Transcript Digital Presentation

Digital Publishing Models –
Consumer focused
TERRY MORRIS MARCH 2015
Evolution of e-books

1971 Project Gutenberg

early 1990’s a variety of projects

1998 Rocket and various others were first devices

2001 most publishers launch e-book ranges

2004 Sony e-reader launched

2007 Kindle
2013 Digital Sales
UK
USA
SA
19%
7%
39%
Down from triple digit growth 2012 and prior
Source: PA Statistics Yearbook 2013; AAP Stats; PASA 2013 survey
UK 2013 digital sales
Overall sales
85
Consumer
15
82
School/ ELT
18
96
Academic
4
80
0%
10%
20%
30%
20
40%
50%
Print
60%
70%
80%
Digital
Source: PA Statistics Yearbook 2013
90%
100%
UK 2013 digital sales split - Consumer
Overall sales
81
Fiction
19
66.6
33.3
Non-Fiction
93
Children's
7
95
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
5
50%
Print
60%
70%
80%
Digital
Source: PA Statistics Yearbook 2013
90%
100%
South Africa Stats
-
PASA survey covers e-book sales of local books only
 2.2%
digital sales of all locally produced books
-
rudimentary data but this is being addressed by Digital Sector committee
-
Plans to access PA survey data for 2014 for export e-book sales into the territory
-
Reality is that the numbers are small
 Demand
there – see it in fiction sales and mobile platforms
 Is there enough relevant content?
 Is there awareness of the access points for e-books?
 Introduce reading material for pleasure at school level when e-learning interventions made
Questions to be asked of publishers
Who is the consumer of the content?
What do they want with the content?
How do they consume?
Are they price sensitive?
How do they find out about books?
What is the pricing and revenue model?
Models
Wholesale
Agency
Streaming
Subscription
Lending
In-app Purchase
NB – important to navigate this contractual territory very carefully especially when selling into
the EU. Also key to try and cater for possible future developments and not give away rights.
Discoverability (aka Marketing)
SEO
Word of Mouth – social media, recommendations
Global marketplace
Niche markets
Schools
Libraries
Homes
Other key areas – challenges and
opportunities

Establish culture of reading
Create networks of various stakeholders – NGO’s publishers, bookstores,
readers, librarians, educators

Access to books/content digitally - reading on mobile devices and on elearning platforms


Better data collection of stats and reading habits

facilitate publication of South African Classics online