I don't want to pick on Amazon or the Kindle Store. I am a voracious reader, and the miraculous invention of books that magically appear in my living room is too wonderful for words!
But as an author, here's my problem. I sent some gift copies of my new short story collection Nine Romantic Stories to a few friends and family members around the holidays. Here 's a sample conversation:
"I can't read your book because I don't have a Kindle."
"But you don't need a Kindle. You can read Kindle books on phones, tablets, or your PC."
"But doesn't a Kindle book require a Kindle? Why would it be called a Kindle book?"
"No, no, it's a Kindle book because it's, uh, sold in the Kindle Store. It's not a book that's made only for a Kindle. You can download software and read it anywhere?"
A few hours later, I received the following, "I don't know where to download it, and I don't see anything on the website that helps me find the Kindle Cloud Reader."
So, I had to walk through the options: you can download the Kindle reader through your iPad apps, the Google Play Store or other smartphone apps, or, yes, you can dig it up on Amazon-- but try doing a search for Kindle Cloud Reader in the Kindle Store (where you'd expect to find it, no?) What you get is a list of books about the Cloud Reader-- and oh yes, a small (for leprechaun readers) note at the top about the software. No wonder she hadn't found it.
The long and short of it is I suggested, "Go to Google and search for Kindle Cloud Reader" and presto, the Kindle Cloud reader appears. (Yes, now you have the link too!)
I found blog posts that suggest to new authors that they send emails explaining how to download the Kindle Cloud Reader-- or else, they lose sales. Now, Amazon and authors have one shared goal, which is to sell more books-- but they divergent goals about selling Kindles. Is that why the software is hidden-- so that Amazon sells more Kindles? Maybe, or maybe it's yet another example of poorly designed navigation. Either way, it hurts authors.
But as an author, here's my problem. I sent some gift copies of my new short story collection Nine Romantic Stories to a few friends and family members around the holidays. Here 's a sample conversation:
"I can't read your book because I don't have a Kindle."
"But you don't need a Kindle. You can read Kindle books on phones, tablets, or your PC."
"But doesn't a Kindle book require a Kindle? Why would it be called a Kindle book?"
"No, no, it's a Kindle book because it's, uh, sold in the Kindle Store. It's not a book that's made only for a Kindle. You can download software and read it anywhere?"
A few hours later, I received the following, "I don't know where to download it, and I don't see anything on the website that helps me find the Kindle Cloud Reader."
So, I had to walk through the options: you can download the Kindle reader through your iPad apps, the Google Play Store or other smartphone apps, or, yes, you can dig it up on Amazon-- but try doing a search for Kindle Cloud Reader in the Kindle Store (where you'd expect to find it, no?) What you get is a list of books about the Cloud Reader-- and oh yes, a small (for leprechaun readers) note at the top about the software. No wonder she hadn't found it.
The long and short of it is I suggested, "Go to Google and search for Kindle Cloud Reader" and presto, the Kindle Cloud reader appears. (Yes, now you have the link too!)
I found blog posts that suggest to new authors that they send emails explaining how to download the Kindle Cloud Reader-- or else, they lose sales. Now, Amazon and authors have one shared goal, which is to sell more books-- but they divergent goals about selling Kindles. Is that why the software is hidden-- so that Amazon sells more Kindles? Maybe, or maybe it's yet another example of poorly designed navigation. Either way, it hurts authors.
2 comments:
To be overly simplistic, it is just plain poor product marketing. Sad to say, I'm not surprised.- Seymour
I think they are just making efforts to boost their sales. Books are good to read but still people love to use entertainment apps.
Regards;
Sara William
Click to buy Protective Kindle Covers
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