Best Selling Author Actively Pirating His Own Book -- Finds It Helps Sales Tremendously
from the the-benefits-of-free dept
We've been seeing more and more examples lately of content creators recognizing how they benefit from giving away their content for free. What's most amusing, however, is that every time we point out an example, people work extra hard explaining why that case is a special case. When we discussed less-well-known musicians giving away music, we were told that it would never work for megastars. When we discussed megastars giving away music, we were told it would never work for indie musicians. The same is true in other areas as well. When we recently wrote about an author giving his book away for free, someone angrily emailed to let us know that this only made sense because no one had ever heard of that author -- so it was purely a promotional effort by a new author.
Yet, apparently, it also works for well-known authors. TorrentFreak points us to the news that Paulo Coelho is such a fan of giving his book away for free that he's even set up his own blog called Pirate Coehlo where he points to where you can download various translations of his best selling book The Alchemist. Coelho explained all of this in a recent talk he gave:
Link: sevenload.com
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
pffft.... by Hellsvilla on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 3:41pm
That will never work for the people that are too lazy to write a book....
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Dae Arien on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 3:47pm
Here is another author playing with the concept in a way, and an explanation of his thought process going into it:
http://www.brandonsanderson.com/book/Warbreaker/
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: pffft.... by Cixelsid on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 3:52pm
Hey, is that a cheap shot at Blog writers?
It should be.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Haaaaaaand......Salute! by Amanya Wannahear on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 4:39pm
Bravo. Good stuff.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
just a thought by Joey on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 5:28pm
While I don't disagree with you at all, I do want to play devil's advocate on one aspect here.
I can see that this structure works quite well for authors as the majority of people absorb the content through reading of an actual book. So, people find the author online, view the pirated material, realize that they would like to read the book at their own leisure (and not tied to the screen) and then purchase it.
As I have been typing this and thinking it through further, I wonder how much the model benefits musicians. Does one side of the business model (electronic distribution) get hampered while helping the other side (cd sales)? Or are both helped by the process?
--Joey
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: just a thought by Mike on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 5:42pm
As I have been typing this and thinking it through further, I wonder how much the model benefits musicians. Does one side of the business model (electronic distribution) get hampered while helping the other side (cd sales)? Or are both helped by the process?
With music, they need to adopt a somewhat different set of business models, as we've described.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
time for a new arguement? by zcat on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 6:17pm
"Sure, a small amount of sharing one or two confined areas might actually have a promotional effect. But more widespread and open P2P sharing across all forms of media would almost certainly be detrimental!"
It's a bit like arguing with creationists, really..
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Baen Free Library by Anonymous Coward on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 7:14pm
SF/Fantasy book publisher Baen seems to understand this, and they have for a while. For just over 7 years now they have hosted some of their own books as free downloads in the Baen Free Library.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: just a thought by R. H. on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 7:46pm
With music I could see giving away 64 or maybe 128kbps mp3 files, possibly with ads at the beginning and/or end and then anyone who wants to listen to the music at a higher quality or without said ads would have to buy it somewhere. I understand that the ads could be easily removed however, how many people will do that rather than simply paying for a higher quality, ad-free version?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Baen Free Library by drummer on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 7:51pm
On the first page of the Baen Free Library, sci fi author Eric Flint boldly explains why they have the free library and why it has worked to many many authors' benefit. Both Baen and the authors have made quite a bit of money from giving books away for free. Why is this so difficult for some people to understand....
I personally read a lot of books on my PDA as do many of my friends - and, no, we are not "youngsters" per se, as we're in our 40's & 50's.
As a consequence of reading several of the free books and getting exposed to some different authors, we have all purchased quite a few books.
I have found myself doing something similar with music sites that let me listen to free samples and list suggestions of similar music.
The model really does work.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Agreed, here's a usecase... by Iron Chef on Jan 24th, 2008 @ 8:39pm
Recently I found this book called "The Areas of My Expertise" by satirist John Hodgman. It's definitely satire, and his type appeals to the "well read".
During my search, I was a little dissappointed when I found that Apple had posted the audio version of it online for free for a week or two.
The process that ensued thereafter was interesting- I bought the audio version, and also picked up the print version (to proudly display on my desk at work next to my growing library of HBR-published works.)
So yes, it worked out well as a promotional item. Probably better than any other way...
I can't wait until the Writer's Strike Ends. Neither can Colbert.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Why books will always reign... by Jim Yiapanis on Jan 25th, 2008 @ 12:18am
As much as people will continue to consume snippets, exerpts, summaries and more online, there are a few practical considerations as to why bookshelves will always be in demand... Electronic devices continue to have robust energy requirements, be susceptiple to damage and simply not as user friendly as a physical book. Books are indeed the ultimate mobile platform, accessible anywhere anytime. Electronic content will augment and compliment well into the foreseeable future... JY
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
I too went the Free Book route by Allen Harkleroad on Jan 25th, 2008 @ 2:16am
Last month I began giving away the digital version of my search engine book, Confidential SEO Secrets. I have been quite happily surprised at the number of voluntary domains I have received. I made it very easy for visitors to download the book (no registration) and it is the complete book, not just a couple of chapters. Allen
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: time for a new arguement? by Anonymous Coward on Jan 25th, 2008 @ 4:35am
"It's a bit like arguing with creationists, really.."
