The Hidden Cost of Free

Giveaways have become a popular strategy in the indie author world — and for good reason. They can build excitement, grow your audience, and get your book into more hands. But there’s a downside most writers don’t talk about enough: Give away too much, and people stop paying. When readers start expecting freebies, they’re less likely to buy. And while it feels good to see those follower numbers spike or inboxes fill with newsletter signups, the long-term impact might not be what you hoped. Here’s why too many giveaways can backfire:

This post is sponsored by Aosom US

The Freebie Mindset

Readers who engage mostly for giveaways are usually not your ideal audience. They’re not looking to support your journey or invest in your story — they’re just chasing the next free thing. Over time, this can dilute the quality of your readership.

Devaluing Your Work

If your book is always available in a giveaway, readers may start to question why they should ever pay for it. Scarcity and value go hand-in-hand. If everyone has it, it doesn’t feel worth paying for.

Short-Term Gain, Long-Term Loss

Giveaways can inflate short-term metrics — likes, followers, downloads — but those don’t always translate into lasting fans or meaningful sales. The real challenge is turning attention into loyalty.