Hodder backs self-help books with motivational text messages

by Emma Rigby, Revolution UK 17-Jan-06

LONDON - Hodder Education has used motivational text messages to launch its series of self-help books.

The target audience of women aged between 20 and 50 years can sign up to receive bundles of 10 encouraging text messages when they buy the 'Get a Life!' series of books written by lifestyle gurus.

Texts, which cost £1.50 for each package of 10, are sent daily and contain words of inspiration such as advice from flirt adviser Elizabeth Clark. She suggests that readers of her title 'Single to Settled' should: "Smile warmly, be positive & men will be tripping over their jaws 2 speak 2 u."

The text messaging is being managed by Telecom Express, which specialises in marketing services to the media and publishing industry.

Katie Roden, director of the consumer education division at Hodder Education, said: "How many of us have taken up a New Year's resolution with every best intention, only to fall at the first fence? This ground-breaking new combination of book and SMS motivational messaging is set to keep all our readers on course as they seek to change their lives for the better."

She added: "Expect to see much more of this exciting combination of traditional and modern media as we go through 2006."

Other titles in the series include 'Drab to Fab', by Isabelle Perrett and Yvonne Johnson, and 'Moody to Mello', by Stephen Palmer and Christine Wilding. The advice from 'Bone Idle to Body Idol' written by Cornel Chin, reads: "Want a gleaming, shiny car? Go do some wax on and wax off. Ur arms & shoulders will look & feel great & so will ur car."

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