In a recent accounting of online book sales, it was noted that, while Amazon continues to be the beast in online book sales, other sectors are catching up. Online book sales are increasing on publisher web sites, and on individual author web site (these books are not under the classification of self-published). According to a survey by Fairfield Research, the percentage of books bought online jumped from 23% to 30% last year.
Most of the new sales to publisher web sites were inspired by deep discounts. For author sites, purchases were made because the visitor came as a fan, and then decided to buy once reminded at, and after, the visit.
Interestingly, online sales were not found to cut into sales at independent bookstores, proving once again, that the independents make their sales not necessarily on price, but on relationships.
So this is all a reminder for Mr. Obie Joe to remind the authors: online sales are going to only increase, and it would be wise for authors and publishers to include their online in their promotion and marketing. And, no, we're not just talking about a flatlined web site, but a vibrant, updated regularly web site; blog participation on yours or theirs, and subject network searching.
No comments:
Post a Comment