Does marketing influence your book purchases? - Page 3

Sonist · 05-12-2009, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomanybooks

... I have found some of my best books by buying a random paperback with an interesting cover.

... and that's called "marketing...."

Daithi · 05-12-2009, 05:42 PM

It absolutely influences me. I certainly don't buy all my books because of marketing, but I've heard authors on NPR, I've seen reviews in magazines, I've had a pretty cover catch my eye, I've been sucked in by prominent placement in a bookstore. These are all forms of marketing and they've convinced me to buy a book I otherwise would not have bought. However, I did still have to find the subject matter interesting, and even if a book has perfect marketing it doesn't mean I'm going to buy it. But yeah, marketing has convinced me to buy a book.

lilac_jive · 05-12-2009, 08:57 PM

I was just watching yesterday's Daily Show and Colbert Report, and both featured books, which I promptly looked at. I just reserved one at the library, and I'm trying to figure out if I want to read the other.

sakura-panda · 05-15-2009, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krisk

my cousin was dating this girl that in all respects appeared to be a smart sensible young lady except when it came to her book selections. she absolutely would NOT read (even if it was given to her) a book with "raised glossy print" on the cover. didn't matter if it was a who dunnit, a thriller, sci-fi, romance.... just knocked it out of the running.

I won't read a book if I don't like the font. I don't even bother to look at "mass market" paperbacks for that reason, because 90% of the time I don't like looking at the words and letters on the page.

In fact, I was hesitant about buying an eReader for the that reason -- not being able to look at the text before buying a book.

Back on topic

I don't pay attention to the reviews printed on the book jacket or around the advertising for it, unless they reference the author's previous books, especially if it is part of a series.

Sometimes I remember books but not the author so seeing that is a good reminder whether or not I liked the author's previous works.

I have picked up books simply because it said, "by the author of Some Book I Liked" or a review on the cover praises current book as equal to, similar to or better than Previous Book I Liked.

Other than that, I don't really notice book marketing and choose books based on genre and the jacket -- or webpage -- synopsis.

(And by how readable I believe the pages inside are, if I'm able to peek inside.

)

sakura-panda · 05-15-2009, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lilac_jive

I was just watching yesterday's Daily Show and Colbert Report, and both featured books, which I promptly looked at. I just reserved one at the library, and I'm trying to figure out if I want to read the other.

Oh, I forgot about that! If I happen to watch some show where an author was discussing their book, I may check out that book as well. That is definitely marketing.

I'll bet I'm swayed by a lot more subtle marketing than I realized besides the blaring print ads and reviews that I usually do not notice.

Victoria · 05-18-2009, 08:21 AM

I said maybe. I decide what genre I want to read / or author, then read reviews by other people. For example, reviews at Amazon. I find this method quite reliable.

MichaelFStewart · 09-08-2009, 12:59 PM

Sometimes, if the synopsis really grabs me AND its a genre I read, then I'll take a look at the sample. If it's good, then I'll buy. So I guess yes!

Juliette · 09-09-2009, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by desertgrandma

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.

No, that's me too

plus I have some healthy little obsessions (mostly with history) and after some time you've pushed far and far by these obsessions

I mainly buy books by internet (nowadays it's more ebooks

) so that at least the checkout moment will stop me a bit more than the queue in the bookshop. Also, the moment I have a peak of my idiopatic dust allergy, so my favourite second-hands are a no-no if I want to be able to read afterwards

but usually, my purchasing of food- I mean, books is a mix between archeology, hunting and puppy adoption.

I probably should mention here peer pressure and work, too, as a source of yet other books to read, but for work we also have libraries, so it's not always a purchase.

PKFFW · 09-09-2009, 06:09 PM

Of course it does.

Anyone who has ever bought a book based on reading the back cover has been influenced by marketing.

Anyone who has ever bought a book based on a good looking cover has been influenced by marketing.

If you have bought a book recommended by someone and they bought it because of "marketing" then you have been indirectly influenced by marketing.

If you have become aware of a book you might want to read because of a poster in a window or add in the paper you have been influenced by marketing.

If you have ever bought a book because a movie was based on it you have been influenced by marketing.

If you have ever bought a book because you received a free sample that you liked in your email you have been influenced by marketing.

Marketing it so pervasive in todays society that anyone who thinks they are truly not affected by it to some extent is kidding themselves.

