Derek Sivers

$575K of books sold. $575K to save lives.

2023-05-18

I sell my books directly through my website, sivers.com, for a few important reasons.

  1. Direct communication with the readers.
  2. Considerate pricing.
  3. Including all digital formats (MP3, EPUB, PDF, HTML, etc) with every sale.
  4. Giving all profits to charity.

My business is set up so that not a single dollar ever comes to me. (It’s a C-corp owned by a foundation, and I take no salary.) Whatever isn’t necessary for running the business (like paying for printing the next book) is given to whatever charity is saving the most lives.

Direct sales helped give $475,000 to the Against Malaria Foundation which protected over 471,000 people from Malaria. See my previous post about that.

Last year’s sales generated $100,000 for Noora Health, a nonprofit that helps mothers take care of newborn babies. Read more about Noora Health here. That $100K should save the lives of 80 babies.

If you were thinking of getting one of my books, whether audiobook, ebook (Kindle), or paper, please buy directly from sivers.com.

Thank you.

Derek Sivers books

Your thoughts?
Please leave a reply:


Comments

  1. Steve Pearce (2023-05-18) #

    Massive, as I've come to expect Derek. I am taking my next step after loving working in advocating roles for 25 years in Paramedic land, coming to grips with PTSD. I can't wait. Your work has been crazy helpful in that process. You rock a lot. Hell Yeah.
    Warm regs,
    Steve Pearce

  2. Ross (2023-05-18) #

    You’re an inspiration! Thanks for everything you do

  3. Andreas (2023-05-18) #

    Derek, you're an inspiration! Thanks.

  4. Hari (2023-05-18) #

    Inspiring soul!

  5. Jordan (2023-05-18) #

    Always grateful for our podcast together! Keep inspiring the world ^^

  6. Kyle Robinson (2023-05-18) #

    Amazing efforts. Love what your doing here. And your a continual inspiration.

  7. Elliot (2023-05-18) #

    👏👏👏👏👏 stunning

  8. Maria (2023-05-18) #

    Thank you for the inspiration!

  9. chema (2023-05-18) #

    I am so happy to reas this and to contribute thanks a lot🙏🙏

  10. Ziyue Wang (2023-05-18) #

    Thank you for the inspiration!

  11. Casey (2023-05-18) #

    Love seeing you give your gifts so freely, Derek.

  12. Rachel Walker (2023-05-18) #

    So awesome Derek! Such great effort, sending forces of good to keep the world turning, with a song!
    Thank YOU Derek!!!
    You are super awesome!
    Have a beautiful day:-)
    Rachel !

  13. Kyle (2023-05-18) #

    Working my way through how to live right now!

    I know you are a minimalist, and I also know you gave a way a lot of money from the sale of CD baby… did you just keep a chunk to live on and support your family? I’m just so curious, how do you make money, investments? Consulting? Anything lol?! it would be one thing if it was just you, but I know you have a kid.

    Kind of personal question, but the reason why I ask is I think so cool that you give away so much, it just leaves wondering “how does this guy support himself and his family?”

    It seems like you are truly doing this things for the sake of doing them, which I image attributes immensely to your happiness.

    I’ve been getting better at engaging with my work in this way, but still get caught up in the numbers, the money, etc.

    I have big goals and desires, and at the same time I want to enjoy the ride, and I’m trying to reconcile these things.

    I think I’ve aligned them well, and sometimes I still get lost in the sauce.

    Thanks for all your great work,

    -kyle
    Thanks! The annual distribution from this trust is more than enough for us to live on: https://sive.rs/trust — Derek

  14. Emilie Lin (2023-05-18) #

    I just think you are AN AWESOME GUY! I haven't been able to keep up with your news lately, but I bought your "How to Live" and "Your Music and People" books and listened to your podcasts. Your life experiences are very interesting to me. So nice of you to donate your book profits to charity! I might buy your two other books when I am ready to read yours. Best wishes to you and your family!

  15. Mariyam Shamshidova (2023-05-19) #

    WOW. What an example, Derek.
    A truth I discovered a while ago is that you need to be powerful enough to be able to be kind. You clearly exemplify this.

  16. Brian (2023-05-19) #

    I'm already subscribed!

    I love all the above AND...I was so hoping that the books were hyperlinked to page with a sample from the book. Thanks for all your donations Derek!!!

  17. Jim (2023-05-19) #

    Hi Derek,
    My thoughts are, that you inspire people which in turn will inspire people , and that’s one way a person can change the world. Very inspiring!
    Jim

  18. FireDean (2023-05-19) #

    While others would most likely rest on their laurels and enjoy their success, you sir, have chosen to use your secret powers to help those less equipped. Im grateful for the decades of Inspiration you've provided.

  19. Ken Donaldson (2023-05-22) #

    You rock...thanks for all you do, share, and offer...great role model you are.

  20. José Hernández (2023-05-25) #

    Amazing!, we need more people like you in this world.

  21. Arnaud (2023-05-31) #

    Respect.

