So you’ve decided that you want to write a cookbook and self-publish your work. Great! But-you’re not too sure how to get started. You want to know “how to write a cookbook.” One of the biggest mistakes new or first-time cookbook writers make is thinking that they just have get on with the recipes and writing, and everything will work itself out in the end. The truth is that initial planning and marketing of your cookbook deserves a lot more attention than it gets.

Starting to write a cookbook is no different from starting to write any book. That means the best way to start your cookbook project is by asking one simple question: Why? That’s right…why? Consider this—if you were submitting your manuscript for publication through a traditional publisher; you’d be required to submit a detailed proposal.

One of the important components of the proposal includes explanations about why your book should be published and, why anyone would want to read it. This can seem harsh to a newbie, but it’s important to know. When you submit a proposal, you’re actually asking for a chance to “sell” your book idea to the publisher. What they really want to know is if you can tell them why they should bother to read your proposal and your manuscript. So—you have to be really clear on why that is, or you’ll get nowhere fast.

But maybe you’re wondering how this applies to self-publishing. You need to know the “why” for yourself. So you can be sure of your project’s worth from start to finish. If you don’t know why you’re doing it from the beginning, you may wake up one morning wondering why the heck you’re putting yourself through writing a cookbook to begin with. That could cause you to give up when the going gets tough. Further, if you don’t know why you’re writing your cookbook you probably won’t be able to identify your “target market.” And that spells disaster for any cookbook project.

If you want to self-publish a cookbook and you want it to be successful, you owe it to yourself to go through the exercise of writing a book proposal. By doing so, you’ll learn everything you need to know about your cookbook. The book proposal becomes the written business plan for your cookbook. When completed, the book proposal will serve as a compass to guide you through the entire process. You’ll know where you’re going with your cookbook and, you’ll know how to get there. You’ll know everything you need to know about your customer and, you’ll know what you have to do to market your cookbook.

When you become clear on the WHY, you’ll be empowered. This will support the strong inner belief you’ll need to carry you through the duration of your writing project. You’ll also be able to speak about your cookbook confidently and intelligently when you begin marketing. And whether you’re doing that online or face-to-face, communicating effectively will come in very handy. So gather your recipes, do your research, write your stories, and type to your heart’s content, just know why you’re doing it!

The most important thing to consider when creating a brand for yourself is that “you” are the most important product. The way you position yourself in the marketplace will determine how hard you have to work in the future to get the results you desire.  You want to work smart, not hard. You want to attract the right customers and clients that want what you have.

If you’re an entrepreneur, you want to be able to have the freedom to work when you want, and have the freedom to choose the clients you want to work with. If you’re a business owner, you need to realize that your brand and your business are connected. Neither one can truly succeed without the other. So, the success of your brand will depend on how true it comes to the real you and, how well you manage and communicate that image to the marketplace. Either way, you’ll need to know who you are, what you stand for, and what qualities make you unique.

A personal brand is exciting because it tells the world about you, your values, and your beliefs. When properly crafted, your brand will allow your customers to know, like, and trust you. This feeling will build into a relationship between you and your customer, giving them the confidence to expect the same quality experience with you every time.

Once you’re clear on your brand, you’ll have so many choices about the ways you can communicate that out to the world. The middlemen are gone. By embracing social media as the incredible tool that it is, you’ll be able to maintain and expand your brand and reach millions of people with a few keystrokes a day!

Branding for Brilliance!
Your Book, Your Brand, Your Brilliance!

I am happy and so pleased to announce that I have launched a new organization, the International Association of Cookbook Writers – IACBW. This is a dream come true for me, and just like the Cookbook Advertiser site, it is something that I wish existed when I was first struggling to write my first cookbook.

I’m hoping to be positioned to help many authors now by offering education, encouragement, and empowerment to anyone who dreams of writing their own cookbook.

The International Association of Cookbook Writers (IACBW) invites anyone who is truly interested in writing their own cookbook to connect and learn; and become truly focused and inspired about writing, publishing, and marketing a cookbook. Writing a cookbook can open many new doors, and the IACBW will show you how to navigate successfully in today’s rapidly changing market.

The goal of the organization is to offer training and encouragement to cookbook writers so they feel empowered and energized to develop their cookbook idea and bring it forth into the marketplace. The organization supports their efforts with education, resources, and community.

Some writers begin with blogs and eBooks, and move onto hard copy. Some writers will self-publish and move on the publishing deals. No matter where you are in your journey, the IACBW can help you reach your goal.

You may be a professional chef, personal chef, caterer, or other food industry professional. Or, you may be someone who just loves to cook. Perhaps you have a group of family heirloom of recipes you would like to publish. Or maybe you work at a non-profit organization. All are welcome, and IACBW will provide you with the individual support you need.

