Handing out a free ebook sounds easy until you try to do it well. Email attachments get blocked, public download links get shared everywhere, and readers get stuck opening files. Here is how to do it properly.
EPUB is the standard ebook format and works in Apple Books, Kobo, Google Play Books and most e-readers. Offer it as your main format. A PDF is a useful fallback: it opens anywhere and suits illustrated or print-style books, though it is less comfortable on small screens. Offering both lets readers choose.
A permanent public download URL is easy to set up and easy to abuse. A better approach is a private link that is unique to each reader and expires after a while, so your book is not sitting on an open URL that gets passed around. Storyfinch delivers every book this way, and you can set a per-reader download limit if you want tighter control.
Even a perfect delivery fails if the reader cannot open the book. Modern Kindles accept EPUB through Amazon Send to Kindle; Apple devices open EPUB straight into Books; Kobo and most e-readers read EPUB natively. Storyfinch shows readers short, friendly guides for each of these on the download page.
You should not be emailing files by hand. When a reader signs up, the book should arrive automatically, the download should be secure, and the reader should join your mailing list if they consented. Create a free Storyfinch account and it handles all three.
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