The Recipe For A Great Fundraiser • A Step-By-Step Overview

Market Your Cookbooks

When customers tell us their cookbooks "sell themselves" we know these resourceful people didn't just hope for sales; they planned for sales.

Here are a few basic ideas for marketing your cookbooks.

Identify Your Prospects
Anyone who either cooks or knows a cook is a prospective customer for your cookbook. Your best prospects are your recipe contributors. While each contributor will probably buy one cookbook for herself, remember to suggest that she buy additional cookbooks to send to other family members and to give as gifts.

Design Your Cookbook To Sell Itself
Our selection of standard features offers all it takes to make your cookbook a success. On the other hand, one or more of our Designer Options may add the extra appeal you want for your cookbook.

For example, a full-color cover is attention-getting, but your organization's one-color logo on your cover may make a stronger appeal to your prospects.

Always consider your customer's interests as you decide what will go into your cookbook, from the types of recipes you include to the quality of writing that goes into your Introductory Pages.

Start Selling Now
You don't need a finished cookbook to kick off your sales. Use the Advance Sales Coupons to take orders for your upcoming cookbook as soon as you decide to publish. Many--maybe most--people will buy your cookbook "sight unseen."

While you're still gathering recipes, get your business contacts to put up posters in their stores and offices announcing the upcoming cookbook--and arrange for them to put up displays of the finished cookbook when your cookbook arrives.

When your cookbooks arrive, tell everyone to pick up their cookbook right away. Email an announcement--attach a digital photo of your cookbook. Put up new notices on your bulletin boards. Fill the displays at your office and stores. Display your new cookbooks at every meeting (even small meetings).

Your marketing begins with understanding who will buy your cookbook. It continues with creating a cookbook that has sales appeal. It doesn't end until your last available copy is sold.

And then it's time to reorder and sell some more!