e-Business-Formula Internet Marketing Discussion Forum

[Kevin Robb]

Hi All,

Audio as a medium has been around for sometime now but I was wondering if any of you see a future online for books in audio format.

With the technology available now it is certainly becoming easier to provide something in audio and also most computer users these days have a sound card and speakers set up on their system.

So do you prefer the written word or do you believe this is something that one should further investigate?

Your thoughts?

Cheers

Kevin Robb

[kellylowe]

...I hate audio. If I want to listen to someone's voice, I will turn on the television or the radio.

I wish that websites that use audio, and newsletter publishers who use audio, would also provide a way for me to read and print the exact same information.

As for audio ebooks...regardless of my dislike for audio, I feel like it will eventually be big, but I hope that the creators of such ebooks will take people like me into account, and give me the option of listening to them, or reading what they they have to say.

Just my two cents...

[Steve MacLellan]

Hi Kevin,

I agree with Kelly.

I can read much faster then someone can speak. If it is only offered in audio... I'm not interested.

(he-he) unless it's a new CD of music by a favorite artist.

Best Regards,
Steve MacLellan

[LizTomey]

I think Steve and Kelly don't like the audio because they both REALLY enjoy books. I do also, BUT it's nice when I'm cleaning the house or traveling and I can burn an audio book onto a cd or to my mp3 player and listen to it when I have time. I've seen polls done on this topic, and most people like the audio books. Okay, I should say online people. People who go to a book store and buy books would rather have a book. If I can remember the name of the marketer with the stats, I'll post it, but right now I can't remember.....

Liz

[Chris (cat)]

I actually like both however you have to weigh up the pro's and con's.

Audio is really good for interviews but if I were promoting an interview I would use audio and also have the interview available on pdf.

When it comes to our market (IM), I think books are better. Why?

1. People are used to books.
2. With a book say in pdf, it is much easier to jump back to a page and then scroll to the exact paragraph/point you require.
3. Books psychologically "seem" bigger, more mass so to speak. (my opinion)

Also for me it would be just another additional part of a project I would have to do work on.

With my current sites just gatting a complete marketing system running well is hard enough (time spent).

Once I have completed my current sites, I do have a manual/ebook already written which needs.

1. Re-editing
2. A book cover made.
3. Freebies sent out for testimonials.
4. Sales copy page written.
5. Sales copy page tested to improve ROI %'s & then re-written (headings etc)
6. Safe download software purchased & set up.
7. Affiliate program set-up
8. Affilaites section, text & banners made.
9. Then the marketing campaign, inbound links, pop-up with email course to increase ROI, articles written and sent, ebook directories, press release, etc.

All this would be enough for me. Then also adding the ebook in audio, way too much work.

Because if you have the book just in audio, you would definitely need to have the option of purchasing in written format otherwise you would lose many customers.

So to do all the above and experiment with audio, not a chance.

Only unless I already had another 10 books online that were making me a bundle and I had nothing better to do with my time.


Cheers, Chris
Anam cara

[Linda Ogier]

I'm a text person (funny about that ). I like being able to dip in and out of text where ever I want to without searching too much. And if I have a physical copy (I always print off e-books I really love) I can underline and highlight the good bits, put sticky notes with my comments on them all over the place etc etc. Seeing stuff really helps me.

I have quite a few marketing bits and pieces I've bought that have included CD's with interviews etc. The texts have all been read, and most of the discs haven't been taken out of their case!

Just me.

Cheers,
Linda.