More Is Not Always Better

Right now, I’m judging
a book that is well over 500 pages.
This story could easily
be told
in less than half that number of pages.
The book is filled with filler,
filler I mostly skimmed through.

This author has mixed up
the value calculation.

He thinks that,
for the average reader,
value is the number of pages divided
by the cost of the book.

The actual calculation is
the amount of entertainment divided
by the cost of the book.

A small but significant difference.
An error that frustrates
the customer (reader)
because she has to wade through
what she doesn’t value
to get at what she does.

Don’t add more
unless that more increases value.
Know your product’s value equation.