Two Week Free Trial Not a Good Introductory Offer for Audio
Books Right Now
I have discussed the similarities of audio book renters to
Netflix numerous times in my reviews. Similarities include
"unlimited rentals", an online prioritizing queue to speed up
expediting of customer shipments, no due dates and free
shipping. All these features helped make Netflix a successful
business in a short period of time. This business strategy and
my belief that the Regular CD format and MP3-format are a long
way away from disappearing amidst the ever increasing amount of
data downloadable to iPods, cell phones, car stereos, etc. works
well for audio books too.
Larger and thoroughly catagorized audio book sections at book
stores are being created to encompass the increasing demand as
people continue to find the CD format more accessible and
convenient than before, largely due to most new cars
automatically equipped with CD players. The high price of new
audio books has helped make the audio book renters' monthly
subscriptions a Godsend to many commuters. People trying to
update their business acumen, escape from the pressures of work
into a master storyteller's drama or lighten the day's load with
something humorous or inspirational.
The similarity between the door-to-door DVD renters and audio
book renters that needs some adjustment is the introductory
offer. For Netflix a two week free trial gives the customer just
enough time to decide if they'd rather run down the street to
video store or wait at home for the DVDs to come in the mail. As
suspicious as a two week free trial on a monthly subscription
plan may seem it works for Netflix because people don't need an
introduction to renting DVDs. The same is not true for audio
books because most people have not yet seen the access to the
vast wealth of literature an audio book subscription presents.
For many commutors driving two or more hours a day listening to
audio books is increasingly becoming a necessity and a way of
life. But still most people can't yet wrap their mind around how
driving to work can be enjoyable. Instead of a monetary
inticement, focus on how listening to books can give people an
opportunity to enjoy literature they wouldn't otherwise have
time to read.
First sell the product, then the subscription. Show the
prospective subscriber that listening to books can broaden their
imagination. Show how this unique medium allows the listener to
experience the author's story with their own imagination while
guided by a narrator's gift to unlock the emotional and
sensational elements of a book's characters.
People first need to know that with the help of audio books they
can realize the adage "The book was better than the movie".