There seems to be so much doom and gloom in the book world. Bookstores are closing, and Nielsen BookScan, (the organization that tracks book sales,) tells us that book sales around the world are in general decline. This decline is being seen not just in the United States, which was down 9.3% in 2012, but around the world.
EBooks were projected to be the great rescuer of reading, but it has not been the savior that everyone predicted. Yes, there are positive things about EBooks: They are lighter to carry around with us, delivered almost instantaneously, and no trees are required to manufacture paper for the pages of EBooks. However, you can’t lend an EBook to a friend, and there are those who believe an unfinished EBook does not provide the visual reminder that an unfinished book provides. EBook sales were up 23% in 2012, but below the numbers the industry projected.
I believe there’s a technology that’s now entering the book market that has the potential to save the industry. It’s called an Enhanced EBook. When Berrett-Koehler, my publishing house, approached me with the idea for an Enhanced Edition for my new book, the first thing I had to do was to learn exactly what that meant. Once I received an explanation, I almost jumped up and cheered! I was so excited! If ever a technology was right for a book, it’s this one.
You see, most people have the following expectations when they read a book or take a training class: “If I can pick up one or two new ideas, I’ll happy!” I hear it all the time and it always makes me think: “Really? That’s all you are looking for?” The reason people feel this way is because they are used to being overloaded with information, without the ability to truly interact with the subject matter. That’s all about to change.
An Enhanced EBook allows for the incorporation of audio and video. To keep the file size from being too large to download, or taking up too much space on your reading device, the videos are kept to less than 30 minutes in total. I’m not sure how critical this would be when reading a Grisham novel, but for guys like me, who teach actual processes, it’s invaluable.
Filming the role-plays for the Enhanced Ebook
A few weeks ago, we completed the film work for this enhanced edition. We were able to take a more intimate look at what was written, and why it was written. But the most important part of the filming was the role-plays. Imagine reading a process for communication, and then watching the process performed for you! By doing this, you’ll see the words and you’ll hear the tune. In my mind, this justifies the technology, and truly enhances the book.
As the saying goes, “What someone hears, they forget; what they see, they remember.” When the new book comes out in June, my sincere intention is for readers to walk away with far more than just one or two ideas. I hope the book will allow readers to understand and learn a series of repeatable, predictable processes reinforced through visual demonstrations, and actively apply them to your real-world situations. Ultimately, this will allow a unique opportunity to interact with what is written, not just by reading, but hearing and watching.
Brilliant! Rob, it makes complete sense. Looking forward to your book! There have been so many so-called advancements over the last decade that really leave us wondering–“is this really that big of improvement?” As far as this new technology, this is definately an enhancement that will clearly be worth the hype.
Rob this is fantastic news to me! I’m revising my book from 2006 and this sounds like a perfect addition! You always wow us!!
Thank you ~
Neil
This is great Rob! Now, the question is- how do we get the Enhanced Edition? 🙂 Thanks for all you do!
BLArticle® nation will be the first to know when it’s available. Should be the first or second week in June. You’ll purchase it the exact same way you purchase an EBook.
Rob – unfortunately – I’m not a ‘technology’guy! But I SHOULD be! That’s the future the world holds for us. However, I’m getting there – slowly, but surely.
I’m ‘crazy’ about email! Can’t live without it! The other ‘stuff’, I’m sure, will come about gradually.
Enhanced EBooks will be one of them. Great idea! That’s one thing about you, Rob – you are ‘tech-conscious’! You try to be at the ‘forefront’ of what’s happening. Then you educate us, and bring it to our attention. That’s why you’re the terrific educator/trainer – you are!
Keep up the good work!
JM
“C.T.”
How cool, Rob. This is inspiring news for authors and readers alike. Thanks for sharing!
I recently bought my favorite internet marketers book on the “Snippet” platform… I believe it’s just an app on iOs platform…incorporates pictures, video and social media into your reading! Very cool. I think it’s key in this digital world to have those elements, we are just TOO used to multimedia and short attention spans to just read…breaking up the communication of information through different mediums is just smart.
Rob- As usual you set the standard of excellence!….I look to follow your lead with my book Choices. To read is one thing, but too help an individual envision what they are reading is totally another.
Rob, this holds a lot of promise for experiential learning. I look forward to getting your book and am thinking of how I can enhance my material, too. Thanks for sharing this.
Well said! Everyone should buy the enhanced edition! (As a worker for the company that publishes Rob’s book, I am absolutely unbiased by self-interest when I make this statement. 😉 ha ha)