Logos closes reseller channels

There are some things I just don't understand about business. This is one of them.

What does this mean for selling Logos at the local bookstore? It sounds like that's over.

I just don't get it. [:^)]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17523#Comment_17523

There are some things I just don't understand about business. This is one of them.

What does this mean for selling Logos at the local bookstore? It sounds like that's over.

I just don't get it.

I'm curious as to what it means for packages already on the shelf. are they requiring all retailers to take them down...

Paul Golder

Logos Bible Software has elected to transition out of ALL
distribution and reseller relationships!

I'm guessing, by the sound of this, that Logos is just moving their retail distribution to a separate company. Perhaps even a spin-off company wholly owned by Logos.

Just a guess...

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17527#Comment_17527

Umm, Lemme think about this. [^o)]

Could that gathering cloud on the horizon be Logos 4.0 based on cloud computing???

If it is, I guess that spells the demise of fine resellers like Nehemiah software, Rejoice Christian Software and the like. Bittersweet development?

Rodney Prickett

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17527#Comment_17527

Lifeway as not had a base package on shelf for some time.

Jerry Bush

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17542#Comment_17542

I don't make it into actual bookstores very often anymore, but it seems like I have seen less and less software in general there, but especially Logos. A lot of the stuff they have is out of date, too.

This only bothers me because it reduces competition, and that usually leads to higher prices.

But this is Logos, so maybe not.

Jerry

MJ. Smith

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17549#Comment_17549

This only bothers me because it reduces competition, and that usually leads to higher prices.

Come on all you half-emptiers; it means we don't have to spend our time shopping around for the best price. [H]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17542#Comment_17542

Lifeway bookstore on the Moody Bible Institute campus has a few.

Francis

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17562#Comment_17562

I'm not sure whether I should share this before Halloween, but can't you see? Isn't it obvious? First, Zondervan joins in. Then, resellers are eliminated. It's all moving toward the one-worldwide-Bible-software company. And soon we will be wearing the software in our hands through iphone. WATCH OUT! BEWARE of the mark! (evil laughter)...

Disclaimer: this is a joke. this is a joke. this is a joke. this is a joke.

Paul Golder

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17539#Comment_17539

Umm, Lemme think about this.

Could that gathering cloud on the horizon be Logos 4.0 based on cloud computing???

If it is, I guess that spells the demise of fine resellers like Nehemiah software, Rejoice Christian Software and the like. Bittersweet development?

It does make one think. Especially combined with today's blog post:

License and Registration Please . . .

RichGrif

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17576#Comment_17576

I inquired of Rejoice Software about their ability to deliver the upcoming Tyndale Commentary and received the following reply:

Hi Richard

Yes, the announcement only pertains to products published by Logos. In this instance, the Tyndale set is being published by InterVarsity Press. We haven't sold any Logos-published products in several years. The Libronix products that we carry are being made available by the print publishers who have decided to license the Libronix technology, and then produce their own product. For example, Baker Book House publishes their own material in Libronix format, and they have produced several products that we carry: Sproul, Geisler, Baker NT Commentary, Baker Exegetical, and these products are completely unrelated to any decisions that Logos, the company, makes regarding their own published materials. We stopped offering Logos published materials about 3 years ago. But we have continued to make Libronix products available from Baker Book House, and in this case, IVP (as well as many others, like AMG's Bible Essentials), and will continue to offer IVP products like The Essential IVP Ref. Collection, Bible Speaks Today, etc.

I hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Michael White

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17586#Comment_17586

Oh well then, nothing to see. Move along.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17596#Comment_17596

Oh well then, nothing to see. Move along.

You mean now I have to come up with something else to complain about? that stinks.

Ken Shawver

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17598#Comment_17598

Philippians 2:14

14 Do all things ^zwithout ⁴complaining and ^adisputing, [:D]

Who's complaining???

Colin Thornby

This may be 'not a big deal' to purchasers in the US and Canada, but it would be a big deal to us in (places like) Australia, who depend on resellers (there are really only three in Australia). The US postage on a base package would be pretty prohibitive, and once you get to AU$1,000 we have to pay import duties. I'd suggest that, if that happened, it would really mean Logos exiting the Australian market.

