How to sell your cookbook for profit

Cookbooks are one of largest categories of books to be sold each year.

Family cookbook editors often would like to sell their cookbooks as well. Sometimes it might be just to family members to help cover the cost of printing, other times the cookbook is used as a fund rasier for a charitable event like a cancer fundraiser, a school fundraiser or a church fundraiser.  

One thing that helps when selling your cookbook is having an ISBN number and bar code. This is required by many book sellers, including Amazon.com. You can purchase this on your own of as part of a Sellers Kit from family Cookbook Project. 

no matter what the reason you want to sell your cookbook, here are some help hints to help you successfully sell your cookbook:

Accept Pre-Orders - When ever possible, you want to sell as many of your cookbooks before you have printed them. This helps you better determine how many cookbooks you will need to have printed. Remember, the bigger the print order, the lower the cost per book and the higher the profit on each book can be.

Start with your contributors - The people who have submitted recipes to your cookbook are a natural audience for buying your cookbook. Therefore the more people you get to contribute, the more people you have buy it for gift giving and sharing. FamilyCookbookProject.com makes this easy be including a pre-order tool in your editor's account. You can use this to allow contributors to preorder their cookbooks.  

Local Bookstores - Your neighborhood bookstore, even the big chains like Barnes and Noble, often will accept books, including cookbooks, from local authors. They might even have a section dedicated to local interest. Ask to talk to a manager and see what they require to carry your book. 

Event marketing - Many communities have different events that you can attend and promote your cookbook. It might be a book signing at the public library, a table outside the local supermarket, or at a craft fair.  

OurCookbooks.com - Everyone that prints their cookbook with the Family Cookbook Project automatically can list their cookbook for sale on the website OurCookbooks.com. This site allows you to set your price and tell friends and family members how to buy your cookbook either by credit card or by sending you a check.

Amazon.com - This well-known website sells more of everything, including books! If you are serious about selling your cookbook online, this is the best place to do it. Check out the Family Cookbook Project Sellers Kit for details on how to get your cookbook listed on Amazon.com.

Social Media - Make sure you use your social media accounts, like Facebook, Google+ Twitter and/or Pinterest to get the word out about your cookbook. People who know you and who know how well you cook are a great audience and are likely to want to buy your cookbook. Create a online page for your cookbook, like on OurCookbooks.com, and then use social media to promote  it.

Bill Rice is Co-Publisher of the Great Family Cookbook Project, a website that helps families and individuals collect and share food memories. Follow us on Facebook and Pinterest!