BEA is the largest book and publishing conference in the country. It's a magnet for people and ideas who are successful and doing new things in the publishing industry. As someone who comes at publishing from a background in social media consulting, the things that interest me the most are how the publishing industry is embracing (or not embracing) the social and influencer opportunities in the new realm of book marketing.
Power Readers
This year BEA has a program called "Power Readers." When I hear that term, I think of people who are reading a book every few days. Or maybe even more. I've heard of people reading a book or more a day. And then there are the top Amazon reviewers who are reading and reviewing books like it's their job. And it kind of is!
But what does BEA mean by "Power Reader?"
The Who, What, Why, and How of BEA Power Readers
On their site, BEA says this of Power Readers:
"Book lovers, fans, and avid readers, join us at BEA 2013 on Saturday, June 1 as a Power Reader!
Yes, BEA, the largest book event in the U.S. is now open to the public.
This is your chance to discover new books and meet favorite and up-and-coming authors, and get some serious book swag!"
1. Discover new books: Power readers get to see books that are scheduled for publication in the future before they are available in the stores or online. That's a pretty sweet perk.
2. Meet favorite up-and-coming authors: This sounds pretty awesome as well, but I think the catch is "up and coming" authors. To me that means you will meet mid-list authors, not the stars. Which is fine, and maybe better! This way you can actually have a conversation with that author you like, and if they do blow up, you can say you shook their hand back when...
3. Serious Book Swag: Whatever BEA puts in its swag bag, I want it. Wish I could do this!
So, how does one become a Power Reader? Do you need to be invited? Do you need to have some online or public proof that you are, indeed, a "power" reader and not just a pretender? Do you need to apply and get accepted?
Nope. You need $49.
I'd be interested to hear or know how many people BEA gets. It appears they expect thousands, as they have a promotion going for "the first 1000 power readers through the door."
Good For Everyone
I love this program as a general concept. BEA is saying hey, readers, if you love books, we'll hook you up with xyz becasue we love and need you as well. And the $49 price tag is cheap and totally worth it in my opinion. That's the equivalent of movie tickets for a family of four, or of dinner without drinks in my neighborhood. I can spend all day checking out new books and meeting authors and go home with a bag of free stuff? Excellent.
But how can everyone benefit from this arrangement the most?
1. BEA: The conference is making a play to be a destination not only for authors and publishers but for readers. That is a big step toward expanding and growing. If it works, they can ramp it up and sell tens of thousands of tickets next year, and even more the year after that.
2. Authors: If you're one of the authors meeting power readers, it's a radical opportunity to make a good impression, give them something, ask for their help, etc. You can pick the one thing you need for the rest of the year and literally ask dozens or hundreds of people who are there to see YOU to help you make it happen. Wow.
3. Publishers: What an insane market research opportunity. Thousands of your best customers in the same room. I can't even begin to list out the opportunities here. I would have an army of people from my publishing house walking around just asking people about their reading and buying habits, what they like and don't like, why, etc. Crazy opportunity.
4. Readers: Obviously, they are the folks this is named for. They get to be in the equivalent of the book VIP secition. Behind the velvet rope. Sipping champagne and whatnot.
What do you think? Is this something you would do as a reader?
Image sources: LeahLikesLemon and Kim Bach, both via flickr
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