Eat Blog Talk

In episode 578, Kathy Berget teaches us what to do when our blog images have been used without our permission and how to get compensated for them. Kathy is the author, photographer, recipe developer, and writer at Beyond the Chicken Coop where she creates delicious home-cooked recipes utilizing what they grow and raise. Kathy is a former elementary school principal and has three grown kids; twin boys and one girl. Kathy and her husband live in the country on their own little farm. In this episode, you'll learn about copyright for images, ways in which you can respond and how to use image theft protection services like Pixsy to get compensated. Key points discussed: - Image theft is a common issue for food bloggers: Food blog images are often stolen or used without permission by various businesses, including restaurants, markets, and online retailers. - Copyright protection is automatic for blog images: Photographers automatically have copyright over their images, even without formal registration. - Services like Pixsy can help track and fight image theft: Pixsy is an online service that helps photographers find and fight unauthorized use of their images. - Responding to image theft requires a balanced approach: Do not obsess over every instance of image theft - selectively pursue cases that are worth the time and effort (especially if images are used for commercial purposes). - Watermarking images can increase their value if stolen: Removing or altering a watermark on an image can actually increase its value if used without permission. - Educating the public about image rights is an ongoing challenge: Many people may be unaware that using images found online without permission is considered theft. - Persistence and documentation are key when pursuing image theft cases: It's important to thoroughly document evidence and follow through with service providers like Pixsy. - Maintaining a positive attitude is important when dealing with image theft: Do no let image theft issues negatively impact your overall mindset and productivity. If You Loved This Episode… You'll love Episode 390 with Rob Finkelstein - Legal Issues Every Food Photographer Should Consider Connect with Kathy Berget Website | Instagram

In this episode, we're going to talk about how to respond with confidence to 5 questions food bloggers get from friends and family that can upset us. People outside our industry may struggle to understand what we do as food bloggers. It is not as evident as being a doctor or a teacher and so we might get more questions that seem 'stupid' when we tell people what we do. Here are some common ones and how not to let these questions get to you, but instead learn how to respond with confidence and patience. Action Plan: 1 - "You're a what or what exactly do you do?" - Explain in simple terms what you do, so that a 13 year old can understand. 2 - "Do you make money? How do you make money? How much money do you make?" - If you're comfortable with the question, answer again in an easy way to understand or gently change the subject. 3 - "How is your business doing?" - Respond positively and avoid getting angry over any underlying meaning. 4 - "How is your little blog doing?" - Nobody has the vision you have for your business. Do not let questions like these upset you. The only thing that matters is that you are passionate about what you do. 5 - "What do you do all day? Can you watch my kids? You must have so much time on your hands?" - Set clear boundaries and explain that you have a full-time commitment to your blog during the day. That remains your priority. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topics you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram Resources Food Blog Writing by Jenny Farley Promote your food blogging services Megan's recommended books and resources

In episode 576, Megan chats to James Elliot about how to manage business obstacles, turning unexpected changes into opportunities for growth. James is a passionate and enthusiastic presenter who genuinely cares about people, and loves to speak, teach and deliver value. He's spoken at live events, as well as virtual ones, for people all over the world. He even has his own private training institution, where he trains people who want to make an impact on their organization, and do it in a fulfilling way. In this episode, you'll learn why business obstacles are ideal opportunities for business growth, specifically how to use self-reflection to pivot tasks that are no longer lighting you up to something you truly want to do. Key points discussed: - Navigating tough transitions: You can navigate difficult industry changes and transitions by embracing them as opportunities for growth and pivoting your business. - Don't be afraid to be you: Embracing one's authentic self and unique qualities can lead to greater success, trust, and connection with others, despite potential fears or criticism. - What are your limiting beliefs: Working with a great coach can help eliminate deep-seated limiting beliefs and unlock one's true potential through subconscious work. - Resilience and perseverance: Persistence and a refusal to give up, even in the face of challenges, are key to achieving long-term success as an entrepreneur. - Importance of self-reflection: Regularly taking time for quiet self-reflection can help uncover inner wisdom and guide the next steps for personal and professional growth. - Find a coach that resonates with you: Investing in a quality coach who resonates with you can accelerate personal and business transformation in ways that may take years to achieve alone. - Embracing change: View industry changes and challenges as opportunities for growth, rather than threats - can help you pivot and thrive. - Focusing on what you want: Maintaining a strong focus on your desired outcomes and goals, rather than dwelling on fears or doubts, can help drive progress. - Taking action: Consistent action, even in the face of limiting beliefs, is essential for turning dreams into reality and achieving success. Book a complimentary strategy and growth call with James Elliot HERE! Connect with James Elliot Website

