Single-Theme vs Multi-Cuisine Cookbooks: Which Ones Sell Better?

Cookbooks have been a source of inspiration for individuals who love cooking, as well as one of the most enjoyable ways to discover and taste delicious recipes. However, cookbook authors and publishers have more than one question in their minds on this subject. One of the big questions in their minds is: Which one is more popular and sells better, a single-concept cookbook or a multi-concept cookbook? In this blog post, we will examine the advantages and disadvantages of both types of books and see which one is more successful. Let's get started.

What are single-concept cookbooks?

Single-concept cookbooks are cookbooks that focus on a certain culinary culture, cooking method, or diet type; in other words, they cover certain specific topics. For example, books that contain recipes on specific topics such as "Gluten-free Desserts," "Italian Pastas," "Italian Pizzas," "Ketogenic Diet," or "Fermented Foods Guide" fall into the single-concept book category.

What are the advantages of single-concept books?

• Convenience and Ease of Reaching the Target Audience: Cookbooks that focus on a specific culinary culture or diet appeal directly to people interested in this subject and create a loyal, standard, and stable readership.
• Being an Expert and Being Reliable: The impression that the author is an expert on a certain subject or knowing this is the biggest factor in the book gaining authority.
• Less Competition: Since it has fewer competitors compared to general cookbooks, it can be more eye-catching.

What are the disadvantages of single-concept books?

• Having a Limited Readership: Since it only appeals to a certain area of interest and deals with a certain specific subject, its sales potential may be lower than others.
• Fast Saturation: Due to the specificity of the subject, recipes given on a certain subject create satiety in the reader after a while and they may not want to buy the book again.

What are multi-concept cookbooks?

Multi-concept cookbooks have a very wide range of cuisines. These cookbooks are books that include different cooking techniques as content. They have the feature of including every culinary culture. In this way, users can learn about more than one culinary culture.

What are the advantages of multi-concept books?

• Has a Wider Audience: Thanks to the different culinary cultures or recipe differences and the variety it contains, it appeals to a wider audience.
• Having High Sales Potential: The variety of content, appealing to different tastes and covering more than one culinary culture, can increase sales.
• Reuse and Repeat Purchase: Readers can repurchase these cookbooks to try different recipes, different flavors, and learn about different culinary cultures each time.
• Publisher Support: Publishers may always be more inclined to invest in such cookbooks that appeal to a wide audience.

What are the disadvantages of multi-concept books?

• High Competition: In general, there is a lot of competition in the cookbook category. This can make it difficult for the book to stand out.
• Difficulty Reaching a Specific Audience: Since it does not directly appeal to a subject-related area like single-concept cookbooks, it is difficult to reach a readership that is only interested in specific subjects.
• Problems with Focus: Presenting different concepts together and presenting different recipes together can distract the attention of readers; they may experience confusion in deciding what they want for a while, and in this case, it can create the perception that the book is not related to an area of expertise.

Which of These Two Types of Cookbooks Sells Better?

The answer to this question may vary depending on the determination of the target audience, the preferences of these target audiences, the determination of the marketing strategy, and the content of the book. However, when looked at in general, the trends show the following:

• Single-Concept Cookbooks Are More Successful for Niche Markets: Recipes that cover specific topics, such as gluten-free recipes, ketogenic diet meals, or just sourdough bread recipes, may sell better because they focus on a specific topic and meet that need.
• Multi-Concept Cookbooks Preferred by Broad Audiences: Cookbooks that offer general recipes and include different culinary cultures and recipes from those cultures generally have the potential to sell more because they appeal to a broad audience.
• Digital and Printed Books: Single-concept cookbooks are in greater demand today for e-books and blog content. However, despite this, there has always been the idea that multi-concept cookbooks can sell better in terms of content in physical books.

In summary

For each individual considering writing or publishing a cookbook, the best type of cookbook to write depends on the needs of the target audience as well as the marketing strategy. If you are an expert in a certain area and have determined the segment you will be addressing, a single-concept cookbook may be a better choice for you. However, if you want to reach a wider audience, appeal to this wider audience, and make more sales, publishing a multi-concept cookbook may be more advantageous for you.

In conclusion, as we have examined above, both types of cookbooks have their own advantages and disadvantages. The important thing here is to correctly determine your target audience and shape your marketing strategy accordingly. The right choices you make in this direction will cause you to be successful in the field you have chosen. Now it is your turn. Decide and take action...