Barack Obama should offer his best selling book “Audacity of Hope” as a free download. If he wants Americans to get to know the real Obama, then giving them a free version online is the way to go. As of June 8, 2008 the book has a very respectable Amazon sales rank of “17” and it will only go higher from here.

Then why give the book for free? It’s simple, he’s selling a product -- himself. You want as many people as possible to get to know the product and this book pulls back the curtain on his life, his philosophy and vision. Don’t make people pay for the pitch; give it to them.

Furthermore, he does not need the money. His campaign is generating $30,000,000 a month and book sales are chump change by comparison. I realize he’s probably personally benefiting from the book sales but, who cares when the big prize, the US Presidency, is on the line. It’s also very likely that people who read the book will become converts and donate to the campaign. So the book becomes a sales pitch with an online option to donate at the end of the online version. Or, maybe that “donate now” option is available throughout the book… hmmm. That idea alone is worth a few million dollars.

As a book publicist and marketer I’ve seen many books actually sell more hard and soft cover books when an online version is given away. It’s usually done in the early stages of a book’s life to get positive word of mouth going, not after it becomes a best seller. But in this case “Audacity of Hope” has a chance to plow new ground in the book marketing and promotion business, sort of like what Obama has been doing all along his campaign. In some ways it’s like pouring gas on a fire that’s already out of control but in this case Obama and his campaign staff may enjoy the warm glow this idea generates. (P.S. Where should I send my invoice? )