Please lose the sampler books

Tom Reynolds
Tom Reynolds Member Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭
edited November 20 in Resources Forum

Call me crazy but I'd rather you not clutter up the Vyrso listings with books that aren't really books. i.e. samplers that only include a few chapters or choice quotes to entice you to buy the actual book. e.g.

http://vyrso.com/product/29530/

http://vyrso.com/product/29531/

http://vyrso.com/product/29640/

http://vyrso.com/product/29641/

Thanks!

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Comments

  • Tom
    Tom Member Posts: 1,913


    Call me crazy but I'd rather you not clutter up the Vyrso listings with books that aren't really books. i.e. samplers that only include a few chapters or choice quotes to entice you to buy the actual book. e.g.

    http://vyrso.com/product/29530/

    http://vyrso.com/product/29531/

    http://vyrso.com/product/29640/

    http://vyrso.com/product/29641/

    Thanks!


     

    [Y]

    http://hombrereformado.blogspot.com/  Solo a Dios la Gloria   Apoyo

  • Erwin Stull, Sr.
    Erwin Stull, Sr. Member Posts: 2,793

    I may be the odd ball here, but I don't mind the samplers. Although free would be better, the sampler does not present a hindrance.

     

  • Graham Criddle
    Graham Criddle MVP Posts: 32,638

    I may be the odd ball here, but I don't mind the samplers. Although free would be better, the sampler does not present a hindrance.

    The four samplers referenced in this thread are free.

  • Philana Crouch
    Philana Crouch Member Posts: 2,151

    One solution is to buy the free samplers to see in the books are interesting, then hide them on your desktop to get rid of them, this will also sync to your mobile apps as well. 

  • Erwin Stull, Sr.
    Erwin Stull, Sr. Member Posts: 2,793

    I may be the odd ball here, but I don't mind the samplers. Although free would be better, the sampler does not present a hindrance.

    The four samplers referenced in this thread are free.

    Hi Graham;

    My wording did not accurately state what was on my mind. I meant to express that the full versions being free would be better. Thanks. [:)]

     

  • Ward Walker
    Ward Walker Member Posts: 1,212 ✭✭✭

    I'm not a fan of the free samplers either; I'd prefer a limited time sneak peek as Logos did earlier (or my usual method, see if Google Books has digitized the book--they only hide a few pages).

  • toughski
    toughski Member Posts: 1,288 ✭✭✭

    I hate the sampler books - I would not even open them. They really put off a lot of users.

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,512

    toughski said:

    I hate the sampler books

    Me too.

    toughski said:

    They really put off a lot of users.

    Unfortunately, they also help to sell a lot of books.

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    truth over tribe

  • toughski
    toughski Member Posts: 1,288 ✭✭✭

    alabama24 said:

    toughski said:

    They really put off a lot of users.

    Unfortunately, they also help to sell a lot of books.

    Actually, a good name and good content helps to sell a lot of books.

    I have an issue with sampler books for this small reason: there is no material difference between a "sample book" and a preview available on a website. Giving me a "sampler" book does not actually give me anything more, than what was available in the past. It is simply another marketing gimmick to make it appear I got something free.

    Following this new marketing logic, Why not publish a SAMPLER version of EVERY book in the catalog? Sounds ridiculous, I know.

  • Brian Williams
    Brian Williams Member Posts: 391

    Hi everyone! I just retired the samplers that were listed above. We appreciate your feedback! 

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,512

    I just retired the samplers that were listed above.

    Thanks!

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    truth over tribe

  • Wild Eagle
    Wild Eagle Member Posts: 1,587 ✭✭✭

    Hi everyone! I just retired the samplers that were listed above. We appreciate your feedback! 

    That's Awesome!!!! Thank you Brian

    "No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing; the people who are not praying are straying." Leonard Ravenhill 

  • Paul Golder
    Paul Golder Member Posts: 1,698

    I remember, back in the day when publishers were pushing authors to go digital, and one of the big profit points was:

    "Just think how many more sales you will get if you could get a chapter or two into the hands of the readers, once you got them hooked it's money in the bank..."

    There was a lot of comparison about how people sat in bookstores to read the first chapter and then end up buying the book, but now they could do it anywhere.

