma: 20821184 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Scotland Device: Muse HD , Cybook Gen3 , Pocketbook 302 (Black) , Nexus 10: wife has PW	generally the only thing that influences me is what the story is about and then the style of the writing - with paper that meant a browse through a book - with electronic versions it has to be the "offer" of a chapter or so. i cannot relay on author names, 'cause some authors write good stuff and also yeuch !!!

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05-12-2009, 11:11 AM	#14
columbus Wizard Posts: 999 Karma: 5487540 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: In my own imagination. Device: Sony Prs 650, 505	Recommendation by friends etc. was by far the most important to me. Now however a 'freebie' is also, as I can try new authors without risking cash on work I may not like. So I think you should have added an option for - yes free (Drm free) books do. (have not voted yet)

05-12-2009, 11:36 AM	#15
toomanybooks Addict Posts: 302 Karma: 1039424 Join Date: Apr 2009 Device: Ipad, Ipod Touch, KIndle Fire	I will download almost any free ebook. if I don't enjoy it I can delete it and I didn't waste any money. I am pickier for paper books. My preference is to wait ten years and see if people still like the book. Unless I know the author, I won't buy a book whose blurb mentions lovely, beautiful etc prose. This really means pretentious and dull.