  22. Brian Azizi (2023-06-02) #

    How wonderful!

  23. Andre (2023-06-12) #

    Hi Derek!

    I saw your podcast with Tim (amazing!). It reminded me that I have to listen to „anything you want“ again (unfortunately on Audible) 😅 So inspiring! So I said to myself: „Remember he has other books!“ 😁 This time I bought them directly! 😇

    Thanks for your work and the joy it brings me.

    Have a great day and week!
    Andre

  24. Nasi (2023-06-26) #

    Good Work! hope someday I can do the same thing just like you!

  25. Johnny Chandler Piano (2023-07-11) #

    Thank You, I just found you.

  26. Spring (2023-09-02) #

    Hello Derek.

    Why don't you keep all the profits for yourself?
    There's nothing I want to buy. — Derek

  27. José (2023-09-04) #

    This is incredibly inspiring. So much cooler than what other people append their money on. Thank you Mr Sivers for continuing to show us that there are other ways. ✌️🤘🖖

  28. Haydn (2023-11-30) #

    Derek

    I’m From the Brews 🍻 event on Tuesday

    Can’t tell you what a pleasure
    What Tao ☯️ coincidences too 🤗

    I’m NOT a writer ✍️❌
    Not even really a reader .. managed to get through school 🏫 without reading a book 📖
    Amazing in hindsight
    Though I was (at that time) destined to be a footballer ⚽️ so I didn’t think necessary


    My life has been one long adventure
    Still is

    But enough of me
    I’m fascinated by your life & the apparent ease you’ve lived it
    Whereas mine has been one long struggle to do several unique things (arrogant but true)
    Yours seems to have been a lovely flow 🌊
    Maybe with an equally an inevitability about it
    All emanating from your gentle character
    Many might label 🏷️ the ‘I don’t care what others think 🤔’ as arrogant Vuitton I get it
    I’m like that too
    Mostly encapsulated by that phrase : it’s none of my business

    I love ❤️ the fact that you spend 40 hours a week - in nature - with your son
    Fascinated that chose (and then acted upon) to move to NZ
    Because, apart from being one of my past considerations, that’s one of the Tao coincidences

    I’ve lived abroad so understand the nuances
    Eg
    For a working class lad like me to go advise the French government 🇫🇷
    And
    Live in the refined Loire Valley
    Was so psycho active I can’t tell you. .. well I can … over time

    Anyway


    If we can correspond over email 📧
    I can do a bullet point (almost book chapter) reference of topics to go over

    Given your sons age
    Your charitable bent
    I’m the chairman of a charity too .. born out of an iconic moment in history here where a young innocent black kid was murdered … the Reach of that is into millions
    Plus I mentor lots of kids on entrepreneur ship
    My entrepreneur activities : everthing from helping small farmers all over the world 🌍 to farm sustainablly (we’ve knackered 50% of the soil so won’t be long till our kids & grandkids in my case can’t eat …) ..
    To
    The proper use if the impending metaverse
    And
    Everything in between

    For your son
    Two mentions
    One JayZ & Beyoncé that you spookily mentioned
    And
    EPIC GAMES

    Mostly wishing to inform so you can help your lad … the most
    We ALL wish that whether our own kids or not yes

    All for another day

    If you’re up to corresponding


    Thanks 🙏 listening if you go this far

    Hayd
    From the Uk 🇬🇧

  29. Addis Abraham (2023-12-11) #

    I don't have comment I just want to buy the book.

  30. C (2024-01-29) #

    Hi Derek . I feel dumb - how do I buy directly from you an ebook to read on my kindle? I've only bought via the kindle store before. Thanks, C

  31. Ted Wild (2024-03-25) #

    Part of the reason why people like Tim Ferriss and others (me also) say you are one of their favorite human being on earth.

  32. Santo (2024-04-13) #

    The world needs more of this! Kudos to Derek Sivers for giving his excess away to charity!

  33. Kutsal (2024-04-16) #

    Wow, this is amazing to see how many people you have helped ! You are a true role model ! :)

  34. francois godineau (2024-04-17) #

    Wow! Bravo!
    This is a very noble initiative. For me, it's not yet time to give away all my profits; I need to start making some first! :) But as soon as I have enough to sustain myself, I think I'll do the same. You should be proud, and people should thank you!

  35. steve (2024-05-05) #

    Unbelievable.

  36. Jack (2024-07-17) #

    someday - i hold on to the hope that more ppl will embrace ur worldview / outlook ok life

  37. Yerong (2024-08-25) #

    Hope one day I have the ability to do a similar thing. You are an amazing human being.

  38. Perry (2024-10-17) #

    Derek - I love your desire to make a difference, open view of diverse ideas, awareness of self, minimalist approach and wonderful way of communicating! Wow…. Your views on life and ways of being resonate with me and inspire.

    Thank you!

  39. Efrat (2024-10-31) #

    WOW!! Derek.

    You are one of the most important people on earth doing that in so many ways.

    So honored to know you.