How to send a Free Kindle book to specif people

[Chio]

Hello. I'm a recently published author.
I've had the chance to offer free copies of my book to specific people genuinely interested in reading and reviewing it. I'd like to send kindle versions through Amazon. Is there a way to do this without changing the price on Amazon KDP?

[Tomas, Wandering dreamer]

I think the easiest version is to just send them the ebook file through e-mail. I presume the concern is that they won't get the 'verified purchase' tag this way. I believe there's a way that allows you to generate promotional codes (which you'd then give to those people, individually) but I have not looked into that option myself.
Hope someone else knows more.

[Ian]

I haven't looked into what's possible through Kindle promotional codes so I can't speak to that possibility. However another avenue is to publish through another outlet like Smashwords in parallel with KDP - assuming you're just using regular KDP and not the exclusive KDP Select!

Smashwords can deliver to Kindle and you can generate a coupon code to give to the recipient so only they can download for free.

Downsides - you need to manage the formatting and publishing through two outlets, not just one; the recipient needs to create a Smashwords account (which not everyone is willing to do); and the sale won't show up on Amazon, either for your author stats or as a verified purchase.

Upsides - you can direct free copies to specific people without adjusting the general sale price; you get access to other markets beyond Amazon.

Depends what factors are important to you.

[Janell]

Smashwords will give you a coupon code to send them

[Chio]

These are all very helpful comments. I'll look into them. Thank you

[Chio]

Rhonda wrote: "I believe you have to pay (or purchase gift copies) to give away your books on amazon. You can send it directly to your reviewer as an attachment in an email (which I've done many times), but if yo..."

Yes, pirating is one of my concerns. I'll check out that link.
Thank you.

[Ian]

You can do it through Amazon. You have to pay for the book, although of course you get the royalties, and you tell Amazon where to send it. If the recipient has a kindle, which helps to read kindle versions, then they probably have registered with Amazon anyway, and Amazon will just send it the way they usually do to the designated kindle. So you are paying something, but if they review, they are counted as purchased reviews. Hope this helps.

[Rhonda]

Oops. I see my comment was deleted because we're not allowed to post links here. Sorry about that. Anyone who wants to know how to send a mobi file directly to a kindle can just do a search in the help section of amazon and find the information fairly easily.

[Hock]

Following on Ian's message - you send a "gift" from Amazon - you'll need to have the recipient"s email. If the latter does not have a kindle, he or she can download a "kindle for Mac/Windows" app from Amazon. It's free.

[Grace]

I researched how to send a Kindle as a Gift on Amazon, the information is from Amazon's page.
Purchase a Kindle Book as a Gift
You can give most Kindle books available in the Kindle Store as a gift to anyone with an email address.
You can send or receive Kindle books as gifts even if you do not own an Amazon device. Recipients can read a Kindle book gift on a supported Amazon device or Kindle reading app. Before you purchase a Kindle book as a gift, make sure that the recipient’s email address is valid.
Note: In order to gift a Kindle book title, you will need a valid 1-Click payment method for your account. You can set this up by going to Manage Your Content and Devices, selecting the Settingstab, and then clicking Edit Payment Method below Digital Payment Settings.
To purchase a Kindle book as a gift:
1. From the Kindle Store in your desktop browser, select the book you want to purchase as a gift.
Note: Free books, books on pre-order, and subscriptions cannot be gifted at this time.
2. On the product detail page, click the Buy for others button.
3. Enter the personal email address of your gift recipient.
Tip: If you are unsure of the email address for your recipient, you can select Email the gift to mebefore placing your order. This allows you to forward the gift email or print and personally deliver it to your recipient. The gift recipient can enter the Gift Claim Code from the email, after logging in to their Amazon account.
4. Enter a delivery date and an optional gift message.
5. Click Place your order to finish your gift purchase using your Amazon 1-Click payment method.
You can redeliver a Kindle book gift you've purchased by going to Your Digital Orders in Your Account. From the Order Summary page, click the Resend E-mail button.
Title availability may vary by country and copyright restrictions. If this title isn't available for your gift recipient, they can contact us and we will exchange your gift for an equivalent value Amazon.com Gift Card. For more information, see Exchange a Kindle Book Gift for an Amazon.com Gift Card.