Why all marketers should care about e-books

Whether you're into literature, a hot romance or a fictionalized account of a sports season, you've probably noticed that there are as many e-book titles as traditional titles. Those e-book numbers will only increase as we speed through the 21st century, according to a recent report from In-Stat.

by Kristina Knight

The report forecasts that e-book sales will reach $9 billion by 2013, thanks in part of Amazon's release of the Kindle and the availability of other e-book devices. In 2008, approximately 1 million e-book units sold worldwide but that number is expected to reach 30 million units by 2013.

Stephanie Ethier, In-Stat analyst said, "Rumors abound of new entrants to the e-book market, and the amount of digital content is only increasing. In-Stat believes that e-books represent a strong revenue opportunity for component suppliers, equipment manufacturers, and now wireless operators, alike."

Earlier this week, Google announced plans to begin selling e-books, which will put the online giant into direct competition with Amazon. In March, Google partnered with Sony to release 500,000 public doman (published before 1923) books and made 600,000 titles in their e-book store available; now consumers will be able to purchase Partner Program books online. Through Google, e-books are available to purchase from any online device and publishers may have more pricing control than they have through outlets such as Amazon.

Why should marketers care? Because selling e-books won't just be about the books. Google is entering the e-book fray and, according to reports, is even contemplating adding advertising to e-books in the future.

Google isn't the first to contemplate advertising in or with e-books. This week cable network Showtime began an e-book campaign for new show "Nurse Jackie" by targeting Amazon's Kindle users through banner ads.

Tags: Amazon Kindle, e-book advertising, e-book reader, e-books, ebooks, Google, In-Stat