The IACBW will continually offer workshops, teleseminars, and interviews with writers and industry experts in the areas of writing, publishing, self-publishing, marketing, social media, speaking, branding, and internet marketing skills.

It’s an exciting time to be an author. There are so many possibilities now. If anyone reading this has thought of writing a cookbook, I would strongly encourage you to do so. Having your own book really can change your life. My path has definitely taken a wonderful turn, and I believe I owe that to my first book.

Please visit the IACBW and review the incredible membership benefits we have put together. I’ve made sure that this will be a high-value experience for everyone involved! Visit at:

iacbw.org

I’ve created and launched  a new website just for independent cookbook author’s, so they will  have a place to advertise their cookbooks!

cookbookadvertiser.com

I’d like to share my story with you…so you understand how all of this has come about. The journey has been interesting!

Not too long ago I self-published my first cookbook. I was absolutely ecstatic when my books arrived at my home. I used one of the traditional printers – something I would not do again, but we’ll get into that later. The end result was that 30 boxes of books landed on my doorstep, with no instructions about what to do with them next. Yikes!

I didn’t have a website built yet, because to be honest…I didn’t have the money to pay for the books to be printed <em>and</em> get a website built. So there I was… with all my books and no way to sell them.

I did have a plan, because I had written a book proposal, but I had not implemented my plan yet, so I had no place to showcase my beautiful book!

Here’s the truth…No website or blog = NO INTERNET SALES…ouch!

That got me thinking…I wished there would have been a place where I could post my book advertisement that would not cost too much, but would give me some of the exposure I needed to start making some sales. A place where I could advertise while I got a website or blog up and running.

Or…a place that could give an author additional exposure and traffic, even if they I had a website or blog. A space that was “dedicated” to cookbook authors!

I told myself that someday soon, I would create that space, so other cookbook authors would not have to go through what I was going through at the time.

Around about the same time, I also realized there needed to be a system for writing a cookbook. I had done it completely on my own, learning as I went, making mistakes I didn’t have to make, and wasting time I didn’t have to waste. It was tough, but I worked really hard at it and got it done.

I learned a lot from those experiences. Because I had a 16 years of writing experience in the corporate world,  I decided to create and document a fool-proof system that would help other authors write, publish, and market their cookbooks.

The idea is to cut through all the mistakes, use the shortcuts, and incorporate  today’s cutting-edge marketing techniques, including video,  social media and whatever tools become available that will help an author be more successful.

A system that would evolve as the market evolves, always staying current with what’s happening. A system that would ensure that the user would not make the same mistakes I made when I wrote my first cookbook.

So in 2008 I became the Cookbook Coach. I wrote and developed “The 7 Secrets of a Successful Self-Published Cookbook,” my proprietary, easy-to-follow, step-by-step system for getting your cookbook written.

I’m happy to say my system has proven to be very successful. Many authors have completed their first cookbooks, or are in the process of doing so. You’ll meet many of them here. It’s all very exciting!

Just recently, I launched the “Cookbook Author’s Boot Camp.” The Boot Camp is a 7-week intensive that is sure to get you writing your cookbook!

Boot Camps will take place about 5 times a year, so check at the website listed below for more information. I’ll be posting the dates of upcoming Boot Camp classes here.

I’ve made it my mission to help cookbook authors all over the world make their dream of writing a cookbook come true! I am dedicated to your success and I truly want to help you achieve your goals.

I’m prepared to help you with your “personal brand” creation, “author’s platform,”  marketing, and book proposals. I can show you how to develop ancillary products built around your book to help you boost sales and your bottom line!

In late 2009 I began launching a membership organization just for cookbook authors,  the International Association of Cookbook Writers – IACBW. The purpose of the IACBW is:

“To enrich and energize the lives of cookbook writers everywhere by creating an atmosphere of support, encouragement, empowerment and community; while ofering access to the best systems, training, and marketing tools available.”

I believe in education and continuous learning. And…I believe in implementing what is learned. I hope to be able to be of service to you in some way on your cookbook journey, and hopefully make a positive impact on your life!

To learn more about the Cookbook Coach and the “7 Secrets” system, and pick up a FREE REPORT and FREE mp3, visit:
http://www.cookbookcoach.com

To sign-up or learn more about the Cookbook Author’s Boot Camp, visit:
http://www.youcanwriteacookbook.com

To join or learn more about the International Association of Cookbook Authors – IACBW, visit:
http://www.iacbw.org

The IACBW site will launch on Monday 2/1/10

Just 3 days left to sign up for the Cookbook Author’s Boot Camp and receive 2 fantastic bonuses! If you sign up by 1/31/10 and pay in full, you will receive 1 Full Year of FREE advertising for your new cookbook at a new site I”m developing call “Cookbook Advertiser”, and you’ll also receive a full 1-year membership in the International Association of Cookbook Writers – IACBW, a new membership site that is just about to launch!

