My Open Letter to Barnes and Noble
Dear Barnes and Noble,
Why are you having trouble competing with Amazon? Oh, let me count the ways. But before I do, this is coming from the heart because I am a Nook User! I love my Nook but you are making it so hard to continue. So let's get started on the ways you are not competing.
1) Do you know what I get in my email, every day, from Amazon? A Kindle Daily Deal. That's right. Every Day. To. My. Email. A book for 0.99 to maybe 2.99, at the most. Do you know what I get from Barnes and Noble? An email that says Nook Deals $5 and under. But what is actually in the email? The latest $12.99 releases! Seriously? Is it even remotely possible you aren't aware of this difference?
2) I am a self-published author. Do you know how easy it is for me to share a link and a few words about my book on Amazon? With one click. That's right. One click and I can share with Twitter, Facebook, or email. Do you know how I have to share a B&N link? I have to copy and paste with two different windows open. Of course I advertise more on Amazon. And, in case you are dismissing me because I am an indie author, just do the math. Let's go with a conservative estimate of 10,000 authors selling one book a day at 0.99. That's nearly 1.5 million dollars a year. Chump change you say? Your the ones complaining about losing money. That's 1.5 million dollars of pure profit. Just for making a couple of adjustments to your web page. And, I really believe that is a conservative estimate. I mean, I sell modestly, but still 3 to 1 Amazon to B&N.
3) Message boards. You don't have any message boards on your site, at least that I've noticed. Do you think you are too high brow for message boards? Have you been on Amazon? Ever? People like them. We use them. Get some!
I'm sorry to say B&N, but it feels like you are just barely trying to be in the e-book business. Now you might be separating your Nook and B&N businesses! Have you lost your minds? The future is e-books. Denying it doesn't make it less true. So don't make me regret the $249 I spend last year on a Nook. Don't force me to switch back to Kindle (not that I have anything against Kindle, I just don't want to lay out another $200). Get in the game!! Hire some people with foresight, with vision! Stop fighting change. It's coming and you will be left behind simply because you don't like it.
Why are you having trouble competing with Amazon? Oh, let me count the ways. But before I do, this is coming from the heart because I am a Nook User! I love my Nook but you are making it so hard to continue. So let's get started on the ways you are not competing.
1) Do you know what I get in my email, every day, from Amazon? A Kindle Daily Deal. That's right. Every Day. To. My. Email. A book for 0.99 to maybe 2.99, at the most. Do you know what I get from Barnes and Noble? An email that says Nook Deals $5 and under. But what is actually in the email? The latest $12.99 releases! Seriously? Is it even remotely possible you aren't aware of this difference?
2) I am a self-published author. Do you know how easy it is for me to share a link and a few words about my book on Amazon? With one click. That's right. One click and I can share with Twitter, Facebook, or email. Do you know how I have to share a B&N link? I have to copy and paste with two different windows open. Of course I advertise more on Amazon. And, in case you are dismissing me because I am an indie author, just do the math. Let's go with a conservative estimate of 10,000 authors selling one book a day at 0.99. That's nearly 1.5 million dollars a year. Chump change you say? Your the ones complaining about losing money. That's 1.5 million dollars of pure profit. Just for making a couple of adjustments to your web page. And, I really believe that is a conservative estimate. I mean, I sell modestly, but still 3 to 1 Amazon to B&N.
3) Message boards. You don't have any message boards on your site, at least that I've noticed. Do you think you are too high brow for message boards? Have you been on Amazon? Ever? People like them. We use them. Get some!
I'm sorry to say B&N, but it feels like you are just barely trying to be in the e-book business. Now you might be separating your Nook and B&N businesses! Have you lost your minds? The future is e-books. Denying it doesn't make it less true. So don't make me regret the $249 I spend last year on a Nook. Don't force me to switch back to Kindle (not that I have anything against Kindle, I just don't want to lay out another $200). Get in the game!! Hire some people with foresight, with vision! Stop fighting change. It's coming and you will be left behind simply because you don't like it.
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message 1:
by
A.
(new)
Jan 26, 2012 04:50AM
Very good take. If you really look into it like you have, the difference is very clear. I too like the B&N vibe and feel, especially in the store. I do a lot of my writing on the second floor of the one near me. After all it is a true bookstore and it is hard to beat that atmosphere. But I agree with you, the online store of B&N is significantly lacking in all of the little things that make life easier or better, not just for writers but for everyone. Those subtle differences, as you have pointed out, make a world of difference. I like B&N, but they are too big of a book giant to not do better.
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I'm not a writer. I'm a reader. A voracious reader. I don't have a Nook or a Kindle. I have an iPad with the free Kindle App loaded on it. Amazon makes everything so easy--and cheaper--that it's a nobrainer. Their customer service is wonderful and they're great at following up on any issues that may arise.I also love the message boards!!! I've discovered great books by indie -and established -authors that I may have missed otherwise. I agree with S.L. that it feels as though B&N are barely making an effort in the e-reader business. As a reader, I'm just not 'feeling the love' from B&N the way I do from Amazon for Kindle.
Zak wrote: "I can't speak to the executives running B&N but one of the reasons I shop there is that the clerks on the floor really know their stuff. I've never had a question go unanswered there or been turned..."I have always had excellent service there as well. Everyone so friendly.
A. wrote: "Very good take. If you really look into it like you have, the difference is very clear. I too like the B&N vibe and feel, especially in the store. I do a lot of my writing on the second floor of th..."Agree completely! I love going there, getting a coffee and doing some writing. They are too big to not be coming up with better ways to compete!
Georgeanna wrote: "I'm not a writer. I'm a reader. A voracious reader. I don't have a Nook or a Kindle. I have an iPad with the free Kindle App loaded on it. Amazon makes everything so easy--and cheaper--that it's a..."Thanks for the comment! I completely agree!
A small update:I am even more discouraged by B&N after reading this article: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/...
Just more of the same denial. And too much focus on ereaders than content! The nook is great. Stop worrying about that aspect!!
S.L. wrote: "A small update:I am even more discouraged by B&N after reading this article: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/...
Just more of the same denial. And too much focus on er..."
"Shiny new displays", "More emphasis on toys and games", "Experimenting with smaller stores", etc...they really don't get it :(
Georgeanna wrote: "S.L. wrote: "A small update:I am even more discouraged by B&N after reading this article: http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/...
Just more of the same denial. And too muc..."
Thanks for the comment and glad I'm not the only one who sees this!
