by Ellen Seidler | Copyright
The New York Times reveals the truth behind what we all suspected. You’d be well advised to read those customer reviews touting the latest online offering with a grain of salt because, like Twitter followers and politicians, many are bought and paid for. From the NY Times:
Reviews by ordinary people have become an essential mechanism for selling almost anything online; they are used for resorts, dermatologists, neighborhood restaurants, high-fashion boutiques, churches, parks, astrologers and healers — not to mention products like garbage pails, tweezers, spa slippers and cases for tablet computers. In many situations, these reviews are supplanting the marketing department, the press agent, advertisements, word of mouth and the professional critique.
To read the full story in NY Times, go here.
by Ellen Seidler | Copyright
Crowd-source funding via sites like Kickstarter and Indiegogo is all the rage these days for those seeking funds to finance their creative projects. But is it as easy it seems to raise money? Forbes contributor Suw Charman-Anderson examines a new report from professors at the Wharton School of Business that examines Kickstarter’s winners and losers.
They say that you learn more from failure than from success, and that’s as true for Kickstarter as anything else. With the shiny, exciting and record-breaking projects getting most of the attention, it can be easy to forget that 56 percent of Kickstarter projects fail to reach their funding goal.
You can read her full story here: Secrets Of Success Hidden In Kickstarter’s Numbers
by Ellen Seidler | Copyright
Some good news for the publishing industry as the popularity of e-books continues to grow. According to a study released by the Book Industry Study Groupthe Association of American Publishers, e-book sales totaled more than $2 billion in 2011, more than double the 2010 figurs of $869 million.
“The BookStats survey encompasses all sizes of publishers. No matter what size of publisher you are, digital is an integral part of your strategy — but it’s a matter of degree,” said Tina Jordan, vice president of the AAP, referring to the difference in how large and small publishers perform digitally. –digitalbookworld.com
by Ellen Seidler | Copyright
The Trichordist blog has shared an important reminder for indie artists regarding White House efforts to shape a new, forward-thinking strategy on intellectual property rights and enforcement. U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel has invited the public (including content creators) to share their views and ideas on the subject. You can find out more information here and submit your comments/perspectives here.
The New York Times reveals the truth behind what we all suspected. You’d be well advised to read those customer reviews touting the latest online offering with a grain of salt because, like Twitter followers and politicians, many are bought and paid for. From the NY Times:
