3 Mistakes Food Bloggers Make with Their Content
/Mistakes happen. They’re how we learn, and grow! But when it comes to growing a food blog, the fewer mistakes you can make, the better off you’ll be.
Over the last several years I’ve had the privilege to work with dozens of food bloggers both well-established and new, and in that time there are a few mistakes that I see come up again and again.
Don’t worry! I’ve got you covered. Let’s dive into 3 of the most common mistakes I see food bloggers make and how you can avoid them.
Mistake #1: Not Having a Clear Niche
In the days of early blogging, it wasn’t uncommon for a single blog to cover topics ranging from gluten-free eating to parenting to DIY hacks. However, now that the online world has gotten much more competitive, doing so will only hold you back.
Instead, the best practice is to pick a specific niche and hammer down on content. In the world of food blogging, this is particularly easy!
No matter what you choose, start your blog by building on the basics including “how-to” guides, simple sauces, spreads, and mixes, and staple recipes found in the average household like chicken broth or chocolate chip cookies.
This not only establishes your authority quickly, but it also provides lots of opportunities for interlinking as you become more established. Which is really important!
Mistake #2: Omitting SEO
In my experience, most food bloggers get into the industry because they love cooking. As a result, they often skip over the basics of blog building, opting to build their social presence and just get their posts out there.
Obviously, I’m biased, but this is a huge mistake. Not only is social media unpredictable but there’s no point in putting all the work into running a blog not to rank in terms of SEO!
If you’re not sure where to begin, online courses like Cooking with Keywords, audits from SEO experts like Casey Markee or HashtagJeff, or working with an experienced food content writer (like me) is a great way to get started quickly!
Mistake #3: Trying To Do Too Much
While they can be hugely profitable, well-oiled machines, starting and running a successful food blog is hard work. There are endless moving parts and lots of opportunities to grow.
I’m a huge advocate for getting your content on as many platforms as possible, especially with the help of a social media manager. However, I do not recommend doing so all at once!
Instead, I suggest that bloggers start with just one or two things and build from there. My list of recommendations, in order of importance, is as follows:
SEO and consistent publishing on your blog.
Building an e-mail list.
Building a presence on your social media platform of choice (Instagram, TikTok, YouTube).
Scheduling content on Pinterest.
Generating income through sponsorships and affiliate links.
Building out passive income in the form of ebooks, courses, etc.
Finally, remember, you don’t (and shouldn’t) have to do it all! Do not compare yourself to some of the giant food bloggers you see who seem to have everything all under control. Chances are, they have a team.
In my opinion, one of the smartest and easiest ways to grow your blog and income in a sustainable way is to do so with the help of freelancers like food content writers and social media managers. Pick what you love to do, focus on that, and slowly outsource the rest! Your mental health will thank you.
Looking for help managing your blog? I can help with my food content writing and social media packages. Reach out to me, and let’s chat to see if we would be a good fit!