The Food Blogger Pro Podcast

Turning older content into revenue and structuring your content for discoverability with Sandie Markle of Blueberri. ----- Welcome to episode 525 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Sandie Markle from Blueberri. Unlocking the Hidden Value of Your Recipe Content with Sandie Markle of Blueberri In this episode, Sandie Markle shares her journey from working at SideChef to launching her own venture, Blueberri. She and Bjork dive into the evolving world of food content creation, especially how creators can structure their content to boost visibility, make it more discoverable on different platforms, and turn old recipes into new revenue. Sandie also sheds light on the unique value that nano and micro influencers bring to brand partnerships. They also unpack how creators can tap into licensing opportunities, work with tech companies, and even use overlooked platforms like LinkedIn to find new gigs. Whether it’s understanding the worth of a single recipe or building smart, non-traditional income streams, this episode is full of practical advice for creators who want to make more from the content they already have. Three episode takeaways: Your Old Content is Still Gold:Structure = Discoverability (and Dollars!):Partnerships, Platforms, and Knowing Your Worth: Resources: BlueberriSandie’s Substack, Blueberri PiBlueberri — Tech Partnerships PlaybookLinkedInLinkedInInstagramShoot Sandie an email!Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Creating multiple revenue streams, making $100 a day from affiliate revenue, and committing to consistent content creation with Mary Smith from Mary's Whole Life. ----- Welcome to episode 524 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Mary Smith from Mary’s Whole Life. How Mary Smith Uses Her 500k Instagram Followers to Monetize Across Platforms This week is our third (and final!) episode in our mini-series with Grocers List. In this episode, we chat with a gluten-free food creator who’s built an incredible business by staying consistent, continually learning, and always looking for new ways to serve her audience. Today, Mary gets over 600,000 monthly blog page views and brings in revenue through ads, affiliate links, and brand partnerships. She shares more about her Instagram strategy (with over 500k followers), including her tips for viral Reels, how she uses Grocers List to capture emails, make deep links, and customize meal plans, and how working with a management company has transformed her brand partnerships. Three episode takeaways: How to be intentional with your affiliate strategy and deep linkingHow to use tools to bring social followers into your email ecosystemHow to make weekly meal plans for your email listwith Resources: Mary’s Whole LifeMediavineRaptiveReels for Food Creators CourseBailey Campbell on InstagramWhat Molly MadeTastemaker ConferenceCanvaEtsy How Recipe Creators Can Increase Affiliate Sales With Amazon Deep Links The Food Blogger Pro Podcast: Maximizing Affiliate Revenue with Deep LinkingEcko Digital MediaApplegateJovial FoodsInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Grocers List. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Leveraging social media and your email list to make your content work smarter with Ben Jabbawy from Grocers List. ----- Welcome to episode 523 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Ben Jabbawy from Grocers List. Turning Followers into Revenue with Ben Jabbawy from Grocers List In this week’s episode, we’re continuing with our Grocers List mini-series with Ben Jabbawy, the founder of Grocers List! He’ll dive deep into how creators can truly leverage social media — not just for likes, but for real, tangible growth. The key is to shift your mindset from surface-level content to strategic storytelling that drives your business forward. You’ll also hear about why email lists are a creator’s secret weapon. While algorithms change, your direct connection with your audience shouldn’t. Building a list gives you control over your communication and creates consistent revenue opportunities. Plus, he’ll unpack how to make your content work smarter by using automation, repurposing assets, and minimizing the busywork that slows creators down. You won’t want to miss this episode! Three episode takeaways: Social media can be used to build a business:Email lists are a creator’s best friend:Make your content work smarter, not harder. Resources: Grocers ListPrivyLexi’s Clean Kitchen Episode 518 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: How Molly Thompson Grew Her Email List from 15K to 100K Episode 516 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Diversifying Income Series: Monetizing Your Email List with Matt MolenEpisode 201 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast Episode 229 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Email Marketing – Strategies for Bloggers with Allea GrummertEpisode 288 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Email for Bloggers – Maximizing the Value of Your Email List with Allea Grummert Episode 398 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: The Importance of Surveying Your Audience with Email with Allea Grummert Episode 475 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Grow Your Email List and Connect with Your Audience with Allea Grummert Episode 505 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Maximizing Affiliate Revenue with Deep Linking Ecommerce Marketing School podcastInstagramhere.Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by Grocers List. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Making Instagram work smarter for your business, repurposing old content, and making the most out of DM automation tools with Lindsay Ostrom from Pinch of Yum. ----- Welcome to episode 522 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week, Bjork interviews Lindsay Ostrom from Pinch of Yum. How Pinch of Yum Uses Instagram to Grow Their Email List Welcome to the kickoff episode of our new mini-series, sponsored by Grocers List! In this conversation, Bjork and Lindsay are diving into how Pinch of Yum is rethinking its Instagram strategy, especially when it comes to using Reels, DM automation tools, and driving email list growth. They chat about how to balance creativity with conversion, and Lindsay shares why her opinion of DM automation tools has completely changed over time. Lindsay also gets into the nitty-gritty of repurposing blog content and using Grocers List as a strategic bridge to get Instagram followers into the email ecosystem. If you’re looking to work smarter with your content and make Instagram actually work for your business, this episode is for you! Three episode takeaways: How to repurpose old contentPinch of Yums’ current Instagram process and strategyHow to make the most out of DM for automation tools Resources: Pinch of YumSkinnytasteGrocers ListGrace and Vine Studios22 Healthy Freezer Meals (That You’ll Actually Love) Freezer Meals Instagram PostInstagramPinterestJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Grocers List. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Scaling a Brand, Navigating Burnout, and Finding Your Why with Joanie Simon of The Bite Shot. ----- Welcome to episode 521 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Joanie Simon from The Bite Shot. Joanie Simon of The Bite Shot on Scaling, Burnout, and Finding Joy Again In this week’s episode, Joanie gets real about the not-so-glamorous side of turning a creative passion into a full-on business. She shares how her love for food photography grew into something much bigger (and messier!) than she expected, from hiring a team to navigating the financial and emotional rollercoaster that comes with scaling. Spoiler: it wasn’t always smooth sailing, but it was 100% worth the ride! We also explore the tricky balance between staying creative and keeping up with the structure a business demands. Joanie opens up about burnout, the pressure to please everyone, and how she lost touch with her audience along the way. Through mentoring, self-care, and redefining what success actually looks like, she’s found her way back to her “why” — and she’s sharing what that process really looked like. Three episode takeaways: Growth can be messy, but so worth the effort!The tug of war between creativity and structureHow Joanie reconnected with her why: Resources: The Bite ShotJoanie’s food blog, The Dinner Bell Company of One by Paul Jarvis The Art of Possibility by Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander “The Story of the Chinese Farmer” by Alan WattsInstagramYouTubeJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Pitching, writing, publishing, and marketing a cookbook with Erin Clarke from Well Plated by Erin. ----- Welcome to episode 520 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Erin Clarke from Well Plated by Erin. What It Really Takes to Publish a Cookbook with Erin Clarke from Well Plated by Erin In this episode, we are thrilled to welcome back Erin Clarke (after 9 years!!!) to dive into the behind-the-scenes journey of traditionally publishing a cookbook — from developing the recipes and managing timelines to copy-editing and more. Erin opens up about how she balanced her cookbook projects with her ongoing blog work, as well as the challenges and rewards of publishing a cookbook. Bjork and Erin also chat about the marketing side of cookbook creation — how Erin mapped out the social media strategy for her cookbook promotion, why she crafted all of her captions in advance, and how she documented the entire cookbook process on social media to create excitement and drive sales. Erin emphasizes that cookbook writing shouldn’t be motivated by money but by a passion for cookbooks and the long-term brand legitimacy and awareness that these books help build. Three episode takeaways: The cookbook proposal is your blueprintCookbook writing is a long gameHow to develop recipes that workand Resources: Well Plated by Erin Rebranding Your Blog with Erin Clarke from Well PlatedAverySkinnytasteTen SpeedRodaleWell, Actually…from Erin Clarke of Well Plated The Well Plated Cookbook Well Plated Every DayInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The power of consistency, community, and time management with Christina Leopold from Addicted to Dates. ----- Welcome to episode 519 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Christina Leopold from Addicted to Dates. How Christina Leopold of Addicted