Eat Blog Talk

In episode 696, Megan chats with Barbara Curry about how she launched a wildly successful second food blog that reached 100,000 monthly pageviews within months of starting. Barbara is the creator of Butter & Baggage and Easy Southern Desserts, where she shares her passion for approachable, home-cooked Southern recipes. She started Butter & Baggage in 2014, bringing decades of experience to help home cooks create delicious meals with confidence. In 2024, she launched Easy Southern Desserts to focus exclusively on indulgent, foolproof sweets inspired by Southern traditions. Through her blogs, she combines tested recipes with practical tips to make baking and cooking both stress-free and enjoyable. In this episode, you'll learn what it takes to start and grow a second blog while maintaining momentum with an existing one, including identifying a viable niche, gaining traffic and dividing your focus efficiently. Key points discussed include: - Identify a market gap before you begin: Barbara saw an untapped niche in Southern desserts and used her experience to fill it strategically. - Start with intention and strategy: From day one, she planned content, SEO, and marketing to get traffic fast without cannibalizing her first blog. - Leverage existing resources: She used her first blog's audience and email list to kick-start traffic and grow her second blog's email subscribers. - Be cautious with cross-linking: Barbara used no-follow links between blogs to stay in line with Google's link spam guidelines. - Focus on one platform at a time: She prioritized Pinterest over other social platforms to simplify her promotional efforts and increase traffic. - Utilize alternative traffic sources: Platforms like MSN, Flipboard, and Kit Creator Profiles brought early traffic boosts before Google rankings picked up. - Know when to outsource: Hiring help for writing, tech setup, Pinterest, and even cupcake decorating freed her to focus on what she does best. - Be realistic about the workload: Running two blogs is double the work—Barbara emphasizes the importance of efficiency, batching, and having a plan. Connect with Barbara Curry Website | Instagram

In episode 695, Jonathan Feniak walks us through the legal essentials every food blogger needs to confidently turn a blog into a full-time business while mitigating legal risks. Lead Attorney Jonathan Feniak is a driving force behind LLCAttorney.com with a mission to make quality legal guidance accessible to business owners and individuals across the United States. Specializing in asset protection, estate planning, and business formation, he provides practical solutions that empower clients to protect their assets and build strong legal foundations. In this episode, you'll learn the importance of setting up your blog as a business entity, how to protect your personal assets, and when should you get a trademark to protect your brand. Key points discussed include: - Why forming an LLC is smart for bloggers: Protects personal assets and establishes your blog as a legitimate business. - You can form an LLC affordably: Many bloggers can complete the process themselves without hiring a lawyer. - Don't mix personal and business finances: Keeping accounts separate is essential to maintain your legal protections. - Start with the right foundation: It's easier to build a solid business structure now than fix issues later. - Prepare for compliance challenges: What compliance challenges should entrepreneurs expect as they grow, and how can they prepare? - Trademarks protect your brand: Registering your blog's name adds an extra layer of security for your identity and content. - State-specific rules matter: Requirements for forming and maintaining an LLC vary by state—be sure to check yours. - You don't need to be perfect: Take small steps to gain clarity and protection; perfection isn't required to move forward. Connect with Jonathan Feniak Website | Instagram

Learn how to become more efficient and intentional by thoughtfully pairing two tasks together, without adding stress or hustle to your day. Today's episode is all about shifting your days with simple, intentional strategies. Instead of overwhelming yourself with frantic multitasking, I'm sharing easy ways to pair activities that naturally complement each other. These small changes have helped me be more productive, efficient, and energized without adding stress. I can't wait for you to try them and see how they transform your workflow too! Action Plan: 1 - Knock out admin work while walking on the treadmill: Use light movement to boost energy while getting through Slack messages, emails, or brainstorming. 2 - Connect with loved ones during outdoor walks: Reserve personal calls or voice messages for walk time to nurture relationships while getting fresh air and exercise. 3 - Learn while you do monotonous tasks: Listen to uplifting podcasts or audiobooks during chores like folding laundry or photo editing. 4 - Brainstorm creatively while cooking or cleaning: Use mindless tasks as prime time for content ideas and strategy sessions. 5 - Research trends while stretching or foam rolling: Pair body recovery time with quick social media trend research to spark new ideas. Get in touch with Megan below. Website | Instagram

