Showing posts with label paper books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label paper books. Show all posts

Wednesday, August 1

Google Wallet And Writers

Here's Google Wallet Overview, from YouTube:



You've probably heard about this. Rather than carry around a bunch of plastic you just carry around your smart phone which, chances are, you were going to take with you anyway. Rather than store a gazillion credit cards in a bulgy wallet you just use your phone to make purchases.

You might be wondering: Okay, but so what? This is a blog about writing and the publishing industry, not about new apps no matter how nifty.

It seems this technology could help change the way indie authors sell books. I don't know much about it, I've just watched a couple of Google videos, but wouldn't it be great if it made setting up an online store easier? Or at least gave us more options, more ways for folks to pay?

Wouldn't it be great if it made selling paper copies of our books easier? Just get your customer to use their phone to log into your online store, make the purchase, you'll be emailed a confirmation, and there you go! No more expensive wireless credit card machines.

Or am I on the wrong track? What do you think?

Related reading:
- 99Designs.com: How I Solved My Book Cover Dilemma, and How You Can Too
- Derek Haines: Are Free Ebooks A Good Marketing Strategy?
- My New MacBook Air: The Adventures Of A PC Gal In The MacBook World


Wednesday, September 7

Joe Konrath: Paper books are going the way of the 8-track


Joe Konrath just got rid of about 300 paper books, books he never thought he would part with. Why did he?

Joe writes:
You got rid of your 8-track tapes, and floppy disks, and Betamax. You got rid of your Razr and bought a smart phone. You threw out the tube TV and went with an HD flatscreen. You sold your Atari 2600 at a garage sale for $5, and now play Wii with your family.

The new tech replaces the old tech. Books are just more of the same.

You may not believe me. You may think you'll take your paper books with you to the grave.

Do me a favor, and bookmark this page. Look at it again in 18 months.

You'll see I was right.
Joe's blog post is short and thought provoking: Digital Me.