Colin

Gregory E. Sarwinski

Mark,

Most of the stores did not carry all the Logos base products. Also, in order to get most add-on books, the source was Logos. However, if you use the Pre-pub and Community Price pages you get the products at deep discounts. That is especially true of the Community Price page, but few people are submitting bids. I don't care what anyone thinks of Thomas Aquinas. The fact is that if one participates in the bidding, one can get a huge set of his works for $16 to $20. That is true of many other works. Other than that, Logos stands by its word to its customers and will take care of us. Afterall, Logos widow on the software world is not a ruined vista.

Steven Yu

How about product like "Bible Speaks Today" and "Essential IVP Reference Collection", and all the other 3rd party product that use Libronix?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17638#Comment_17638

Steven, this doesn't appear to affect the third party products, only the base packages.

e.g. lifeway won't carry scholars gold but will be able to carry the IVP reference collection.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17612#Comment_17612

Philippians 2:14

14 Do all things ^zwithout ⁴complaining and ^adisputing,

Who's complaining???

and here all this time I thought that verse said " Do all things without champagne and dissipation" [:D]

David Buckham

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17652#Comment_17652

To my knowledge Logos still has the Ambassadors program that offers
the software at a 25% discount. Maybe this means the Ambassadors are
about to have some new venues of sales opened up to them.

all about Christ,

David

Mike T

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17664#Comment_17664

To my knowledge Logos still has the Ambassadors program that offers the software at a 25% discount. Maybe this means the Ambassadors are about to have some new venues of sales opened up to them.

all about Christ,

David

Although I have purchased a couple of add-ons to Logos through third-party resellers due to pricing, there is another issue to this change in operations. Given that the longevity of our software depends upon the long-term success of Logos, how is Logos going to market its base products? It was radio marketing for Illumina software that drove me into my local Christian bookstore to check out the available software. After evaluation of the options, I chose Logos... but had Logos not been in that bookstore, I would now be using a different software package. Now, I may be one of a small minority (I usually am), but it would be interesting to know what percentage of sales of Logos base packages are through 1) Direct sales (salesforce/internet), 2) Resellers, 3) Ambassador program/referrals, 4) Seminaries/Bible colleges, etc. It may be that this decision impacts only a small percentage of sales...

Mike

David Buckham

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17684#Comment_17684

Michael,

I am not sure about the percentages of sales. I can say that I learned of Logos in Bible College and not from a retailer. However, when I purchased Logos, I went through a retailer. The ambassador program has only been out a little over a year I think. I have been affiliated with the program since late Spring.

The only thing the closing of sales through resellers will effect is buying base packages. Retailers will still sale third party add-ons, commentaries, books and so on. But if I buy an add-on, like an eBible set from Thomas Nelson, as my first purchase, I get a Logos engine and an account created when I register the software. If I had never heard of Logos at the point of my initial purchase, I will definitely hear more of Logos.

I know I have "sold" several Logos systems by word of mouth. As an ambassador, not so many, but I live in a smaller area now.

I wonder if Logos is taking a console approach to this? Nintendo, Sony and Microsoft now say (and have said) they make little on their gaming consoles, they make money off the games and accessories, especially the third party games. I wonder if Logos is going to push third party sales through the resellers now. Could be a smart move financially...at least for the U.S. market.

all about Christ,

David Buckham

Bob Pritchett

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17745#Comment_17745

The decision was based on a careful analysis of our sales; you can be assured that we didn't turn off any channel that was doing significant business.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17856#Comment_17856

The decision was based on a careful analysis of our sales; you can be assured that we didn't turn off any channel that was doing significant business.

And its having to make decisions like these that make me glad I don't run a business.

Colin Thornby

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17856#Comment_17856

The decision was based on a careful analysis of our sales; you can be assured that we didn't turn off any channel that was doing significant business.

Hi Bob. I can absolutely understand that for North America. I'm hoping that there will still be some retail presence in Australia, otherwise it will effectively mean you leave our marketplace, which I think would be very sad.

Colin

Bob Pritchett

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17874#Comment_17874

I'm hoping that there will still be some retail presence in Australia

We examined our international sales and found that direct sales from overseas were dramatically higher than sales through distributors. In the age of the Internet, people communicate directly. (Case in point: You're corresponding with me directly, not our Australian distributor.)

Colin Thornby

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17876#Comment_17876

I'm hoping that there will still be some retail presence in Australia

We examined our international sales and found that direct sales from overseas were dramatically higher than sales through distributors. In the age of the Internet, people communicate directly. (Case in point: You're corresponding with me directly, not our Australian distributor.)

Yes, they do tend to, but I found out about your product through an Australian retailer, not through your website. I'm on here because I own Scholars super duper package, appreciate it and the community that has formed around it. I purchased my base package through an Australian retailer, not through Logos - if it had not been there I would not have bought it, and thus bought into your system. I purchased the upgrades and so on through Logos because they don't need to be physically delivered (generally).

If I'd had to import your software myself, I'd have paid AU$1,775 including import duties and taxes. If I'd bought it in Australia it would have been quite a bit lower (I reckon around AU$1,300).

Obviously it is your decision. All I'd point out is that you can't rely, in other territories, on people getting hold of American Christian magazines and so on, because they don't have wide circulation here. That means your visibility will be poor. There is another thing - Australians are different to Americans, I understand. We have a much smaller 'mail order' culture - it has never been as common here. Australians like to look, feel and experience before they buy, particularly larger purchases. We also like to know someone we can get hold of easily stands behind the product - I know Logos does, is reachable and so on, but others may not until the experience it, which they won't until they buy it and so on.

I absolutely agree with the efficiency of distributing software via the Internet. I'd suggest, though, that if you want to continue to have a share of the market in Australia you need to have some sort of strategy to do it. However - you may be choosing to concentrate on North America, and that is a valid choice. I don't know what your sales figures are. You might also be choosing to focus on 'power users' who would tend to do research and then purchase happily this way. Again - a valid choice.

I regularly recommend your products and show people how to use them (we don't have the benefit of Camp Logos here), and it will be sad if people can't buy them easily.

Paul Golder

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17856#Comment_17856

The decision was based on a careful analysis of our sales; you can be assured that we didn't turn off any channel that was doing significant business.

Hi Bob,

Does this mean that Zondervan's retail boxed product will be like Nelsons, with their label?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17562#Comment_17562

This only bothers me because it reduces competition, and that usually leads to higher prices.

Come on all you half-emptiers; it means we don't have to spend our time shopping around for the best price.

I don't buy much from other retailers (once, maybe twice), but it kind of reminds me of the old Tennesee Ernie Ford song popular in the late 50's "I owe my soul to the company store" -- oh well, I already do. [H]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17612#Comment_17612

Who's complaining???

Me, I like to kvetch. Are you trying to deprive me of my right? [:)]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17652#Comment_17652

Philippians 2:14

14 Do all things ^zwithout ⁴complaining and ^adisputing,

Who's complaining???

and here all this time I thought that verse said " Do all things without champagne and dissipation"

I'll drink to that.

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17909#Comment_17909

Don't buy from retailers period! I had the Scholar's Gold version 3 which I got from Logos and then went ahead and bought Baker's NT commentary by William Hendricksen & Simon Kistemaker as an add on from Christianbook.com back in October of 2009 only to find out that that set came with my upgrade to Platinum LE when L4 was released in November. When I asked the sales person if I could get a better discount on my upgrade due to the fact that I had just purchased Baker's NT commentary from Christianbook.com he said he couldn't give me any credit because I had not purchase the set from Logos. If I had known that I would have purchase all of my add ons from Logos even if they are a little bit more expensive [the reason I bought the set from christianbook was because it was $85 bucks, compared to $159 from Logos -- that's a $74.95 difference!].

Now, here I am trying to sell the Baker's NT commentary CD-ROM I got from Christianbook.com because I already own it through my Logos upgrade to Platinum. Yes, Logos has always claimed they won't make you buy the same book twice [and they do honor that] but back then they should've let us know that that only applies to products purchased through them and not retailers.

In the end, I learned my lesson and now I only purchase through Logos [taking advantage of their payment plan]. And I'm also confident that I'll be able to sell the CD-ROM I got from Christianbook.com, it's only a matter of time until I get my money back so I can purchase the Bible Expositor's Commentary as an add on or some other books. So don't worry, I'm not complaining, I'm just stating facts and thank God there's Logos 4! Great tool I'm proud to show and spread the word about!

Friedrich

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124303#Comment_124303

Don't buy from retailers period!

. . . but consider buying from a private reseller named Doug, who is a very nice gentleman who will give you a good deal! [:P]

DAL

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/124309#Comment_124309

Exactly! I'm gonna lose some money, but I'm going to resell Baker's NT CD-ROM for $60 considering the fact that the person will have to pay his/her $20 bucks license transfer fee... ;-)

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/17876#Comment_17876

Bob, you make the point about the internet, and its effects on business. And though I agree with the communications piece, I strongly disagree with the Affiliate Program being shut down.

