David Meerman Scott, marketing guru and author of World Wide Rave, believes strongly that you should give away your eBook for free, without requiring so much as an email address. Naomi Dunford of IttyBiz, marketing guru and co-author of How To Launch the S*** Out of Your eBook made $12,000+ in a day with the launch of a $37 eBook (hint: she tells you how to, too).

So what’s the answer?

The answer, as always, depends on who your market is and on who you are.

David wants to be recognized as a thought leader on viral marketing by C-level executives (CEOs, etc.). Naomi needed to pay her rent and had valuable, useful information to teach her loyal readers (ittybiz owners) in her irreverent way. David’s approach is a more global outreach, Naomi’s is laser-targeted.

David’s approach still leads to sales, albeit in an indirect way. By spreading his ideas far and wide he becomes a trusted expert on his niche, corporate marketing and PR.

Which approach makes the most sense for you and your goals? I’d love to know.

“[eBooks are] technically easy and when it works, your idea will spread far and wide. Even better, the act of writing your idea in a cogent, organized way will make the idea better.” Seth Godin

“Selling an ebook is a curiosity attractor: people will link to it and visit just because it’s there, and it’s new.” – Michael Martine, Remarkablogger

“So there are still plenty of opportunities to monetize with an ebook. But it has to be terrific.” – Sonia Simone, Copyblogger

“…I am a huge fan of ebooks as a way to show the world that you’re smart and worthy of doing business with.” – David Meerman Scott, Web Ink Now

“There’s money to be made in ebooks and unless you’re in internet marketing, the market is nowhere near saturated.” – Naomi Dunford, IttyBiz

That’s who.