20110710-121923.jpgIf you think spam on the Kindle or Nook store is annoying, how would you feel if authors started producing “ebooks” that were loaded with affiliate marketing links and direct sales pitches? Oh right, that’s called the Web. But Cathedral Rock Publishing wants to bring that wearying concept into the world of digital publishing in a big way.

Although the company is promoting its new “Ebook is the Store” concept in terms of musicians selling their songs from within an ebook, in reality the idea is that you can sell anything, or better still everything. Here are two cringe-inducing bits from their recent press release and website.

Press release:

As the name suggests, Cathedral Rock puts e-commerce directly into the eBook by transforming MultiMedia eBooks into discreet stores that offer products and services to a target audience that is essentially pre-sold because they’ve already bought the book. The old adage is true: The easiest customer to sell to is an existing one. In addition, customers are most predisposed to upsells when they make the initial purchase.

And not just digital delivery…

Perhaps even more compelling, authors and publishers aren’t limited to selling digital products. They can sell services—as well as other people’s products and services—that are compatible with their readers’ interests. In other words, the “Book IS the Store” application lends itself naturally to joint ventures and affiliates, which Cathedral Rock expects will become commonplace due to “time to market” constraints, and “building vs. partnering” realities.

Website:

Now the good news for authors, book publishers and just about anyone who wants to make money from MultiMedia eBooks is…

You don’t have to create all of your own content to make money. What this means is that you don’t have to create all the additional products that the customer would find attractive after or “during” their read of your MultiMedia eBook.

On a related note, the EPUB format can support audio and video on its own.

Via eBookNewser

(Photo: garry knight)

6 COMMENTS

  1. This is undoubtedly a terrible idea but, unfortunately, I think many people won’t mind. You only need to look at the success of the Stieg Larsson novels – best sellers despite being packed with irritating and irrelevant product placements.

  2. The vast outcry against the ubiquitous ad-filled website is the main reason why my husband and I have rejected offers and AdSense for our own website. We stick to posting eBook for sale and a free listing–way at the bottom–for eLibrary.

  3. …and the problem with this is??? You guys are making a blanket statement that does not recognize the nuances of book publishing. True. eBook commerce is not for everyone, and certainly not for every book genre, but there remain a plethora of applications where it provides additional value to the reader. The MultiMedia eBook, “Cathedral of the Senses,” includes 11 song excerpts written by the author, but recorded by different musicians. Readers can listen to the song, and then have the option to buy the entire length song if they like, much like in a movie you hear just a snippet of the song, but can buy the entire soundtrack if you really like the music. Sorry guys. That’s not spam. That’s a cheap shot.

  4. Anything can be abused. However, I like the idea of being able to add audio and video elements to eBooks. And being an author I like the idea of being able to communicate tastefully with readers who’ve already bought my books. God knows I can use every advantage I can get when competing with big publishers with unlimited advertising and marketing budgets.

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