Do You Want to Protect Your Content–Or Be Read?
BySeth Godin makes an excellent point in his post, Piracy? You wish. Publishers are hot and bothered about DRM on ebooks. But, quoting Tim O’Reilly, Seth points out that books don’t have a piracy problem. They have an obscurity problem.
Music has a piracy problem. People want to listen to as much music as possible, all day. Most people aren’t reading much at all, let alone reading your book. Seth Godin says, “I’ve written several free ebooks (here’s one) and even when I want unlimited piracy, it doesn’t happen.)
What is it you really want? Isn’t it for people to read your book?
Sure, you want to sell it and make a lot of money. But if that’s your primary goal, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. Most books just don’t make you a lot of money. Also, if you’re paranoid that other people might steal your content, again you’ll be disappointed.
Few people will go to the trouble of stealing your content outright. And if they really want to, they will find a way.
What people who love your content will do is share it. Yes, they may do so in a way that robs you of a few cents.
The question is, would you rather be read, or safe in obscurity?
2 Comments
April 26th, 2012 at 10:05 pm
Saludos Diane.
Yeah, you´re right, my main interest is to be read… piracy used to worry me because honestly I never gave it a serious thought. I´ve done it lately, and considering it´s pros, it would help to propagate my ideas and that´s a good one… free viral promotion.
April 27th, 2012 at 8:07 am
Payment for my product or exposure for my product. Seems the exposure would soon bring payment if in fact you have something worthwhile to say. I would think along these lines though because with poetry, i didnt want anyone stealing it and would be very hesitant to post anything new. But i have since changed that policy since I hv more to come and I want the “majority” to learn about me and to read my material ad “buy” my material/novel. Thanks for helping to draw the focus where it needs to be…. Mylow