In episode 575, Natasha teaches us how to effectively delegate tasks to our team and empower them to run our business when we're not there. Natasha Zo is a former journalist from Siberia today running her international PR and visibility agency. As a PR agent, she's helped authors launch #1 bestselling books, booked national TV, and landed clients on the world's top podcasts and magazine covers. Leading up to this she lived on 3 different continents, volunteered in Central America, managed a high-performing marketing team in Asia, and taught public speaking to refugee teenagers. She is on a mission to see less clickbait and more empowering knowledge in the media. In this episode, you'll learn about what to look for when hiring employees, or outsourcing tasks, and how to prepare for extended periods off in your business (like maternity leave) by delegating tasks effectively. Key points discussed: - Delegating and streamlining are crucial for growth and freedom: Automating and delegating tasks allows entrepreneurs to focus on innovation and creating their best work. - Regular team check-ins and clear communication: Scheduling weekly one-on-ones and team meetings ensures a shared understanding of goals and responsibilities. - Maternity leave can be a catalyst for streamlining a business and building a strong team: Preparing for an extended leave forces you to document processes and distribute tasks effectively. - Tracking tasks can provide clarity on what to delegate and automate: Logging your daily activities helps identify opportunities for outsourcing and streamlining. - You can take a break from social media as long as other visibility strategies are in place: Maintaining a referral network and offline relationships can sustain a business during a social media hiatus. - Building a referral network and deliberate offline networking: Diversifying lead sources so that you are not dependent on source for all your clients. - Test for self-motivation and initiative in potential team members when hiring: Incorporating specific tasks and instructions into the application process helps identify proactive and detail-oriented candidates. - Automation and delegation allow entrepreneurs to focus on innovation: Streamlining administrative and operational tasks frees up time for strategic planning and creative pursuits. Connect with Natasha Zolotareva Website | Instagram DM Natasha's Instagram "20 tips" and get a free guide "20 Practical Tips to get on 20 podcasts in 90 days"

In this episode, we're going to talk about 5 things to let go of in our business, especially looking at how these things are holding us back and what we can do instead. Internally, we hold on to so much unnecessary baggage, and this can impact us very negatively if we're not careful. As entrepreneurs, we can get even more bogged down, because with this territory comes a lot of daunting situations and therefore a lot of opportunity to just hold really tightly onto some things. So, here are the 5 things I've learned to let go of in my business. Action Plan: 1 - Caring what others think: Stop worrying about what people will think or say about you and your business, and instead focus on operating with integrity and serving your audience. 2 - Fear of failure: Embrace failure as a necessary part of the entrepreneurial journey, as it provides opportunities for learning and growth. 3 - Lack of confidence: Replace feelings of self-doubt with courage, and take bold actions in your business despite any lack of confidence. 4 - Perfectionism: Let go of the unrealistic pursuit of perfection and instead focus on taking imperfect action and continuously improving. 5 - Making excuses - Avoid making excuses for why you can't start or complete important projects, and instead prioritize and take action. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topics you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram Resources Caro Jensen – Food Videography Services Promote your food blogging services Megan's recommended books and resources

