Not sure when this started, since I just saw it yesterday, but it’s an interesting concept. I’ll post Amazon’s explanation of the service below.
Your Amazon.com Plog is a personalized web log that appears on your customer home page. Every person’s Plog is different (hence the name) and just like a blog, your Plog is sorted in reverse chronological order. Each post also gives you the opportunity to provide feedback to the sender as to whether you liked the post or not. This feedback loop means your Plog becomes even more relevant and interesting over time. Your Plog will appear if you are logged into our web site and is visible only to you.
Authors with at least one book for sale on Amazon.com are eligible to participate in Amazon Connect. To learn more about the program and to sign up, visit Amazon.
There were two authors on my homepage talking about their latest releases, but several have already signed up. One gave a bit of info about how she came to write the book. The other put up a blurb and reviews. I think it’s interesting and I’ll probably participate, if there aren’t any hidden catches. What do you all think?
Depends on how much access you want readers to have to you the author. If you’re into that sort of thing, it would probably be fun for you, and giving some attention to the individual reader could boost your sales. Only remember that any moron — even your ex-spouse or worst enemy — can post anything he/she wants on Amazon.com with complete immunity, while you as the plogging author can’t hide behind an anonymous handle.
by PBW February 2nd, 2006 at 11:49 amPBW, Good points. I’m going to have to give this more thought.
by Jordan February 2nd, 2006 at 11:57 amI’ve been pondering (oh,oh) and this is what I’ve come up with. It’s true that people have access to your blogs, but you can remove anything offensive, while you can’t on the Amazon site. I would assume that the same stringent rules that apply to reviews would apply to this, whereby nothing obscene could be posted. As for negative stuff - they can do that now in a review of your book. I’ll ponder some more. Off to the ol’ bookstore - I hate working nights!
by Eve February 2nd, 2006 at 3:34 pmEve, Let me know what you come up with.
by Jordan February 2nd, 2006 at 3:42 pmI read about that, and I dunno if I want to try to do it. I’ve got several items on Amazon now, but it’s one more thing I’d have to maintain and update and as it is I’m swamped keeping my website updated. I think I’m going to file it away as something to think about possibly later when I’m less busy. ; )
by Charlene February 2nd, 2006 at 5:28 pmCharlene, Yeah, until PBW said something, I hadn’t really thought about it.
by Jordan February 2nd, 2006 at 6:56 pmNope, pondered too hard and gave myself a headache.
by Eve February 2nd, 2006 at 8:35 pmLOL Eve!
by Jordan February 2nd, 2006 at 10:12 pmI’m not sure about this. There are definite pros and cons. I think I’ll watch as it progresses and see how I feel about it later.
by Daisy Dexter Dobbs February 3rd, 2006 at 8:41 amJordan, do you know who has one up yet? I’d be interested in seeing how it works…
by Vivi Anna February 3rd, 2006 at 9:54 amDaisy, That’s kind of what I’m doing.
by Jordan February 3rd, 2006 at 1:30 pmVivi Anna, The one I saw was from Christina Dodd.
by Jordan February 3rd, 2006 at 1:30 pmI used the Connect Program to post links to my site. I wouldn’t use it as a blog because when you sign up you agree to a disclaimer that gives up all your rights to whatever you post. So if you used it as a blog, they could compile your posts, create a tell-all book with it, and make a fortune without having to pay you a dime. I have more about this on my blog now: http://www.sylviaday.com/blog/2006/02/03/806/
by Sylvia Day February 3rd, 2006 at 11:24 pmThanks Syl.
by Jordan February 4th, 2006 at 9:47 am