Is there any chance of Hubpages setting up an online store?

1. 69

   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   There are quite a few published authors on this site, all trying to find ways to market their work.  Would it be possible for Hubpages to set up a page on this site where authors can advertise their books or ebooks, and if anybody is interested in buying one, they click on the book cover and get taken to amazon or wherever the book is being sold.  Hubpages won't have to handle any money, but will be getting their kickback from amazon on any sales.

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2. 81

   SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

   Our profiles are a great place to promote our sites outside of Hubpages .

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3. 60

   GeneriqueMediaposted 15 years ago

   No, really, I pledge my support for this idea.
   
   Would it not be neato and easy for HubPages to set up some sort of interim shop we could easily manage from our accounts? Or work with Amazon, etc...the possibilities are endless, the fruit most sweet.
   
   G|M

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4. 69

   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   Yeah, I agree Sweetiepie, but there are so many hubbers and people really don't want to trail through profiles looking to see if a hubber has written a book they might like.  I think if there is a page with the book covers on it, like an online catalogue, then other hubbers can click on the book cover and be taken to a site where they can buy it.  I can't see that being very difficult to set up.

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5. 69

   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   I agree GM, I think there are many hubbers who have written ebooks as well.  Also, an online shop/catalogue site would also rank well and get in more traffic from outside.

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6. 81

   SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

   My one con against the idea of including ebooks with books is that many are spammy and overly promotional.  However, it is up to Hubpages to decide, but I would hate to see another opportunity for the relationship and affiliate gurus to peddle their spam.

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   1. 60

      GeneriqueMediaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      I agree, but you have that problem with anything on HubPages. The potential for blatant commercial abuse lies not in HubPages, but its community.
      
      I for one don't think I overuse commercialism. I've begun to post one of my three novels I'm working on, and its enjoyed mild success already. People are free to print out the text--pass it along--read it allowed--and do whatever, as long as they don't steal the idea word for word.
      
      If people like it, I get ad rev. If more people want to have a copy in a PDF format, more power to them--and more money I can use to spend my days creating!
      
      Just my view.
      
      Sincerely,
      
      G|M

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7. 69

   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   Yep, I can see that.  There might have to be submission guidelines to counteract that.  You submit your book cover and HP checks if it's spammy or not.

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      SweetiePieposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds like a good idea.

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8. 69

   cindyvineposted 15 years ago

   I think it can be done!  C'mon HP, see this post!!!

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9. 61

   R. Blueposted 15 years ago

   A preview of the first few pages of the book could be included to allow said purchaser to see if they liked the work before buying.

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   1. 59

      belief713posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      You can already do something like this with DocStoc. Unfortunately you can't use html with HubPages, but you could always provide a link to the work.
      
      
      
      I agree. Maybe I'm not getting the picture?

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10. 69

    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Yeah, well if you book is on amazon, they have the search inside feature

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11. 86

    Marisa Wrightposted 15 years ago

    I think what you're asking for isn't a shop, really, it's a showcase where Hubbers who have published books can place a link.
    
    Remember that HubPages is a business - so if you want this idea, you'll also have to work out what benefit HubPages would get from offering the service. 
    
    On the face of it, it could only be a negative for HP, because it takes the reader away from HubPages to another site (whereas HP wants them to stay here and click on ads!).

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12. 81

    LondonGirlposted 15 years ago

    I tend to think it's not a great idea. One of the reasons why hubpages looks quite authoratative (sp?) is because it's not trying to flog anything.

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13. 69

    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Marisa, what does hubpages get from Amazon when someone clicks on that?  As if hubbers' books are with Amazon or some similar place, is showcased, then hub pages would get the same deal they get now.

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14. 83

    Whitney05posted 15 years ago

    I vote No... It's just as easy to post the link on your profile. If someone likes your work, they will click on your profile from your hub, read it, and potentially clicking links to blogs and other writing.

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15. 69

    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    How many hubbers actually click on other hubber's profiles?