In episode 693, Megan chats to Morgan Peaceman about building strong systems that support both content creation and content maintenance for food bloggers. Morgan Peaceman has been blogging for the last 6 years, but only really went all in as of 2023. Her approach to food blogging and recipe development comes from her love of quick and easy family friendly recipes, with fresh, simple ingredients that makes all her recipes accessible for the most novice of cooks. In this episode, you'll learn how to create sustainable systems for updating and publishing blog content while avoiding burnout and staying organized as a food blogger. Key points discussed include: - Build systems that support sustainability: Morgan shares how she structured her blog workflow to stay consistent without burning out, including tracking and updating older content regularly. - Use tools that align with your needs: From KeySearch and RankIQ to the lesser-known but powerful Thruuu, Morgan walks us through her preferred keyword research and optimization tools. - Track updates in a color-coded system: A clear Google Sheets setup using red, yellow, and green helps Morgan manage what's been updated, what's in progress, and what needs attention. - Lean on your community: Morgan emphasizes how finding a group of fellow creators, even through DMs, has been a game changer for support and motivation. - Invest intentionally in your business: Every year, Morgan makes one significant investment in her business—whether that's a branding shoot, SEO conference, or hiring help for social media. - Make your blog user-friendly: She reminds us how crucial it is to optimize recipe cards and surface key details at the top of posts to align with real user behavior. - Give yourself permission to rest: True rest is essential for longevity, and Morgan stresses how ignoring rest leads to burnout and illness. - Adapt your investments to what you need most right now: Prioritize what feels most urgent for your growth this year and allow your next steps to evolve accordingly. If You Loved This Episode… You'll love Episode 259: Deliver Quality to Your Users by Updating Your Old Content with Kathy Berget Connect with Morgan Peaceman Website | Instagram

In episode 692, Megan interviews James Baldwin from Raptive about strategies to increase your ad revenue, optimize your website for better performance, and tackle evolving challenges in the food blogging space—including AI content theft and third-party cookie changes. James and his team of ad performance experts work to help creators make as much money as possible by analyzing network data, troubleshooting ad issues, and designing ad strategies for industry-leading RPMs. James lives is Fargo, North Dakota with his wife and two kids and farms on the occasional summer/fall weekend. In this episode, you'll learn how to boost your ad earnings, make sense of RPM fluctuations, and future-proof your content strategy in a shifting digital landscape. Key points discussed include: - RPM Variations: U.S.-based traffic consistently earns higher RPMs than international traffic. Understanding audience geography is key to revenue forecasting. - Smart Ad Placement: Positioning ads in high-visibility areas of your recipe posts—especially where readers linger—can lead to significant income increases. - Words That Hurt Revenue: Terms like "download," "addicting," and "irresistible" may trigger brand safety concerns and reduce monetization potential. - Third-Party Cookie Changes: Though the future is still unfolding, Raptive is developing tools to ensure personalized ads remain effective. - Content that Wins: Google favors clear, user-friendly content with intuitive recipe navigation. Quality and reader value matter more than ever. - Fighting AI Content Theft: Raptive is actively identifying and combating AI-driven content theft and working with platforms like Pinterest to block monetization of stolen material. - Building Real Engagement: Authenticity, reader interaction, and community building are key to standing out—and staying relevant. Connect with James Baldwin Website | Instagram

Learn how to transform everyday experiences into powerful gifts by shifting your perspective and embracing gratitude, seeing the world through a lens of appreciation that can fundamentally change your life. Lately, I've been on a journey of uncovering hidden gifts in the most unexpected places - from physical signals in my body to tough conversations and challenging moments. In this episode, I'm sharing some of those discoveries and how they've helped me shift my perspective. Instead of getting weighed down by difficulties, I'm learning to see the world through a lens of appreciation and possibility. Action Plan: 1 - Receive Words as Gifts: Listen with curiosity, not defensiveness. 2 - Receive Challenges as Opportunities: See obstacles as pathways to personal growth. 3 - Receive People as Connection: Approach interactions with openness and potential. 4 - Receive Quiet Moments as Reflection: Pause and savor stillness in a busy world. 5 - Receive Your Body as a Miracle: Appreciate the constant, incredible work of your physical self. Get in touch with Megan below. Website | Instagram

In episode 690, Megan chats to Danielle Madden about how generative AI uses significant environmental resources and how content creators can use the technology more ethically. Danielle Madden founded Project Meal Plan in 2016 after spending too many lunch breaks searching for mediocre food while working her office job. Her educational background includes a Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, and hands-on training as a Seattle Urban Nature Guide. Danielle loves being prepared (especially with food), and is usually the first one to arrive at a gathering with a homemade dish to share. At Project Meal Plan, Danielle focuses on make-ahead food and sharing tools to help others plan their own meals. In this episode, you'll learn how generative AI works, how to understand its environmental impact, and how to implement sustainable practices in business. Key points discussed include: - Generative AI Uses Significant Resources: Data centers consume substantial water and electricity through complex cooling processes. - Water Consumption is Substantial: ChatGPT uses approximately 500 milliliters of fresh water per 20-50 questions. - Environmental Impact Varies: Different AI platforms have varying resource consumption levels, though specifics are not transparent. - Ethical Usage Matters: Content creators should critically evaluate when and how they use AI tools. - Prompt Writing is Key: More specific, detailed prompts can reduce unnecessary AI usage and resource consumption. - Fact-Checking is Essential: Always review and verify AI-generated content for accuracy. - Small Actions Add Up: Implementing sustainable practices in business can create meaningful environmental impact. - Transparency Helps: Consider creating a sustainability policy that acknowledges your commitment to responsible technology use. Connect with Danielle Madden Website | Instagram

