Amazon vs. B&N? Kindle vs. Books? Good coverage vs. Drama
This post was written by Sameer Shariff
Like many of us in the publishing industry, I have been closely monitoring the recent wave of e-book coverage in the consumer media. We have seen powerful headlines such as “B&N Launches Kindle Killer” (Wall Street Journal) and “Is Amazon Taking Over the Book Business” (Time Magazine) and questions abound: Are we nearing Malcolm Gladwell’s proverbial tipping point? Will e-books sales capture a substantial share of the overall market in the next few years? Are Jeff Bezos and Steve Riggio going to rumble? Possibly.
Amazon and Barnes & Noble certainly continue to move the needle by developing new technologies, engaging new partners and driving consumer awareness. But I would like to offer a slightly less “sexy” story angle. Perhaps this isn’t a race for inter-stellar domination between two massive companies. Perhaps the story is not about one viewer or one “e-book megacenter” as the NY Times so eloquently described it. Perhaps this isn’t even about Amazon or B&N or Google, Apple, Sony or whoever comes next.
In my opinion, this is not an “either/or” proposition. This is about how publishers can learn from each other; how we all benefit from technological advancements; and, what we can discover from the new business models that are currently being tested.
Beyond the technology, the alliances and the giant marketing budgets of Amazon and B&N, the key to success for publishers of all sizes is building platforms that connect them with their end-users in meaningful ways. Publishers need to harness that data and produce strong, lasting consumer relationships. The publishers who best understand their consumers and grasp what they really want will lead the way.
The future is bright for the Davids and the Goliaths.
Tags: Amazon, B&N, e books, Impelsys, ipublishcentral, Kindle, Sameer Shariff
August 10th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Sameer, finally a practical suggestion that focuses on the reader/customer, rather than the battling technologies or the 800 lb gorillas. Developing a long-term relationship with the reader is the issue and the key to the future of publishing. Thanks for your article.
July 16th, 2011 at 8:46 am
nice post WE want another