Market survey

aj.lec · #1 11-08-10, 10:13

Books are a better read

CD's are good also as they allow you to enlarge the pictures for better detail analysis

Ganmain Tony · #2 11-08-10, 10:48

The books Clive

Alex van de Wetering · #3 11-08-10, 12:32

Clive,

at first....good to hear news on the Soft Skin book. Just like most of the others, I would say....books in stead of CD. I love your factory photos CD, but the truth is that I only get it out if I am looking for a certain detail, it's far easier to grab a book to have a look during a cuppa.

From a scale modelling and CMP loving point of view, I would prefer a picture packed book..I recon most of us will have at least some documentation about CMP's, so we will be looking for those pictures not covered in other books....so preferebly more volumes so you can include ALL pictures.

Alex

Ryan · #4 11-08-10, 12:46

Clive,
I agree with most of the above posts too. I would prefer a 2 volume hard cover set with the greater detail.
As for selling 100 sets in Australia I'm not sure about. I think you could do 50 sets quite well. Just off the top of my head I could see Hylands bookstore in Melbourne, Napoleans bookstore in Sydney buying one or more sets each. Then there is always the Corowa swap meet, MLU members and ebay. I'm sure there is more options I'm not thinking of though.
Does Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide have military bookstores?

regards
ryan

Phil Waterman · #5 11-08-10, 14:48

Hi Clive

The sentiment in favor of printed I feel is a good one. If you have the information for a large volume(s) go that route. While computer based information sources are great they are hard to maintain in the long run and the to easy to copy works against the effort to collect in the first place.

Just out of curiosity are you going with a print on demand system or a defined press run?

As I said I'll make room in my book case by the computer for a print copy, it will be in good company beside Gregg's and Vanderveen's books.

Cheers Phil

Alex Blair (RIP) · #6 11-08-10, 17:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ryan

Clive,
I agree with most of the above posts too. I would prefer a 2 volume hard cover set with the greater detail.
As for selling 100 sets in Australia I'm not sure about. I think you could do 50 sets quite well. Just off the top of my head I could see Hylands bookstore in Melbourne, Napoleans bookstore in Sydney buying one or more sets each. Then there is always the Corowa swap meet, MLU members and ebay. I'm sure there is more options I'm not thinking of though.
Does Perth, Brisbane or Adelaide have military bookstores?

regards
ryan

Ryan..You may be underestimating the Australian market..
The only "Blitz"..CMP knowledgeable people we see from OZ are usually here at MLU central..BUT>>>>If a hard cover book on CMP's came out with a big CMP on the cover it is a very recognizable vehicle...
Even though there are a few of us here....How many would see the book and say...."Isn;t that a book of dads old army truck..??""and grab it out of nostalgia ..??
Bet there is a hell of a market for that book..
For years after the war those were among the only trucks available for commercial use..both in England and OZ and many other places..until the domestic automotive industry got off the war production footing and so many people would recognize them..not so much in Canada and the US because we sent most of them over seas.
end of rant..
GO .Clive..Go..!!

servicepub (RIP) · #7 11-08-10, 19:12

I already have a sizeable client base in Australia/NZ for my Weapons of War boklets and don't see any concern with 100 copies for that region. In fact, one MLUer in Oz has already approached me for distribution. As these volumes come out in print I will make arrangements for their availability at a reasonable cost.
Clive

Barry Churcher · #8 12-08-10, 03:08

Clive, having had a sneak preview of the excellent preliminary edition I would opt for the 2 volume set. When I was perusing your draft I was so excited I had difficulty controlling bodily functions. For this reason alone I feel a printed copy, able to be easily transported to the can, ( john, lou, toilette, crapper etc) would be beneficial for the old farts like Alex, to keep things flowing,

so to speak. There is nothing like a CMP laxative.
Where do I send my money?
Cheers,
Barry

Ryan · #9 12-08-10, 05:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by servicepub

I already have a sizeable client base in Australia/NZ for my Weapons of War boklets and don't see any concern with 100 copies for that region. In fact, one MLUer in Oz has already approached me for distribution. As these volumes come out in print I will make arrangements for their availability at a reasonable cost.
Clive

Clive, Alex, I don't mind being wrong on this issue. If you can sell more all the better. You have a good point too Alex about a big CMP on the cover and the " my dad had one of those" sentinments about sales. Let's hope 100 copies sells out and a second printing is in order.
ryan