Nook Vs. Kindle

inkkognito · Dec 30, 2011

Does anyone have experience with Nook vs. Kindle for non-fiction ebooks? Right now I have three books out, two of which are in the Select program, so of course they have to be exclusive to Amazon. I also have one that is on both Kindle and Nook, although I have not promoted the Nook version at all. I've got a few sales on Amazon but actually got one on Nook, too, so I'm wondering if I'm missing an opportunity there. Is anyone actively promoting their Nook versions, and if so, is it worth the effort?

LaneHeymont · Dec 30, 2011

I can't answer your actual question, but I recently received the nook tablet as a gift and its book selection is amazing. I'm not sure why you wouldn't bother promoting on the nook, though. If you have two lines, why would you only watch one for fish?

inkkognito · Dec 30, 2011

Right now it's a matter of time, since I'm still very focused on generating content. Since Kindle is dominant, and since some of my books are in Select and therefore exclusive there for 90 days, it seems like the logical move. Once the Selects can be published elsewhere, they'll go to Nook and then I'll probably start some promotion.

LaneHeymont · Dec 30, 2011

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck!

Elvirnith · Dec 30, 2011

Far more people do have Kindle's than Nooks (Amazon sold something like 4 million Kindle's during December), so that should definitely be your primary target. I often wonder if anybody owns or uses their Nook, as that side of things has been a proverbial graveyard for me. I've sold dozens of copies of my novel at Amazon and a whopping 1 at B&N. I never see any talk of Nooks either, nor books on Nook. It's always Kindle.

IceCreamEmpress · Dec 30, 2011

Nook nook nook nook nook!

And yes, you should be promoting your Nook version. I get really angry at authors who don't respect their Nook audience. Go right ahead and ignore 10 million people at your peril.

Also, your titles seem like they're positioned well for the Nook market, which trends older than the Kindle market.

thothguard51 · Dec 30, 2011

I am afraid you're limiting your sales by going the Kindle Select route. Why? Because for those 90 days you do not have the ability to sell anywhere or change your marketing strategy.

This is like Coke agreeing to only sell at 7-11"s.

I am not impressed with the Kindle Select program...

As to the nook, its another platform that authors really should consider, even if its not the larger platform, as well as any other platform that reaches out to readers who may not like buying from Amazon...

inkkognito · Dec 30, 2011

Right now I'm just experimenting with Kindle Select, which is why I've only got 2 out of 3 titles in the program. I want to see how much the lending $$ actually comes out to. I can see that there's a Nook audience out there, though. Surprised the heck out of me, even though it was only one copy, since I honestly didn't think anyone would find the book or buy it there.

inkkognito · Dec 31, 2011

Wow, sold two more on the Nook even without any promotion. I don't think I'll be putting my future books into Select, especially since the next one is in the same genre of the one that's selling on Nook.

Richard White · Dec 31, 2011

Remember too, Amazon is counting on people ignoring the Nook by selling Kindles for less than it costs to make them.

Yes, they're losing money on every sale of a Kindle.

Then again, as soon as Kobo and Nook go away, I can pretty well guarantee, those low prices will too. And authors will have to toe the Amazon line if they want their books distributed through Amazon.

Been through that when Diamond achieved their monopoly on comic book distribution. It's great if you're Marvel/D.C./Image/Dark Horse. It stinks if you're an independent/small press comic wanting to get into comic stores.

By only supporting one distributor (Amazon), authors are looking right at the same tunnel that lead to the great independent comic implosion.

aruna · Jan 1, 2012

inkkognito said:
Right now it's a matter of time, since I'm still very focused on generating content. Since Kindle is dominant, and since some of my books are in Select and therefore exclusive there for 90 days, it seems like the logical move. Once the Selects can be published elsewhere, they'll go to Nook and then I'll probably start some promotion.

I too chose the Select programme, but not without a lot of conflict. I don't disrespect the Nook readership at all; in fact, one of my favourite Aw'ers and greatest supporter is a Nookie.

I did publish originally on both Smashwords and Kindle; but after a few days I unpublished on Smashwords; I liked the idea of being able to lend and to promote for free in the Select programme. I definitely won't do it for longer than 90 days, however.

inkkognito · Jan 1, 2012

Yep, I'm pulling mine after 90 days too. Right now I'm in the "experimental" phase. My books aren't best sellers by any means, but they're performing better than I thought they would (I figured I'd still be waiting for my first sale). I can see the Nook's potential already; I just hope Amazon doesn't manage to kill it off.

Elvirnith · Jan 1, 2012

I've sold 1 copy of my novel on the Sony store (via smashwords), 1 directly via smashwords, and 1 on B&N. I have over 80 sales on Amazon.

The incentive just isn't there for the other stores, which is why a lot of people haven't really been batting an eyelash at going KDP select.

hughhowey · Jan 1, 2012

inkkognito said:
Does anyone have experience with Nook vs. Kindle for non-fiction ebooks? Right now I have three books out, two of which are in the Select program, so of course they have to be exclusive to Amazon. I also have one that is on both Kindle and Nook, although I have not promoted the Nook version at all. I've got a few sales on Amazon but actually got one on Nook, too, so I'm wondering if I'm missing an opportunity there. Is anyone actively promoting their Nook versions, and if so, is it worth the effort?

I get a fraction of my sales on the Nook compared to the Kindle. I sell 500/day on the Kindle vs. 3-5 on the Nook. It's amazing the difference. Not sure if that's enough info to help you or not, but my sense is that Kindle readers branch out a bit more than Nook readers (I think the recommendation engine, the plethora of reviews, and the top sellers lists are other factors). Nook readers, I'm assuming, stick to what they know, what they see in the affiliated brick and mortar stores, what their friends are talking about, and the names they are most familiar with.

Hope that helps. Best of luck!

Nook Vs. Kindle

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

LaneHeymont

Not so secret agent

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

LaneHeymont

Not so secret agent

Elvirnith

Dark Lord

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

thothguard51

A Gentleman of a refined age...

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

Richard White

Stealthy Plot Bunny Peddler

aruna

On a wing and a prayer

inkkognito

Onlyifyouwanttowillyoufin daway-Enya

Elvirnith

Dark Lord

hughhowey