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Click to view Cinagro Farm's profile Professional Cinagro Farm 9 posts since
Feb 5, 2008
15. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Feb 26, 2008 6:41 PM
in response to: Muffin
Wow! I am thrilled with the new comments here! Both of you [Lighthouse 24 & Muffin] have given me some incredible insight! Thank you so much!

I am a little wary of the big guys.....Amazon and B&N etc. I have looked into it, trust me, but I just don't want to give them so much. I initially ordered 1000 books and have sold some, but we just got them. The craft shows and farmer's markets haven't panned out very well at all. I have an ad in three papers in the area and also some on-line classifieds. I am also looking into becoming a vendor with Walgreen's as I have an "in" there and am told I may be able to get the books in for 35%. I have also managed to get a local bookstore to accept them--they have two locations. I've listed it in my ad so people can go there to buy if not from my website.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
Click to view print28's profile Mogul print28 32 posts since
Feb 21, 2008
16. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Mar 19, 2008 2:21 PM
I read your questions, and was wanting to ask you if, you have already had your cookbook printed? We can print, copy, offset press, or b/w/,full color digital printing. We do the bindery and finishing, we can bind your book with whatever you want, as far as, spiral binding to just saddlestitching. I could also, let some of the customers that we have, to advertise your cookbook on their websites, we have a good customer that owns a cookie mix shoppe, but also does catering and goes to several events, and she is really good about helping other people out that are in her expertise! We can scan you some samples of other cookbooks that we have done in the past, if you are interested. Thank you for your time!
Click to view designer's profile Mogul designer 329 posts since
Feb 28, 2008
17. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Mar 19, 2008 2:48 PM
Hello. Have you tried to contact the Food Network? You can probably fo their web site and contact them for an address. I am sure they are always looking for new talent to give a half hour TV cooking show to. If your recipes are tasty, you might have a shot! If you have a unique personality and you can convince people cooking is fun and easy - - -I'd say your chances would increase even more!
Click to view wisgoo's profile Authority wisgoo 18 posts since
Mar 19, 2008
18. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Mar 19, 2008 3:12 PM
Certainly, i already check your website and it's really nice, have the exact info the people would like to know about that cookbook, the only thing is that you need to PROMOTE your website, because you also have the option for th people to shop online the book, so try to put it in search engines, i work for one of those, so i can help you with that or also give you advices about toher ones.

Innovative
approach to marketing has helped companies of all types to capture the
attention of target specific online audiences searching for their product or
service. Unlike any other
advertising, Google placement is the most aggressive method of advertising. That depends in which service of Google you apply, to be honest
the efficient one is not per click. As
you are, people go and search for products and services on the web. No if user doing the search and no seeing you on the first
page, they simply go to the competition. In our case we put you guaranteed on
the main page of Google and this means user search for your product, we show
your website on the first page, user clicks and visits your website and as a
result he buys, ask question or sending any other inquiry to you. So we convert
users to the customers.

If you want a good advice, the pay per click is good if you want to know how many people access to your website, but that doesn't guarantee that those people are going to buy your book.

The work that i do, is place companies in the top of Google.com with key phrases that have to be with your industry and activate them in the areas that you want to provide your service. That´s how
simple it is. To build website is absolutely not efficient to do online business,
you DO NEED TO PROMOTE your website. Internet advertising cost close to nothing
to compare to usual advertising sources.

Please any other advice or inquiry,
My Email: marza@wisdek.com
Mary 647-476-3094
Click to view Cinagro Farm's profile Professional Cinagro Farm 9 posts since
Feb 5, 2008
19. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Mar 23, 2008 3:38 PM
in response to: Muffin
Hi Muffin:

Sorry it took so long to respond. Your comments were fantastic and I had a couple of questions. I've heard about this commercial kitchen stuff from other vendors. Is this a Florida law? If you aren't giving away food samples but are selling, say, bottled Salsa [canned] does it apply also that you must have a food license? I guess I'm wondering how bake sales etc. can take place if this is the case.

