Permafree on Amazon: How and Why to Give Your Book Away + My Results

Ever wondered if giving your book away for free on Amazon could actually boost your author career? It might sound counterintuitive, but many authors have found that offering their book for free, known as “permafree,” can lead to surprising benefits. From increasing your readership to boosting sales of your other books, the permafree strategy has its perks.

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In this article, you’ll discover how to set your book to permafree on Amazon, why it’s a strategy worth considering, and the results I experienced firsthand. Whether you’re a new author looking to build an audience or an established writer wanting to expand your reach, understanding the power of permafree could be a game-changer for your publishing journey.

Key Takeaways

  • Increased Readership: Offering your book for free can significantly expand your audience as more readers are likely to download a free ebook.
  • Boosted Sales of Other Books: A free book can drive sales of your other titles by hooking readers who are then inclined to purchase more from your collection.
  • Enhanced Amazon Rankings: Free downloads improve your book’s ranking on Amazon, increasing its visibility and attracting more readers.
  • Valuable Reviews: A higher number of downloads usually leads to more reviews, bolstering your book’s credibility and attracting additional sales.
  • Expanded Email List: Utilizing your free book to grow your email list can help you build a loyal readership base by including a call-to-action for newsletter signups within the ebook.

Understanding Permafree on Amazon

Permafree on Amazon is more than just a gimmick; it’s a tactical move that can elevate your authorial brand and drive long-term success. By offering your book for free, you unlock doors to various opportunities.

What Is Permafree?

Permafree refers to setting your book’s price to zero permanently on Amazon. This isn’t a limited-time offer; rather, it’s a long-term strategy. You aim to gain exposure and build a readership base.

  1. Increased Readership: Free books attract a wider audience. Readers are more likely to download a free ebook, expanding your reach.
  2. Boosted Sales of Other Books: If you’ve got multiple books, offering one free can drive sales of your other works. Readers hooked by your free book often buy your other titles, increasing overall sales.
  3. Higher Amazon Rankings: Free downloads contribute to higher rankings. Books with better visibility attract more readers, creating a positive feedback loop.
  4. Valuable Reviews: More downloads typically lead to more reviews. Positive reviews enhance your book’s credibility, encouraging more sales.
  5. Expanded Email List: Use your free book to grow your email list. Include a call-to-action for readers to join your newsletter, offering exclusive content or insights.

Offering your book for free on Amazon integrates seamlessly into a broader online business strategy. If you’re running a side-hustle or startup, this tactic enhances your digital footprint and leverages Amazon’s platform to your advantage.

How to Set Up Permafree for Your Book

As an entrepreneur passionate about online business and startups, you understand the power of strategic giveaways. Setting your book to “permafree” on Amazon can be a game-changer, helping you build your brand and expand your audience.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Permafree

1. Publish Your Book on Amazon: First, publish your book through Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Ensure it’s available on other partner sites like Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, and Kobo.

2. Set Your Book’s Price to Free Elsewhere: Amazon doesn’t let you set your price to $0 directly, but it does price-match. Go to platforms like Smashwords or Draft2Digital and set your book’s price to free there.

3. Report the Lower Price to Amazon: Once your book is free on other platforms, visit your book’s Amazon page. Scroll down to “Tell us about a lower price” and submit the URLs where your book is available for free.

4. Wait for Amazon to Price-Match: Amazon will usually respond within a few days. Monitor your book’s price on Amazon until it reflects $0. Patience is key during this step.

5. Promote Your Free Book: Leverage social media, your email list, and author forums to promote your free book. Utilize sites like BookBub and Freebooksy to boost visibility.

Common Challenges and Solutions

1. Delay in Amazon Price-Match: Sometimes Amazon takes longer to price-match. Continue reporting the lower price and ask your readers to do the same.

2. Maintaining Permafree Status: Ensure your book remains free on other platforms. If the price changes, Amazon may revert your book to its original price.

3. Visibility After Promotion: Initial downloads may dwindle. Keep the momentum by participating in author cross-promotions and updating your existing readers regularly.