In episode 573, Megan chats to Emilie Pullar about how she monetized her food blog quickly by having a strong work ethic and writing blog posts for her reader instead of focusing just on SEO. The Burnt Butter Table is run by Emilie Pullar and is a pasta filled blog with recipes ranging from quick 10 minute pasta sauces to intricate filled pasta shapes made from scratch. Emilie's true passion for food shines through her recipes where she endeavors to explain and break down processes in an easy to understand way. In this episode, you'll learn about the value of believing in yourself and following your passion as well as the need for mindset shifts to maintain a sustainable entrepreneurial journey. Key points discussed: - Passion and hard work are key to building a successful food blog: Are you passionate about your niche because you're going to need it to motivate you to put in the work. - Detailed, user-focused content is more important than SEO: Create high-quality, detailed recipes that provide a great user experience and don't only optimize for search engines. - Overcoming burnout requires setting boundaries: Hard work might lead to burnout unless you set clear boundaries to maintain work-life balance. - Resilience and perseverance are essential for entrepreneurs: Those who are willing to put in the hard work and don't give up at the first hurdle are the ones who ultimately succeed. - Finding a mentor can accelerate your growth: Mentors provide valuable guidance and support that can make the difference between you giving up and pushing through. - Building a supportive community is crucial: Try to connect with others in the industry and find a community to share experiences and seek advice. - Setting clear goals and celebrating wins boosts motivation: Set written goals and celebrate small victories to maintain momentum and direction. - Incorporating personal voice and face builds connection: Use your own voice and share your face on social media to help readers connect with you on a deeper level. - Avoiding comparison and focusing on your unique journey is key: Don'y get caught up in comparing yourself to others, instead embracing your own unique path. Guest Details Connect with Emilie Pullar Website | Instagram

In episode 572, Dee Rotman teaches us how to create strong results for a new blog, getting high page views from the start by building an audience on social media first. Deeckla (Dee) Rotman founded Dee & Sweets in December 2022, sharing baking recipes and tips with time-sensitive home bakers on social media. Having created over a hundred dessert recipes, Dee launched her blog in April 2024 and is already seeing strong growth. Dee became an entrepreneur after having been a marketing leader in the corporate world for most of her career. In this episode, you'll learn why Dee prioritized growing a following on Instagram before launching her blog, what she plans on prioritizing next and how she handles competition. Key points discussed: - Start building an audience on social media before launching a blog: This helps drive traffic to the new blog and establish an engaged following. - Hire help strategically: Bringing on freelancers and part-time assistants can alleviate burnout and allow you to focus on growth. - Diversify traffic sources beyond just SEO: Explore different social platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, YouTube, and TikTok to reach new audiences and land brand deals. - Analyze successful creators to learn and improve: Studying what works for others can inspire ideas for your own content and strategy. - Be comfortable with being uncomfortable: Embrace the challenges of entrepreneurship and use them as opportunities for growth. - Refocus comparison energy into learning: Instead of feeling demotivated by others' success, use it as motivation to improve your own skills and approach. - Prioritize mindset and self-care: Maintaining a positive, resilient mindset is crucial for sustaining a successful blogging business. - Start small and scale gradually: Some creators grow slowly and steadily overtime - this can be just or more beneficial than a sudden, rapid growth. - Leverage existing connections and relationships: Tapping into your professional network can lead to valuable partnerships and collaborations. Connect with Dee Rotman Website | Instagram

In this episode, we're going to talk about 5 steps to prepare for Q4, so that you can get the most out of it without risking burnout. Q4 is a big deal in our industry. People love food. And people especially love food from approximately October 1st through the end of the year, every year. How can we make the most of this time of year as a food blogger? Here, I share 5 steps I take to prepare for Q4 so that I can stay on top of my food blog, watching the increase in traffic and revenue that comes with Q4, while still being able to enjoy the holidays. These steps will also help you prevent burn out as you manage the busiest time of year for us food bloggers. Action Plan: 1 - Change your perspective: Approach Q4 with gratitude and excitement rather than fear or worry. 2 - Delegate, automate, and eliminate: Identify tasks you can delegate, automate, or eliminate to free up time and energy for Q4. 3 - Make self-care and mindset a priority: Proactively schedule time for physical exercise, meditation, and other self-care activities. 4 - Stay in the game: Focus on the progress you've made in your business rather than what you haven't yet achieved. 5 - Put a plan in place: Establish your Q4 goals, create a content and task calendar, and block off time for rest and relaxation. Resources 90-minute planning session Promote your food blogging services Megan's recommended books and resources Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topics you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram

