Aptara Survey Reveals Publishers’ Evolving Response to eBooks

Falls Church, Virginia (PRWEB) March 4, 2010

An Aptara survey of more than 300 U.S. publishers across the Trade, Professional and Educational markets reveals that a significant percentage of publishers are missing the opportunity to capitalize on the increasing market momentum of eBooks. The survey, conducted recently, is the first in a series planned by Aptara to document the evolution of book publishing in the face of society’s changing content consumption behaviors. The collection of data from a range of markets and participants is also intended to uncover the real impact of new media on publishers’ operations.

This first survey has revealed two major findings:

• Most publishers are selling eBooks through their own eCommerce sites and are missing the vast consumer audiences provided by major distribution channels.
• Publishers are producing eBooks that cannot be read on most mobile devices, limiting the opportunities for wider consumption.

These results explain why the number one challenge cited in bringing eBooks to market was eReader formatting and compatibility issues, and the number two challenge was distribution channel issues. “It will take some time for the eBook market to shake out and for any one device or platform to be deemed dominant,” predicts Dev Ganesan, President and CEO of Aptara. “For this reason alone, publishers need to recognize the importance of creating device-agnostic eBooks. This is precisely why we’re helping our customers prepare content with a device-neutral production approach. It’s the only way for publishers to have flexibility and future-proof their content for delivery to any device, platform, or new medium.”

Other findings include:

• 53% of publishers who responded are offering titles in eBook format.
• 60% who do not currently offer eBooks plan to do so in the near future.
• 65% of publishers are producing eBook versions of titles that are also offered in print.

For the full results and analysis of Aptara’s first eBook survey, click here.

About Aptara
Aptara provides digital publishing solutions that deliver significant gains in cost, quality and time-to-market for eBook publishers. Having converted tens of millions pages of content to eBooks, Aptara offers comprehensive solutions across all content sources and delivery media, including the Apple iPhone and iPad, Amazon Kindle and Sony Reader devices. Aptara’s expertise includes eBook production, content conversion, custom content development, editorial & design services and content technology solutions. Founded in 1988, Aptara is a U.S.-based company with more than 4,000 professionals worldwide serving leaders in the Trade & Consumer, Professional and Education publishing markets. For more information visit http://www.aptaracorp.com.

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