No Limit Hold 'em: Theory and Practice Cover

[CrayZee]

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I’m a design snob, and Mark is my friend and has done all design work for my business.
I was just very disappointed to see what he had done turned into what I think is a shell of the original work.


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I'm a design nit, too. But how important is it for a poker book? Does hiring a super pro graphic design shop or designer increase the sales of a book dramatically (i.e. is it worth the cost)? I'm just curious. Covers, design, layout, etc., are cool and all, but content is king when it comes to books. Am I wrong here?

[RUFFNECK]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm a design nit, too. But how important is it for a poker book? Does hiring a super pro graphic design shop or designer increase the sales of a book dramatically (i.e. is it worth the cost)? I'm just curious. Covers, design, layout, etc., are cool and all, but content is king when it comes to books. Am I wrong here?

[/ QUOTE ]

I would agree in traditionl book market content is king.

Poker though is a hot niche market that has alot of impulse buys(I am speculating since marketing is no longer my profession). Impulse conversions are almost always done on aesthetics, name rec., price point, or product placement.

I am of the opinion the better the aesthetics the more randoms your going to grab outside your automatic buy market.

Either way it doesn't matter if they are happy, thats fine. I will buy the thing anyway, and since I spiral all my poker books I guess I can also slap on my own printing of a previous rev of the cover.

[Mason Malmuth]

$30 books are not part of the impulse buy market.

MM

[MyTurn2Raise]

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$30 books are not part of the impulse buy market.

MM

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having worked at a bookstore...over 3/4 of purchases were not predetermined. Customers go for the book that catches their eye, especially for gift giving.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Turn:

That's great to hear, but it's also not our market. We've been publishing for almost 20 years and we do know what our market is.

best wishes,
Mason

[Farfenugen]

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Hi Turn:

That's great to hear, but it's also not our market. We've been publishing for almost 20 years and we do know what our market is.

best wishes,
Mason

[/ QUOTE ]

Of course. You guys have had enormous success and should continue to do your thing.

However, surely you're not trying to discourage impulse sales.

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Farfenugen:

Of copurse not. But the fact of the matter is that impulse buying is virtually non-existant for $30.00 books. Our books are sold because the buyer learns that they are the best books out there and will make a difference in their results.

Best wishes,
Mason

[MyTurn2Raise]

[ QUOTE ]
Hi Turn:

That's great to hear, but it's also not our market. We've been publishing for almost 20 years and we do know what our market is.

best wishes,
Mason

[/ QUOTE ]

I figured as much about 10 minutes after I made my post.

[Elevens]

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since I spiral all my poker books

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Mason,

Quite a few people do this. How much extra would it cost for the books to be published in a spiral binding?

[elwoodblues]

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That's great to hear, but it's also not our market. We've been publishing for almost 20 years and we do know what our market is.


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I think the point is that you want your cover to expand your market. There is a core (as some have mentioned) that would buy it even if it had a picture of David and Ed taking a shower together on the cover. That core is already sold (essentially). A well designed cover (and I don't have a strong opinion one way or the other on this one, but for the back which is difficult to read) can expand your market. There are people who will browse for poker books who at the bookstore who are unaware of your company. It is for those people who a well designed cover can make the difference between a sale and a non-sale.

It might not be your market, but it could be. There are essentially two ways to make more money -- add new products (which you are certainly doing well) and increase your marketshare. I suspect you are doing well on the second as well, but could do probably do better.