Openness

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I got a long email from one upset reader. The title to the email was "More space registration procedure is annoying, insulting, and ultimately of no positive benefit". The person felt we were really missing the boat by asking people for their email address in exchange for access to the free content.

I sent the email to our authors and asked them what they thought. They agreed. They had been getting feedback it was too complex for some people. It was stopping people from finding out about the book.

I had heard enough.

You will find there is no longer a barrier to access the content on the author pages.

So, check it all out and then buy the book!

Comments

[Michael O'Connor Michael O'Connor]

I disagree completely. If you are going to give me access to potentially valuable information and all I'm being asked to do is cough up an email address, what's the problem? Who gets harmed?

I have set up a separate email account for just such opportunities. Any place I may end up receiving special offers or sales notes or update notices that might generate unwanted or semi-wanted emails--not to mention stuff that may be from an unwanted third party--goes into this account. If I am interested, I'll keep it coming. If I am not I'll find the unsubscribe link and lose them. Because I keep these emails separate from my personal and more important business missives I am content to live with the tradeoff. If, indeed, I receive information I deem valuable, it is a fair bargain to me.

BTW, I read the "passion" essay from your book and was inspired to impliment some of the ideas already. I'm looking forward to reading the rest, then buying up some hard copies to distribute to friends and colleagues. Thanks!

[David Paull]

I also disagree. An email address in exchange for free content is perfectly reasonable (if not expected). Software companies don't allow people to download free trial versions of software without a way to follow-up with and track them. Your offer of free content is basically a trial offer. Asking for my info in exchange is very fair.