If you don't have enough margin in your products to allow affiliates to help you market, and process those affiliate payouts, your pricing model must be messed up. (contrary e.g. - Amazon's success)

You may have had limited success in the past, but Christian efforts are often years behind the secular world. I think Logos would be surprised how many sales they would receive of Logos Software, or even subscriptions to Bible Study Magazine, in the same way many "secular" companies are experiencing now.

I also think Logos should employ the fixed pricing model (like Apple, etc.) so that affiliates or resellers all sell the products at the same price, but you simply share the revenue with those helping you sell the product.

Trying to sell your product alone is a losing proposition. Show me one successful company that doesn't sell their product through resellers of some kind.

Thanks for the time.

Until We're All Home,

Walter

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160485#Comment_160485

Trying to sell your product alone is a losing proposition.

Hi Walter, Welcome to the forums.

If you have read this thread from the beginning, I am sure you've seen the reasons Bob gave for this decision. Many pros and cons have been brought up. The question of taxes, tarrifs and shipping costs is certainly a factor in each foreign market. And each market differs a bit from the others.

Look at this recent blog for a good snapshot of the Logos user base. "How to Get Logos Support at 1:30 AM"
http://blog.logos.com/mt-cgi/mt-search.cgi?search=How+to+Get+Logos+Support+at+1%3A30+AM+&IncludeBlogs=1&limit=20

I agree it would be helpful to have a local representative "on the ground" in each country serviced. It would be a wonderful service if you could provide that function in your locale. Logos has an Ambassador program to reward individuals who help others buy into Logos. See here for info: http://blog.logos.com/archives/2009/03/become_a_logos_ambassador.html

I don't think Logos is trying to sell their product alone. There has got to be some balanced solution that will likely include the Ambassadors Program, online sales, regional representatives and seminars. I would love to travel the world for Logos, but alas, I am still a novice with Logos 4.0.

But I can dream, can't I? [Y] [H] [ap] [ip]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160570#Comment_160570

I am not trying to speak to sales outside the US... I am talking about US Sales. I see no good reason to NOT use resellers and to NOT have an Affiliate program in the United States, if you force pricing to be the same for all resellers and Affiliates. Living without these is a very limited vision.

Mike Aubrey

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160574#Comment_160574

I am not trying to speak to sales outside the US... I am talking about US Sales. I see no good reason to NOT use resellers and to NOT have an Affiliate program in the United States, if you force pricing to be the same for all resellers and Affiliates. Living without these is a very limited vision.

Here's good reason not to use them: Direct from Dell: Strategies that Revolutionized an Industry (Collins Business Essentials). You don't find Dell computers at reseller locations.

Todd Phillips

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160581#Comment_160581

I am not trying to speak to sales outside the US... I am talking about US Sales. I see no good reason to NOT use resellers and to NOT have an Affiliate program in the United States, if you force pricing to be the same for all resellers and Affiliates. Living without these is a very limited vision.

Here's good reason not to use them: Direct from Dell: Strategies that Revolutionized an Industry (Collins Business Essentials). You don't find Dell computers at reseller locations.

That book is dated. See: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Dell-i17R-2084-OBK/14335606

[:D]

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160592#Comment_160592

You're honestly comparing Dell's choices of going at it alone to Logos? LOL...

Dell spent 836 million dollars on advertising in 2007 (quickest figure I could find)

http://austin.bizjournals.com/austin/stories/2009/05/04/story1.html

The point I am making is that an affiliate program costs next to nothing to run and the benefits far outweigh the risks and costs. There's no reason not to do it, especially in such s niche market as Christianity in general. I could run the affiliate program myself and bring in over a million in revenue in the next year or two.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160596#Comment_160596

I could run the affiliate program myself and bring in over a million in revenue in the next year or two.

A million is small change in the current picture. I do not know if Bob will release sales figures at the end of the year but I am confident this is by far the best year Logos has ever had. Due in part to direct sales.

I am not trying to speak to sales outside the US... I am talking about US Sales.

The current marketing plan makes even more sense in the United States. (We will ignore the fact Bob mentioned about software loss, aka "theft", from retailers. Very common in the USA.)

