10 Top Tips on Writing a Cookbook to Make it Sell

Photo by Andrew Neel on Unsplash

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