How do readers choose books? (Poll Results)
I’m a data nerd. I’m a spreadsheet and chart nerd. Therefore, I could have made this lede a bit shorter and simply said “I’m a nerd.” Recently, I conducted a very unscientific poll on Twitter and Facebook, asking a general group of readers how they decide what to read when choosing a book.
While this is an admittedly small poll with a slight slant toward people I know, even if tangentially (they are connected to me via Facebook and Twitter in some way), I feel the findings are still valid, at least as part of a possible larger survey. If anyone has the resources to conduct a larger poll, contact me. I’d love to see the data.
Here are the results:
Observations:
- It has long been said that word of mouth is the best advertising for books, so it is slightly surprising to see “Recommendations” appear 3rd on the list.
- “Author” being so high on the list is not surprising. We live in egotistical times. And with the embrace of ego comes the worship of ego.
- I didn’t think that “Cover/Title/Synopsis” would have been so important. It is especially interesting that this option was a voter submitted option.
- “Price” is very far down on the list. In a world of so much free content, seeing that people are still willing to pay for perceived value is encouraging.
interesting. I think the last four books have been chosen because of a combination of recommendation and review. Most of those other factors never come up. I second your positive outlook on price. Much to my bank accoun’s chagrin, I will pay almost anything for a book I know I need to read.
Interesting research. So basicly most all works an itty bitty bit, depending on, worth it or not, but nothing works better than an author strutting and flexing his mental muscle in public.