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    1. 48

       badcompany99posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       I do all the time and loads of times follow links to their blogs, websites etc. The profile probably is the best place to promote it Cindy.

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          GeneriqueMediaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

          Seems like Cindy and I are outvoted. ;P
          
          G|M

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16. 83

    Whitney05posted 15 years ago

    I do... If I like the hub that I just read, I will click to see what else the hubber has to say and what other hubs they have. I would rather cater to non-HP registered viewers than HP registered hubbers. Those are the people that are going to click and buy.

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17. 69

    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    I was thinking that when we get traffic from non-HP hubbers, then they might have a look around the site and check out the online showcase thing.  They might not be inclined to look at a hubber's profile.

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18. 83

    Whitney05posted 15 years ago

    Then, why refer to hubbers reading profiles if you're concerned with hon-hubbers?
    
    I still say no. Sorry. Even looking at it from a non-registered user's perspective, if I like the hub I found in a search, my first thing is to check the profile of the person who wrote and see what other hubs they have that I may be interested in. Then, I would check the rest of the site if I've been intrigued enough. That's just me, others are probably different. Plus, you do have a few people that like the idea.
    
    As for HP checking to see if the book is spam or not... They already have their hands full with HP alone... You want them to sit and spend hours reading all the eBooks the hubbers have written and want to include in order to determine what is spam and what isn't?

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19. 69

    cindyvineposted 15 years ago

    Yeah, I still think it's a good idea.  I only mentioned the profile because Sweetiepie said that everybody looks at the profile and that's where it should be.  It just makes sense to be able to showcase published books by hubbers.  But if people think it should be in the profile, then maybe we need a new capsule where we can upload our book covers and amazon links or website links and short synopsis of our books.

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    1. 60

       GeneriqueMediaposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       It sounds like a promising plan. I'm not a traditional author by any stretch of the means, and I like the fact I can put up my work for all to see and invite them to read it--as long as they don't blatantly copy or steal for commercial gain.
       
       Ad revenue, baby. But yes, I would like to see an eBook put together, too...

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    2. 83

       Whitney05posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       There aren't any capsules in the profile. You can add amazon and website links within a hub though. You can even add a summmary of the product or link.
       
       
       I was thinking the same thing at first, till I read the first post, except where HubPages sold the HubPages stuff, not hubbers.
       
       I think a CafePress capsule would be cool though.

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20. 73

    Research Analystposted 15 years ago

    I thought at first you were talking about have a place like cafepress on hubpages where hubbers could create and sell mugs, or t-shirts with logos on them, it would be called hubpress.

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    1. 82

       shibashakeposted 15 years agoin reply to this

       It would be great to have a Zazzle or CafePress capsule. Or HubPress would be fine too

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21. 62

    darksideposted 15 years ago

    They'd need a staff member reviewing all the ebooks, and I don't mean actually writing a review, but simply reading them all so they can weed out the good from the bad. That could become a full time job.
    
    I can't see HubPages Inc getting much return on investment in doing such a thing.

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    1. 83

       Whitney05posted 15 years agoin reply to this

       That's pretty much what I said earlier... They're already busy enough as it is. They wouldn't have time to read all the eBooks that hubbers have written and want to submit in order to determine what is spam and what isn't.

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22. 0

    SirDentposted 15 years ago

    Why not write a hub about the book(s) you are trying to sell? Advertise and get your hub on the first page of Google.
    
    You could even have those who have written books to email you with details and do a hub on many different books by many different writers.

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23. 57

    Herald Dailyposted 15 years ago

    I do click on other people's profiles.  It seems like a good way to get to know them a little.  If their blogs or whatever seem interesting, I follow the link.
    
    I'm not an authority but I like SirDent's idea best.  There are several places and ways to flog e-books.  If you use SirDent's idea, you can promote your book without cost and without changing the clean feel of HubPages.
    
    Just my opinion, of course. 

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24. 58

    prince1244posted 14 years ago

    Great ideal fellow hubber

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