Harnessing permafree for your book requires effort but can significantly increase your reach and enhance your online business strategy.

Case Study: My Permafree Results

Initial Setup and Expectations

You took your online business experience and applied it to the book market. You published your book on Amazon, followed by setting its price to free on other platforms like Smashwords and Google Play. You then requested Amazon to price-match.

You aimed to increase your readership without upfront costs. Higher visibility and increased downloads served as metrics. You anticipated a spike in downloads and a boost in your author ranking.

Analysis of Results Over Time

Throughout the first month, your book’s downloads surged. Initially, you saw 1,000 downloads, which dramatically increased your reader base. The second month maintained momentum with 800 additional downloads. Your book began appearing in the top free charts, amplifying its visibility.

Data provided clear insights:

Month Downloads Reviews Mailing List Signups
1 1,000 20 150
2 800 15 120
3 600 10 100

Your mailing list grew steadily, enabling direct communication with readers. Reviews accumulated, bolstering credibility and attracting new readers. Over three months, you saw improved sales for your other books, confirming the strategy’s effectiveness. The permafree tactic not only expanded your reach but also diversified your online business portfolio.

Strategies to Maximize the Impact of Permafree

Giving away your book for free on Amazon can be a powerful strategy to boost your brand and grow your business. When done right, permafree can attract new readers and convert them into loyal fans and customers.

Promoting Your Permafree Book

To maximize the reach of your permafree book, it’s essential to actively promote it. Utilize social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to announce your free book and engage with potential readers. Join relevant online communities and forums where your target audience hangs out, and share your book there. Consider running a Kindle Countdown Deal or utilizing Amazon’s promotional tools to feature your book prominently. Collaborate with other authors for cross-promotion, expanding your reach even further.

Leveraging Permafree for Series and Backlist Titles

Permafree works exceptionally well for series and backlist titles. Offering the first book in a series for free can entice readers to purchase the subsequent books. Highlight the series on your book’s detail page and in the book’s back matter to guide readers towards the next installment. Keep backlist titles in circulation by leveraging their cumulative effect. When new readers discover a free book and enjoy it, they’ll be more likely to explore your older works. To further enhance visibility, update the cover design and book description of permafree titles regularly.


Conclusion

Embracing the permafree strategy on Amazon can be a game-changer for your author journey. By giving your book away for free, you open the door to a wider audience and set the stage for long-term success. Remember to actively promote your free book and engage with readers to maximize the benefits. Whether you’re looking to boost sales of a series or keep your backlist titles alive, permafree can be a powerful tool. So go ahead and give it a try—you might be pleasantly surprised by the results!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is permafree?

Permafree refers to setting the price of a book permanently to zero on platforms like Amazon. This strategy aims to attract readers by offering a free entry point into an author’s work.

How does permafree benefit authors?

Authors benefit from permafree by reaching a larger readership, boosting sales of other books, improving rankings, gathering reviews, and growing their email lists.

Which books are best suited for a permafree strategy?

Permafree works best for the first book in series and backlist titles. Offering these for free can increase sales of subsequent books and keep older titles in circulation.

How can authors promote their permafree book?

Authors can promote their permafree book through social media, online communities, Amazon’s promotional tools, and collaborating with other authors for cross-promotion.

What kind of impact can permafree have on an author’s career?

By enhancing visibility, increasing downloads, gathering more reviews, and expanding mailing lists, permafree can lead to significant growth in an author’s overall book sales and brand.

Should authors update their permafree titles?

Yes, periodically updating the design and description of permafree titles can help maintain their visibility and reader engagement.

Is permafree effective for standalone books?

While more effective for series and backlists, permafree can still help standalone books by increasing discoverability and leading readers to explore other works by the same author.

What’s a good example of a successful permafree implementation?

A case study in the article shows significant growth in downloads, reviews, and mailing list signups for an author who implemented permafree, leading to increased visibility and sales for their other books.