Last day of the work week here at thinks Central, so I thought I’d just clean up a couple of items in the inbox that don’t seem to justify full posts.
In no particular order, here we go:
With publishers hemorrhaging cash, why don’t publishers include affiliate links in their e-books’ cited works? As an avid Kindle reader, it would be really handy to be able to buy certain books – or, better yet, a given chapter of a cited work – from within the book I’m already reading. You’re guaranteed a qualified audience, plus extra revenue.
I love Google Insights for Search. Where else can you learn things like the fact that apple pie is more popular than pumpkin pie or stuffing, except for right around Thanksgiving:
Now go and apply that type of thinking to your business.
Want one example? OK. I was curious how many people searched Google for Bing, Bing.com, and Google.com (I also had just “Google” in there, but the scale was absurd. Try it for yourself):
And, just for fun, you’ve got to watch the Muppets do Bohemian Rhapsody. It’s a riot:
Have a Happy Thanksgiving, Big Thinkers. We’ll catch you next time around.
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“People respond to incentives, although not necessarily in ways that are predictable or manifest.”
While critics such as WaPo’s Ezra Klein contest specific data within the book, those folks seem to miss the point. Much like Michael Lewis’ Moneyball or Douglas Hubbard’s How to Measure Anything, Levitt and Dubner’s real point is that we need to question both what we question and how we ask, as opposed to assuming expertise or conventional wisdom have all the answers. (In fairness to Klein, his refusal to take Levitt and Dubner at face value mirrors their very point, which is to say you’ve got to look into anyone’s numbers to see what they really mean).
Read SuperFreakonomics. You don’t have to agree with every point its authors make – in fact, you’d be wise to question their data. But, what makes the book great is that, in a world of celebrities and talking heads, it represents a model of critical thinking any business person would do well to emulate.
Full disclosure: I am an Amazon affiliate and am compensated for sales on Amazon originating via this blog. I occasionally receive review copies of books; however, I purchased SuperFreakonomics to write this review.
Are you getting enough value out of your small business website? Want to make sure your business makes the most of the local, mobile, social web? thinks helps you understand how to grow your business via the web, every day. Get more than just news. Get understanding. Add thinks to your feed reader today.
I am in Venice. It rocks. That is all. #
@susantravels @RobertKCole Good to see your posts from #phocuswright. I almost feel like I'm there. Of course, Venice is OK, too. #
Getting into my last full day in Venezia. Looking forward to going home, but, man, am I going to miss this beautiful city. #
Anyone know any good in-house SEO types looking for work? I'm helping out a recruiter friend. DM me for more information. #
@mpayy Hi Trace. Yes, data exists showing that offering more payment options improves conversion. Look for a post tomorrow w/ details. in reply to mpayy #
Do you think GOOG thinks mobile's going to be [...]
It’s a fun, quick, yet thought-provoking read, that questions environmental issues, prostitution (and other criminal activity), organ transplants, altruism and a host of other issues, all in support of its thesis:
