One of the things consumers want in the current economic environment is value. They are reluctant to part with their hard-earned cash, unless you promise to save them money or give them more for the same money.
Last fall, we were having one of our Quarterly Leadership Meetings. It was clear to us even then that readers were seeking greater value. We discussed a variety of options, including creating less expensive versions of our bestselling books.
Allen Arnold, the publisher of our fiction division, suggested that we might want to consider making available PDFs, MP3s, or other electronic formats with our books. I thought this was an interesting idea, so we discussed operationally how that might work. We didn’t really come to a conclusion; we just agreed to give it some more thought and come back with a proposal.
However, Joel Miller, the publisher of our business and culture division, took the bull by the horns. He developed a logo and a complete program. He also got two of his authors on board to launch NelsonFree with us. We announced the program yesterday. (See the Publishers Weekly story.)
The NelsonFree program allows readers to experience their content in multiple formats—the physical book, the audio book, and the e-book—without making multiple purchases. Traditionally, if readers want something beyond the printed word, they have to buy another copy of the same book. With NelsonFree, the everyday price of the hardcover book includes both the audio and the e-book.
Accessing the content is easy. After readers purchase a book with the NelsonFree logo, they receive a code that enables them to download an audio MP3 file and several types of e-book files, including EPub, MobiPocket, and PDF.
The first two NelsonFree titles will be available in late March: Scott McKain’s Collapse of Distinction and Michael Franzese’s I’ll Make You An Offer You Can’t Refuse [affiliate links]. Another ten Thomas Nelson titles will be available in this unique format before the end of the year.
As Joel said in the press release, “The book is, in a sense, trapped by its format. And so is the consumer—locked into choosing one format over another or shelling out scarce funds for the same book in different wrappers. By freeing the book we free the reader to get greater use and enjoyment of our titles.”
After the announcement yesterday, we received a lot of great press. The Huffington Post called it “the biggest news in publishing since the Kindle.” They went on to say,
In the smartest move in years by the troubled book industry, the Thomas Nelson imprint announced a series of new titles it is releasing this year in the ‘NelsonFree’ format.
… taking advantage of the internet and cheap distribution methods, Nelson has dragged the book world into the 21st century…. If Random House and Ballantine and Simon & Schuster and the rest have a brain in their heads, they’ll follow suit immediately.”
Kudos to Joel and his team for a very innovative and timely idea.
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Do this with your theological books and Logos!!!
Do this with your theological books and Logos!!!
Absolutely brilliant. Makes you wonder why no one thought of it before now.
Absolutely brilliant. Makes you wonder why no one thought of it before now.
Hurray, hurray, hurray. I am not the least bit surprised you lead the way on this and will do what I can to support Thomas Nelson. Living in Siberia means I can get a digital copy in a few minutes as opposed to over a month for a printed book. Now, what to do the Thomas Nelson bibles and study guides I have using Laridian.
Hurray, hurray, hurray. I am not the least bit surprised you lead the way on this and will do what I can to support Thomas Nelson. Living in Siberia means I can get a digital copy in a few minutes as opposed to over a month for a printed book. Now, what to do the Thomas Nelson bibles and study guides I have using Laridian.
Great idea! Period. Is it applicable for foreign cutomers?
Great idea! Period. Is it applicable for foreign cutomers?
This is a fantastic idea! Many times I do the reverse – buy the audio & then love the book so much that I buy the printed copy – this would get me everything at one price!
This is a fantastic idea! Many times I do the reverse – buy the audio & then love the book so much that I buy the printed copy – this would get me everything at one price!
A: Absolutely. I don't yet own a kindle, mainly because I'm a cheap and habitually 'late adopter', but I very much want one. E-books will never replace paper books for me, because I write in my books, creating something unique – a memory of the experience. (I read only non-fiction.)
If the books I buy were also available in e-format, that would add tremendous value. There are times, as you say, when I'd like to check a quote or a fact and I can't lug all my books around everywhere. A Kindle-like device will be perfect for that, someday. But I am one of those who would always have to buy two copies, because paper books are my top priority.
If the Kindle were searchable (is it?) that would add a lot of value as well.
By the way, I don't know what gummed up your RSS feed, but yesterday I had zero posts in my reader and today there are ten. Nice to see them at last. :)
A: Absolutely. I don't yet own a kindle, mainly because I'm a cheap and habitually 'late adopter', but I very much want one. E-books will never replace paper books for me, because I write in my books, creating something unique – a memory of the experience. (I read only non-fiction.)
If the books I buy were also available in e-format, that would add tremendous value. There are times, as you say, when I'd like to check a quote or a fact and I can't lug all my books around everywhere. A Kindle-like device will be perfect for that, someday. But I am one of those who would always have to buy two copies, because paper books are my top priority.
If the Kindle were searchable (is it?) that would add a lot of value as well.
By the way, I don't know what gummed up your RSS feed, but yesterday I had zero posts in my reader and today there are ten. Nice to see them at last. :)
This would have nothing to do with why or why not I would purchase a book. HOwever, it would be an excellent feature that I would use once in rare while.
I am young but "old-fashioned". I love to curl up with a good book. Not an electronic device.
This would have nothing to do with why or why not I would purchase a book. HOwever, it would be an excellent feature that I would use once in rare while.
I am young but "old-fashioned". I love to curl up with a good book. Not an electronic device.
That's huge.I've download quite a few free audio books lately.
That's huge.I've download quite a few free audio books lately.
I have been wanting this for a about a year – glad someone else had the same thoughts. I believe every book should be this way – I would have paid extra by the way for this. Now if you could just get them to add "ink" abilities to the Kindle life would be perfect.
I have been wanting this for a about a year – glad someone else had the same thoughts. I believe every book should be this way – I would have paid extra by the way for this. Now if you could just get them to add "ink" abilities to the Kindle life would be perfect.
Great idea – I like it. Please keep us informed of how you see the success of this over time. Would be interesting to know also if you see other publishers following in your footsteps. Well done for taking this brave step.
Great idea – I like it. Please keep us informed of how you see the success of this over time. Would be interesting to know also if you see other publishers following in your footsteps. Well done for taking this brave step.
Glad to see one of the publishing giants is finally using technology to their advantage! For quite some time now, authors have been offering free digital copies at lulu.com and free podcast audiobooks at podiobooks.com. In fact, this July, Unconventional, my debut novel, will be offered as a trade paperback and a free audiobook narrated by Jeffrey Kafer, an award-winning voice over talent! Folks will be able to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes and listen to my book on their iPods. For FREE. Scott Siggler and Jeremy Robinson have both done this.
Glad to see one of the publishing giants is finally using technology to their advantage! For quite some time now, authors have been offering free digital copies at lulu.com and free podcast audiobooks at podiobooks.com. In fact, this July, Unconventional, my debut novel, will be offered as a trade paperback and a free audiobook narrated by Jeffrey Kafer, an award-winning voice over talent! Folks will be able to subscribe to the podcast in iTunes and listen to my book on their iPods. For FREE. Scott Siggler and Jeremy Robinson have both done this.
I just bought the Noticer because of the promotion. I know my mother in law liked the Traveler (she gave me a copy but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.). I read on my kindle mostly, but like to give books away when I am done with them. So I bought your hardback and will give it away to my mother in law (probably without opening it) and then keep the ebook format to read on my own when I have a chance.
I just bought the Noticer because of the promotion. I know my mother in law liked the Traveler (she gave me a copy but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet.). I read on my kindle mostly, but like to give books away when I am done with them. So I bought your hardback and will give it away to my mother in law (probably without opening it) and then keep the ebook format to read on my own when I have a chance.