I'm struggling getting this book sold. Not sure what else I can do. I've advertised in three different papers, I have a couple of sites directing traffic to my website, too. I did manage to place it in several local stores, but they aren't moving. I think the economy isn't helping. I hate to break down and go the Amazon route, because I'm not going to make any money whatsoever. It is really starting to bother me. I still have a thousand of them left.

I am going to start pounding the pavement again, and I'm doing shows.

I'll keep you posted!

Thanks again,
Carol
Click to view aditijjoshi's profile Start-up aditijjoshi 2 posts since
Mar 21, 2008
20. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Mar 23, 2008 4:29 PM
Promoting a cookbook or any book online is a great tool to expand your geographical reach.
Its a great way to reduce costs, maximize profits and keep a small albeit effective operation.

What is your cookbook about? If you are interested, we can help you with proprietary concepts to market the book.
Click to view Muffin's profile Professional Muffin 5 posts since
Feb 26, 2008
21. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Mar 24, 2008 12:13 PM
in response to: Cinagro Farm

Hi Carol,

As much as I hate to tell you this, YES you need a full commercial kitchen and a food license to sell food of any kind at events and craft shows. It may be possible to set up a 'temporary' kitchen license, but you would have to literally call your county's Health and Enviornment dept. and set up an appointment with the health inspector or you may be able to chat with him/her about what you need to do, such as setting up triple sinks, sufficiently sterile pantry and storage, fridges and freezers and possibly a commercial oven. THE OVENS, because so many are now made to look like they are Professional/commercial ( STAINLESS STEEL) you may be able to get away without purchasing a "commercial" one.

Many products sold at Bake Sales are prepared in a community kitchen, that is licensed. At least here in Colorado! Some are prepared at home, and usually such are supplied for charities, thus many get a tweak of leeway so to speak!

Also I don't know about Florida, but one of my pet peeves about doing local crafts and event shows, is that not only do you pay for the space, often pay to have your product judged prior to exceptance in event and then you also have to purchase a local business license for the specific county/town that the event is held in. These fees on top of not being legally able to supply food samples ( health reasons), hence promoting your recipes, makes such events a bit strenuous to me.

By the way, there is also the probability that if you get caught selling without a licesne you may be fined. OR if God forbid someone were to get sick from you product, and it was prepared in a non-licensed kitchen, a suit could result. BE CAREFUL!!!!!

Excuse my language here, but the economy sucks and is affecting many large and small sales all over this place. ( why do you think that large places ie Best Buy are now open to negotiating the price down on products with individual customers).
At least listing with AMAZON supplies you with a bit of sales/funds, maybe not full price but it is better than allowing books to sit stagnant. I would honestly consider setting your books up with them, 25-40% is better than nothing.


Also be aware that sales do not come overnight as we all hope that they will. Good books and Cookbooks stick around and sell for years, you may want to lower your sales expectations a pinch or so, especially with the state of the economy.


Please know that you are not alone in this struggle, there are many sitting in the same pot with you!!!


Keep your chin up and keep on cookin!!!!


Randi/The Muffin Lady

Click to view Cinagro Farm's profile Professional Cinagro Farm 9 posts since
Feb 5, 2008
22. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Apr 3, 2008 11:09 AM
in response to: Cinagro Farm
Hi Randi: Thanks for the great response. I definitely helped!!! Sorry it took me so long to respond. Have another show this weekend so I'm keeping my fingers crossed! Feel free to email me directly: cinagrofarm@gmail.com. I'll keep you posted! Best, Carol
Click to view Muffin's profile Professional Muffin 5 posts since
Feb 26, 2008
23. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Apr 3, 2008 12:13 PM
in response to: Cinagro Farm
Hi Carol,

Just a note of GOOD LUCK at your weekend event.
I hope all goes well with you and your book.

Simply ENJOY the event!

Randi
Click to view Cinagro Farm's profile Professional Cinagro Farm 9 posts since
Feb 5, 2008
24. Re: Promoting a new Cookbook Apr 3, 2008 12:45 PM
in response to: Muffin
Hi again Randi:

I just listed it on Amazon! Yikes. Scared to death. Hopefully we'll get some real action now!! Thanks for the votes of confidence!

Carol
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