Changing Times for Book Authors: How Have Tablet Computers Changed the Way People Read Books?

My good friend Lasse Rouhiainen is getting ready to publish his book, and he asked me, “Should I publish first in print and then Kindle later?”

Good question. I told him, “I would publish to both together, but only direct traffic to 1″ Buyers can see other editions of a book available, so if you send traffic to the print book and someone prefers Kindle, they will see the alternative format and be able to make their purchase.

During the campaign for the most recent #1 best selling book in which I am a co-author, Trust Your Heart: Building Relationships that Build Your Business,  we directed traffic to the print edition. However, the Kindle edition also reached #1 bestseller rank.

This demonstrates the power of epublishing.

It’s no secret that audio books as well as the Kindle Reader and Nook are expanding options for book readers. Now you can have a whole library in your hands without needing a wheely-cart to haul your cherished books with you.

When I saw this article, I had to share it, because I know how much having a tablet computer has changed the way I am able to read.

As someone who is mostly blind, I need other options for reading. I can only read small print for so long. Large print books are a joke. So heavy and huge you can get carpal tunnel syndrome just trying to hold them up to read them.

I love my Audible subscription, because I can “read” with my ears and save the eyestrain. Now with my tablet or smartphone, I don’t have to drag the laptop around with me or be in earshot of my desk to listen via computer.  What freedom to listen with my phone or light little tablet.

And Kindle books on the tablet are a dream come true for me. I can make the print as large as I need it without holding a 10-pound tome up to my face to read. What a blessing! I never got into reading Kindle books on the computer, even though the free Kindle app makes this possible. Personally, I’m at the computer enough and want as much freedom from the desk as possible.

Research showing the growing trend of reading or listening to books on the tablet does not surprise me.

as an author-expert, you want to be on the cutting edge.

Tablet E-book and Audio Book Readers Read More Books

by Sandy Weaver Carman. Click to see Original article source.

As the market penetration of tablets continues, the number of people reading e-books and listening to audio books continues to climb. The Pew Internet and American Life Project has fielded several studies over the past couple of  years and found that people using tablets are consuming more books.

When looked at from the “new toy” perspective, you would expect that people with tablets would be heavy readers at the start of ownership and taper off after a few months. That’s not what the research has shown – their studies have shown steady, continued heavy readership/listenership by those who use tablets.

Because they didn’t study smart phones, I’m going to have to just share my own behavior and that of friends and colleagues who also read books and listen to them on their smart phones: the data works there, too.

Technology, as it becomes more portable and affordable, is driving the way people use books. This is bad news for traditional publishers, but good news for business owners and solopreneurs who need to demonstrate their expertise by having a book with their name on the cover.

E-books are much less expensive to publish and have the added benefit of no production costs – when a customer clicks the “buy it” button, they get automatic delivery to their wireless device. No printing cost and no shipping cost.

And the same goes for audio books – almost gone are the days of having to buy expensive sets of CDs, in favor of the soft-copy digital download. Instant gratification, no flip-card-mess of a CD case to figure out, and the reader can work out, do chores, commute or even work while listening to the book. Smart phones and tablets make great audio book players – they go wherever the reader is going and allow them to absorb the book while doing other things.

When assessing your product offerings, realize that people want choices. Give them what they want, and give them ways to interact with your message on their tablets and smart phones. Give them e-books and audio books, as well as other audio products.

Do you have a question? I’d love to hear it, and maybe answer it right here. Helping people monetize their content is what we do!

 

Sandy Weaver Carman
CEO, Voicework on Demand, Inc.

I partner with writers, speakers, trainers and coaches, taking work they’ve already done and turning it into a new revenue stream. Ready to get your feet wet?

Thanks for a great article, Sandy!

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Originally posted here:
How to Write a Book in Changing Times for Book Authors: How Have Tablet Computers Changed the Way People Read Books?