Wishlists are like buying but better
I’m currently reading a book about libraries by Susan Orlean. It made me think about the current ABC limiting the UK’s potential for interesting innovation in such areas (Austerity, Brexit, Conservatives.)
At £9.99 for the paperback, I’d probably never have bought it. I’d likely save the money, play it safe buying something more familiar. Less esoteric.
But for £1.99 on Kindle, it’s an immediate yes.
That is the power of wishlists.
A while ago, I decided it was important to me to read more, and with an increasing breadth. To achieve this, I started to build up a wishlist on Amazon.
Every time I heard an interesting author on a podcast, I’d add their book to my wishlist. Every time a friend recommended something, wishlist. In time, every time I felt like buying a book, but hadn’t finished the last, it goes on the wishlist.
From there, I’ve also scoured things like the New York Times book of the year lists for the last decade or two. Anything that tickles my fancy: on the wishlist.
In a world of digital impulse buys, “add to wishlist” feels almost indistinguishably as good as 1-click. It’s like buying the thing for Future Max (“Thanks Past Max!”)
But the best bit: I now have a bookmark for the list, sorted by price from low to high. Anything that goes below about £3 is an instant buy.
It’s like I’ve disconnected the “impulse” from the “buy”. But still get the kick of both worlds. My little reptile brain can’t tell the difference.
But there is a strange wrinkle in this — rewarding creators. If I buy a book for 99p that was only peripherally on my radar, but end up absolutely loving it, how do I reward the author? Is it enough that I become a fan who might pay more for/ to them in future?
I’m trying a few things, like buying another copy for someone else who might love it, or creating a separate little monthly budget to splash on buying other media each month. But I’m not quite there yet, and feel like I’m missing some better solution.
Maybe this is more common than I think. But if you haven’t got in the habit, I highly recommend it. And here’s my wishlist, if you’re curious for some recommendations.
