Tackling Scribd Document Files and Formats

Scribd allows all sorts of document file formats. Is it important to use one type over the other?

Not really – that's the beauty of Scribd! But there is one thing you need to be aware of:  If you upload a document to their online store with any sort of DRM technology in place and make a sale, you will be charged (in addition to their commission) a .40 cent fee per document, rather than .25 cents.

DRM technology is embedded to help prevent piracy – sort of like putting a digital watermark on a graphic. Its creators argue it adds one more level of protection to original copyrighted works.

But let’s face it: The average document sharer is hardly Tony Hillerman or Danielle Steele. While DRM might be justifiable in one of the works you’re planning to upload for sale in Scribd’s online store, when it comes to free documents there are more advantages to having your document distributed virally (and none at all to paying an extra .15 per copy).

However, the big benefit is.. once you're aware of this quirk, you can eliminate any extra charge very easily by not using a DRM-embedding application to upload your document. Scribd really does let you custom-tailor your works to fit your own preferences.

Document Conversion Tip

Using a printer driver (print-to-PDF) to convert your hyperlinks is not a good idea – the links may look clickable, but will not be.  You have to make one a working hyperlink first – and then, after you've converted your document, double-check that those hyperlinks transferred properly.  (Always checking your hyperlinks is just common sense!)

Revising your Document

You cannot edit a document’s contents, once it’s uploaded to Scribd– but they have an easy "fix" for that too: You can upload a new revision. Doing this doesn't annihiliate your document’s stats and comments, and the URL itself doesn't change.

This is how you do it…

1.  Make local changes in your word processor, .PDF or text editor

2.  Go to Scribd and open the “Properties” page for your document

3.  Click the “Revisions” tab

4.  Select “Publish a new revision”

5.  Locate your document on your specific computer directory (just as you would, a WordPress image)

6.  Click “Upload”

Your older versions are archived, so if you notice an old one had better results, you can always revert.

The bottom line with Scribd’s document handling is that it offers you one of the easiest upload and document handling systems on the net. This is one case where they’ve really thought of every obstacle it’s possible to eliminate – and then put their money where their mouth is.