amazon's kindle

I really want a Kindle. Do I need one? No. But, I just think it would be fun to have. I like the idea of quickly downloading the next book I want to read. Or having a newspaper subscription on my Kindle and being able to read it at my leisure. And, I especially like the idea of using less paper.

I just read a Forbes article about Kindle’s Future. Here’s the main point of the article:

“At a time when most digital devices tout how many different things they can do, Amazon has taken an interesting approach with Kindle. It is not a computer, nor a phone, nor a browser–and it is definitely not a music player. What the Kindle is: a very well-designed e-reader. All of its features and functions are focused directly on the reading experience and nothing more.“

I love that Kindle isn’t trying to be all things to all people. It only wants to do one job really well. That’s why it personally appeals to me. I have an iPod for playing my music. I have a mobile phone for making calls. I have a computer to surf the Internet and write blogs, among other things.

As marketers, aren’t we always telling our clients to choose the one unique or special thing about a product or service and promote it heavily? We encourage creating a theme or primary message to set a product or service apart from the competition.

Kindle could evolve to be an online browser, a phone, and a music player. But could it really compete? Can Kindle take the place of a SmartPhone or a laptop? Should it even try?

I think Amazon should continue to make Kindle the best e-reader available. I’m not even sure people realize how handy it could be to have one. I feel that Amazon has the opportunity right now to shape the future of this product. Other companies are starting to create their own e-readers. Amazon’s first marketing step is to position Kindle as a unique device – different than a phone, MP3 player, or computer – that consumers will find incredibly handy and useful.

I believe Kindle is on the verge of something big. It could reshape the way we read books and documents.

What do you think? Should Amazon continue to produce and market the Kindle as only an e-reader? Or, do you think they should expand to provide other services?

How do I know that insurance marketers are thriving? First, our agency is working with insurance companies who are continuing to grow and aggressively market their products. Second, several insurance firms are hiring employees. With higher than normal unemployment rates, that tells me these insurance businesses must be doing something right. Third, insurance companies offer [...]

A couple of years ago my parents took my five-year-old cousin out for a “special” day. She got to decide what she wanted to do. Everything from whether or not her window was down to where to eat: it was up to her. She, being the youngest child, was awed by this concept. She would [...]

I can’t believe I forgot Allegro’s anniversary. As of May 3, we have been in business for 19 years. When I realized it was Allegro’s anniversary, I got a little nostalgic. Maybe even a little misty-eyed. I have been with Allegro for almost 17 years. I remember my first interview. It was awful. I didn’t [...]

I recently attended a State tumbling meet with my girls. After two long days, my girls were done with their events, and we were getting ready to leave. Then I remembered that when we had first entered the building, a t-shirt vendor had been set up just 10 feet from where we came in the [...]

I just received an automated phone call from a debt consolidation organization. The message told me they were calling about my credit card debt. The voice on the phone said she had my records right in front of her, and she could help me lower the interest rate on my outstanding credit card balance.
How can [...]

My mother, who is active in the United Methodist Church (UMC), recently took a trip to Sudan, Africa. She was part of a General Board of Global Ministries mission travel study team. The team was in Africa to observe the missionary work being conducted by the UMC and report back to their local churches.
While the [...]

Is it proper etiquette to try and grab customers from your competitors during a recession? Absolutely! Any time is the right time to go after market share.
Times are tough, right? How can you get your competition’s customers to switch to you? Here are some dos and don’ts for keeping it classy while gaining more customers.
DO [...]

When I was in college, I took an advertising class that delved into the history and evolution of advertising. The professor reviewed advertising creative – copy and design – through the decades. His theory was that every other decade, advertising and marketing experienced a highly strategic and creative burst of energy followed by a decade [...]

A friend recently asked me if an “affordable vacation getaway” that included a 90-minute timeshare presentation was a scam. Some timeshare marketers have used deceptive practices, such as incorporating misleading contests, relentless sales presentations, and unclear contracts. However, for the most part, discounted vacation packages for timeshare properties are legitimate offers.
I started thinking about timeshare [...]