If I give someone a free copy of my book to help spread the word, should I also give them one to hand out?

Yes, that’s a smart approach. Give them one copy as a gift for themselves—ask them to read it and let you know what they think. If they like it, give them a second copy they can use to show others or lend out. People are much more likely to recommend something after they’ve experienced it firsthand. Since your cost per book is low, this is an affordable investment. You can also offer to provide them with a small stock to carry and sell directly if they’re interested and willing. Just make sure they genuinely like the book first—you don’t want them promoting something they haven’t read or don’t believe in.

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Asked by a former hospital chaplain selling a book · Answered by Juan · Office Hours · 2026-07-28