Free with purchase of a book, that is.
Perhaps you're satisfied with your skin tone but you could do with a change of nail color. You'd be interested in the lovely collection of Melissa Marr's novels, in that case.
For those not so vain as all that, there are signed first editions or a poster to go with Harper Lee's one and only novel. Makes a charming addition to any room.
What is HarperCollins up to with this new concept in book sales?
The idea of Bookperk is to move more inventory, naturally enough, but the concept of giving away little goodies with every purchase suggests a marketing gimmick cooked up by someone who's fond of the samples at the cosmetics counter of Bloomingdale's.
According to the website, you the Bookperk member shall feel like an industry insider, getting extras that are not available to the general public. Not everyone can boast of a Joyce Carol Oates autograph on their frontispiece.
How many people care enough about exclusivity? Enough to make a dent in declining book sales?
To encourage greater participation, you are encouraged to sign up your friends and gain discounts towards your future purchases. Expect your friends to be somewhat more enthusiastic than if you'd offered them an opportunity to sell Amway products.
But ask yourself, is there a vast, underserved population of potential readers in your social circle? Do you know people who would buy a book so that they could enter a contest to win a tour of the Cosmo offices in New York?
I'd like to think that most of us read for the entertainment that's in it. Some are after edification or education or insight into the human condition.
Pairing books with commodities almost seems desperate. By attaching product and prize, HarperCollins implies that the books wouldn't sell themselves without the incentive. So why are they bothering to publish those books to begin with?
No comments:
Post a Comment