Does It Make Sense To Autograph Ebooks?
from the does-it-make-them-special? dept
One of the things we've seen that has been used, quite frequently, by content creators in offering "premium" packages, is getting something physical "signed" by the content creator -- a CD case, a book, etc. In fact, we've made use of this ourselves, and sold a bunch of signed books. However, in a world where so much goes purely digital, is there still a way to do a signature? And if you can, is it still valuable? It seems that some are starting to experiment with the idea. Famed best-selling author Robert Kiyosaki (of Rich Dad, Poor Dad fame) is trying out a new offering in which he'll digitally autograph some ebooks. Basically, readers who get this ebook will get an extra digital page inserted in their copies, which will have his signature. And each signature is unique -- he can even add personalized messages.There are some limitations. It's only available on one day and only via a live online chat. Also, it only works on the Kindle, which raises questions concerning just how "future proof" it will really be.
I'm certainly intrigued by the idea, but I can't see it really catching on to quite the same level. I would bet, for many, that it doesn't seem nearly as "real" or "authentic" to make it valuable. Perhaps I'm wrong and some will find it really compelling. I guess we'll see.
What I find much more interesting is the overall technology behind this. While we all knew it was coming, we're finally starting to see the technology put into place that can create customized and interactive books, rather than limiting them solely to the static word (not that there's anything wrong with that in many cases, but I like to look at what new and innovative ideas can come out of these things). If you can personalize content in an ebook, it seems that builds up a range of possibilities. Perhaps, rather than a signature, some people wouldn't mind an eBook that comes with a personalized message of the day, or via which the author can respond to questions. On top of that, it suggests a day when it will be more common to create more customized books, and even allowing for updating books that continue to evolve. We're really just on the cusp of what the technology will allow, and I don't think doing digital autographs is really the key killer app here.
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Filed Under: autographs, ebooks, personalization, robert kiyosaki, scarcities
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What good is it if you can't resell it?
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Re: What good is it if you can't resell it?
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That would be truly unique and impossible to copy. Of course it could make it a much "colder" and impersonal process. It's a machine doing the signing, not the autho. That could negatively affect the value.
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Though I agree it could even remove some value... to some extent.
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You can still copy any of those individually (and enjoy full use of all of them), of course. But they are meaningless when broken apart.
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It is, as always, a matter of respect: the willingness to share ideas demonstrates respect for your audience. It is then a simple economic question: are there enough people willing to support a respectful ecosystem to keep it afloat? The truth is that there are enough, as examples here show repeatedly, but the maximalists are insufficiently respectful to believe it.
As someone pointed out on an earlier post, we're good at recognizing people of the copyright-maximalist type in our daily lives. They're the people who take and don't give, and because they operate that way, their decisions are based on their fear that everyone else does, too. That attitude should be regarded as a lamentable social disability, not allowed to control policy.
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Well, it can be done...
It brings a new meaning to the phrase digital signature.
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A modified bitcoin protocol for signing digital work: introducing ArtCoin
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Customised content
Let's not lose sight of the fact that the whole idea of an "e-book" is an elaborate infrastructure for DRM. Otherwise an e-book would just be a large html file or series of same, as some free books are.
And once we require DRM, all these commonplace features have to be reinvented to fit into the restriction infrastructure.
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"Future Proof"? Not even close.
That right there will make this useless. Hell, the next thing I know, Amazon and the publisher will get into some stupid fight, pull the "signed" book, and it's gone. Even if they resolve their differences, what are the odds that I can get my special page back? Slim to none, with slim stepping out of town, I would bet.
Scote is right - If I have the opportunity to get a signature, I'm getting a physical one. Even if it is on a separate sheet of paper. The author can even sign my back while my friends take pictures, or a shirt... Anything that doesn't have DRM.
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{arched eyebrow} This idea again?
This is starting to remind me of some of things that stamp/card/comic/coin collectors and sellers have had to do to avoid getting ripped off with counterfeit items (i.e. holograms, special print techniques, etc. etc. etc.).
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Better idea
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However I do like the idea of personalized messages. If the messages are somewhat unique (not just all "to my best fan 'insert name'") then it does add a personal feel for that buyer. And isn't that one of the various reasons people buy premium items, so that they can own something unique that connects them to the creator somehow?
While a novel idea, being digital it probably won't add any real perceived value past the original buyer. Thus while it will allow for a few higher priced books/albums/etc to sell to some, it probably won't ever become a ground breaking concept that everyone embraces.
I see this as a nice "add-on" to more traditional digital avenues when marketing and selling items. A good additional option to help connect with fans, but nothing that would stand purely by itself.
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The 1-2-3 model always applies:
1. Author signs one time.
2. Signature electronically duplicated as many times as needed to separate gullible public from their money, while saving author from writers cramp.
3. Need I say: Cha-Ching! Profit!
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i think another form of personalization is needed
ebooks enable the production of "coffee table" editions that can be as richly illustrated as a web page. In a perfect world, I'd like to sell a Kindle ebook edition at $0.99, a richly illustrated edition for more, another edition with personalized message for more, and a paper version printed on glossy stock with hardback covers for an even higher price.
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