    Funny how things don't work out...

    "As any translator will attest, a literal translation is no translation at all."

  • fgh
    fgh Member Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭

    alabama24 said:

    I just retired the samplers that were listed above.

    Thanks!

    [Y]

    Mac Pro (late 2013) OS 12.6.2

  • Rosie Perera
    Rosie Perera Member Posts: 26,202 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Hi everyone! I just retired the samplers that were listed above. We appreciate your feedback! 

    Thanks, Brian.

    What might work better would be to do what Amazon does. When you go to the main page of a Kindle book for which a sample is available, there's a separate button you can click to download the free sample. If Logos could do something like that it might increase book sales, and it wouldn't clutter up the regular catalog of books. I've downloaded a free sample and followed up by purchasing the entire book a number of times with Kindle books. It does help make the decision when you're not quite sure. Without that, most people who are undecided would likely choose to lean towards caution and not buy the book. But if a book is worth buying, usually the first chapter will sell you on it.

  • fgh
    fgh Member Posts: 8,948 ✭✭✭

    if a book is worth buying, usually the first chapter will sell you on it

    I was researching Wright books for March Madness Monday, and it really brought home how lousy Logos' current previews are for their purpose. Again and again I started reading, Wright summarized the questions people might have about the subject, or an opponent's view, and then he was just about to start describing and explaining his own opinion: half a sentence, and then the preview broke off, and moved me to another chapter, which again gave me the intro and then cut off. It's not enough to tell me that the author has found something interesting to write about; what I mainly need to know is if he's got something interesting to say about it.

    Mac Pro (late 2013) OS 12.6.2

  • Todd Phillips
    Todd Phillips Member Posts: 6,735 ✭✭✭

    fgh said:

    if a book is worth buying, usually the first chapter will sell you on it

    I was researching Wright books for March Madness Monday, and it really brought home how lousy Logos' current previews are for their purpose. Again and again I started reading, Wright summarized the questions people might have about the subject, or an opponent's view, and then he was just about to start describing and explaining his own opinion: half a sentence, and then the preview broke off, and moved me to another chapter, which again gave me the intro and then cut off. It's not enough to tell me that the author has found something interesting to write about; what I mainly need to know is if he's got something interesting to say about it.

    Preach it.  The current samples are better than nothing, but they often cut off the TOC, and the sample length isn't long enough to get a feel for a book, as you said.

    I still find myself running to Amazon to get better samples.

    MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540

  • toughski
    toughski Member Posts: 1,288 ✭✭✭

    I still find myself running to Amazon to get better samples.

    I find it a recurring theme, where Amazon sort of sets the standard

    • better sample experience
    • better reviews
    • better synchronization
    • better at advocating for consumer
    • better wishlist and cart user experience
    • better lending

    So, I think Logos could be better off imitating Amazon's strengths.

    as far as reviews, it is our (Logos users') fault shortcoming. So I am off to review a book [8-|]

  • Todd Phillips
    Todd Phillips Member Posts: 6,735 ✭✭✭

    toughski said:

    I find it a recurring theme, where Amazon sort of sets the standard

    • better sample experience
    • better reviews
    • better synchronization
    • better at advocating for consumer
    • better wishlist and cart user experience
    • better lending

    So, I think Logos could be better off imitating Amazon's strengths.

    Also, Amazon is better at releasing ebooks the same date the hardcover is released.

    To be fair, Logos' ebook features are far superior to Kindle's (footnotes, crosslinking, copying text, table of contents, searching).  I find myself wishing Amazon would imitate Logos in that regard.  I'd always rather own a book in Logos than in Kindle.

    MacBook Pro (2019), ThinkPad E540

  • toughski
    toughski Member Posts: 1,288 ✭✭✭

    I'd always rather own a book in Logos than in Kindle.

    I believe I understand what you mean. I too would prefer to buy a Logos edition of a book for the functionality

    However, I would prefer to read (as opposed to study) it on an e-ink screen.

    So here lies the irony: Logos is the champion of "buy once, read everywhere" philosophy. You can read (and sync, and highlight,and ...) a logos edition on pretty much any kind of screen: huge desktop ones, tiny phone ones and everything in between. Any screen, with the exception of screens specifically designed for easier reading!!![:'(]

    but that is the topic for another thread.

