Are you new to food blogging? Overwhelmed and trying to figure it all out? Keep reading to learn My Top 20 Food Blogging Tips For Beginners!
I’m often asked if I have any food blogging tips for beginners. I know it can be extremely overwhelming at first! So I’ve come up with a list of my top 20 tips.
I wish someone had told me these things when I was first starting out. I’m no expert, and there are many out there who have been doing this a lot longer than I have.
These are just tips from my experiences over the past decade, and you can take them for whatever they’re worth. What has worked for me might not work for you.
My Top 20 Food Blogging Tips For Beginners
1. Be Patient and Persistent
When I began this blog in 2009, Julie and Julia was out in theaters. I had read the book a year earlier. Food blogging was becoming more mainstream, but it was NOTHING like it is today. People were blogging primarily for fun, not money.
Last I checked, there was some ridiculous statistic like 160,000 new food blogs starting every day. If your goal is to turn a profit, you are entering a FLOODED market.
Buckle up and get ready to work harder than you think. It will be frustrating, and success will not happen overnight. Burnout happens to all of us. This requires patience and persistence.
2. Do Research
I strongly suggest researching the following before you start: blogging platforms (I recommend self-hosted WordPress), hosting companies, types of food blogs, food photography, editing software, how to shoot videos, best social media practices, SEO, and copyright infringement.
You don’t need to be an expert in these things, but you should have at least a novice understanding of them.
I’ve learned a lot about SEO from a monthly course with Hashtag Jeff. I highly recommend it; my traffic has improved dramatically since I began working with him. (Note: this is an affiliate link).
3. Have a Plan
Have a vision for your blog that feels representative of you. Come up with a name, design, and photography style that embodies what you love.
Make sure your site name isn’t under trademark, and that the domain and all relevant social media platforms are available (Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Twitter).
If you really want to plan ahead, have numerous posts ready when your site goes live.
4. Know Your Elevator Pitch & Intended Audience
Listen, I hate the term elevator pitch. However, it serves a purpose here. You don’t need to robotically state the same thing every time someone asks what your blog is about, but you need to be able to express your vision clearly.
If you’re not clear, no one will care. Know exactly who you’re trying to reach in your posts. Write like you’re talking to that person. Hello, person!
5. Have a Clean, Easy-To-Navigate Website
Have an easy-to-navigate menu bar and recipe index. Make your recipes searchable and easy to find. Get rid of any unnecessary banners and junk in the sidebar.
Stop linking to places that aren’t on your blog unless you’re sharing relevant posts or research-related content. Why would you want people to visit your Foodgawker gallery? Keep readers on your site! Make sure to use clean, easy-to-read fonts.
6. You Need To Spend Money To Make Money
I understand how difficult it is to invest money in something that’s not yet turning a profit. However, there are many instances where cutting corners will harm your ability to earn revenue, so it’s worth investing up front.
Example: hosting companies. Do not use a $10 per month hosting company like BlueHost. Why? You get what you pay for, and they are going to kill your site load time. That, in turn, will kill your Google SEO ranking, which will negatively impact your traffic and ad revenue (once you have ads).
Invest in a solid hosting company that doesn’t throttle your bandwidth. (PS- Are you on a food blog that’s recommending BlueHost? Is it an affiliate link? Think about that for a moment before trusting their recommendation.)
I’m not saying you have to go nuts. But don’t be cheap, either. I’m using WordPress-VPS. The cheapest available option is $50 per month, but it’s worth it..
7. Build Your Fan Base
Once your blog is live, you need to work on building a foundation of solid content and an audience. This takes time. Post regularly to your social media platforms, even if it feels like you’re shouting into a black hole, and engage with whoever is listening.
Once you connect with an audience, be there for them. Answer questions, help with troubleshooting, and always be kind and patient (even if it feels difficult sometimes when people are rude).
8. Rewrite Adapted Recipes
If you’re going to adapt a recipe, you MUST take the time to rewrite the instructions. You should also reorganize the ingredient list a bit if possible. This is a common rookie mistake.