Cheers,
PKFFW

NormHart · 09-09-2009, 11:11 PM

Virtually the only publisher(s) I buy from are carried, DRM free, by Webscriptions

nomesque · 09-09-2009, 11:31 PM

Wellll, I have a few authors whose work I will read, full stop, without really bothering about the subject matter, blurb etc. We click that well. If I see a statement on someone else's book by one of those authors - or someone else has co-authored something with one of those authors - then yes, I am more likely to give the unknown's book some time and thought. Doesn't mean I'll buy the book, but I might think about it.

Frankly, though, my current method of paper-book-buying involves a charity secondhand shop, going to the littlies section and picking out some classics or well-illustrated ones for my toddler - then wandering over to the sci fi and fantasy sections (didja notice the PLURAL?) and grabbing a near-random selection of titles that look as though they could be interesting, plus any by an author I've read and liked. 10 minutes max per trip. Weirdly, it works quite well

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

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05-12-2009, 05:42 PM	#32
Daithi Publishers are evil! Posts: 2,418 Karma: 36205264 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Rhode Island Device: Various Kindles	It absolutely influences me. I certainly don't buy all my books because of marketing, but I've heard authors on NPR, I've seen reviews in magazines, I've had a pretty cover catch my eye, I've been sucked in by prominent placement in a bookstore. These are all forms of marketing and they've convinced me to buy a book I otherwise would not have bought. However, I did still have to find the subject matter interesting, and even if a book has perfect marketing it doesn't mean I'm going to buy it. But yeah, marketing has convinced me to buy a book.

05-12-2009, 08:57 PM	#33
lilac_jive Grand Sorcerer Posts: 5,870 Karma: 27376 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pennsylvania Device: PRS-505	I was just watching yesterday's Daily Show and Colbert Report, and both featured books, which I promptly looked at. I just reserved one at the library, and I'm trying to figure out if I want to read the other.

05-18-2009, 08:21 AM	#36
Victoria Wizard Posts: 1,017 Karma: 19767610 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Canada Device: ipad, Kindle PW, Kobo Clara; iphone 7	I said maybe. I decide what genre I want to read / or author, then read reviews by other people. For example, reviews at Amazon. I find this method quite reliable.

09-08-2009, 12:59 PM	#37
MichaelFStewart Where tech and story meet Posts: 135 Karma: 500120 Join Date: Sep 2009 Device: iPad	Sometimes, if the synopsis really grabs me AND its a genre I read, then I'll take a look at the sample. If it's good, then I'll buy. So I guess yes!

09-09-2009, 06:09 PM	#39
PKFFW Wizard Posts: 3,783 Karma: 33407188 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: BeBook, Sony PRS-T1, Kobo H2O	Of course it does. Anyone who has ever bought a book based on reading the back cover has been influenced by marketing. Anyone who has ever bought a book based on a good looking cover has been influenced by marketing. If you have bought a book recommended by someone and they bought it because of "marketing" then you have been indirectly influenced by marketing. If you have become aware of a book you might want to read because of a poster in a window or add in the paper you have been influenced by marketing. If you have ever bought a book because a movie was based on it you have been influenced by marketing. If you have ever bought a book because you received a free sample that you liked in your email you have been influenced by marketing. Marketing it so pervasive in todays society that anyone who thinks they are truly not affected by it to some extent is kidding themselves. Cheers, PKFFW

09-09-2009, 11:11 PM	#40
NormHart Semper Carpe Bufo Posts: 537 Karma: 21676 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Napa Valley, California Device: Kindle2 & Kindle3	Virtually the only publisher(s) I buy from are carried, DRM free, by Webscriptions

09-09-2009, 11:31 PM	#41
nomesque Snooty Bestselling Author Posts: 1,485 Karma: 1000000 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ipswich, QLD, Australia Device: PRS-650	Wellll, I have a few authors whose work I will read, full stop, without really bothering about the subject matter, blurb etc. We click that well. If I see a statement on someone else's book by one of those authors - or someone else has co-authored something with one of those authors - then yes, I am more likely to give the unknown's book some time and thought. Doesn't mean I'll buy the book, but I might think about it. Frankly, though, my current method of paper-book-buying involves a charity secondhand shop, going to the littlies section and picking out some classics or well-illustrated ones for my toddler - then wandering over to the sci fi and fantasy sections (didja notice the PLURAL?) and grabbing a near-random selection of titles that look as though they could be interesting, plus any by an author I've read and liked. 10 minutes max per trip. Weirdly, it works quite well

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