Systems and methods for forecasting book demand

2:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the variables are selected from the group consisting of a prospective consumer's purchase intent, author perception, recommendation level, distribution, merchandising support, promotional and publicity support, key audience, awareness, demand, and availability.

3:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising:
• (a) gathering sales data for a published book for which demand had been forecast according to the demand forecast model in the assigned category, and
• (b) comparing the demand forecast of the published book with the demand forecast of the test book.

4:

• The method as claimed in claim 3, further comprising calibrating the demand forecast model for each selected variable in the assigned category based on the gathered sales data of the published book.

5:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of assigning the test book to a book category comprises designing and fielding a survey.

6:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surveying is conducted over the Internet.

7:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surveying is conducted using survey software.

8:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising providing the target audience with all or part of the full text of the test book and surveying the target audience.

9:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the variables comprise business input measures, and the method further comprises collecting business input measures and inputting the business input measures into the demand forecast model for the assigned category.

10:

• The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the business input measures are selected from the group consisting of sales distribution level and channel plans, publicity event type and size, marketing and merchandising spending plans and the related level and incremental sales impact of store merchandising support.

11:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the demand forecast of the test book is expressed in terms of unit sales.

12:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the demand forecast of the test book is expressed in terms of dollar sales.

13:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising utilizing the forecasted demand for the test book to make a demand-based publishing decision.

14:

• The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising utilizing the forecasted demand for the test book to make a demand-based retailing decision.

16:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the variables are selected from the group consisting of a prospective consumer's purchase intent, author perception, recommendation level, distribution, merchandising support, promotional and publicity support, key audience, awareness, demand, and availability.

17:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising:
• (a) means for gathering sales data for a published book for which demand had been forecast according to the demand forecast model in the assigned category, and
• (b) means for comparing the demand forecast of the published book with the demand forecast of the test book.

18:

• The system as claimed in claim 17, further comprising means for calibrating the demand forecast model for each selected variable in the assigned category based on the gathered sales data of the published book.

19:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the means for assigning the test book to a book category comprises means for designing and fielding a survey.

20:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the surveying is conducted over the Internet.

21:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the surveying is conducted using survey software.

22:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising means for providing the target audience with all or part of the full text of the test book and surveying the target audience.

23:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the variables comprise business input measures, and the system further comprises means for collecting business input measures and means for inputting the business input measures into the demand forecast model for the assigned category.

24:

• The system as claimed in claim 23, wherein the business input measures are selected from the group consisting of sales distribution level and channel plans, publicity event type and size, marketing and merchandising spending plans and the related level and incremental sales impact of store merchandising support.

25:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the demand forecast of the test book is expressed in terms of unit sales.

26:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the demand forecast of the test book is expressed in terms of dollar sales.

27:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising means for utilizing the forecasted demand of the test book to make a demand-based publishing decision.

28:

• The system as claimed in claim 15, further comprising means for utilizing the forecasted demand of the test book to make a demand-based retailing decision.