My previous post mentions a balance among four different endeavors: the Ambassadors Program, online sales, regional representatives and seminars. All of these have already been implemented in the USA. The admonition to "not muzzle the ox whilst he is treading the grain" did not mandate keeping an ox just to feed him, if you have no use for the ox. Logos exists to produce and sell Bible software. By cutting out retailers Logos can have tighter control on quality, service and the company's reputation. I was not happy to see the boxes disappear from the shelves but I believe it has been for the best, all things considered.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160601#Comment_160601

Then cut out retailers... but an Affiliate program would be much better than the "Encyclopedia Salesman" approach of the Ambassador program. It would have many, many people out their advertising the same price, but receiving a commission for spreading the word about the software... in this tremendous online marketplace.

And to put down an ADDITIONAL million in revenue (minus my commission) is just ridiculous.... And what about 1,000 Affiliates bringing in an average of 50,000 in revenue in a year... That's 50,000,000... Ringing any bells yet?

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160605#Comment_160605

It would have many, many people out their advertising the same price, but receiving a commission for spreading the word about the software...

We already have that without high commissions. So change the name from Ambassador to Affiliate if it motivates you more. Logos has set the selling price and the commissions they are willing to pay. Word of mouth and general exposure will ensure exponential growth in sales. The ever expanding library of resources will garner new users. There are many who will proselytize without any greater financial incentive than is currently being offered. I just want my family and friends to know about this good thing (Logos) I have discovered.

Bob Pritchett did not accidentally pilot the Logos company into great success. He has shown he has the talent to make necessary adjustments along the way to succeed. If a different marketing model is needed, Bob, Dale & Dan will be right on it.

Do a little experiment with the search engines. See how many hits you get with differenty worded searches about Logos Bible software. This company has no peers.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160581#Comment_160581

I am not trying to speak to sales outside the US... I am talking about US Sales. I see no good reason to NOT use resellers and to NOT have an Affiliate program in the United States, if you force pricing to be the same for all resellers and Affiliates. Living without these is a very limited vision.

Here's good reason not to use them: Direct from Dell: Strategies that Revolutionized an Industry (Collins Business Essentials). You don't find Dell computers at reseller locations.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Dell+-+Inspiron+Desktop+/+Intel%26%23174%3B+Pentium%26%23174%3B+Processor+/+4GB+Memory+/+500GB+Hard+Drive/9846086.p?skuId=9846086&ky=1whxm51gbOgORrn6M8JOUlLjDtR0yY7Rx&cmp=RMX&id=1218183110027

Wes Saad

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160605#Comment_160605

Then cut out retailers... but an Affiliate program would be much better...

If you want to sell Logos software, why not just apply for a job? http://www.logos.com/jobs

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160716#Comment_160716

George... I was thinking the exact same thing... you beat me to it... lol...

Chris... you are missing the point, or you're just being sarcastic, which is the unfortunate standard Christian response to a debate or discussion that involves conflict of any kind.

Logos is a great company, with amazing software, but no one has given me a good reason NOT to run an affiliate program. Bloggers would use it, churches would use it, denominational entities would use it, podcasters would use it... etc...

I would love to be a part of a Logos affiliate program, and I think it could and would be successful.

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/164567#Comment_164567

Chris... you are missing the point, or you're just being sarcastic, which is the unfortunate standard Christian response to a debate or discussion that involves conflict of any kind.

I don't think Chris was being sarcastic in his post but I will leave it to him to clarify his intent. If you really believe sarcasm is the standard Christian response you have been missing a lot of honest, needed advice in life. I promise not to be sarcastic in this post.

Logos is a great company, with amazing software, but no one has given me a good reason NOT to run an affiliate program.

Yes, all this is true. And Logos got to this point without an affiliate program. Here is a GOOD reason not to start that now. Bob Pritchett (and a few others) invested years of hard work to build Logos into the great company you admire. Bob even wrote a book where he shares valuable lessons he has learned along the way.

"Fire Someone Today: And Other Surprising Tactics for Making Your Business a Success" http://www.logos.com/products/details/3794 .

Chapter 10 of the book is titled "Profit Is Why You Are in Business." The Logos Corporation went through an Initial Public Offering that Bob reversed at the last moment. You'd have to agree an IPO brings in significantly more cash into the company than an "affiliate" program. By bailing out of the IPO (at no small cost) Bob probably saved his company.

Bloggers would use it, churches would use it, denominational entities would use it, podcasters would use it... etc...I would love to be a part of a Logos affiliate program, and I think it could and would be successful.

