Connections. Winter Update 2021
As the year comes to a close, but with lots of publishing action still to play for, we find ourselves feeling both reflective and hopeful. Glassboxx was born into the challenges of recent years, so it’s only fitting that it’s designed to drive and thrive on disrupting the “normal.” We’re devising lots of plans for the New Year and beyond, and while we’ve got plenty to focus on right now, we’re always ready for the next chapter.
We’ve enjoyed getting out and about this year, meeting some of you in person and remembering what London looks like. We attended a picnic in Regent’s Park with Byte the Book, and the IPG Awards in late summer. We showed up at Frankfurt, the IPG Autumn Conference, and more recently Futurebook.
We can only hope all of this is a step towards the bustling world of publishing – which, though familiar, will be new and evolved.
Change is central to our operations as we devotedly refine and update Glassboxx. Many exciting features are in the pipeline, and many are coming into view. We’re always taking on feedback and improving the app, enhancing our service to publishers and learning what is, and will be, needed.
With some tips, announcements and updates then, enjoy our latest update.
Glassboxx is getting bigger. Our community is growing, with more publishers coming onboard by the month (announcements to follow in the coming weeks) and as is our own team. Introducing Dan Hayter, who’s joining our team as Sales Director – primed with ideas to take Glassboxx further, and ready to meet you all.
We’ve got highly anticipated features in development and plenty on our roadmap, so there’s much to come.
You may have seen our news that we’re pledging to plant a tree for every publisher that joins Glassboxx. It’s a small step towards an important aim to be green through and through.
One more thing, we’ve been waiving our fulfilment cost for gratis copies, meaning you get unlimited free copies for no cost, until 2022. So, here’s a reminder to make the most of the promotion while it’s active. In the New Year, our typical fulfilment cost of 50p per gratis copy will come back into effect.
Trigger Hub are offering free eBooks with print purchases – a great promotion that draws attention to their digital catalogue. You could give away copies of selected titles as Christmas gifts. The opportunities are endless.
We’re excited to announce a new app update to Glassboxx. This will include a visual refresh, with an improved interface in all areas. We’ve refined our book pages, and optimised our audioplayer and ereader.
We’re even introducing banners which are designed to showcase curated content as we highlight books and publishers to readers. Coming this winter. Glassboxx is only getting better.
Our GIFTS feature is now live! With this feature, readers can buy books as gifts for other people. They simply enter the recipient’s name at the checkout and add a personal message. The recipient receives an email describing how to access the book, and it’s waiting for them in the app. Perfect for holiday marketing as we approach the Christmas season. Make sure your readers know what features are available.
Another feature that’s on the way is PDF protection – something many publishers are eagerly awaiting. Your eBooks will be compatible in both ePUB and PDF format very soon.
We can vouch for Vouchers.
You can utilise our voucher functionality in campaigns that work for you. Recently, the wonderful Atlantic Books ran an author event with James Davies and his title Sedated for which they gave out vouchers to the audience for a discounted copy of the eBook. We saw a flurry of sales as the audience redeemed their vouchers and purchased the eBook from the Atlantic Books website.
This is a brilliant and intimate way for readers to grow familiar with the idea of buying directly from you. They’re rewarded for it, and they know to come back in future. Even when you’ve got your readers together (virtually or in person), you can still give them digital offers and opportunities.
Christmas time is here.
It’s that time of year, this time with paper shortages and supply chain issues, that publishing is at its busiest. Why not optimise and capitalise on your digital offering with Glassboxx? Fire up those direct to reader campaigns! Offer digital discounts to readers as part of your advent calendar gifts or 12 days of Christmas promotions.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to integrate Glassboxx into your marketing arsenal. Plus, we’re always here to chat with you about how we can help. After all, it is the season to be jolly smart about your eBook and Audiobook campaigns. Oh, and 80% of your net sale price? It’s Christmas come early!
We’ve assembled a new team to provide active support to publishers, retailers, and authors through onboarding and beyond. We’ve got marketing tips and tricks to share, and we want to help you get the most out of our platform. You’ll be hearing from our team.
As mentioned – we headed to Frankfurt and Futurebook in the last few months. It’s been great to meet existing connections and make new ones. The IPG Autumn Conference and Futurebook had big themes of sustainability, and innovation in audio.
We’re pleased to be at the forefront of such innovation. By giving attention and effort to direct sales on Glassboxx, you’re taking control of your digital publishing story. It works too.
Chiki Sarkar, founder of Juggernaut Books, said “we made more money on our [direct to reader] app than we did on kindle.”
Finally, here’s our customer service reports from September to November. At Glassboxx, we’re transparent – so we’re keeping you involved in the issues we’re fixing and solving for readers.
And users are happy with the work we’re doing too:
I am so impressed with this customer service! Definitely the best service I’ve encountered online for a very long time! Thank you Glassboxx assistants and especially Kate for fixing my issue and updating me along the way.
We’re glad to see users enjoying the Glassboxx experience, with our team able to resolve issues quickly and efficiently.
Read Full September Report
Read Full October Report
Read Full November Report
