Okay I admit, that I have wanted an eBook Reader since I first heard of the Amazon Kindle. Which now boasts up to 3,500 books, 3G wireless networking, whispersync, rotating display and a whole other slew of features. Next came the Sony Reader and the Barnes & Noble Nook. All of which boast exciting features and look great. Their is one major problem though. None of these major eReaders fall below $250. Which makes people who have not tried one, or are currently happy with paper predecessors, fail to try one out. It is not that you have a poor product by any means. It’s that you have the wrong business model.
Their is a huge opportunity with a free, or a less expensive, eReader alternative. The smartest business in the rat race for publishing domination will be the one that figures this out before one of the others do. If I have an eReader, who am I most likely to buy my books from? Probably not the other guys that failed to provide me with an easy entry point into an emerging market.
Other industries use this model well. Gillette does this with disposable razors. I recall my 18th birthday I received a free Gillette razor. How nice of them. I have bought numerous razors from them since, more than enough to pay for that first razor they gave me. Any time I order a computer, guess what comes free? A printer. It is why the printer companies such as Canon and Epson offer free or inexpensive printers, but the cartridges cost a small fortune.
Since I want an eReader, bias could have taken hold. But then again maybe eReaders are doing it wrong. If Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Sony own the platform, a substantial profit stands to be made. Especially when gone are the days where you have to roll out large drums of ink and send it to press. Also gone are the days of having to do in store promotions or even worry about shipping and handling.
So hey, give it some thought,maybe for my next birthday I will receive one of these fine gadgets via mail and you will have me as a lifelong customer.
Drew
