I have come to believe that creative writers should offer some of their work for free. Note there the word some. I also strongly believe that creatives should be compensated fairly for their works.
Here’s why I’ve come to believe this:
- It builds good will with readers.
- An opportunity to advertise your paid works in the free work.
- Show readers your writing style and if they like it, they might buy some of your pay for work.
- Helps you reach new audiences.
- Word of mouth often travels faster than paid advertising, so you might make more paid sales in the long term.
- You may get more reviews of your works.
- It is a way of giving back to the literacy community.
How to Do It
- Offer a free first chapter of books. Mine are here: Z-Virus Powers, Ways The Human Body Can Go Wrong, My Royal Navy Friend, The Alcohol Therapy Workbook, SpellCast – Folk Magic for the 21st Century and Mental Health Wisdom – Developing Understanding & Empathy.
- Giveaways / Competitions.
- Offering sales or very cheap copies. Don’t offer sales too often as they can have opposite effect of driving sales.
- For cheap copies I tend to do ebooks and offer them on Google Play Store.
- Donating to Libraries. Don’t just think of local libraries either. An ebook can be sent to Libraries via email. Think also of other places that have libraries such as colleges and universities.
- Donate to Book Cycles. I’ll admit I’ve only done this once, to my local book cycle and can’t said that it has had any impact on sales of my paid works. But it felt good to support a local voluntary organisation.
- Offer and do free or low-cost talks and presentations whenever you get the opportunity. Remember to take copies of your paid works, payment methods (both cash for change and card payment facilities) and promotional materials for anyone who wants to buy or is interested in your paid works. This could be to writing or reading groups, clubs or practically any other type of group relevant to your creative works that you can think of.
My creative works on Amazon:
Write soon,
Antony
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