28 July 2009

The Importance of Listening to Consumers

Thirty years ago, when I first got into the book publishing business, it was an elitist occupation. Publishers met in smoke-filled board rooms and made decisions about what the reading public should read. It never occurred to them to ask the readers themselves.

a woman shouting at a man through a bull horn

However, as the new marketing director for a fairly successful imprint, I didn’t know any better. I naively decided to conduct a consumer research project. I wanted to know more about what influenced readers to buy our books. Was it an advertisement for the book, an interview with the author, merchandising in the store, or perhaps the simple recommendation of a friend? It seemed like an obvious question.

Continue Reading


I am the Chief Executive Officer of Thomas Nelson Publishers, the largest Christian publishing company in the world and the seventh largest trade book publishing company in the U.S.

  • Restoring the Soul
  • FiledBy
  • Chick-fil-A Leadercast Conference

Twitter Feed

© 2009 Michael Hyatt | CEO, Thomas Nelson Publishers | Powered by Web Design Company Plugins

MilkEngine