You can:

• Distribute short clips extracted from large files or hard media like DVD.
• Offer executable files with their own installation or media player.
• Share restricted media that require registration or purchase at your web site.
• Provide full files compatible with most media players

What users want

P2P users typically search for the following content:

• Free. P2P users contribute their own PC computing and Internet bandwidth to process network searches and share files. In return they expect content to be free or less expensive than downloading it direct from your server.
  
  
• What's Hot. The viral nature of P2P makes it a hotbed for sharing what's new and exciting, including celebrities, music, and movies.
  
  
• Entertainment. File sharers download files for personal enjoyment. Music, video, and photos are popular.
  
  
• Adult. A large percentage of users look for adult videos and photos that range from from bikini models to sexually explicit.
  
  
• Large files. A key advantage of P2P software over a browser, is its ability to transfer large files with auto-resume and multi-source and partial file downloading. This is especially true over slow dial up Internet connections.

Recommendations

If you're an independent, your biggest challenge is promotion - getting people to try your music or other work. If they don't know who you are, they won't buy your CD or merchandise, or go to your concert.

File sharers are accustomed to and expect files that are full, open, free, and complete. That's how we recommend you provide your files to the P2P networks. If you're a band, digitize your best songs in MP3 format to ensure P2P users will try your music.

If you offer files that are only a preview, limited, or protected in some way, clearly indicate that in the file name.

Next - Name Your Files