It doesn’t take long to do. Not only does it upset recipe developers who spend time coming up with their own wording, but it can potentially harm the page ranking of their website AND YOUR WEBSITE in Google’s search results. Everyone loses if you don’t rewrite, including you.
9. Credit And Link Your Sources
If you adapt a recipe, you need to credit and link to the original author. Adapting doesn’t make it yours. Your mother taught you not to steal. Don’t steal. Check out my tomato bisque for an example of how I link to the original source.
The same goes for photography; don’t post a photo from someone else without crediting and linking (bonus points if you ask, but most bloggers are pretty laid back about this. Other food websites might not be).
Don’t crop it or add an overlay without permission, either.
10. Post Quality Content
Be consistent with your recipe formatting. Write clear instructions and don’t abbreviate. Consistency will make people feel comfortable. Proofread! Mistakes happen to the best of us.
If a recipe is bad or just ok, don’t post it. Rework it. If someone tries one of your recipes and they don’t like it, chances are they’re not going to trust you again. They might spread the word.
Want to take these tips to the next level? I’m now offering monthly one-on-one food blogger mentorships! Learn more over on Patreon.
11. Make It Easy To Share
You want people to share your content, right? Make it easy. Offer ways for people to share within your posts, such as Pinterest buttons and various other social media icons.
Embed a hidden Pinterest collage in your post. Share new content across all of your social media platforms.
12. Link Within Your Own Site
This is another way to encourage people to stick around. Link to older posts! Did you know I have a delicious yellow cake recipe? See what I did there?
13. Network With Other Bloggers
Networking can be an extremely helpful part of growth. Reach out to other bloggers whose work you admire or who share your niche. Make friends. Comment on blogs.
Attend a conference if that sounds interesting to you. I highly recommend starting with a smaller conference that has less attendees so you have a chance of getting to know more people.
There are a ton of Facebook groups devoted to brainstorming ideas and sharing new content on social media. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. (On the flip side, don’t take advantage. Spread out those questions, be willing to learn on your own as well).
14. Food Photography (and Editing) Matters
You need to make your recipes look appetizing. Having mediocre food photography isn’t an option anymore, not when there’s so much competition. Learn to use your camera and ditch the “auto” setting. Learn to use Adobe CC or something similar.
There are tons of free tutorials online. For beginners, I’m a fan of the book Plate to Pixel by Helene Dujardin. If you are more of a visual learner, Lynda.com has fantastic video tutorials.
If you live in the MD/DC/VA area, I teach lessons! I’m planning on adding tutorials to the blog soon as well. Stay tuned.
15. Let People Get To Know You
People want to know you. I’m a bit shy and introverted in real life; it took me a long time to post a photo of myself on the blog. For years I was still hiding half of my face behind large sunglasses.
Readers want to know who you are. They also like responses to comments and questions. Make sure you have a plugin set up where they get an email response to their comment.
16. Don’t Be a Sell Out
It’s a rush when you first start hearing from PR companies and brands who want to work with you. Do not sell out yourself or your readers for a free pound of sugar. Don’t even do it for money.
You are worth so much more.
Figure out what type of brands align with your content, how much you want to charge and on what conditions. Always keep the copyright, never give away the RAW images.
If the brand is not authentic to who you are, you will lose your audience (or fail to build one). Do not blog about how you don’t eat carbs and then write a sponsored post for Hot Pockets. People will see through that.
17. Remember The Reader
I have ads. They’re a great way to earn passive income from traffic, and this is my primary source of income. However, I do my best not to go overboard, and I try to make sure that the ads aren’t invasive. I make sure there are no autoplay sounds on videos.
When I visit a website that floods me with ads, I usually leave. It negatively impacts the user experience. It also drastically slows down the load time. Always remember the reader.
18. Try New Things
I think that when you’re starting out, it’s a smart idea to check out what other bloggers are doing. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t try something completely new and unique! Be bold and daring.
Think you have a new idea? Be a trendsetter and let others follow you.
19. Comparison Is The Thief of Joy
Much easier said than done, right? Every creative person is guilty of comparing their work to others. I struggle with this constantly. That doesn’t mean it’s healthy. Go ahead, check in on what others are doing and try to feel inspired.
