Marketing 101 Action Step

Marketing anything in today's competitive marketplace is far different than in years past; and a cookbook is no different than any other product or service. Taking advantage of social media is tantamount as a significant aspect of one's marketing plan. One of the elements that make up a social media strategy is blogging.

In the most recent edition of Favorite Recipes Press e-newsletter, Table Talk, is a great article on how to get started as a blogger. If you are developing a new regional cookbook the time to start blogging is not after the book is released but rather as the book is developing. In fact, you will have more material than you know what to do with as you blog about the development process, the recipe testing, photo or image selection and non-recipe copy. No doubt there will be humorous stories to tell as well as more serious ones.

Even if you are marketing a book that has been in existence for some time you should still make use of developing followers via your blog. Take the first step and get started.  To help you I've included the article from Table Talk below.

BLOGGING…how to and when to…

Blogging started out as people simply journaling about their day-to-day experiences, thoughts, opinions, etc..etc…  It has evolved into the main online avenue through which “experts” in their fields are found, followed, and relied upon by the average person all the way up to the main editorial departments of major news publications, for information specific to their area of expertise.

Getting started with a blog is relatively simple – there are various systems you can use which have no costs involved. The most used is BLOGGER which is very user-friendly.  More importantly it is a part of the Google system and therefore has a built-in significant “find” within that search engine giant.

Building a blog template takes less than 30 minutes to put in place using their wizard. There are plenty of template styles, widgets and gadgets you can use to jazz up your overall blog look and layout.  It is up to you how much you want to customize your blog layout.

So, start simple and build on it.

First, as in all things Social Media, you have to determine WHO you want to connect with in regard to WHAT your interest or area of expertise is. Do some research at other blogs that you personally follow and see what people are talking about.

Try to blog once a day if you want to really be taken seriously in a professional or expertise environment. Some people only blog one or two times a week which is acceptable for a more relaxed personal style, but the blogger who only blogs when they have something significant to say about themselves won’t have much of a following.

Content Is King - a nice mix of original content, along with curated content with just a dash of promotional content will make for a more meaningful relationship with your community. Curated content is information you share form another “resource” you trust on any given subject. Add your own perspective to the curated content you are sharing, so you don’t just repeat the same information. Be sure to always give full credit on curated content.

Most people check their favorite blogs first thing in the morning and with a quick read through can determine an idea on what their own post for the day might be to pickup on any hot-topics-at-hand. That’s not to say you can’t put up posts that are entirely of your own original thought subject matter – just be sure it’s relative to the interest of your community followers. In fact, setting up scheduled posts that automatically roll out each day is a great way of daily posting when you have a very busy schedule on hand or go on vacation.

Be sure to comment on other blog postings – this will encourage them to do likewise on yours. When their followers see them post on another blog, this can cause them to check you out and potentially become regular followers of your blog too.

SHARE BUTTONS are a great way for people to quickly add your blog postings to their own social media areas. You can find information for the code needed to add share buttons to your template from any number of resources. When adding share buttons to your blog, it’s a good idea to add that line of code to the end of each post, not just on the blog home page. That way each post can easily be shared even if it’s not on the main home page where the most recent posting will sit. You want to make it as quick and easy as possible for people to pass along your postings…and don’t forget to post it to your own FACEBOOK and TWITTER accounts as well.

So, Blog Early and Blog Often on subjects which are near the heart of your community of followers for optimum results! 

What do you think? Can you envision the fun you can have with developing and writing a weekly or daily blog? I would love to follow your blogs so let me know when you get started. In addition, here are a few links to client links that you might enjoy reading.

Junior League of  Tampa
Junior League of  Tallahassee
Junior League of  Baton Rouge
Junior League of Charleston
Historical League
Meal Makeover Moms
Holly Clegg

A Success Story

Every now and then it is nice to be reminded that if you follow the basics and work a plan diligently, good things do happen. This was recently validated by a letter sent into Roger Conner updating him on the success of a recent Favorite Recipes Press client.

Here is what Debbie Lestina Robinson had to say about her experience with her new book, You're Invited--Party Recipes for Every Season.

 Hi Roger, 

So far, I've sold 450 copies and I haven't even sent out a press release yet.  I will be mailing those on Monday.  I currently have 9 local retail accounts and counting.  On September 8-19, I will have a booth at the Clay County Fair in Spencer, Iowa which has attendance of 330,000 people.  In November, I'm scheduled for a two day craft fair in Nevada, IA.  And, I just received an e-mail today from the Farm Progress Show in Boone, IA.  I originally contacted them in January about the show held this August and never got a response.  Today, they contacted me about a booth space.  I think I'm going to get a very good deal on that space but, we shall have to wait and see.  Lastly, in December, I'll be signing books for one of my local retail accounts at their holiday open house. 

I will send you a picture from by booth space at the fair to share with your staff. It is going to be so cool. They are letting me paint pink and orange stripes on the walls. We will be wearing pink and orange aprons embroidered with "You're Invited!" and my carpet squares are guess what---Pink and Orange! Tall white director's chairs for resting are embroidered with my website address and I have a 6 foot tall image of my cookbook on a pop-up display. This is definitely the fun part.

When I travel to Florida this winter, I target a whole new market. Plans include a cooking demonstration in our clubhouse for everyone in our condo association (104 units). Also, an event with the local bookstore for either a Super Bowl or Valentine demonstration are in the works. So many opportunities and only one of me---did they ever perfect cloning? 

All of the feedback I've received has been so positive. I've entered my book for numerous awards so, let's keep our fingers crossed. A special thanks to everyone at Favorite Recipes Press for taking my duck and turning it into a swan. The book is absolutely beautiful thanks to your staff of publishing experts.

Stay in touch!
Debbie Lestina Robinson

As the title would suggest, Debbie's book is a collection of recipes, party ideas, invitations and effortless entertaining tips for each season of the year. (Check out her website, here.) Her bright pink and orange motif is very distinctive and puts the reader in a party mood. She has a plan and is following the plan to the letter. Best of all she is selling books.