Thanks to Bob Baker for bringing Cory Doctorow’s online bio to our attention in a post entitled “Giving Away Your Art: The Surprising Truth.”
Cory writes books that he sells. He also gives them away for free online. Here’s why:
“I believe that we live in an era where anything that can be expressed as bits will be. I believe that bits exist to be copied. Therefore, I believe that any business-model that depends on your bits not being copied is just dumb…
Me, I’m looking to find ways to use copying to make more money and it’s working: enlisting my readers as evangelists for my work and giving them free ebooks to distribute sells more books.”
Cory understands that we live in a world of increasing opportunities. Instead of seeing digital copying as destroying his career, Cory sees it as a way to get his work out. Instead of one opportunity to connect with fans, he now has two.
And I suspect that he actually believes he has multiple ways to connect with fans and I suggest you do the same. As I wrote about here, the internet and global economy allow you to build a career – and sell you product – in so many ways (my post talks about 164 to be exact – can you think of more?).
Put on your thinking cap, generate something of value, and get it out there.