to Dates Turned Content into Community and Hit 550K Followers This week’s episode dives deep into the journey of food blogger Christina Leopold, who built and scaled her brand, Addicted to Dates. Her story is packed with gold for anyone looking to grow their online gig. One of the biggest takeaways? Consistency is key, but working smarter with your content is essential for staying sane. Christina also spills the tea on turning her passion into a full-time hustle. She had to get down to business with things like SEO and figuring out how to make money. Plus, she emphasizes the power of knowing your worth and when to bring in some extra hands. Finally, we chat about the importance of connecting with your community and fellow creators. It’s all about building those authentic relationships and learning from each other! Three episode takeaways: Consistency and repurposing are your best friends:Treat your blog like a business (because it is!):How connections can fuel growth: Resources: Addicted to DatesLofi Girl YouTube channelBuy Back Your Time by Dan Martell Submit an application here!InfluenceKitthis linkGrocers ListEmail Christina!InstagramTikTokPinterestJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by Clariti. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Surveying your audience, building effective lead magnets, and staying consistent with emails with Molly Thompson from What Molly Made. ----- Welcome to episode 518 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Molly Thompson from What Molly Made. How Molly Thompson Grew Her Email List from 15K to 100K Tired of the ever-changing Google algorithms, Molly Thompson decided to lean into email marketing a few years ago and has since developed a super effective four-part system for growing her email list. In this episode, Bjork and Molly delve into Molly’s strategies for growing her email list from 15,000 to 100,000 subscribers within a year (and how that has led to an increase of 300,000 pageviews every month!). Molly shares her insights on repurposing content across platforms, surveying her audience for pain points, using her website as a central hub, and her strategies for driving traffic back to her site. Three episode takeaways: Resources: Molly ThompsonKitWP Recipe MakerGrocers ListManyChatTastemaker ConferenceInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Crafting a brand with meaning and scaling a business with Shen Chen from Just One Cookbook. ----- Welcome to episode 517 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Shen Chen, who jointly runs the English-language Japanese food blog Just One Cookbook with his wife Nami. Preserving Tradition While Scaling a Modern Business with Shen Chen from Just One Cookbook This week on the podcast, Bjork sits down with Shen Chen — one-half of the powerhouse duo behind Just One Cookbook. Shen shares the behind-the-scenes story of how a humble food blog grew into a multifaceted business, spanning YouTube, e-commerce, and digital memberships. He talks about the impact of shifting traffic trends, how COVID–19 changed the game, and why sometimes a business pivot isn’t just smart—it’s necessary. Shen also opens up about his newest venture: a brand inspired by Japanese craftsmanship and cultural preservation. From navigating the complexities of physical products to using social media and SEO to fuel organic growth, this episode is packed with practical tips and thoughtful insights for anyone looking to build a meaningful, resilient business. You won’t want to miss this episode! Three episode takeaways: From Food Blog to Full-Fledged Business:Crafting a Brand with Meaning:What It Really Takes to Scale a Business: Resources: Just One CookbookTasty Food Photography by Lindsay Ostrom1,000 True Fans by Kevin KellyMember MousehereShopify Episode 481 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Maximizing the Impact of Your Email List with Nathan Barry from KitThe Billion Dollar Creator Podcast, hosted by Nathan Barry and Rachel Rodgers Stainless Steel Prep Trays - JOC GoodsJOC PLUS MembershipJOC Goods — the Just One Cookbook storeJust One CookbookJOC GoodsJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Growing and nurturing your email list, understanding your subscribers' needs, and creating lead magnets with Matt Molen from Email Crush. ----- Welcome to episode 516 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Matt Molen, the CEO of Email Crush. Diversifying Income Series: Monetizing Your Email List with Matt Molen In this episode, Matt shares email marketing principles and why it’s one of the most powerful tools bloggers often overlook. He breaks down how to grow your list, why your subscribers are more valuable than you think, and how email can become a key revenue stream if you do it right! Matt also offers practical tips on creating convert lead magnets, writing emails people want to read, and building trust through simple, effective sequences. Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to level up, this interview is packed with email strategies you can start using today! Three episode takeaways: Email marketing that actually pays off:How to build (and nurture) your list with intention:Consistency and value drive results: Resources: Email CrushMarketBeatEmailCrush’s Email Profitability CalculatorMatt’s course, Email on AutopilotEmail Matt!Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by Clariti. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Build relationships that last with brands, simplify brand outreach, and develop confidence in your offerings with Candice Ward from Eat More Cake ----- Welcome to episode 515 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! For part three of our Diversifying Income Series, Bjork interviews Candice Ward from Eat More Cake. Diversifying Income Series: Working with Brands In today’s crowded content landscape, with the rise of AI, increased competition, and more user-generated content, Candice shares how she built a stable business by diversifying her income and getting strategic with brand partnerships. This episode breaks down Candice’s three-pillar approach to building relationships with brands: crafting a strong offer, getting more eyeballs on that offer, and—most importantly—learning how to sell your offer. She shares practical tips for using analytics to evolve your offerings, developing an email sequence that gets responses, and how to pitch brands with purpose. This episode will make you excited to rethink your brand partnership strategy — don’t miss it! Three episode takeaways: Why you should be using the offer/market/sales framework for brand pitchingSimple ways to use weekly workflows to make real connections with brandsHow to build confidence in pitching Resources: Eat More Cake by Candice310: The Confident Pitch – How to Naturally Build Relationships with Brands with Candice WardRaptiveMediavinePinch of YumMALK OrganicLinkedInSuperhumanMixmaxConfident Pitch ProgramBrand Magnet: How to Stand Out and Land Brand Deals as a Food Creator in 2025InstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Making decisions about diversifying your business and launching and running a cooking camp for kids with Jess Smith from Inquiring Chef. ----- Welcome to episode 514 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! For part two of our Diversifying Income Series, Bjork interviews Jess Smith from Inquiring Chef. Diversifying Income Series: Cooking Classes Jess Smith launched her blog, Inquiring Chefs, in 2010 and has slowly but steadily transformed it into a thriving multi-six-figure business. In recent years, she’s expanded her income streams by publishing her debut cookbook, Start with a Vegetable, and launching Inquiring Chef Academy, which offers popular in-person cooking summer camps for kids in Kansas City. In this episode, Bjork and Jess dive into the origins of Inquiring Chef Academy, exploring why and how Jess decided to add an in-person experience to her brand. Jess’s summer camps are a massive hit (with the 2025 sessions selling out in just a few hours), and they’ve reignited her passion for food blogging. Even if in-person cooking classes aren’t your thing, this episode will provide fresh insights on diversifying your income and your creative outlets — you won’t want to miss it! Three episode takeaways: How to make decisions about diversifying your businessThe logistics of running your own cooking classesHow to launch cooking classes Resources: Inquiring ChefCook SmartsSnackdivePembeeStripeThe Faux MarthaCanvaStart with a VegetableInquiring Chef AcademyInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by Clariti. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Generating recurring revenue through membership sites, the power of community, and how to scale your business with multiple income streams. ----- Welcome to episode 513 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Adam Sobel. Diversifying Income Series: Membership Sites with Adam Sobel In this week’s episode, Adam Sobel of Cinnamon Snail shares his journey from owning a restaurant to launching successful online cooking classes after the pandemic. He reveals how building a loyal community was key to his growth, along with using content marketing, lead magnets, and split testing to attract and convert customers. Adam also dives into how paid ads and staying adaptable in the digital world have been essential to his success. It doesn’t stop there! Adam will also talk about scaling his business with multiple income streams, including membership programs and free offers, while automating key processes to generate steady revenue. Tune in for actionable insights on growing your business in today’s digital age! Three episode takeaways: From Restaurant to Online Success: After the pandemic hit, Adam made a big shift from owning a restaurant to teaching cooking classes online. He quickly realized that building a strong community and customer loyalty was key to his growth. Smart Digital Strategies: Content marketing, lead magnets, and split testing became game-changers for Adam. He also dives into how paid ads and constantly adapting to the digital world have been crucial for attracting and converting customers. Scaling with Multiple Income Streams: By offering membership programs and leveraging free offers, Adam’s been able to create a steady stream of revenue. Automation has also helped simplify his business, making it easier to generate income while focusing on what matters most. Resources: Cinnamon SnailOpen Broadcaster Software (OBS)KitSamCartClickFunnelsThriveCartThe Ad Lab Method course by Josh CoffyThe Ecommerce Alley podcastFacebook’s Advantage+ shopping campaignsGillian Perkins’s podcast: Work Less, Earn MoreRussell Brunson’s podcast, The Russell Brunson ShowMighty NetworksCircleInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Cookie Finance. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Balancing creativity and consistency, maximizing productivity, and navigating food trends with RIz Asad from Chocolates and Chai. ----- Welcome to episode 512 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Rizwan Asad from Chocolates and Chai. How to Balance Creativity and Consistency in Blogging This week, we’re chatting with Riz from Chocolates and Chai, who shares some amazing insights on balancing creativity with monetization. It can feel like a compromise when you’re trying to make money from your blog, but Riz breaks down how ad revenue, affiliate marketing, and licensing can actually work together with your content without sacrificing quality! Riz also drops some valuable tips on staying efficient and consistent in your content creation. You’ll also hear him talk about how jumping on popular topics, like viral TikTok recipes, can really up your visibility and engagement. Lastly, we dive into the importance of finding your niche — understanding who your audience is and carving out a space that’s uniquely yours is the key to long-term success while staying true to your creative passion. You won’t want to miss this episode! Three episode takeaways: Balancing Creativity and Consistency: Finding the sweet spot between staying true to your creative vision and consistently putting out content is essential for long-term success. Building trust with your audience while keeping things fresh and true to your style is key here! Maximizing Productivity: If you’re juggling a full-time job or managing the pressures of blogging, Riz has been there and says that batching tasks and minimizing distractions can significantly boost your efficiency. Staying organized will help you keep the content flowing without burning out! Navigating Trends and Monetization: Keeping an eye on trends, like those on TikTok, can help boost your content’s visibility. And while monetizing a blog can feel tricky or like you’re compromising your creativity, finding a balance that allows you to make money while staying true to what you love doing is possible. Resources: Riz’s food blog, Chocolates and ChaiHow to Read a Recipe Post from Chocolates and ChaiEOS — Entrepreneurial Operating SystemDubai Chocolate Bar from Chocolates and Chai Fluffy Chocolate Pancakes from Chocolates and ChaiGoogle Year in Search 2023 Instagram ReelGoogle Year in Search 2023 YouTube Short Episode 505 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Maximizing Affiliate Revenue with Deep Linking Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World by Cal NewportSend Riz an email!InstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Cookie Finance. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Finding success as a personal brand, balancing creative work with financial sustainability, and leaving YouTube for Substack with Carla Lalli Music. ----- Welcome to episode 511 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Carla Lalli Music. The Cost of Content and Why Carla Lalli Music left YouTube Carla Lalli Music has been a fixture of food media for the last 15 years, including six years as the Food Director of Bon Appetit. You might also know Carla from her incredibly popular YouTube series, Carla’s Cooking Show, her two cookbooks (with a third one in the works!), or her Substack newsletter, Food Processing. In this interview, Carla dives into her recent viral Substack post about her decision to leave YouTube, including her transparent breakdown of the costs of creating content on YouTube (spoiler alert: she was losing money). Carla also explains more about why she doesn’t create recipes for SEO and how she uses connection with her audience as her north star when making business decisions. Three episode takeaways: How to find success as a personal brand The challenges of balancing creative work with financial sustainability — Despite the joy she (initially) found when making YouTube videos for her channel and a team she loved collaborating with, the financial reality of her video production costs ($3500 per video) and the declining and limited revenue from Google ads led Carla to reevaluate her place on the platform. In addition, the tight production schedule required to produce four high-quality recipe videos a month left Carla with little bandwidth to create content for Substack or her upcoming cookbook. How to recognize when something is no longer serving you or your business — After producing 177 full-length episodes for Carla’s Cooking Show, Carla’s decision to step away from YouTube was ultimately a choice based on finances, psychological toll, limited bandwidth, and diminishing returns. Carla and Bjork discuss the sustainability of content creation on platforms like YouTube and how creators have to analyze what is moving the needle in their business and, ultimately, what kind of creator they want to be. Resources: Carla Lalli