Take advantage of 'Googled' eBid!

[nykmedia]

Currently, eBid is experiencing very high rankings across a wide spectrum of subjects within the main Google search engine. A recent combined effort by a group of eBidders in the promotions forum have proven this to be a distinct advantage to sellers and now, especially, sellers of books. In a recent press release featured by the booktrade.info site, the following was included:

Google has introduced a site that organizes customers' libraries and lets Web visitors search through the titles.... users can create lists of links to books and articles in their collections and provide reviews and ratings... and ... links to where they can be purchased.

1. This could mean that anyone selling books could list their inventory on Google with links directly to their eBid book store.

2. This could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the reasons behind Google taking such a decision - are they, perhaps, contemplating targeting the likes of Amazon for a future buy-out?

The real reasons remain to be seen but, if eBid books sellers can get their items linked into the Google book search with links back to this site, then it could bring in a whole new audience.

The above are just my thoughts on a recent news article. I am not suggesting that we all rush out and start building libraries. What I am suggesting, however, is that it may be worthwhile investigating the possibility, as anything that targets bookbuyers with the potential to bring them here, to me, is a good thing.

Anyone got any views on this?

[Gothicina]

Currently, eBid is experiencing very high rankings across a wide spectrum of subjects within the main Google search engine. A recent combined effort by a group of eBidders in the promotions forum have proven this to be a distinct advantage to sellers and now, especially, sellers of books. In a recent press release featured by the booktrade.info site, the following was included:

Google has introduced a site that organizes customers' libraries and lets Web visitors search through the titles.... users can create lists of links to books and articles in their collections and provide reviews and ratings... and ... links to where they can be purchased.

1. This could mean that anyone selling books could list their inventory on Google with links directly to their eBid book store.

2. This could be a good thing or a bad thing, depending on the reasons behind Google taking such a decision - are they, perhaps, contemplating targeting the likes of Amazon for a future buy-out?

The real reasons remain to be seen but, if eBid books sellers can get their items linked into the Google book search with links back to this site, then it could bring in a whole new audience.

The above are just my thoughts on a recent news article. I am not suggesting that we all rush out and start building libraries. What I am suggesting, however, is that it may be worthwhile investigating the possibility, as anything that targets bookbuyers with the potential to bring them here, to me, is a good thing.

Anyone got any views on this?

If used as a way to buy/sell/review books it could be useful

but.....

If it gets as far as
http://www.azcentral.com/business/consumer/articles/0906biz-googlelibrary06-ON.html
maybe not such a good move, putting digital copies of all books online would harm book sales in the long run.

[nykmedia]

Hi Goth,
I read that article and it states, 'Google says it complies with the "fair use" provision of the law by showing snippets of copyrighted works and only making public-domain works available in their entirety', so it isn't quite killing off future book sales. I think the ability to read a little bit of a book online is a bonus, as it gives readers a taste for what's inside the real thing, hence encouraging them to obtain a printed copy. They could just as easily go to their local library.
I've tried reading ebooks - they are fine as short, informative works but who, in their right mind, wants to sit down after a long day's work and a glass/cup/mug of their fave bev and read a novel off their screen or portable reader? Perhaps the commuters may enjoy them but, until they have developed a reading device that can hold a charge long enough to read a chapter or two on the train, they aren't going to flood the common marketplace. Commuters would be far better off browsing eBid with the ability to 'buy now' and pay via text message - does anyone else accept text payments?

[nykmedia]

Following on from what has previously been said, I thought these two articles, side by side, seemed interesting and relevant.

Google To Start Charging For Online Books
Google is to start charging users for full access to online books.
According to the New York Times, publishers will be able to set the
price of their books and share the income with Google

Harry To Go Digital With The Magic Of Amazon's Ebook
Harry Potter and his wizarding chums may be about to make a digital
publishing leap.

Seems like the two are keeping abreast of various electronic changes simultaneously, to me. Any shareholders got an opinion to share here? Is Google gearing up to takeover Amazon?

[kedo]

Hi Goth,
They could just as easily go to their local library.
I've tried reading ebooks - they are fine as short, informative works but who, in their right mind, wants to sit down after a long day's work and a glass/cup/mug of their fave bev and read a novel off their screen or portable reader?

I don't know. Desk top screen maybe not but I do love my PDA. I've got the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Arthur Machen, a whole load of Kipling short stories and various other stuff loaded on it now just to read when I have spare moments (actually reread). There's a strong appeal just because of the portability, I'd hate to carry all those books around with me.

[nykmedia]

I don't know. Desk top screen maybe not but I do love my PDA. I've got the complete works of H.P. Lovecraft, Clark Ashton Smith, Arthur Machen, a whole load of Kipling short stories and various other stuff loaded on it now just to read when I have spare moments (actually reread). There's a strong appeal just because of the portability, I'd hate to carry all those books around with me.

OK, I have to be honest here, I have never even seen a PDA, nor an ebook reading device of any description, so perhaps I could be swayed. But I only read one book at a time, so don't need to carry my entire collection around with me For obvious reasons, I do know that eBooks can be good sellers (but not on eBid, as I was firmly reminded some years back when I inadvertently listed one - OOPS! ) ... I've lost track now. Oh yes! Do you buy your ebooks on disc for uploading or as files for downloading?

[kedo]

I don't buy them, at least I haven't yet. Most of the stuff I read is old so it's available for free download.

[nykmedia]

Get promoting those specialist titles because according to an article in a recent 'New Statesman' an independent book store needs only 250 customers in order to survive. full article HERE

Now if that is for an actual bricks and mortar store, then an eBid book store only needs a fraction of that, and yet the potential customer base online is incalculable. So, it looks like it's back to presentation and getting your titles seen in as many places as possible.

[jimihorizons]

After reading the post about "googling" Ebid, it sounds interesting..But, being a marginally literate, computer person, I think it would be helpful if someone could explain to us, how we can go about getting this link and does it make sense for a small seller like myself( only 10-15 items at a time)..I have just been on Ebid a few weeks and I must admit, I'm VERY dissapointed, many many viewers, but NO bidders so far,,These item would have been gobbled up quickly on Ebay, I dont understand..Please let me know if you have any suggestions...Thank you very much..Jimi Harper

[celticqueen]

Will somebody please tell jimi how to link to his auctions . I would do it myself but I had to rely on the forums to get mine done, some kind person did it for me.I want to see his books.