But you’re not them and they’re not you. No one will ever have your exact creative vision or be able to bring your personal life experiences into the puzzle.
You do you and try not to worry about what others are doing. Simply be inspired.
20. Love What You Do
When I’m excited about my recipes, my photos, and my work, it shines through everything I do. When I’m feeling burnt out, it shows.
Don’t be afraid to slow down when you need to, and be willing to reevaluate if your current strategy isn’t working (after you’ve tried that whole patience thing I discussed earlier).
Additional Resources
(Note: These are NOT affiliate links. I was not paid to promote these companies.)
Recommended Blogging Platform: WordPress.org
My Current Web Hosting: WordPress VPS
My Current Ad Network: Mediavine
My Current Technical Support: Grits Design
claire @ the realistic nutritionist says
This is SUCH AN AWESOME list, Jen!! I wish I had known half of this when I began. I have to second Cassie and say “BE YOURSELF.” there’s no one else like you, so use that to your blogging advantage!
Savory Simple says
Thank you! I agree with both of you. As I said in an earlier comment to someone, I’m pretty snarky and am often bitching about something or another on Twitter. I used to wonder if that was holding me back but it’s just who I am!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Great tips and links for newbies!
Laura says
Thank you for sharing these tips! Like others here, I’m just starting out. I have really been enjoying your blog – especially your consistent quality. It’s very generous of you to take time to share some advice!
fabiola@notjustbaked says
This is a great and useful post. I agree with all of them! Especially the RSS, and the heads up you gave me. It is essential! I find that bloggers are so loving when you are visiting their sire often and commenting. That is how I connected with many bloggers. And of course, twitter. The most favorite media for bloggers, that is what I hear and read everywhere.
Susan says
How nice & generous of you, Jen! I have also offered this piec of advice to novice blogers. Widen your central column and use the X-Large photo option. People will only read what we write if they’re enticed by our photos. Not every photo needs to be X-Large, but it helps attract attention and draw readers in when used judiciously.
Savory Simple says
An excellent tip!
Stephanie says
These are some really great tips. Food blogging is such a great community. ^_^ Thank you!
Katie @ Blonde Ambition says
Thanks for the tips! Glad to see I’m on the right track with a few of these, and I definitely learned a thing or two as well :)
Grubarazzi (@Grubarazzi) says
Great tips!
Amy E says
Thanks for the tips! My blog isn’t for food but some of your advice is universal :)
Amanda says
Thanks for such a well written and accessible list of tips for new bloggers. Starting out can be hard and the learning curve is very steep – simple advice on some of the basics is like gold dust. I’ll be sharing this on the Australian website for our national food blogging conference to help share the love. :-)
Savory Simple says
Well that sounds exciting! Send me a link when you do!
Hotly Spiced says
That’s such a good and comprehensive list. Very helpful. Thanks.
Lesley MacMichael says
Great tips and still useful for those not-so-new at blogging – I’ve had mine for almost two years. I too had no idea about the Link Within – so am very happy to have found this. One thing I did recently was to purchase some business cards very cheaply online (but they still look good) with just my blog details and email on it. I chose a template similar to my blog style and colour so there’s a link. People never remember your blog name and with all the hyphens, dots and dashes that are sometimes involved, it’s easier just to give out a little card. Having said that, I keep forgetting to give it to people!
Savory Simple says
Business cards are great! That’s especially useful if you live in a town with blogger happy hours (DC has a big one). I got mine from Moo Cards, they’re adorable :)
Laura says
I am not a new blogger (and I am happy to say I am good at most of these things) but this was still a fantastically useful post. And I wish more successful bloggers would stand up and say they get lots of rejections from the photo sites. It really helps to hear that. :)
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
What a brilliant list. I’ve been at if for two years next week and there were a few tips in there that I hadn’t heard.
I was so excited to get my first photo accepted by tastespotting I’d say I’ve got about a 1 in 4 record. You start to catch on to what they will and won’t accept after a while.
sally @ sallys baking addiction says
SO helpful Jen. Thank you for posting! I think of recipes when I’m going to bed at night and type them as a list into my phone. And I also try to network as much as possible. Best way to get your name out there!