MusicFood ProcessingBon AppetitOmega The True Costs of Being on YouTubeThat Sounds So Good: 100 Real-Life Recipes for Every Day of the Week: A CookbookInstagramYouTubeJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Reinventing your brand, transitioning from self-publishing to traditional publishing, and developing a cookbook for a fan base with Chelsea Cole from A Duck's Oven. ----- Welcome to episode 510 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, we are welcoming back Chelsea Cole from A Duck’s Oven. Publishing a Fan Cookbook for A Court of Thorns and Roses This is Chelsea’s third (!!!) appearance on the podcast and we’re thrilled to have her back. In her previous two interviews, she has shared her wisdom on self-publishing and creating content within her sous-vide niche. But today she is back on the podcast with a bit of a 180 — to discuss her first traditionally published cookbook in a totally different niche — a fan cookbook for the A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR) series. In this interview, Bjork and Chelsea discuss cookbook publishing and how it can be a part of your overall business strategy. Chelsea also shares how she chose the subject matter for her new cookbook and what it was like to write and develop a cookbook for a (very devoted) fan base, all while giving birth to and raising her first child! Chelsea also explains more about the royalty structure for cookbooks, how cookbooks can be a source of passive income for food creators, and how she is thinking about her current reinvention as a food creator. Three episode takeaways: How to negotiate your cookbook contractHow to approach testing new ideas with your audienceThe pros and cons of self-publishing versus traditional publishing Resources: A Duck’s Oven A Feast of Thorns and Roses: The Unofficial Cookbook of a Court of Thorns and Roses187: How to Self-Publish Your Own Cookbook with Chelsea Cole364: Self-Publishing a Cookbook as an Online Food Creator with Chelsea Cole Everyday Sous Vide: It’s All French to MeSous Vide Meal PrepThe Cookbook Lab The Unofficial Sims Cookbook: From Baked Alaska to Silly Gummy Bear Pancakes, 85+ Recipes to Satisfy the Hunger NeedA Court of Thorns and RosesThe Ekus Group 391: Behind the Scenes of the Cookbook Publishing Process with Sally EkusInsight EditionsSimon & SchusterThe Personal MBA Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative BattlesSnackdiveInstagramFacebookJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by KeySearch and Clariti. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Prioritizing providing authentic value to your readers, updating old content, and choosing the right marketing channels for your content with Elena Davis from Cucina by Elena. ----- Welcome to episode 509 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Elena Davis from Cucina by Elena. Creating Reader-First Content and Growing to 800,000 Monthly Page Views with Elena Davis We are so excited to welcome back Elena Davis to the podcast this week. When we first chatted with Elena in 2022, she had just hit 100,000 page views and qualified for Mediavine. Three years later, Elena’s site, Cucina by Elena, gets over 800,000 monthly page views! But her journey to get there has not been without it’s challenges. In this interview, Elena catches us up on the last few years of her business — including a major traffic decline in 2023 (and how she recovered from it) and how her mindset around her business, and the value she provides to her community, has changed. Three episode takeaways: Resources: Cucina by Elena372: How Elena Davis Went From 20k to 100k+ Monthly Pageviews and Got Accepted Into MediavineTopHatRankClariti Traditional Panettone RecipeKitManychatGrocer’s ListPinch of YumSimply RecipesInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Understanding active passive income, creating authentic content, and navigating brand partnerships with Britney-Brown Chamberlain from Britney Breaks Bread. ----- Welcome to episode 508 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Britney Brown-Chamberlain from Britney Breaks Bread. How Britney-Brown Chamberlain Grew Her Food Blog to a $20K/month Business This week’s podcast features Britney Brown-Chamberlain of Britney Breaks Bread, who shares her inspiring journey from a $200/month blog to a $20,000/month business. Britney discusses the strategic approach to “active passive income,” offering practical advice on SEO, trend analysis, and maximizing online revenue. Britney also dives into the power of authenticity and how it plays a huge role in building a loyal following. She shares her social media strategies, how she balances creating content she loves with what her audience craves, and the importance of high-quality content that reflects her unique style. Plus, she goes beyond blogging and talk cookbooks (yep, she wrote one!), brand partnerships, and the difference between marketing content vs. a physical product. Be sure to tune in to learn more about how to take your blog to the next level! Three episode takeaways: How Britney Went From $200 to $20k: Britney shares her journey from a $200/month side project to a $20,000/month business, highlighting the importance of strategic planning and execution. She discusses