Free+E-books+the+Future+of+Book+Market?

by Andy Tannouri
//Free Kindle e-book downloads boost e-book sales.//

Publishing houses around the world such as Random House and HarperCollins are embracing free digital download business model. They reason that offering free downloads will attract new, otherwise hesitant readers. New readers would then be more inclined to purchase similar works.

Some commentators have given negative reactions to free e-book downloads as a business model citing industry hypocrisy, the value of books, and the risk that the sale of free books could eventually replace the sale of paid books. Data on this phenomenon is yet inconclusive as digital downloads only account for 5% of book sales. However, much anecdotal evidence supports this business model.

__**Relevance to the Music Industry**__

The free e-book sample business model mirrors the problems experienced by the struggling music industry. Sale of digital music downloads has not yet been able to cover the money the music industry has lost to illegal downloads. The music industry may benefit from offering free music downloads similarly to the book industry.

__**Other Free Business Models**__


 * Amazon currently offers free music downloads through a free member service.
 * giveawayoftheday.com offers free software downloads for a limited time to introduce new users to software brands.