Actually it's worse. Because
"widespread and open P2P sharing across all forms of media would almost certainly be detrimental"
is already here.
That's what I don't get about idiots touting they can't compete with free. You're doing it right now every day.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Anonymous Coward on Jan 25th, 2008 @ 6:26am
You can't pirate your own content.
Is free a business model? Of course it is, many have been using it for years. Hell, there is a famous razor company that gave away the shaver while selling the blades. Free is nothing new.
I have no problem with the free issue, I do have a problem with taking the content of those that choose to not go with that business model. Techdirt does seem to support the taking of that content.
I look at it like this. Walmart has a business strategy of selling at low prices. Nordstroms doesn't. There may be the exact same items in both stores (although I doubt it) but do I have a right to walk out of Nordstroms while only paying Walmart prices? Seems to me that could get you thrown in jail.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Books and Music by Alimas on Jan 25th, 2008 @ 11:26am
Its not really comparable.
The simplest reason being books are still typically enjoyed most in their paper form than an electric form by the typical person, for a variety of reasons. (Light reflecting off paper is easier on the eyes than a screen, can't carry the computer to bed for a quick read before sleep or to the breakfast table, etc..)
Music on the other hand has only gotten better and more popular with the advent of recent technologies making it more mobile. Its carrying cases (MP3 players vs. CDs or tapes, etc..) are smaller, lighter, more organized, hold more, etc..
Even if you got a copy of a book for free on the web, most people would still be motivated to go buy the physical books to enjoy the rest of the story or others by that Author.
With music however, you get the song you want, then you've got it. Done. Like an artist specifically? You can typically download the entire album of a popular star near effortlessly a week after its released, maybe earlier.
I don't even know anyone personally that actually buys CDs anymore.
I think the small time artists are the musicians that can really benefit from doing the releasing of some tracks to the public for them to sample.
Music for small time artists is harder for to find. You find one track they're spreading but not the rest. What do you do? Go buy the CD.
It won't even come with the stigma of Metallica whining about not making as many millions as they used to.
Free Sharing:
Megastars: Bad idea.
Small bands: Good idea till their mega stars.
Books: Good idea.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by aarthilal on Jan 25th, 2008 @ 10:20pm
hello! I'm a big Paulo Coelho's fan and I don't know if you heard about his blog http://www.paulocoelhoblog.com I've started as a fan and now I'm collaborating with him and thought that you would like to enter his universe. Check the blog. if you want, or subscribe to his newsletter http://www.warriorofthelight.com/engl/index.html You'll see a community of warriors of light sharing ideas, dreams and most importantly following their personal legend. QUOTE OF THE DAY: A responsible Warrior is one who has proved able to observe and to learn. (Manual of the Warrior of Light) Have a nice day! Aart
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Not sure what the point is by Morgan on Jan 27th, 2008 @ 11:55am
Everyone's been free to do this for a goodly long time, Bruce Eckels did it like 10 years ago, Seth Godin as well. That it is a good idea for some people, or even if, theoretically, it made more money for every writer in the world, means nothing in regards to stealing. It's the writer's decision how they sell their work, and someone's perception of whether a business model is worthy or not does not give anyone the right to copy a work without the creator's permission.
So if it's not another in the litany of stories here written to say "stop trying to control your works and stop trying to prevent stealing," then I don't know what this story is other than about a decade old news.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Pirating own content by Keith on Jan 29th, 2008 @ 1:15pm
Well, for Paulo Coelho to do this is one thing! He is already an established writer, so he can afford ($$) to wait...and see if such activity really helps his book to sell copies...but for the average person out there...many writers need the revenue to stay afloat...so this gets back to my supporting collaboration...this way writers can keep on writing...
Regards, Keith Johnson, Author "365 Great Affirmations"
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Nameless Face in the Crowd on Jan 30th, 2008 @ 12:39pm
It's my understanding that "most writers" aren't full-time writers, and can't be until they "make it big." Free content speeds up the "make it big" part, because more people will have access to your content and be able to decide if they like your style or not. It's better to have people demanding more content from you than to be another nameless face in the crowd.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
pirating ur book by essien victor on Jul 9th, 2008 @ 6:03pm
its allright, if ur aim is just making huge profits.However it can be fallacious if there is real need to enlighten pple about a process which will be to the good of the society at large
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
pirating ur book by essien victor on Jul 9th, 2008 @ 6:04pm
its allright, if ur aim is just making huge profits.However it can be fallacious if there is real need to enlighten pple about a process which will be to the good of the society at large
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Add Your Comment