What’s Hip Hapnin?

Inspired by this Seth Godin post I have done some brainstorming of my own on how the book industry could save itself.  First of all they should change the name so that people stop thinking inside of the constraints of books as we know them.

1.    Allow passengers on airplanes to reserve a book any book when they purchase their ticket and when they arrive it is waiting for them on their seat for free.  Chances are they won’t be able to finish it so give them an insanely simply way to buy the book. Take it with you and they automatically charge your credit card, leave it in the seat and your not charged.  The airline can get a cut on the up sell and passengers are happy.  You could also implement a system that allows the book to be purchased and sent to their home, a friend, or the Kindle.
2.    Still on the airplane? Why not supply pre loaded ipods? Full of audio books consume all you want while in the air.  Send the flyer an email when they land telling them what they listened to and where to buy it.

3.    Free channel on satellite radio that plays audible audio books.  Again chances are you won’t be able to finish a book during your commute but that does give you enough time to get really into it and then you can go download the rest.

BTW: you don’t have to wait for Audible to do this if you want to start a podcast you could sign up as an affiliate with Amazon and Audible and then read a chapter from a book you recommend as your podcast.  People can then go back to your website to buy the books you are recommending. There is a lot of money in filtering content (think google, trip advisor)

4.    Print on Demand – If I am a local small bookstore and I have been able to survive the big box bookstore craze I can now strike back. Begin printing books on demand in that backroom.  Anyone who doesn’t want to wait for Amazon to deliver some weird long tail title can just walk into your store and you will have a warm of the press copy for them in 30 minutes or less.  You could start a whole new experience “there is nothing like sitting down in a big comfy chair with a warm book.”