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Are e-books a waste of your time and money?
By Jena Griffiths | July 15, 2009
A few days ago I was listening to a mentor whom I admire deeply talk about ebooks and how to use them as a marketing tool. She said something that made my blood run cold, confirming my suspicions about e-books often being a waste of both your time and money.
What did she say?
She said, “Don’t put too much information in your ebook, just enough to whet their appetite so that they come back for more! Besides, if you give too much information up front you’ll overwhelm them.”
Personally I totally disagree. I think marketers have no right to play god by deciding how much information people can handle. When you buy an ebook you expect to get all the information you need, not just a tease.
Actually ebooks are a very strange phenomena. People are willing to pay more than double for a ebook than the printed variety because it can be accessed immediately. At the same time you still have to print them out yourself or attempt to read them on the computer screen.
Research shows that people remember far less information when it is read on a screen rather than off a printed page.
Why is this?
Because the human eye is designed for reflected rather than radiant light.
Long term we need to come up with a way for computer screens to reflect light rather than radiate it. When this is achieved it will be a massive leap for humankind.
Back to immediate gratification. I was shocked to learn from another source that more than 80% of the people who buy an ebook will never actually get round to reading it.
Why not?
Because buying an ebook feels like you are taking action on a pain. You don’t feel that pain as sharply once you’ve bought the book. Your mind tells you you’ve solved the problem. So then the tendency is to put off reading it, until you forget you actually bought it and soon you’re back to square one and ripe again to buy another ebook on the same topic.
Another problem with ebooks is the pricing. These days unscrupulous online marketers have access to highly sophisticated research based on cutting edge psychological testing.
What do they know that you don’t?
They know that you are more likely to buy an ebook if it is priced as $97 than if it is priced much lower. Say, $22.
Why?
Partly because of perceived value. You’ve been trained to believe that if it is more expensive it must be better value. (This isn’t always true!)
Also, numbers are mysterious. There is a whole ’science’ about this called numerology (which, like palm reading is another whole minefield of debate. But, just because theories conflict, doesn’t mean you should throw the baby out with the bathwater.) Fact is, an awful lot of money has been invested on researching which prices work and which don’t.
So people who don’t know about this are highly vulnerable to abuse.
Is this you? Are you downloading lots of over priced ebooks without actually reading them?
Or are you a marketer laughing all the way to the bank because people are so gullible or easily distracted? And, if it’s so easy to take candy from children does that mean you should do it?
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Topics: Money | 59 Comments »
July 16th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
So many marketers do use e-books as a tease, so I appreciate you saying that. It seems like you were scammed if the e-book or “how-to” book does not deliver.
July 18th, 2009 at 10:10 pm
[...] A few days ago I was listening to a mentor whom I admire deeply talk about ebooks and how to use them as a marketing tool. She said something that made my blood run cold, confirming my suspicions about e-books often being a waste of … Read more here: Are e-books a waste of your time and money? | [...]
July 19th, 2009 at 9:55 am
I certainly would feel cheated if I paid good money for an ebook which was only a teaser to something else. I can understand that kind of strategy with free ebooks, but if you buy something you expect to get some value for your money.
I guess that’s one reason why I very rarely buy ebooks (in fact, I don’t think I ever have) – the fact that it’s so easy to create one has removed all the quality controls of traditional publishing, controls which ultimately protect the consumer from this sort of thing.
Rod’s last blog post..Lobster tennis ball machines
July 25th, 2009 at 12:41 pm
well not always, since its boon for the people who can’t afford all those books, and its boring too if you are reading on PDA, so it has both advantage and disadvantage.
July 28th, 2009 at 5:15 am
For health reasons I don’t like reading via my computer or my mp4 or from any e-book players. I can’t stand reading from my digital stuffs longer.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:28 pm
e-books are not a waste of time,so i apriciate that i say this
August 1st, 2009 at 5:15 am
E-books are very good with no cost at all. One can find easily.
August 8th, 2009 at 12:31 am
Good work, it is much pleasure to read your interesting posts
regards zmurringo
August 10th, 2009 at 7:38 am
Nonsense!
August 18th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Great articles & Nice a site
August 25th, 2009 at 12:19 am
You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found most people will agree with your blog.
September 3rd, 2009 at 4:31 pm
Are e-books a waste of your time and money? You should try asking that question to Amazon (and also now Sony). I wonder what the answer just might be?
September 8th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
some ebooks are useful,some not.
September 12th, 2009 at 3:55 am
Your blog is so informative
October 8th, 2009 at 1:57 am
thanks !! very helpful post!
October 15th, 2009 at 8:50 am
Thank you for your help!
October 18th, 2009 at 5:54 pm
I don’t think E-Books are totally useless, some books are really helping, but important thing is what you want to learn? If you are willing to learn something it will provide you information or else it’s a waste of time.
October 21st, 2009 at 4:56 am
I don;t agree with you people..Buying E-Book does pay you ..I have never gone through any bad experience..I have got E-books which have always worked for me.
October 22nd, 2009 at 10:59 am
I bought a remote viewing course a few years ago and never studied it. ,
October 22nd, 2009 at 9:25 pm
Very interesting post and final statement.
