Please lose the sampler books

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.

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. 

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

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.

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...

Thank you!

Brian Williams said:

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 said:

Rosie Perera 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.

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.

Philana Crouch said:

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. 

Tom Reynolds said:

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.