Comments on: Transparency in marketing: A book case study

By: DE Navarro

DE Navarro — Mon, 21 May 2018 19:08:26 +0000

Yes. I ordered a book online about mindfulness, a Kindle book. I was expecting to find a lot of information about mindfulness and some in-depth handling of the topic. I read the description and some of the reviews, which were 80% 4 or 5 stars. I took a peek inside and the sampling seemed promising, there were 9 Chapters. The subtitle promised “how to live in the moment, stress and worry free in a constant state of peace and happiness.” The one thing I did not look at was how many pages, I don’t know if that information is even available for Kindle books. But it ended up being like 36 pages, some chapters were 1 and a half Kindle pages (screens). Too bad I did not come across this review before I bought it and was highly disappointed:

“Effectively an appetizer on the topic of mindfulness this book does little more than make the reader aware of the subject. Unfortunately, the title will lead people to think they are getting more than this elongated magazine article.

If you have never read an article or other books on mindfulness, then this book can be a good place to start. You won’t learn how to live in a constant state of peace and happiness (as promised in the subtitle) but you may have your curiosity piqued.

The lack of depth is exemplified by chapter two, where the author “covers” the topic of the importance of living in the present moment in a mere two pages. And by chapter nine, where how mindfulness is important in your everyday life receives a mere seven paragraphs and is just over a page in length. Substantive it is not.”

So live and learn, thankfully, I only spent .99 cents on it during a special promotion.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 10 May 2018 13:04:54 +0000

In reply to Judith Dreyer. Thanks, Judith. Your experience highlights one of the pitfalls of review swaps among colleagues. Sandy

By: Judith Dreyer

Judith Dreyer — Thu, 10 May 2018 11:55:25 +0000

I am in a writing group and of course, we do some reviews of folks we know personally. So writing an honest review requires some tact. I enjoyed a mystery story except for the main character, a young adult female. She kept making mistakes that really took away from the mystery, yet the writing was very good. I decided to say that in the review.
This article highlights some of the business hype we have to wade through for promotion. Thanks, Sandy, good lessons here.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Thu, 10 May 2018 00:09:20 +0000

In reply to Sandra Hutchison.

Thanks, Sandra. So, from a “what can we learn from this standpoint,” what should they have done differently? Included that information as part of the book’s description?

Sandy

By: Sandra Hutchison

Sandra Hutchison — Thu, 10 May 2018 00:04:58 +0000

I once bought a guide for ADHD parents that in no way in the sales copy or on the book cover suggested it would be vehemently opposed to any medication. I don’t normally leave negative reviews, but I felt I should warn other parents who might be looking for help and thus reviewed it as misleadingly marketed in this regard. Soon after, I noticed all my other reviews had received one vote down by someone.

By: Sandra Beckwith

Sandra Beckwith — Wed, 09 May 2018 16:10:54 +0000

In reply to Ginger Dehlinger. Thanks, Ginger. That sounds frustrating. Sandy

By: Ginger Dehlinger

Ginger Dehlinger — Wed, 09 May 2018 16:08:10 +0000

I don’t recall a specific book that didn’t meet my expectations; however I was disappointed in the rushed way the Howard’s End mini series treated episode 4. Too much was omitted or covered quickly. My mind reeled trying to keep up with what happened to the characters.