In episode 570, Megan chats to Heather Farris about optimizing Pinterest to boost blog traffic, including how to use Pinterest Trends as part of your keyword strategy. Heather is an accountant and bookkeeper turned blogger and Pinterest marketer. Since 2016, she has helped hundreds of Pinterest creators grow their traffic and sales through both organic and paid ads. She regularly helps creators understand how to spend their time and money to grow their businesses on and off Pinterest. In this episode, you'll learn how to interpret Pinterest trends, why Pinterest is an important search tool like Google and what types of pins you should be making to get traction on the platform. Key points discussed: - Pinterest is a powerful search engine for food bloggers: Pinterest users often use the platform as their primary search engine, making it a valuable tool for food bloggers to reach their audience. - Treat Pinterest as a "parking lot" for content: Think of it as a long-term time investment as, if you're using the right keywords it will get indexed and pinners will discover your content and website. - Leverage Pinterest trends for content creation: Use the Pinterest Trends tool to identify popular and evergreen keywords and topics, which can inform content creation and optimization. - Create a separate workflow for Pinterest: Create a dedicated workflow for your Pinterest content, focusing on 15-30 URLs per month to stay consistent and efficient. - Prioritize saves over follows on Pinterest: Saves are more important than follows for Pinterest content visibility, as they indicate user interest and can lead to more content exposure. - Optimize pin descriptions and titles with keywords: Use relevant keywords in pin descriptions and titles to improve visibility and reach on the platform. - Repurpose content by creating video and animated pins: Save time by repurposing existing content into video and animated pins, which can perform well on Pinterest. - Maintain consistency and persistence on Pinterest: Keep creating and sharing content on Pinterest, even if you don't see immediate results, the platform can be a valuable long-term investment for your business. If You Loved This Episode… You'll love Episode 567 with Shaunda Necole - Pin Your Way to Online Traffic Success! How Pinterest can Transform Your Business Connect with Heather Farris Website | Instagram

In episode 569, Mika Kinney and Sarah Bond teach us the nitty gritty of growing an Instagram account as a way to drive traffic to our blogs and add new revenue streams instead of relying on Google. Guest Bio: Mika: Mika is a food-obsessed gal who has learned everything she knows from Food Network and cooking shows. She learned how to combine sweet and spicy from Bobby Flay and how to make a sponge cake from the Great British Baking Show. As the co-founder of Joy to the Food, her mission is simple: To prove that eating more protein is not complicated and can actually be a lot of fun! Sarah: Sarah Bond is the food blogger behind the vegetarian website, Live Eat Learn. With degrees in nutrition and food science, she started her food blog in 2015 as a creative outlet that combined her favorite things - photography, food, and writing. She now works full-time on her blog from Denver, Colorado. Along the way, she started her niche sites Brew Buch (pronounced "booch") for all things kombucha brewing, and Bone Appetreat, a dog food blog! She is currently working on her first self-published cookbook, which will be released in July of 2024. In this episode, you'll learn about how to optimize your Instagram account, consistently create and analyze your content to increase your chances of going viral and increasing your followers quickly. Key points discussed: - Analyze viral content: Identifying what made a particular post go viral, whether it was the ingredient, method, or presentation, can help guide future content creation. - Repurpose content across platforms: Repurpose the same video content on multiple platforms, such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, to help save time and reach a wider audience. - Leverage tools like ManyChat: Using tools like ManyChat to send direct links and messages to followers can help drive traffic from Instagram to your blog. - Experiment with content styles: Try different types of content, such as recipe reels, lifestyle posts, and collages, to see what resonates best with your audience. - Engage with your community: Actively engage with other creators in your niche, by commenting on their posts and supporting their content - this can help you build relationships and increase visibility. - Optimize your Instagram profile: Ensuring your Instagram profile is set up to clearly communicate your brand and niche can help new followers understand why they should follow you. - Analyze Instagram analytics: Tracking engagement metrics and identifying patterns in your top-performing content can help guide future content creation and strategy. - Use natural lighting: Using natural lighting, even if it's not "perfect," can create a more relatable and authentic look. - Leverage your Instagram following for email list growth: Growing an engaged Instagram following can help drive newsletter signups and build a loyal audience. Connect with Mika Kinney Website | Instagram Connect with Sarah Bond Website | Instagram