Thursday, July 10, 2014

Embedded samples and digital discovery

Earlier this month at the ALA Annual Conference, we demonstrated OverDrive eBook embedded samples on websites like Huffington Post and Buzzfeed. The purpose of these partnerships is to continue to drive new patrons to the library through discovery of the eBooks you provide. Our embedded samples can be placed on any website, social media page, or blog to provide users the ability to begin reading a title they may be interested in and then be directed to their library's digital collection to borrow the title.

These samples aren't only meant to be used by popular news and entertainment websites, though. You can use them on your library pages and blogs to draw attention to your digital offerings as well. By searching for titles on overdrive.com, you can access embed codes for our eBooks that can be used to increase the visibility of your full collection. We've also created a simple guide on how to use the embed codes to get you started.

Step 1: Click on the Share symbol:

embed

Step 2: Copy and paste the embed code into your website editor.

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The samples are fully responsive, meaning they will adjust themselves to fit screen sizes, and are compatible in most browsers. Once embedded, the samples are readable right within your website. When a patron reaches the end of the sample, they are provided links to find the title at their library or share the sample with their friends on social media. Some great examples of how to use these samples include creating a Pinterest board of Recommended Reads, or featuring an "eBook of the day" on your library blog.

Embedded samples provide patrons the opportunity to peruse a title before deciding to check it out, mimicking the familiar experience they have as they walk up and down the aisles of your library.

Another way eBook samples are driving readers to the library website? Bing’s search engine. Check this out, below!

BingScreenshot1

When searching a title in Bing, an option to read a sample appears in the informational sidebar if the title is available through OverDrive. The user can read an excerpt, and they are even given the option to borrow the eBook directly from a library near them.

See an example of an embedded sample below, and start sharing with your patrons today!

 

 

 

Adam Sockel is a Marketing Communication Specialist at OverDrive.

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