Should indie authors ever give their book away for free? In this episode of BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™, Kelly Morgan breaks down when “free” is a smart strategy, when it backfires, and how to make every copy you give away work for your author business.

Free Isn’t a Price — It’s an Exchange

Welcome back to BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™ — the space where indie authors stop chasing trends, build real strategy, and put something better in place than whatever the algorithm is doing this week.

Today’s topic hits a nerve in a lot of author groups:

“Should I give my book away for free?”

Some authors say never — they’ve worked too hard to just give it away.
Others say they’ll hand a free copy to anyone who asks just to “get the book out there.”

I’m firmly in the middle.

I don’t believe in spraying and praying your book into the world for nothing.
I do believe in exchanging your book for value.

Free isn’t a price.
Free should be part of your business strategy.

What “Free” Can Actually Buy You

If you’re not getting money when you give away a copy, you need to be getting something else.

Here’s what “free” can buy:

1. Access

Sometimes a free copy is your ticket into a room you can’t enter on your own:

Book clubs
Library programs
Classrooms
Conferences and workshops

If one copy of your book gets you in front of 10, 50, or 100 readers you’d never reach otherwise? That’s not just free — that’s leverage.

2. Credibility

A free copy can turn into:

A thoughtful review from the right reader
A blurb on someone’s blog or website
A feature in a newsletter or article
A quote you use on your website or sales page

You’re not just giving away paper and ink. You’re trading a book for social proof.

3. Data

If a reader is truly interested in your work, you might exchange:

A free copy (or sample)
for
An email address
Permission to stay in touch
Future access to that reader

That’s long-term relationship building — not random generosity.

4. Deals

Sometimes a free copy is the cost of doing smart business:

A few books added into a bulk order
A copy included in a paid speaking gig or workshop
A thank-you book for a partner organization

If giving away one or two copies opens the door to real revenue, that’s not a loss. That’s marketing spend.

When Free Makes Sense (Strategic Free)

Free makes sense when the person in front of you is a gatekeeper, organizer, or connector:

Librarians
Bookstore buyers
Book club leaders
Event hosts
Teachers and professors
Podcast hosts
Influencers who actually reach your audience

You’re not just giving away a book. You’re investing in:

A room full of readers
A trusted recommendation
A feature that lives online forever (like a podcast episode or blog post)

And yes, free makes sense for ARCs (advance reader copies) when you’re being intentional. A thoughtful reader, influencer, or reviewer with a real platform can help launch your book with visibility and reviews.

When Free Backfires (Wasted Free)

On the flip side, free can absolutely hurt you if you’re not careful.

Here’s when free goes wrong:

❌ Random handouts

You’re just tossing books into the world with:

No call to action
No next step
No connection to you later

❌ Unqualified giveaways

You’re giving your book to people who aren’t your readers. They’re not interested, not your genre, and not your audience.

❌ Guilt freebies

You gave a free copy away because you felt awkward saying no.

❌ Mass drops into swag bags

You pay to have your book placed into random event bags where it:

Doesn’t match the event theme
Isn’t reaching your target reader
Ends up thrown away or forgotten

If there’s no path back to you and no clear reason for that copy to move your business forward, it’s not a strategy — it’s just loss.

Let the Math Help You Decide

When you’re on the fence, do the math.

Say your cost per copy is $5.

One school visit: you give away 3–5 copies that end up in front of dozens of students and teachers
One book club: you give away 1 copy, and they buy 20 at $15 each → that’s $300 in sales
One newsletter or blog feature: your free copy results in 30 new subscribers to your email list

Now free is not just “free” — free is investment with a return.

The question becomes:

“If I give this book away, what am I getting in return — and how soon could that value show up?”

Make Free Work Hard for You

If you do give a book away, make that copy hustle.

Pair it with:

A one-page media sheet from your press kit
A discussion guide if it’s going to a book club
A business card or bookmark with your website and QR codes
A note that points them to a specific chapter

Aim the book:

“I thought of your group when I wrote Chapter 7…”
“This scene might resonate with your students…”

And whenever possible, set the ask:

“If your group enjoys it, could we schedule a 20-minute author chat?”
“If this fits your audience, would you consider carrying a few signed copies?”

Then track it:

Who did you give it to?
When?
Why?
Did you follow up?
What happened?

Your book is part of your business. Treat every copy like product inventory, not confetti.

Alternatives to Giving Away the Whole Book

You don’t always have to hand over a full copy.

Smart alternatives:

Sample chapters (PDF) with links to your site or store
Book plates for readers who’ve already purchased
Postcards with QR codes leading to a free chapter or discussion guide
“Library-first” strategy → encourage budget-conscious readers to request your book at their local library

You can still be generous without giving away your entire catalog for free.

Questions to Ask Before You Give a Book Away

Before you say yes to “Can I get a free copy?” ask:

Is this person a gatekeeper, organizer, or real connector?
Is there a clear path to access, credibility, data, or deal flow?
Can I track this interaction?
Does this align with my target reader and long-term goals?

If the answer is no across the board?
It’s okay — and often necessary — to say:

“I actually reserve my free copies for libraries, bookstores, book clubs, and marketing opportunities. But I’d be happy to share a sample chapter or show you where to purchase a copy.”

You’re not rude. You’re running a business.

Want to Go Deeper? Grab the Free Guide

If you’re sitting on a finished (or almost finished) manuscript and you have no idea what to do next, I created something for you.

👉🏾 Free 44-page guide: So You Wanna Write a Book – A Real-Talk Guide to Getting It Done Without Losing Your Mind

It won’t write the book for you, but it will walk you through the indie publishing basics, including how to think about money, marketing, and decisions like… yes, even free books.

Grab it here:

👉🏾 https://brightheadedpublishing.com

Come Hang Out on The Author’s Mic™

If you’re an author, editor, marketer, illustrator, or creative in the indie space and want to share your story, you’re invited.

Be a guest on The Author’s Mic™:

👉🏾 https://brightheadedpublishing.com/be-a-guest

It’s simple:

Fill out the form
Tell me who you are and what you write
Hit submit

Boom — you’re in the queue.

Join or Pitch the Indie Reader Society™

Looking for a new way to market your book or a place to discuss bold indie reads?

Welcome to the Indie Reader Society™ (IRS) — Bright Headed Publishing’s book club for indie authors and real readers.

Readers: Join us and bring your voice to the table.
Authors: Pitch your book. We only read indie authors, and we do not charge authors to be considered.

Start here:

👉🏾 https://brightheadedpublishing.com

👉🏾 https://brightheadedpublishing.com/be-a-guest

👉🏾 https://bookclubs.com/the-indie-reader- society/join/

Breaking the Algorithm, One Intentional Move at a Time

Free isn’t the enemy.
Random, untracked, guilt-based free is.

From now on, let every copy you give away be tied to:

Access
Credibility
Data
Deal flow

You’re not just moving books.
You’re building an author business.

If this episode of BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm™ resonates with you, share it with another indie author who’s tired of screaming into the void and ready to move with intention.

🎧 Watch/listen to the full episode here:
👉🏾 https://youtu.be/efCxpikcSL0

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