WHY PEOPLE BUY BOOKS

People in the publishing industry are always interested to know what influences a consumer’s book buying decision. More responses bear a common threat and many tend to include the following key topics: cover design, book blurb, positive reviews and book awards.

Recently 200 people attending a festival in Chicago, USA, were polled. They included librarians, teachers and parents who were asked to state, in order of priority, the most important factors they consider when selecting a book. The results concluded that the following were most important in book selection:

#1 - Awards #2 - Reviews #3 - Cover #4 – Blurb   Asked if they were likely to chose a book with an award seal on the cover of a non-award winning book, 87% of the time, consumers said they would chose the award-winning book. This seems to be right. When my junior verse novel, Nobody’s Boy was awarded a 2013 CBCA  Notable sticker, sales spiked so much the publisher (Celapene Press) was  forced to reprint the book.   Ninety seven percent of those surveyed said that a favourable review printed on the front, back or inside of a book affected their decision to buy. When asked their views on cover design, 73% admitted they take the book’s appearance into consideration when considering a purchase. When asked if they would still purchase a book even if they particularly didn’t like the cover, 19% admitted they might not. Next, asked if awards and favourable reviews When asked if awards and favourable reviews might change their mind about mind about purchasing a book with a cover they did not find appealing 82% stated they might be included to change their mind and purchase a book despite the cover, provided  the book had won an award or had a favourable review. A startling 21% of people responding to the poll admitted to never reading the book's blurb.  It is surprising many respondents actually selected a book entirely based upon appearance along with the recommendations of others through awards and reviews.