There are huge membership benefits available to members, so just that alone is worth the price of the Boot Camp.  Not to mention all the high-value, high-content you are going to recieve! I look forward to working with you on your cookbook. Make 2010 the year your dream of having your own cookbook comes true! Sign up today!

http://www.youcanwriteacookbook.com/

Do you want to write a cookbook?…

But don’t know how to get started?

Are you struggling with your cookbook project? Have you set it aside?

I know exactly how you feel, but the good news is – I’ve developed an easy-to-follow,  proven system to get your cookbook started and keep you going until it’s completed!

On Wednesday February 3, 2010 I will be launching the first of this year’s Cookbook Author’s Boot Camps!

When you enroll into the program, I’ll show you how to write your cookbook in 7 weeks – guaranteed.

If you’ve got the desire, I have the system, and I can’t wait to share it with you.

If you sign-up and pay in full by January 31, 2010, I am going to offer 2 great bonuses. So check out the link to get the full story. I hope to “see you on the first call” next wednesday!

http://www.youcanwriteacookbook.com/

17 year-old Joacim Kempe of Sweden has completed and self-published his first cookbook. He began working with me just a mere 5 months ago. I am so impressed by this young and enthusiastic young man. We can all learn a little something from him when it comes to getting motivated to do something, and following through.

It was a true pleasure for me to coach Joacim. He was excited to be writing his first cookbook an always had a lot of questions. He kept himself open to suggestions, and when I took him through the steps of my system, The 7 Secrets of a Successful Self-Published Cookbook, he implemented  very quickly. He followed my system, and the result is his completed cookbook in under 5 months. Not bad for someone with a full load at school. Joacim’s enthusiasm was infectious, and we had many good conversations over skype about a lot of subjects. We’ve become long distance friends.

I hope to continue coaching him with his second book. He is also working on translating his cookbook to English for markets in the US. Stay tuned for more about Joacim. I’m sure the story has just begun.

For now he is marketing his cookbook in Sweden. With the English translation coming later this year, I’m hoping to pubish it through the new publishing company I’ll be launching in mid February. More on that soon!

Hi Everyone,

I am excited to announce that I will be holding another “Cookbook Author’s Boot Camp.”  It starts on Wednesday February 3, 2010 and ends on March 24, 2010.

The program is designed for those who really want to get their cookbook going. If you  sign-up you will participate in  7 weekly telesiminars, plus 4 1-hour personal coaching calls. There will be a bonus call on the 8th week to wrap things up.

If you want to get your cookbook written this year, and you are ready to TAKE ACTION, I highly recommend this program. Sign-up by 1/31/2010 and receives 2 great bonuses. Here is the link forall the  information! Get your cookbook done!!

http://www.youcanwriteacookbook.com/

Okay…here is Tip #4

This one may be hard for some of you. It does require some discipline!

Politely and elegantly opt-out from at least three situations or relationships that waste your energy. Energy wasters only leave you feeling depressed, frustrated, annoyed, unappreciated and vaguely used or even “beaten up.” YIKES! Who needs that?

Get them out of your life right now, and you won’t believe how much energy they free up for your cookbook! For instance, “doubters”, if you have people in your life who do not believe that you can write a cookbook, get rid of them. It’s that simple. Friends who want to take up your time and energy, but don’t give – I call them “energy vampires.” Relatives who like to call you up and pick fights or volunteer you for opportunities-tell them you are writing a book, give them the message that for the time being, you no longer volunteer, at least until you book is completed.

And please, don’t feel bad about this; your cookbook is a much greater gift to society as a whole than helping your friend’s, cousin’s, cousin’s, friend move! Get the picture? Stop trying to be nice to everyone and be nice to yourself! It’s called self-discipline!

Continuing on the Getting your Cookbook Done theme….here is tip #3…

3. Recognize five time-wasters and put an end them – right away! If you are constantly checking your email, STOP! Other time wasters include spending too much time on the phone, sitting in front of the TV, and reading the paper from start to finish. Take a clear look at how you spend your time, and honestly assess your time usage. You won’t have time to do your cookbook if you continue to engage in these time wasting activities. And believe me, the thing I hear most often from would-be authors is “I don’t have enough time!” And guess what…that’s why they remain “would-be authors.” Not enough time? BS, make the time! If you are truly committed, you will make time for something you truly desire. If not, then you are just kidding yourself.