Question About Samples

[Ethan]

I have a question I can't seem to find an answer for. This seems like a good place to ask. When considering purchasing a book online (or putting one's book up for purchase online if one is an author), how much of the book is generally expected to be offered for free as a sample of the content? The whole first chapter? First ten, twenty, twenty five pages? A certain percentage of the book? Does it even have to be from the beginning of the book? Hope you can help. I'm really in the dark here.

[Ethan]

Thanks!

[Heidi]

Smashwords encourages the first 20%

[Ethan]

Okay! I'll take a look at my manuscript and see where 20% puts me. Thanks!