the concept of “active passive income” and how it has fueled her success, along with practical tips for SEO, keyword research, and capitalizing on seasonal trends. The Power of Authenticity: Britney emphasizes the critical role of authentic content creation in building a loyal audience. She also explores the importance of social media marketing, email list building, and fostering genuine engagement to expand reach and cultivate a thriving community. Going Beyond the Blog: Beyond blogging, Britney discusses her experiences with writing a cookbook, navigating brand partnerships, and the nuances of product versus content marketing. She’ll also dive into the importance of continuous learning and adaptation in the ever-evolving digital landscape. Resources: Britney Breaks BreadSweet Tea and ThymeMedia WyseTop Hat RankEpisode 360 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: How Eden Westbrook Shifted Her Mindset and Became a Full-Time Food BloggerInterview with Eden and Arson 11:10February’s Live Q&A with Casey Markee: State of SEOKeySearchSemrushBake from Scratch Magazine Episode 502 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Finance Mini-Series: How to Become a Sponsor Magnet with Justin MooreSponsor Magnet by Justin MooreBritney’s cookbook, Bake Until Golden BrownInstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by KeySearch. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Building a full-time business as a food creator over the course of eight years, understanding your 'why,' and meeting your goals with Alexandra Shytsman from The New Baguette. ----- Welcome to episode 507 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Alexandra Shytsman from The New Baguette. Key Strategies for Taking Your Blog Full-Time In this podcast episode, Alexandra shares the ins and outs of becoming a full-time food creator and her reflections on what she would have done differently to meet her goals more quickly if she had the chance to start over. Alexandra breaks down the strategies and decisions that have moved the needle over the years — from projecting expenses and investing in courses or audits to building a community of fellow food creators and batching your time. It’s a really practical and inspiring episode for beginner food bloggers looking to take your food blog to the next level! Three episode takeaways: Resources: The New BaguetteMediavineQuickBooksMonarchStart with why – Simon Sinek | TEDxPugetSound390: Overcoming Burnout and Building a Successful Career as a Food Creator with Karishma PradhanHome Cooking CollectiveCurblyNotionMedia WyseCooking with KeywordsFBP Rewind: How to Increase Your Organic Traffic with Keyword Research with Aleka ShunkKeySearchInstagramSubstackEmail AlexandraJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by KeySearch. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Understanding Reddit's community dynamics, Reddit posting strategies, and how to maintain a work-life balance with Jacqueline Schell. ----- Welcome to episode 506 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Jacqueline Schell from Crafty Cookbook. How to Grow Your Audience as a Food Creator on Reddit In this episode, Jacqueline Schell from Crafty Cookbook talks all about how to navigate the world of content creation on Reddit and how to connect with like-minded people by engaging with established communities. Jacqueline also shares why authenticity is essential (Redditors are all about genuine content!), but balancing that with strategic posting can help boost your visibility. And if you struggle with time management at all, we’ve got you covered — Jacqueline will talk about how conducting time audits, setting aside dedicated time for side projects, and using mobile tools can keep you productive without burning out. Whether you’re posting on Reddit or balancing a busy content creation schedule, Jacqueline’s advice will help you stay on track and organized! Don’t miss out on this episode for practical tips on growing your online presence and keeping your workflow efficient. ✨ Three episode takeaways: Reddit’s Unique Community Dynamics: Reddit offers a unique space for content creation, but understanding Subreddit rules, community norms, and moderator roles is key. Engaging with established communities can give you valuable feedback and help grow your presence. Authenticity & Strategy Matter: Redditors appreciate personal, authentic posts, so focus on being genuine with your content. At the same time, keep in mind that strategic posting can boost visibility, and securing a subreddit name can be a smart branding move. Maintaing a Work-Life Balance as a Content Creator: Time management is crucial for content creators. Conducting time audits, scheduling side projects, and utilizing mobile tools can help you stay productive and maintain a work-life balance. Resources: Jacqueline’s blog, Crafty CookbookRedditThe r/food subredditThe r/JapaneseFood subreddit, which Jacqueline helps moderate!The r/sushi subreddit, which Jacqueline also helps moderate!The r/soup subredditClaritiThe r/smoking subredditThe r/BBQ subredditHarvest time trackingSubmit your questions for Bjork for an upcoming podcast episode here!InstagramJoin the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.