    I appreciate Logos' decision to pull sampler books off.  Thank you, Logos.

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,512

    toughski said:

    Any screen, with the exception of screens specifically designed for easier reading!!!Crying

    It is my understanding that some of the e-ink readers have some sort of "experimental" web browsing capabilities... If yours fits into that category, have you tried using biblia.com to access your Logos resources? 

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    truth over tribe

  • toughski
    toughski Member Posts: 1,288 ✭✭✭

    alabama24 said:

    It is my understanding that some of the e-ink readers have some sort of "experimental" web browsing capabilities... If yours fits into that category, have you tried using biblia.com to access your Logos resources? 

    ok, I stand TECHNICALLY corrected, but come on! Reading Logos resources on Kindle via a browser is torture - both you, I and Logos knows it. I dare say that you would not use biblia.com on your beloved iPad INSTEAD of a dedicated app on a constant basis. biblia.com on Kindle is not the solution, that I am talking about here.

    Logos COULD make transfer to Kindle easy, even make it a one-click option, but it does not.  I assume, that severe legal consequences prevent it from providing this functionality. It is ironic and sad, however [:'(]

  • JT (alabama24)
    JT (alabama24) MVP Posts: 36,512

    toughski said:

    ok, I stand TECHNICALLY corrected, but come on! Reading Logos resources on Kindle via a browser is torture - both you, I and Logos knows it. I dare say that you would not use biblia.com on your beloved iPad INSTEAD of a dedicated app on a constant basis. biblia.com on Kindle is not the solution, that I am talking about here.

    toughski - I'm not sure why we have gotten off on the wrong foot. [:S] I wasn't trying to "correct" you... I was trying to help. I have no idea how "good" or "bad" the solution is... only that it is a solution for some users. I have never even touched a Kindle. I have seen Nook e-ink readers, and have to admit that I really like the screen for reading... but it wouldn't work for most of my reading since I like to highlight, and switch between many styles.

    toughski said:

    I assume, that severe legal consequences prevent it from providing this functionality.

    I think you are right.

    macOS, iOS & iPadOS |Logs| Install
    truth over tribe

  • Philana Crouch
    Philana Crouch Member Posts: 2,151

    I remember, back in the day when publishers were pushing authors to go digital, and one of the big profit points was:

    "Just think how many more sales you will get if you could get a chapter or two into the hands of the readers, once you got them hooked it's money in the bank..."

    There was a lot of comparison about how people sat in bookstores to read the first chapter and then end up buying the book, but now they could do it anywhere.

    Funny how things don't work out...

    I think the issue is how samples are treated. I have downloaded samples from Kindle and ended up purchasing the book. But if I got a sample from Kindle I didn't like it wasn't a permanent part of my library. I didn't have to go "hide" the sample. These samples from Vyrso are treated like resources and have to be hidden. I ended up deciding not to get some of the samples for that reason. If somehow samples could be easily deleted they would work better.

  • Paul Golder
    Paul Golder Member Posts: 1,698

    I think the issue is how samples are treated. I have downloaded samples from Kindle and ended up purchasing the book. But if I got a sample from Kindle I didn't like it wasn't a permanent part of my library. I didn't have to go "hide" the sample. These samples from Vyrso are treated like resources and have to be hidden. I ended up deciding not to get some of the samples for that reason. If somehow samples could be easily deleted they would work better.

    Good point. 

    "As any translator will attest, a literal translation is no translation at all."

  • Tom Reynolds
    Tom Reynolds Member Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭

    It's back...but now it's called "selections from...." vyrso.com/product/33447/selections-from-love-to-stay-sex-grace-and-commitment

    Run, Forest, run!

  • David Carter
    David Carter Member Posts: 1,085 ✭✭

    It's back...but now it's called "selections from...." vyrso.com/product/33447/selections-from-love-to-stay-sex-grace-and-commitment

    Run, Forest, run!

    I believe it's also back and called Why? Making Sense of God's Will - the preview seems to suggest there is only one chapter in the book. Frankly if this is just one chapter from the book I think this is a bit pathetic.