Twitter and Your Brand

Twitter is an unusual medium but can be useful. Do you already have a Twitter account for your brand? I have discovered that the best way to learn Twitter is to use it. It is especially important if you want to reach a younger audience.


I have discovered if you want to use Twitter, either to get your message out or simply to gain knowledge it takes discipline and time. It is important to remember, if you aren't tweeting regularly your message become less relevant.
Send me your Twitter account and I will follow you or begin to follow me @Dcatman5353 and I will in turn reciprocate.

A Salad Had Me Sold on the Book

Occasionally a single recipe can motivate me to purchase a cookbook. In the case of Capture the Coast, Volume 4 in the Culinary Collection by the Junior League of Tampa, it was the combination of a lunch coupled with a discussion about the anniversary promotion of the League's older title, The Gasparilla Cookbook, that had me sold.

After we completed our meeting regarding ideas for the 50th anniversary edition of The Gasparilla Cookbook, which was released in October of 2011, a small group of Junior League of Tampa members invited me to the Columbia Restaurant for lunch. I had always wanted to try the  Columbia Restaurant because of its reputation but just never had the opportunity. The restaurant is a testament to why you should always go "where the locals eat". The  Columbia Restaurant features a dish entitled the "1905 Salad". When the ladies mentioned that this salad was featured in Capture The Coast, I decided to try it.

We now prepare and eat this salad 3-4 times a month at home. It is truly a special signature dish and yet readily available in this classic community cookbook. One of the reasons that community cookbooks have been so successful through the years is that they truly involve the entire community including local chefs and restaurants.

If you want to give yourself a treat try the "1905 Salad" (recipe can be found here on the Junior League of Tampa's blog) and then buy a copy of Capture the Coast to find out what other great surprises are included--you won't be disappointed.

A Testimonial from a Restaurant Cookbook

As a savvy marketer and restaurateur, Dickie Brennan of New Orleans realized years ago the value of developing a custom cookbook to support his brand. I'd like to testify to that value. My wife and I took a trip to New Orleans last week and joined up with two other couples who were attending the SEC Tournament with us.

One of our group had been to New Orleans many times and had a few restaurants lined up ahead of time. Since I was familiar with The Flavor of New Orleans from the Palace Cafe, I suggested we eat there on our second night in town. I made the reservation and was impressed with how nice the receptionist was, and later when they called my cell phone to confirm our reservation.

When we entered the restaurant we were greeted warmly and seated.  This was just the beginning of a great evening.  Now, remember that the only reason I knew about this particular restaurant was because I was familiar with their cookbook.  Our server, Dante, was terrific--funny, efficient and very personable.  Amazingly all of the menu selections are also in The Flavors of New Orleans.  The meal was THE BEST I EVER ATE!  In fact, the entire experience was so good that I wrote to Mr. Brennan and complimented him and the staff. The table side Banana's Foster and the story behind it was the highlight of the experience.

This is a testimony of how a book serves as a marketing tool and pays for itself at the same time. Whether it is a restaurant, resort, or a community organization, a successful and well-marketed cookbook can bring customers in, get them to return or simply motivate them to give you their support through purchasing one of your books.

E-Book Distribution Update

The e-book distribution system is up and running. Our FRP Publishing imprint loaded its first two titles, Recipes Worth Sharing and More Recipes Worth Sharing. Both are now available in the major e-book providers such as Apple, Amazon and Kobo.  We are also launching our first customer title this week and hope to have it active within the next two weeks.  An announcement will follow when it is active. (hint: only 1 of 10 titles in its category in the Apple Store)

While we feel that this e-distribution is a secondary strategy it remains important in an author's publishing plans.  As more electronic devices hit the market it will be a critical component in every book marketing and selling plan. My friend, Tim Creehan, who is a well known chef and restaurateur in the Destin, FL area told me last week that he definitely wants to give his customers the option of buying a physical book or loading it onto their reading device.

What are your thoughts about e-books?

Registration is Open for FRP Cookbook University 2012

In the mid 1990's Favorite Recipes Press held it's very first Cookbook Marketing Seminar. That seminar has evolved into the single most effective training for self-published cookbooks (it is also relevant to any self-published book) in the US and is now known as Favorite Recipe Press Cookbook University.

Favorite Recipes Press Cookbook University is happening May 8 & 9, 2012 at the Sheraton Music City Hotel in Nashville, TN. Registration is now open, and you can read about all the details here. Favorite Recipes Press Cookbook University addresses specific needs of diverse publishing groups. Novice publishers need one kind of information; experienced publishers producing second or third volumes need another. We provide both seminars targeted to specific audiences.  Cookbook University offers you the opportunity to:

• Learn all about the aspects of publishing a custom cookbook
• Get the information you need to publish a marketable book
• Create a successful marketing and sales program to support your goals
• Meet the Favorite Recipes Press staff and network with other publishers
• Leave with valuable and exciting information

Favorite Recipes Press Cookbook University Tuition:
Favorite Recipes Press Client: $125 for each attendee / Master-Level Class: included in Tuition
Non-Client: $425 per person / Master-Level Class: $125 (in additional to Tuition)

Room rate at the Sheraton Music City Hotel is $109 per night (single/double).

Be sure to get registered by April 12, 2012. If there was ever an action step you could take to accomplish so much in one event on the subject of self-publishing this is it! No matter if you are thinking about developing a book, just researching the subject or have a cookbook that needs marketing and sales help this is the event to attend. I hope to see you there.

Winter Doldrums

I recently read a cartoon that depicted a note addressed to optimists and pessimists which read "while you are arguing half full or half empty I drank the water" and was signed Opportunist. I like this philosophy and encourage you to make the most opportunity of your time in what I term the "winter doldrums". When the weather is bad and folks are just sitting around waiting for spring, it is an opportune time for you to get things in place for increased sales.

Remember, you might not be able to control whether or not consumers purchase your book  but you can control the effort that goes into promoting it and marketing it. During the winter months I encourage you to be aggressive in your plans for marketing. While others are waiting for something to happen, you can be an opportunist and make things happen.

What is the Downside of E-Books?

The statistics overwhelmingly support the fact that consumers are buying e-books. This past Christmas season saw a record number of e-readers sold with the introduction of the new Kindle Fire as well as other e-reading devices. And we know that there is now a Chef Stand and Stylus on the market that allows us take our readers into the kitchen and use an e-book without ever touching the tablet.

But you might be thinking, I have a lot of inventory of printed books that I need to sell first. My response is the two are not connected. People that don't have e-readers are not going to buy an e-book but those with e-readers are looking for content to use on their devices. The right strategy is to offer both formats.

There is no downside. It is too early in the game to quote any accurate statistics (even if you can find any; I haven't been able to) regarding how many cookbooks have been purchased in an e-format but that doesn't mean consumers won't buy if they are available. Plus, if your book is on Amazon.com and clearly marked as available in an e-format you target both demographics--those with an e-reader and those without or who just prefer a printed cookbook.

The way I see it you can't go wrong with promoting and offering both formats.