You've studied the printed material and decided it's not appropriate, or not cost effective, to repurpose for the Web.

But it has to be, for any number of reasons.

Is there a middle ground between rip-and-rebuild repurposing and a simple link to a download?

Sure.

1. Convert the document to HTML. Make sure to include any supporting information from covers and introductory pages.
2. If you haven't been specifically tasked to edit or clean the document, limit changes to spell checking (even printed material often has errors) and hyperlinking footnotes, references to 'above' and 'on page nn' etc.
3. Now, create a cover page. Using language and voice suitable for the Web, summarise the document and provide a link to both the HTML version and the download.
4. If the document has a number of sections, summarise each section and provide a link to each separate section, not just the main page. Keep your summaries to a maximum of 30 - 50 words.

   Keep summaries in active tense and use plain English instead of jargon or academic prose. If the document includes quotes, choose the best quotes and use them.

5. If the printed document has an attractive cover (e.g. an annual report or brochure) add a small, clear image of the cover to the summary page to reinforce the idea that the linked HTML pages weren't designed to be read on the Web.