About this episode

This episode discusses why having a large social media following is not the only factor in securing a cookbook deal, emphasizing the importance of real relationships and engagement with an audience.

Many aspiring cookbook authors believe they need a huge social media following before a publisher will take them seriously. But in traditional publishing, follower count alone is not what gets a cookbook deal. In this episode, I talk about what publishers are really looking for when they ask about your platform. They want to know whether you have real relationships with people who know you, trust you, engage with your work, and are likely to buy your book. I also share why writing, conversation, and proof of engagement matter so much more than chasing random followers. In this episode, I cover: Why follower count alone is not enough What publishers really want to know about your audience How to identify the people already in your world who would buy your book Why writing and relationship-building are essential for becoming a paid cookbook author If you've been feeling behind because your audience is not huge, this episode will help you focus on what actually matters. If you want to get paid to write a cookbook, join our waitlist for the next cohort of Get Paid to Get Published

People in this episode

Host: Maggie Green

Topics covered

• cookbook publishing
• social media followers
• audience engagement
• writing
• relationship-building

Keywords

• cookbook deals
• publisher expectations
• audience trust
• engagement
• writing skills

More episodes of Cookbook Love Podcast

• Episode 399: Katherine Anderson and The London Plane: Preserving a Restaurant's Spirit Through a Cookbook · April 30, 2026 · 1h 14m
• Episode 398: Why Your Cookbook Project Feels Like It's Not Going Anywhere · April 23, 2026 · 18 min
• Episode 397: The Rhythms That Help Me Think, Write, and Cook · April 16, 2026 · 21 min
• Episode 396: Southern Roots and the Life That Shaped It with Spring Council · April 9, 2026 · 1h 1m
• Episode 395: How Hannah Dasher Turned Visibility into the Stand By Your Pan Cookbook · April 2, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 394: The Cookbook Idea You Think You Shouldn't Write (But Maybe Should) · March 26, 2026 · 15 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Cookbook Love Podcast podcast page.