Why Authors Benefit from Giving Away Copies of Their Stories

As a content creator, sharing my work has always been a rewarding experience. I love the idea of inspiring others through my creations. In the world of writing, sharing your stories can lead to a myriad of benefits, from increased exposure to building a fan base. This article explores why authors give away copies of their stories and the associated advantages.

Building Exposure for Authors

One of the primary advantages of giving away copies of your stories is exposure. New authors often find themselves in the shadows, unknown to the masses. One way to break through this barrier is to share your work freely. Even if the feedback is not always positive, putting your name and your writing out there helps potential readers become aware of your existence as a writer.

For established authors, giving away books is an invitation to readers to explore the rest of your catalog. With millions of readers around the world, the more people who discover you and your work, the better. This exposure can lead to a dedicated following and generate interest in your other books.

Promoting Your Catalog and Services

Giving away a few copies of a gripping story can have a viral effect, especially for authors with a significant back catalog. Once readers receive a free book, they may become evangelists for your work, spreading the word to friends and online communities. If you have multiple books or a series, giving away one title can lead to more readers discovering and investing in the rest of your work.

Additionally, some authors offer mentoring or professional services and provide a free short book to entice clients to invest in these services. The free book can act as a teaser, piquing interest and leading to sales of other services or courses.

Spreading the Word and Generating Reviews

While giving away books may not always result in reviews, the exposure can help spread the word about your book. Someone might read it who wouldn’t have otherwise, leading to potential readers for future books. Reviews and endorsements can further enhance your reputation and attract more readers.

The Freemium Model in Self-Publishing

In the world of self-publishing, there is a slang term called Freemium. This term refers to a strategy where an author offers the first book in a series for free to attract new readers. Freemium mimics the business model of a loss leader, a product that is intentionally sold at a loss to attract customers and generate more sales on other products.

By making the first book in a series available for free, authors can significantly increase the chances that readers will purchase the subsequent books. This strategy is particularly effective in the self-publishing world. However, not all platforms allow authors to offer books for free. On Amazon, for instance, authors are required to offer books for free on other sites and then alert Amazon. The platform's automatic price-matching system will then set the price to zero, allowing for increased sales without direct expense.

Major commercial publishers also employ the Freemium model. They offer the first book in a series for free to generate interest and ensure readers continue to buy the rest of the books in the series.

In conclusion, giving away copies of your stories is a powerful tool for authors. It can increase exposure, build a fan base, and generate sales for future books. Whether you're a new author seeking recognition or an established author looking to grow your readership, sharing your work freely can have significant benefits.