I guess I’m always looking for new ways to reach a wider audience. A good number of people choose to read Beyond the Rhetoric on the website itself. Others opt to use an RSS aggregator or via the free email subscription option. I have yet to create a mobile-friendly version of BTR, but my blog has taken to the road in the form of the Amazon Kindle.
The popular e-book reader isn’t officially available in Canada just yet, but readers in the United States can have Beyond the Rhetoric (or any number of other blogs) sent over to their Amazon Kindle automatically and seamlessly. When I spotted the post on John Chow’s blog a few days ago, he (inaccurately) noted that the submission of blogs was restricted only to American publishers with an American bank account and an American mailing address. Well, he was wrong.
As a Canadian, it’s actually quite easy to open a US checking account and the Kindle Store does not require an American mailing address. After a little more poking around, it seems that you don’t need an American bank account either, since cheques can be mailed to international publishers. I don’t expect to make any real money through the Kindle Edition of BTR. Instead, I’m much more interested in just reaching a wider audience and getting more readers.
The good news is that reading Beyond the Rhetoric on the Amazon Kindle is remarkably convenient, thanks to the seamless wireless delivery over WhisperNet. The bad news is that it’s not free… and then there’s good news again, because Beyond the Rhetoric on the Kindle is only two bucks a month. That’s a small price to pay for convenience.
I wonder when (and if) the Kindle will ever make its way to Canada. Amazon.ca launched its electronics section
Anyhow, if you’re rocking the Kindle in the States, feel free to get BTR via Kindle WhisperNet at your earliest convenience.
Interesting option for Amazon. I don’t see it being a money maker for anyone, but might as well get another outlet for exposure.
That’s one great marketing & distribution channel to tap on for your freelance writing business!
Great tip about the bank account. Had no idea it would be so hassle free!
As for getting cheques mailed, could you direct me to where you found that. I signed up with Kindle and only see a place for my US bank account and address.
I also came across this, where the person (in Australia) received a reply from Amazon re this question. Amazon told her that a US bank account and address are requirements.
Thanks for any info.
After logging into your Kindle Publishing (for Blogs) account, click on the My Settings tab, and then the Account Information link.
I was able to choose Canada from the pull-down menu for address. For the payment details, I was able to choose between electronic transfer (for a US account) or a check (with an $8 fee), presumably sent to the mailing address that I would have entered above.