So, you’re thinking about writing a cookbook? Then read on
to learn more about how to write one that’s really going to sell:
Writing a best-selling cookbook – sounds like the dream,
right? If you’re a whizz in the kitchen, then you’ll probably have thought
about sharing your recipes with the world at some point.
Writing a cookbook might seem like the first logical step on
your way to becoming the next Gordon Ramsey or Nigella Lawson, but don’t go
getting too ahead of yourself. There are countless cookbooks taking up space in
bookstores up and down the country. So, if you’re going to write one, you’ll
need to make it stand out from the crowd.
There are a number of different factors to consider if you
want your cookbook to be a success. From general advice concerning the title,
right down to the nitty gritty details like getting intellectual
property rights advice, there’s a lot to consider. So, let’s take a look at
the ten tips you need to know if you want your cookbook to sell.
10 Tips to Make Your Cookbook Sell
1.
Define Your Audience
First thing’s first – who do you want your cookbook to be
for? Are you writing it for busy working professions with very little spare
time on their hands, or retirees with too much spare time on their
hands? What about students looking to cook on a budget?
Defining your audience will be absolutely critical if you’re
to make your cookbook a success. That way, you can write everything with a consistent
tone, and base the recipes you include around the lives of those you’re writing
for.
2.
Do Some Research
There’s no shortage of cookbooks out
there, so why not get a flavour for the competition by doing a spot of
research? By reading some other cookbooks, you’ll get a better idea as to the
sort of approach you want to take for your own.
It should go without saying, but this doesn’t mean you
should go copying other people’s work. Alongside the ethical element of it all,
they’ll probably have some sort of intellectual property rights anyway. That
said, there’s nothing wrong with taking a bit of inspiration!
3.
Carefully Consider the Title
Once you’ve got your target audience locked down, the next
thing you’ll need to spend some time thinking about is what your cookbook is
going to be called. The title is going to be the first thing that people read
and, if it isn’t interesting, they’ll already be eyeing up something else.
There are a number of ways you can help to make your
cookbook’s title stand out. That could include the use of play on words, using
a quote or even a pun.
4
Find Your Niche
You’ll need to think carefully about what your unique selling point is going to be. Granted, finding a
niche isn’t always easy. The sheer number of cookbooks that have been published
means that there’ll likely be a small element of crossover.
That said, there is always a way of putting a twist on
well-established recipes to differentiate your cookbook and help you develop
your own style. Some ideas for niches could include:
- Dietary requirements recipes, like vegetarian
food
- Meals on a budget
- 100 recipes made using [insert ingredient name
here)
5.
Have a Tone and Stick to It
Striking the right tone can make all the difference. You
might want to maintain a casual, conversational style of writing, you may want
your readers to find themselves laughing at every opportunity, or you could
want to keep everything simple and straightforward.
There’s no right or wrong approach when it comes to tone.
What is important is making sure that tone remains consistent throughout.
6.
Don’t Rush the Process
You shouldn’t feel the need to rush through the process of
writing a cookbook. If you do, chances are the quality of the finished product
is going to take a hit, leaving you with disappointing sales.
Take your time to carefully plan everything out from start
to finish and make sure you’re happy with each part of the book before moving
on to the next.
7.
Have an Easy-to-Follow Format
If your readers are finding themselves getting lost in a
maze of different recipes, then something has probably gone wrong somewhere
down the line. Keeping your format simple and easy to follow is essential if
you’re cookbook is to be success.
Think about how you might group together different recipes
and how one might lead on to another, instead of bouncing from one extreme to
the other. The last thing you want is for your readers to put your cookbook
down out of frustration.
8.
Look into Intellectual Property Rights
If you’re really serious about creating a lasting brand
image with the hopes of a flourishing cooking career, you may wish to research
your intellectual property rights. When any new writer comes onto the scene,
there’s always a chance that people will try to milk them for all their worth.
So, be sure to read up on your rights so you can protect them after
publication.
9.
Double and Triple Check Your Writing
Spelling mistakes are a no-go in any publication, so you’ll
want to do your best to avoid them from plaguing your work.
That means proofreading everything
you’ve written over and over. And, once you’ve finished proofing, you’ll need
to work with your editor (if you’re using one) to fine-tune everything that’s
already been put to paper.
10.
Do Some Keyword Research
This is for those who are considering digital publishing for
their cookbook. Keyword research means that you look up the sorts of words and
phrases people commonly search for when it comes to cookbooks, so that you can
use them to promote your own.
Use Google and Amazon’s search bar as a starting point. Type
in a word and see what phrases come up as suggestions and think about how you
might incorporate them into your book. Easy as that!
If like me you love cooking, entertaining teaching cookery then why not research and look into writing your own cookbook. If you write something very useful and fascinating, you will have success and opportunities to apply for high-paying cook open positions, because having some publications on your CV will definitely improve your chances of getting a job you have always dreamt of. I hope you found this article helpful. If there are any tips you have, please do share them in the comments below. I would love to read them all.
**collaborative post
