[munificent]

I have the entire text of my first book available online for free. My sales have been way more than I ever expected, year after year.

It accomplishes a few things:

* While I was writing the book, I published each chapter online as I finished it. The top of each page has a link to my mailing list. This was a great way to build an audience. By the time the book was complete, I had a mailing list with thousands of people I could tell about it.

* It lets readers try before they buy, which builds confidence.

* It makes for a very effective web presence. People searching for the topic are likely to find it.

* People really love it. Even if they never buy it, they become fans because they've been given something for free. That in turn makes them walking advertisers for the book. I've had people who read the entire book online buy a copy afterwards just to say thanks.

* It enables people who can't afford it to still have access to the material. This may not make me more money, but it's important to me.