How to share a PDF to my book subscribers with BookFunnel?
Have you been wondering how to share a PDF – whether it’s for subscribers, or potential customers?
As a new Author (or a seasoned one) it’s a great idea to start collecting email names of people interested in your books.
The first step is to work out something of great perceived value which a reader might really enjoy as a free gift (a freebie).
If you write fiction, it could be:
- a PDF which introduces all the characters in the book with a photo and a short bio for each one.
- All of this will depend on the type of book it is.
If you write non-fiction like any kind of technical book or planner, journal, workbook etc, try to think of a complementary PDF to go with it, for example:
- a Cheatsheet or Checklist to help the reader achieve a goal.
Ideas for Giveaway Free Gifts to Potential Readers
Fiction Freebies
There are plenty more ideas which may also be suitable (depending on your book and how much you’d like to share with the reader), for example:
- An exclusive chapter from an upcoming book
- An invitation to join an exclusive Facebook group for readers
- A digital wallpaper featuring characters from the book
- A coupon for a discount on the author’s next book
- A collection of the author’s favourite writing resources
- A personalised video message from the author
Fiction Gifts which have a cost
- A signed copy of the book (cost of book and shipping)
- A personalised postcard from the author (cost of card and postage)
- A bookmark featuring a quote from the book (cost of bookmark and postage)
- A tote bag featuring the book cover (cost of tote bag and shipping).
Non-Fiction Examples about Horse-riding (Freebies and Paid)
- A tutorial video on the basics of horse riding
- An exclusive chapter from an upcoming book
- A personalised postcard from the author
- A bookmark featuring a quote from the book
- An invitation to join an exclusive Facebook group for horse-riding enthusiasts
- A digital wallpaper featuring a horse
- A coupon for a discount on the author’s next book
- A collection of the author’s favourite horse-riding resources
- For kids: A free colouring book featuring horses
- For kids: A free e-book of horse-related stories
- For kids: A free horse-related game app
- For kids: A free personalised postcard from the author
- For kids: A free bookmark featuring a horse
- For kids: A free digital wallpaper featuring a horse
- For kids: A free collection of the author’s favourite horse-related crafts and activities
Non-Fiction Examples for Mathematics Book for 8-10 year olds
1. A PDF cheat sheet with key formulas and equations
2. A PDF checklist of topics covered in the book
3. A PDF collection of fun math activities
4. A PDF chart of helpful math strategies
5. A PDF of math practice problems
6. A PDF of math games
7. A PDF of math puzzles
8. A PDF of math riddles
9. A PDF of math jokes
10. A PDF of math mnemonics
A freebie Video:
1. A video tour of the book
2. A video introduction to the key topics in the book
3. A video explanation of a math concept
4. A video demonstration of practical math applications
5. A video comparison of different math strategies
6. A video tutorial on how to solve a math problem
7. A video interview with the author
8. A video of the author solving a math problem
9. A video of a math quiz for kids
10. A video of kids talking about their favourite math topics
There are so many things which can be created as a freebie gift IN EXCHANGE FOR an email address.
To come up with ideas, imagine you are thinking about a book just like yours.
- what would YOU like to get as a free gift before buying that book?
- write down all the ideas which come to mind
- using Canva or any other document creator software, create the PDF
- make sure to add the LINK TO BUY the book
- OPTION 1 – create an account on BookFunnel.com and upload the PDF
- BookFunnel does all the work, collects the email (for around $8.50/month), sends the PDF, and let’s you know when you have a new potential book customer – perfect!
- OPTION 2 – create an account at Gumroad.com and upload the PDF for free
- Gumroad does all the work, collects the email (for free4), sends the PDF, and let’s you know when you have a new potential book customer – fantastic!
Option 1: When you’re ready, pop over to BookFunnel.com and sign up:
- April 2024: I’m not sure when BookFunnel changed, but they no longer “collect email names”for the Author on the lowest monthly subscription; access to reader emails is now only available from the second and third level pricing (around $8.50/month)
- September 2023: $US20.00 per YEAR ($US1.67/month when paid annually) – such a bargain when you’re just starting out!
Option 2: I use Gumroad – when you’re ready, pop over to Gumroad.com and sign up:
- to see examples of how I use Gumroad to distribute PDFs, pop over here >>
What’s next for budding Authors?
After collecting those email names, what do you do with them?
I’ve created an Author Checklist of steps to follow, to help you walk through the next stage after gathering those emails. It will be published online soon, but if you’d like a copy a.s.a.p., please click here do send me a quick message 🙂
Need a quick chat to ask a question?
I host a monthly Author Chat on Zoom – if you’d like to join me and ask questions, pop over to this link and sign up:
Other ways to chat with me, send me a quick email, or pop over to Facebook and say hi — let me know how you’re getting on with your book adventure!
Cheerio for now,
Teena Hughes Author, Australia
