Friday, December 07, 2012

Are Your Book Sales Sagging? And the Friday Inspirational Photos

Many have noted a dip in book sales over the past month. Before you start to panic and wonder what you are doing wrong, I can explain the dip in one word - Christmas.

Okay, might take a few more words than that. But here’s why Christmas is causing book sales to drop:

People like to give physical presents. It’s really difficult to wrap an ebook, so many are purchasing print books instead. And unfortunately, with print book sales continuing to decline, this increase is barely noticeable. People are also buying ereaders and tablets as gifts.

Ebook sales continue to explode and people are giving those as gifts - but in the form of gift cards from Amazon, iTunes, or Barnes and Noble. So ebook sales from those gifts won’t occur until after Christmas when everyone goes bonkers with their gift cards. (BTW - never try to access iTunes on Christmas day.)

People tend to stop buying things for themselves in the month or two leading up to Christmas. They’re either hoping they will get those items for Christmas or they’ve been ordered by family members not to buy anything else. (Yes, that does become an ultimatum in our house.)

So if your sales are sagging a little, relax. Come Christmas morning, things should perk up again.

And your Friday inspirational photos…



It was our seventh year to see Trans Siberian Orchestra in concert and we had middle floor, second row. I still haven’t gone through all of the photos (I’ve been formatting books all week) but my husband put together a DVD already of the video he took with his iPhone. Hopefully I’ll get to the photos soon!

24 comments:

Anne Gallagher said...

Thanks for the pep talk on ebook sales. I was getting worried, but someone told me Hurricane Sandy had a lot to do with it also.

As you said, I'm now waiting for Dec. 26.

And I love the Trans Siberian Orchestra!

A said...

It's interesting that a physical book that you can gift wrap is more "presentable" than an e-book... I guess it's true!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Whoa! Awesome photos.

shelly said...

Thanks for that. And for the pictures. I'm still wrangling out the kinks in my book.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

randi lee said...

As always, I appreciate the info! Those are some great tips, you guru, you! Love the pictures. Rock on!!

YVONNE'S POETRY CORNER said...

As always Diane a great post and pictures.

Enjoy your week-end,
Yvonne.

Donna Shields said...

Great post. I so wanted to see them when they were here in South Carolina :( Just didn't get a chance. Maybe next year.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Anne, they are amazing.

Donna, you need to go!

Jennifer Shirk said...

Ah, that is so true. I never thought about that.
Good to know! Whew!

Anonymous said...

Very good to remember about the gift cards. I know that's what I asked for too!

Oooo cool photos and I'm jealous. :)

Hart Johnson said...

I bet a LOT of people give books as gifts, but yeah... I agree those will be concentrated in certain kinds of books and everybody else will suffer by comparison.

Karen Jones Gowen said...

I just love your succinct way of putting things! Have a lovely weekend, Diane.

L. Diane Wolfe said...

Karen, if they come to ABQ, you have to go.

DL Hammons said...

Our TSO concert is tonight!!! So pumped!!! :)

Carol Kilgore said...

Looks like fun! Love their music, but I've never seen them in concert.

Cynthia said...

Speaking of Trans Siberian Orchestra, I love Christmas Canon. I'd be curious to see them in concert someday.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I really want to see TSO live sometime. They're coming to Hershey Arena but I can't go this year.
I agree about the physical gifts. I do buy my children Amazon and B&N gift cards to buy books for their ereaders. Of course, they'll be buying them after Christmas.

Laura Eno said...

Thank you for the affirmation. My sales suck right now and I know it's because of Christmas but it's still nice to hear someone else say it. :)

Jai Joshi said...

Good point. I'm guessing this is the one time of year where book store sales go up and ebook sales go down.

Jai

Gossip_Grl said...

My aunt has an e-reader and I am giving her an Amazon Gift Card with a lot of e-book suggestions! :)

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Diane .. good points and I love the idea of getting in the flow - with your annual trip to see the Trans Siberian Orchestra - love these photos and look forward to hubby's bonuses too ...

Cheers Hilary

Anonymous said...

I've not seen them in concert but the photos speak volumes. :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

DL, hope you enjoyed the concert.

Laura, I just said it! Everyone's sales are down.

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Great explanation.