Blogger, churches, seminaries etc...already use Logos. There is a de facto affiliate program in place. It is called satisfied Logos users. They can't seem to quit telling others about Logos. [:D] Now that "parade day" has arrived and the hard workers start to enjoy the fruits of their labors, why invite everyone else to jump on board? Oh, amd I bet you and George DELL goes bankrupt before Logos... Remember GM? I retired from there

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/160485#Comment_160485

Bob, you make the point about the internet, and its effects on business. And though I agree with the communications piece, I strongly disagree with the Affiliate Program being shut down.
If you don't have enough margin in your products to allow affiliates to help you market, and process those affiliate payouts, your pricing model must be messed up. (contrary e.g. - Amazon's success)

...

Trying to sell your product alone is a losing proposition. Show me one successful company that doesn't sell their product through resellers of some kind.

Walter, you have a good idea but it is being shot down for equally good reasons. I think the problem is people are talking past each other because of the conflation of two terms: reseller and affiliate. Though Logos called its reseller program the "Affiliate Program" it actually never had an "affiliate" program such as what Amazon.com has. Amazon, to my knowledge, does not use "resellers" of the sort that Logos used to use -- that is, separate bricks-and-mortar or dot-com entities which were licensed to sell Logos products such that they got a cut of the price and Logos got the rest. What Amazon.com's affiliate program does is allow people to get a cut of the sales price by referring buyers to Amazon's own website to close the deal. Amazon has full control over the quality of the buying experience this way. That is what Logos aims to maintain as well as customer service for returns and upgrades (as Matthew Jones pointed out in one of his posts).

If what you are asking for something more along the lines of Amazon.com's affiliate program, then you're not asking for Logos to reinstate something that it shut down, you're asking for a new thing, and that is a legitimate request. And perhaps Logos might consider it if you clarified that that's what you're asking for rather than railing at them for shutting down something that really was not working.

Nonetheless, I'm not convinced you're correct that Logos's current approach is a "losing proposition" -- Logos had such a bounty year last year with this new approach that they paid us shareholders our first ever dividend, and boy it was a welcome surprise! [:)] I can say no more since the company is privately held, so earnings reports are not public. But let's just say I'm not too worried about the cost of all the pre-pubs sitting in my queue right now... [;)]

Don't worry about whether Logos is going to be successful or not. Logos plants, God gives the increase. And Logos makes good business decisions, and learns from its mistakes, as far as I've been able to observe for the 18 years I've been associated with the company.

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/164567#Comment_164567

If you want to sell Logos software, why not just apply for a job? http://www.logos.com/jobs

Chris... you are missing the point, or you're just being sarcastic

Maybe Chris was being somewhat sarcastic, but he has a point, however rather than directing you to work for the company (in its in-house sales force), he should have pointed to the existing Ambassadors program, which nobody has done for you directly yet: http://www.logos.com/ambassador. See more details here. See also David Buckham's discussion of his experience as a Logos Ambassador. Is this not pretty much what you're asking for? Or maybe not. Read on...

no one has given me a good reason NOT to run an affiliate program. Bloggers would use it, churches would use it, denominational entities would use it, podcasters would use it... etc...

Again, this is more along the lines of Amazon's affiliate program, which if that is what you're asking for then indeed, I see no reason not to run it apart from the fact that they don't apparently need to right now. They're raking in the bucks as is, and were until recently overwhelmed with how many new customers they have been getting simply through their own advertising efforts and word-of-mouth. Their customer support call lines were swamped for months and have only recently gotten back to a more normal response time. An affiliate program such as this just for new books would be a wonderful idea and wouldn't add to their support costs at all (or very little, compared to how much extra revenue it would bring in), and I'd be supportive of it. However I don't think it would be a good idea for getting Logos new customers via base packages, for some of the reasons others have mentioned above.

So, please clarify: which is it you're asking for? Something like the Ambassadors program? Something like the Amazon.com affiliate program which gives people a kickback if a click-through from their link ends up getting converted to a sale on Logos's website? And if the latter, are you asking for it to bring in new customers with base packages or just for individual books/collections?

BTW, please be patient with people who take you to task over your suggestion. Consider first that maybe they simply don't understand what you're trying to communicate or misread your attitude; try to say it more clearly and thoroughly and gently rather than responding in kind with another repartee. Civil discourse gets people further towards their goals, and we all become a better online community here for it, and do Logos more good that way, too, by not scaring off prospective customers with the way we treat each other on the forums.