Selling PDF's ?

[Former_Member]

I'm contemplating selling some digital files, both DIY instructions & image files.

Upon a sale Is simply emailing the file appropriate or should I set up an online link that expires after a certain # of downloads?

I'm looking to be fair to the customer and to me.

Thoughts rolling around in my head:

A) What if the email is lost, their email client doesn't allow image attachments over a certain size or the inbox is full and the email can't be delivered... no I'm not paranoid, all of the above has happened to me in regular email contact.

B) I know I would be wary of a stranger emailing me a file... because even the best intentioned seller sometimes is not aware of viruses

C) Which option best protects my time and intellectual property.


Thanks,
Whitney

[ScrapendipityDesigns]

Some thoughts for you.

Option A) If they never get the email, they will let you know via Etsy and you could always set up a file link later if need be. As far as file size goes, you can do multiple emails to keep sizes down, or if they order a lot, plan on setting up links for larger orders. Research the file size for free email accounts like Hotmail, and anything larger than that gets a link.

Option B) Honestly, clicking a link to download a file doesn't sound any safer than getting an attachment in an email. If they know they are getting an electronic file that they paid for from you, generally people need to have a way to get it, attaching a file to an email is actually "safer" in this regard because there is no third party (file sharing website) involved.

Option C) Once they have the file, they can do what they want with it. So if they are the type of people to share, they will do it whether there is a link or a file attached to an email. You could limit the amount of time to download with a link, but once they save the file to their computer it doesn't matter. Just pick the option that is easiest for you.

Good luck!
Rachel

[isewcute]

I email the files & have had no troubles ever with it working. Good luck & happy sales!

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I purchased a pdf files from an Etsy seller last year and she sent it to me by email. I never had a problem. I kept the email (dated Sept. 2011) just in case, plus I have the file stored on two different computers. The seller's email includes printing instructions and suggests storing the file on my hard drive.

[JulieEllisDesigns]

I have received pdf's in both ways and like either way about the same. I can save them to my computer from either method.

[Former_Member]

I would email to keep it simple since it sounds like you wouldn't be sending multiple large files at once. I think that's also more trustworthy than sending a link, or so it seems to most people. Email is good for keeping track of dates, names, files sent, etc.

[Former_Member]

It's usually only around the 10MB mark that some mail clients topple over. If it's larger than that there are services like mailbigfile and obviously remote hosting sites like Rapidshare.
As said above, once you've distributed your file there's little you can do to stop it being sent on etc. If it's beyond large software houses it'll be too much time and effort to try to protect. I'd build into the price the fact that your work *will* be unfairly distributed.
That's why a retail copy of Adobe CS is over a grand. You're paying for the ten illegal copies too.

[Former_Member]

Wow, thank you all. You all gave such excellent advice and things to think about. I appreciate the time you took to respond!