Why Are eBooks Popular?

June 11, 2009

My friend and I had just been seated for lunch at a nearby restaurant. We had spent most of the drive over talking about bicycles. We’re both avid riders. After settling into our seats, my friend asked me why eBooks are so popular. This is actually something that I get asked a lot.

Take a guess right now, as you read this, as to why eBooks are so popular. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Okay, have an idea? Well, I wondered the same thing back when I was just getting started. I decided that I’d try to find out by asking all of my buyers why they decided to invest in what I was selling. This was usually accomplished with a quick follow-up e-mail that I’d send after their order came through.

Not everyone responded, which was to be expected. But of those who did respond, the overwhelming majority said that they wanted to get their hands on the information right away. In other words, instant gratification. That’s something we can all relate to, isn’t it? When we go online and want something, we usually want it as quickly as possible. And when you offer someone the ability to get what they’re buying immediately, well, you’ve got a decided edge over the vendor who indicates that it’ll take 2 or 3 days (or even longer) for ones purchase to be mailed.

There are a lot of things I’ve learned in the time that I’ve been in this business. One thing is for sure: eBooks are as popular today as they’ve ever been. And they’re a great way to make money on the Internet.

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