I work for a company that publishes accessible formats (large print, braille, DAISY, audio, and ebooks) of books for people with blindness, low vision, and learning disabilities, so I’m always interested in what people think about new technologies in the publishing industry.
Thanks!
November 2nd, 2009 at 10:11 am
Very interesting post. Good work. Shoppers are looking for ways to save money online.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:08 pm
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.If interested in link exchange please contact me.
November 11th, 2009 at 1:16 am
i’ll bet that this is the first time someone has ever truly been impartial about this particular subject…
November 18th, 2009 at 8:36 am
no it is not true e books are the best source for online learning.well thanks to you for posting this issue here.
November 18th, 2009 at 4:58 pm
Your post is really informative for me. I liked it very much.
Keep sharing such important posts.
November 23rd, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Generally I do not post on sites, but I would like to say that this blog really forced me to do so! Congratulations, really nice
December 2nd, 2009 at 7:32 am
nice blog thanks you for the enlightening read provided. Nice layout and blog you have here with such a good theme. I shall repeated here again soon and recommend this to others as well. Please Keep updating it.
December 2nd, 2009 at 10:20 pm
Well i don’t think so that it is a waist of time to read ebooks because it is best then the conventional books. One more thing which makes the ebooks so special is that it is easy to handle and use.
December 11th, 2009 at 12:02 am
I think it all depends on how often you use it. Like if you have lots of free time or you travel a lot, that it could be a good investment. If you work all day and don’t dedicate a lot of time to reading than its something you need not.
December 14th, 2009 at 9:54 am
I don’t think that e-books are lost oh money.We can use it’s features in many ways.So it’s really silly to think that e-books are a waste of time.
December 14th, 2009 at 11:44 am
e books are really good and helpful.. who told you it is a waste of money?? and finding and buying a e book is easier..
December 14th, 2009 at 11:50 am
I don’t agree with the idea that e-books are a total waste of time and money.In this age when internet is the greatest way to get information on anything e-books play an important role..they are informative and helpful in general but surely there can be some books that are not that good.Yet the whole thing can’t be judged with the idea of bad e-books only.
December 14th, 2009 at 11:55 am
e books are the best way to get information from all over the world.. but i have faced a problem with e books, that i don’t like to read sitting in front of a computer..
December 14th, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I think it just depends on how you like to read and how you store your reading material after you are done with it. The information is what your paying for no matter what the source it comes from.
December 15th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
Now, here’s a topic that can be discussed for hours on end. Personally, here’s what i think:
An e-book which is beyond ~ 50 pages will be ignored most of the times for reasons like – strain related to reading via computer etc..
A power packed 50 pages revealing 75% of the content that people are seaking would be an ideal option. The trick is to hold back the MASALA to the last for people to OPT-IN
December 18th, 2009 at 2:19 pm
You should try asking that question to Amazon. I wonder what the answer just might be?
January 4th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Hey, first I want to say awesome blog. I don’t always agree with your opinion but it’s always a nice read.
Keep up the good work.
January 7th, 2010 at 12:24 am
Hello. I don’t read many blogs, but yours is of the best
January 7th, 2010 at 10:38 am
This is one of the most logical and nicely explained post I have read. Most people just iterate what others already know, but this reflects of your experience as an expert. Thanks for the tips.
January 8th, 2010 at 11:27 pm
Hey, great point. Posts like this one are why I follow your blog. Have a great 2010!
January 9th, 2010 at 10:07 am
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don’t know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
January 10th, 2010 at 7:07 am
Great post i liked it! I am going to add it to my rss feeds.
January 10th, 2010 at 4:49 pm
Hey great site, I will be following you.
January 12th, 2010 at 12:23 am
Hi there, I found your blog via Google while searching for first aid for a heart attack and your post looks very interesting for me.
January 16th, 2010 at 10:25 am
I believe ebooks can be used effectively if you are smart about it.
January 17th, 2010 at 11:35 pm
Hi. I don’t follow many blogs, but yours is of thelittle I follow.Have a awesome day!
January 18th, 2010 at 7:18 am
obviously you didnt read the post. Just the headline.
January 18th, 2010 at 7:20 am
The human eye is designed for relected light rather than radiant light so the brain cant recall nearly as much of what you read on screen as you do on paper.
February 6th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
Thank you for your help!
February 8th, 2010 at 1:59 am
Excellent blog.
February 8th, 2010 at 2:00 am
Very interesting point that you make.
February 9th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
Hey. I don’t read many blogs, but yours is of thelittle I follow.Have a awesome day!
February 12th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Hi, great post. I just found this blog, but I will definitely bookmark it. Take care.
February 28th, 2010 at 5:08 am
Bless you. Still one more quality way of looking at things, that’s precisely why we come back to your website every so often!!
March 5th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Awesome info! I learn plenty of new -Thanks!
March 6th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
There is obviously so much to know about all this. You have made good points in all areas
You have work at all this news; you are doing a great job!
May 18th, 2010 at 11:11 am
haven’t thought of it. Could do if the topic is interesting to me.
May 29th, 2010 at 12:03 am
I think it depends on the book! Some are just more convenient to read online, but I prefer reading hard copies of fiction.
July 15th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
Pretty interesting i guess.