The Long Tail

By: Chris Anderson

Narrated by: Christopher Nissley

Length: 7 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

What happens when there is almost unlimited choice? When everything becomes available to everyone? And when the combined value of the millions of items that only sell in small quantities equals or even exceeds the value of a handful of best sellers? In this groundbreaking audiobook, Chris Anderson shows that the future of business does not lie in hits ¿ the high-volume end of a traditional demand curve ¿ but in what used to be regarded as misses: the endlessly long tail of that same curve. As our world is transformed by the Internet and the near infinite choice it offers consumers, so traditional business models are being overturned and new truths revealed about what consumers want and how they want to get it.

Chris Anderson first explored the Long Tail in an article in Wired magazine that has become one of the most influential business essays of our time. Now he takes a closer look at the new economics of the Internet age, showing where business is going and exploring the huge opportunities that exist: for new producers, new e-tailers, and new tastemakers. He demonstrates how long-tail economics apply to industries ranging from the toy business to advertising to kitchen appliances. He sets down the rules for operating in a long-tail economy. And he provides a glimpse of a future that's already arriving.

Unabridged and featuring a special conversation with the author.

©2006 Chris Anderson

Critic reviews

"Anderson's insights with the long tail influence Google's strategic thinking in a profound way." (Eric Schmidt, CEO, Google)
"A terrifically impressive analysis. It captured the forces underlying this business perfectly." (Jeff Bezos, CEO, Amazon)
"Christopher Nissley's reading style fits the content; he's clipped and staccato, like Anderson's writing." (AudioFile)

Great for its time

This is of course eponymous work, but dated now. We need the next summation of web 3.0

It is true: "Sh*t happens!" (frequently)

What made the experience of listening to The Long Tail the most enjoyable?

The listening experience was good.

What does Christopher Nissley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Nissley kept me focussed and did not allow to dose off.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

The book strengthened what was already obvious for daily experience.

Any additional comments?

I recommend the book strongly to policy makers, corporate boards and project managers alike.

Change your focus on your business approach!!

REally interesting approach to a different way of business. In a way it gives some clues on how to address business in the internet era... It focuses a bit too much on Google (the author seems fascinated at some point in time) but it helps to open your mind to new ways of thinking.

In some chapters, it seemed aligned and complimentary to the "Blue Ocean Strategy"

Insightful take on scale

I love how the writer brings new thought into how scale may creates a winner take all market but also a myriad of niches and the large size of the other end of the market.