Spoiler Alert: My Cookbooks Don’t Pay the Bills
And other truths about how bloggers really make money.
Cocina to Career is my behind-the-scenes look at growing a creative business rooted in cultura, comida, and corazón. I share what it really takes — from rejections to recipe shoots — to turn a passion for Mexican cooking into a full-time career. Subscribe so you don’t miss the real stories, chisme, and lessons I’ve learned along the way.
Every time someone tilts their head and softly asks,
“How are your book sales doing?” —
I know they mean well.
But let’s be honest: if I’m not constantly promoting my cookbook, people assume it’s not selling — and they start wondering how I’m even making money.
Here’s the truth:
Cookbooks make up just 0.4% of the Muy Bueno business.
(Yes. Point four percent.)
So what does pay the bills?
Let’s break it down. 👇
Here’s a look at where the revenue from the Muy Bueno business actually comes from:
The majority of my income comes from ad revenue (thank you for visiting my blog!) and brand partnerships.
I also earn through affiliate marketing, bonuses from Meta (yep — Facebook and Instagram actually pay me to create content!), online classes, freelance gigs — and yes, a sliver from cookbook sales.
So if cookbooks don’t pay the bills… why do I keep writing them?
Because they matter.
Because they’re legacy.
I write cookbooks for my children…to pass on our family recipes and memories.
For my mamá and abuela, whose stories and flavors deserve to be preserved.
For the culture I was raised in — the one that lives in my kitchen, my heart, and my writing.
They’re a labor of love. A time capsule. A love letter.
And yes, cookbooks open doors.
They’ve helped me land brand partnerships, media features, and speaking gigs.
But I don’t write books for the mula, I write them for the meaning.
In my next post, I’ll break down those income streams — how they work, how they grew, and what it really takes to turn content into cash.
That one will be for paid subscribers — because your girl’s gotta get paid for some of these secrets. 💁🏽♀️
(And hey, maybe next year, Substack will be a little sliver on that pie chart too.)
Got questions about how this all works behind the scenes?
Ask me anything — I’m truly an open book.
What are you most curious about when it comes to making mula online?
Show me the money! 💸 (cue Jerry Maguire voice)
Gracias for Reading
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Yvette Marquez
Blog: https://muybuenoblog.com/
Cookbooks: https://muybuenoblog.com/book/
Instagram: https://instagram.com/muybuenocooking/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/muybuenocookbook/