What does it mean to be a bestselling book? Nothing, actually.

Bob Russell · 12-20-2006, 04:47 PM

When you hear the description "bestseller" for a book, or "bestselling" for an author, most people probably assume it means they were on one of the most famous book lists, like one from the New York Times. It brings visions of millions of copies sold. Right?... Wrong!

As Michael A. Bank points out on his Amazon blog, it's really just a general description these days. He says that he's "seen books that I know didn't sell 6,000 copies labeled bestselling."

So the next time you see someone selling a bestseller, you might want to take a second look before you assume everyone likes it.

From Joe Wikert's Publishing 2020 Blog.

tcv · 12-22-2006, 10:45 AM

It's like a restaurant that offers its "World Famous Hoagies." How do they know they're world famous? Did a foreigner eat there once? Did he rave? Did he tell his friends back in his native land?

GAH! I hate marketing!

Actually, it might be easy to solve the "world famous" food issue. You could define a real criteria for it. For instance, in order for the Hoagie to be "world famous" five U.N. member nations must each have 20 citizens who have eaten at the restaurant and the particular hoagie. And they must have enjoyed it. This would all have to be documented, of course.

Bob Russell · 12-23-2006, 08:25 AM

Info on the limitations of bestseller lists from Michael Hyatt...
http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwher...stseller_.html

Basically, he points out that the bestseller lists only include some sales channels, and don't include mass market outlets. "But guess what’s missing? That’s right. All the mass market outlets like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Costco, and Sam’s and Christian bookstores (some2,300 storesor so). This is a big piece of the market."

Steven Lyle Jordan · 12-23-2006, 08:20 PM

Sooner or later, all that "bestseller" this and "award-winning" that turns around and bites you, when the public finally wakes up and realizes for themselves how meaningless it is.

Unfortunately, it seems the public can't be told it's meaningless, they won't believe it. And even if they read a bad book, a single positive comment from someone else will make them doubt their own opinion. So it takes a while before people start realizing that "bestseller" is crap, and hey, wasn't the last one crap, too, and what are those guys trying to pull?

Clear signs that the publishing industry is starting to be eaten by the complacency, inertia, and corruption within.

(Ooohhh... too much nog for me.)

12-20-2006, 04:47 PM	#1
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	What does it mean to be a bestselling book? Nothing, actually. When you hear the description "bestseller" for a book, or "bestselling" for an author, most people probably assume it means they were on one of the most famous book lists, like one from the New York Times. It brings visions of millions of copies sold. Right?... Wrong! As Michael A. Bank points out on his Amazon blog, it's really just a general description these days. He says that he's "seen books that I know didn't sell 6,000 copies labeled bestselling." So the next time you see someone selling a bestseller, you might want to take a second look before you assume everyone likes it. From Joe Wikert's Publishing 2020 Blog.

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12-22-2006, 10:45 AM	#2
tcv Addict Posts: 330 Karma: 596 Join Date: Oct 2006	It's like a restaurant that offers its "World Famous Hoagies." How do they know they're world famous? Did a foreigner eat there once? Did he rave? Did he tell his friends back in his native land? GAH! I hate marketing! Actually, it might be easy to solve the "world famous" food issue. You could define a real criteria for it. For instance, in order for the Hoagie to be "world famous" five U.N. member nations must each have 20 citizens who have eaten at the restaurant and the particular hoagie. And they must have enjoyed it. This would all have to be documented, of course.

12-23-2006, 08:25 AM	#3
Bob Russell Recovering Gadget Addict Posts: 5,381 Karma: 676161 Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Device: iPad	Info on the limitations of bestseller lists from Michael Hyatt... http://www.michaelhyatt.com/fromwher...stseller_.html Basically, he points out that the bestseller lists only include some sales channels, and don't include mass market outlets. "But guess what’s missing? That’s right. All the mass market outlets like Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Costco, and Sam’s and Christian bookstores (some2,300 storesor so). This is a big piece of the market."

12-23-2006, 08:20 PM	#4
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	Sooner or later, all that "bestseller" this and "award-winning" that turns around and bites you, when the public finally wakes up and realizes for themselves how meaningless it is. Unfortunately, it seems the public can't be told it's meaningless, they won't believe it. And even if they read a bad book, a single positive comment from someone else will make them doubt their own opinion. So it takes a while before people start realizing that "bestseller" is crap, and hey, wasn't the last one crap, too, and what are those guys trying to pull? Clear signs that the publishing industry is starting to be eaten by the complacency, inertia, and corruption within. (Ooohhh... too much nog for me.)

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