Comments on: Startup Togather thinks crowdsourcing is key to profitable author book tours

By: Andrew Kessler

Andrew Kessler — Wed, 08 Aug 2012 03:52:30 +0000

Sure. I think we’re a response to the failure of the book tour. Author events are a great tool for connecting with and building audiences but publishers can’t justify the cost for most authors. It’s just too expensive to make sure the events are well attended and you’re not talking to a bunch of empty chairs. We are trying to solve that problem with a community-based group-buying approach. It’s a really different way of looking at events. And this simple twist– agree to the event after you have enough interest–might really make a difference for authors.

-Andrew
togather.com/kessler

By: Kevin Horne

Kevin Horne — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 20:45:52 +0000

Any reflection on this idea and Wired’s Chris Anderson? He shut down his business BookTour end of last year (or year before that?) due to poor business results and future expectations.

By: Andrew Kessler

Andrew Kessler — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 19:57:44 +0000

Hello Steve,

We offer several types of events. Book events are just one. There are also free (RSVP-based events) and ticketed events. So bookstores have a choice. We remove many headaches from the process of creating and promoting those types of events too. We encourage bookstores to use the event types that make the most sense.

We want to be an ally to independent bookstores and our book events are one option. If you’re an independent bookstore owner, we’d love to hear about how we can help you.

Thanks,

Andrew Kessler
Author & Founder of Togather.com

By: Laura Hazard Owen

Laura Hazard Owen — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 17:27:14 +0000

Seeley: In traditional tours, usually the only revenue the bookstore gets is the book sales.

Steve: That is a great question. Let me ask Andrew and get back to you.

By: Steve Hoffenberg

Steve Hoffenberg — Tue, 07 Aug 2012 11:21:04 +0000

If Togather is selling the books and taking the revenue, why would independent bookstores want to get involved?

By: Seeley James

Seeley James — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 17:13:34 +0000

Kickstarter for book tours? Interesting concept… In traditional tours, do bookstores get any compensation other than the sales of new books?

By: David Thomas

David Thomas — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 14:20:42 +0000

Brilliant idea. Best way to work it is to coordinate with independent bookstore websites — they’ve got mailing lists, too. Love the notion of committing to purchase in advance. There are obvious details such as co-ordinating time, date and publicity tour schedules which complicate things. Mind all: someone has to purchase plane fares, hotel and food expenses. Most established authors have speaking fees and expenses covered, and I really doubt any would waive expenses. I see this as something more akin to Open Table for restaurant reservations than Groupon, getting quasi-contractual commitment to show up at an event. There will also be a cold shower effect for many: in my career an an author once complained about “only” getting an audience of 150 people.