In episode 689, Dr. Kristen Wager teaches us how to use research to drive our content strategy, in order to predict what content will perform well instead of guessing what our audience wants. Dr. Kristen Wager is a consumer researcher with over 15 years of experience and a Ph.D. in research. She has worked with major companies like Google, Amazon, and Meta, gaining firsthand insight into how research shapes strategy and drives growth. While these companies invest billions each year to understand their audiences, she believes creators deserve access to the same level of insight. Most recently, Kristen led consumer research at Raptive, collaborating with some of the biggest food bloggers in the industry, including Half Baked Harvest, Tastes Better from Scratch, Just One Cookbook, Hey Grill Hey, and The Woks of Life. During this time, she developed a deep appreciation for the creator space and identified a significant gap: many creators lack access to first-party data to inform their business decisions. When Raptive ended its research program, Kristen launched CreatorPulse to continue supporting creators—particularly in the food and lifestyle space—with real-time audience feedback. Her mission is to help creators make smarter, data-backed decisions that truly reflect what their audience wants. In this episode, you'll learn how to build a purposeful, proactive content strategy, how to leverage research to guide your approach, and why this can have a powerful impact on your food content business. Key points discussed include: - The Importance of Research: Research is crucial for understanding your audience's needs and evolving trends, helping you predict content success rather than guessing. - Moving Beyond Gut Feelings: While intuition has its place, relying solely on it can lead to echo chambers and content burnout; scalable growth requires data-backed decisions. - Defining a Strategic Content Strategy: A proactive content strategy is built with purpose, intention, and your audience's needs in mind, aligning with your business growth. - Methods of Research: Use various research methods, from simple polls to in-depth surveys and social listening, to gather audience insights. - Types of Research: Different types of research, like audience insights, competitor benchmarking, and brand perception, offer unique benefits for shaping your content and brand. - Real-Time Data: Emphasize real-time data to stay ahead of trends and understand current audience needs, rather than relying solely on historical performance metrics. - Turning Data into Action: Translate data into actionable steps by identifying content themes, creating messaging frameworks, and aligning content with business goals. - Busting Research Myths: Overcome misconceptions about research by recognizing that it doesn't have to be time-consuming or expensive, and that audience feedback is invaluable. Connect with Dr. Kristen Wager Website

A practical guide to reframing negative thought patterns and inviting more joy, peace, and success into your daily life through intentional mental shifts. Today, I want to dive into the way we talk to ourselves and the narratives we create in our minds. Our brains are naturally wired to focus on the negative—but here's the good news: we have the power to rewrite that narrative. In this episode, I'm sharing five transformative strategies to help you reframe your thoughts and invite more joy into your everyday life. Action Plan: 1 - Flip the "What If" Spiral: Challenge negative what-if scenarios by intentionally creating positive, empowering alternative narratives. 2 - Rewrite Your Personal Stories: Recognize that the stories you tell yourself are often assumptions, and consciously choose more compassionate interpretations. 3 - Refuse Negative Talk: Disengage from gossip and complaints, instead redirecting conversations towards positivity and inspiration. 4 - Shift "I Have To" to "I Get To": Transform obligations into opportunities by reframing mundane tasks as privileged experiences. 5 - Replace Comparison with Inspiration: When you catch yourself comparing, pause and ask how another's success can motivate rather than discourage you. Get in touch with Megan below. Website | Instagram

In episode 687, Megan chats to Anna Dearmon Kornick about why a Weekly Planning Session is the best time management tip to start overcoming overwhelm and hitting our goals. Anna Dearmon Kornick is a highly sought after time management coach and keynote speaker, top 1% globally ranked podcast host of It's About Time, and founder of the It's About Time Academy. A true Louisiana firecracker who has become known for making time management fun, Anna helps busy professionals and business owners struggling with overwhelm manage their time using her personality-driven HEART Method. In this episode, you'll discover how to revolutionize your time management by creating a personalized weekly planning system for your food blogging business, including the best tools to use and strategies for building habits that last. Key points discussed include: - Weekly Planning is Critical: A consistent weekly planning session can help you anticipate challenges and create smoother transitions between tasks and responsibilities. - Customize Your Approach: There's no one-size-fits-all method for planning; adapt the strategy to fit your unique personality and lifestyle. - Use High and Low-Tech Tools: Combine digital tools like Asana with a physical notebook to capture and track ideas and tasks effectively. - Account for Transition Time: Build in buffer time between activities to reduce stress and prevent perpetual lateness. - Start Small and Reward Yourself: Begin with a bare minimum planning session and create a reward system to build a sustainable habit. - Embrace Flexibility: Your weekly planning can evolve and be completed in segments rather than one strict sit-down session. - Imagination Matters: Use creativity and forward-thinking to design a time management system that works uniquely for you. Connect with Anna Dearmon Kornick Website | Instagram