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

International Winner--No Whine With Dinner

The Gourmand International Cookbook Award nominees were just announced and the Meal Makeover Mom's title, No Whine With Dinner won the GOURMAND BEST IN THE U.S.A. Award for the Children & Family category!! This title will now represent the U. S. A. at the International competition in Paris.

Edouard Cointreau founded the World Cookbook Awards in 1995, renamed Gourmand World Cookbook Awards in 2001.  In  March 2012, the Awards will be held in the Le Cent Quatre the new artistic center of the City of Paris.

For a cookbook to win any award is prestigious but the Gourmand International Cookbook Awards are recognized within the culinary and book industry as the Oscars of cookbooks.

The objective of these awards are:

•To reward and honor those who “cook with words”.

•Help readers find the best out of the 26,000 foods and wine books produced every year.

•To help publishers with international rights to translate and distribute food and wine books.

•To help bookstores find the best books to display.

•To create an opportunity to access the major markets in English, German, Spanish or French, Arabic, Chinese, etc. for books originated in other languages.

•To increase knowledge of, and respect for, food and wine culture, which promotes peace.

Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss are registered dietitians and the Meal Makeover Moms. As two of the nation’s top experts on family nutrition, they’re on a mission to help busy families eat better.

Janice and Liz are the authors of No Whine with Dinner: 150 Healthy, Kid-Tested Recipes from The Meal Makeover Moms and The Moms’ Guide to Meal Makeovers, Improving the Way Your Family Eats, One Meal at a Time. The books highlight their simple food philosophy that kids -– even picky ones — will eat nutritious food without complaint as long as it looks and tastes great. For the recipes, the Moms give family-favorite recipes a healthy makeover by “weaving in” fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and more. Their recipes are easy to make, appeal to kids, and make mealtime less stressful for parents who want their families to eat more than the chicken nuggets and mac & cheese that often end up on the table

Their award is an honor worth celebrating and Favorite Recipes Press is honored to have partnered with these ladies on this project. Enjoy a recipe from this award-winning cookbook.

Beany, Cheesy, Zucchini Quesadillas
Makes 6 servings

2 teaspoons canola oil
1 medium zucchini (about 9 ounces), unpeeled, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1 3/4 cups)
1/2 small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice (1/2 cup)
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 15-ounce can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1 1/2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar or part-skim mozzarella cheese
6, 8-inch flour tortillas
Optional sides: salsa, light sour cream, guacamole

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the zucchini, onion, cumin, and chili powder and cook, stirring frequently, until softened, 12 to 15 minutes. Gently stir the beans and heat through.

2. To assemble the quesadillas, arranged 2 tablespoons of cheese over half of each tortilla. Top evenly with the bean mixture and then top again with the remaining cheese. Fold over, press down gently, and place on a large rimmed baking sheet.

3. Bake until the tortillas are golden and crisp on the outside, 8 to 10 minutes. Cut in half and serve with optional sides as desired.

Great Idea for Busy Moms with Picky Eaters

Every day there seems to be a major article on childhood obesity and improper nutrition in children’s eating habits. A huge part of our culture involves “fast food”. Everyone is on the go to soccer, cub scouts, girl scouts, PTA, Little League baseball and softball, swimming, cheering, and on, and on, an on! Yes, it is tough to cram it all in.

However, eating healthy and nutritious meals is important. This is where the Meal Makeover Mom’s new cookbook No Whine with Dinner comes into play. You will love it.
Janice Newell Bissex and Liz Weiss are registered dietitians and the Meal Makeover Moms. As two of the nation’s top experts on family nutrition, they’re on a mission to help busy families eat better.

Their simple food philosophy is that kids – even picky ones — will eat nutritious food without complaint as long as it looks and tastes great. To do that, The Moms give family-favorite recipes a healthy makeover by “weaving in” fruits, vegetables, whole grains, healthy oils and more.
Their website provides a virtual smorgasbord of helpful tools including recipes, cooking & mealtime tips videos, a bi-monthly newsletter, 7-day meal planner, shopping list, along with their blog and the weekly radio podcast. Here's a sample recipe on a classic dinnertime favorite:

Mom's Makeover Meatloaf

Ingredients
One 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 pound lean ground beef (90% or higher)
2 large eggs, beaten
1 large carrot, peeled and shredded (about 1 cup)
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/3 cup ground flaxseed
1/4 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 tablespoons ketchup
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions
1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly oil or coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray and set aside.
2. Mash the beans in a large bowl using the back of a large fork or spoon until smooth but still a bit chunky. Add the beef, eggs, carrot, bread crumbs, ground flaxseed, 1/4 cup ketchup, garlic powder, and salt and pepper to taste and mix until well combined.
3. Place the meat mixture in the middle of the baking dish. Shape into a 6×8-inch rectangle, about 1 1/2 inches high. Spread the 2 tablespoons of ketchup evenly on the top and sides.
4. Bake until an instant-read meat thermometer registers 160°F, 50 to 60 minutes. Let stand for a couple of minutes before serving.

Their second cookbook, No Whine with Dinner, is scheduled to be released in October.
Be sure to check this title out along with In the Kitchen with Kids to arm your kitchen with two “can’t miss” cookbooks that are both healthy and delicious-your kids will love you for it.