Eat Blog Talk

In episode 558, Megan chats to Carrie Barnard about strategies to create a community on Facebook and how to generate genuine engagement from your followers by asking them what they want and giving it to them. Carrie is a mother to 8 amazing children. She has some biological children and has adopted through foster care. She is a huge advocate for helping others which is how Eating on a Dime was born. With over 3 Million Fans on Facebook and recipe videos with over 100 million views, Eating on a Dime has become a trusted source for easy recipes for the entire family. In this episode, you'll learn why being flexible in your approach is essential to succeed on Facebook, what type of content is currently doing well on the platform and how to make the most of it to help drive traffic to your blog. Key points discussed: - Build community, not just traffic: Focus on serving your followers and asking what they want rather than solely growing numbers. This builds loyalty. - Ask for content ideas: Regularly ask your Facebook followers what types of posts and recipes they want to see. Deliver this content to maximize engagement. - Experiment with formats: Try different types of posts like photos, videos, questions and collages rather than sticking to one format like curated photos. - Do live videos: Short, casual live videos help build authentic connections and a sense of community through welcoming viewers into your home. - Focus on your page: Put primary efforts into optimizing your business page over managing multiple groups and your page. - Repurpose content: Live videos, hands and pans videos, and other content can be adapted into short Facebook reels and videos for multiple platforms. - Be authentic: Showing your real, imperfect self through videos and posts builds trust and makes content more relatable and human compared to highly polished photos or videos. - Ask for engagement: Prompting comments and questions increases interaction. Auto-responders can help redirect followers to your website. - Adapt to changes: Willingness to change strategies and formats based on trends and feedback keeps content fresh and optimized over time. Connect with Carrie Barnard Website | Facebook

In episode 557, Emily Baksa teaches us how to build an engaged email list and why this is essential for our businesses, especially during volatile times. Emily is a food copywriter and content strategist who uses mealtime to make a positive impact on people and the planet. She writes crave-worthy, conversion-generating copy for food bloggers, CPG brands, chefs, farmers, and other culinary change makers to help grow their businesses. In this episode, you'll learn practical tips for creating enticing opt-ins, email series showcasing your expertise, providing valuable, personalized content and leveraging testimonials and reader favorites. Key points discussed: - Build email series: Create ongoing email conversations around seasonal topics or your areas of expertise to keep subscribers engaged. - Highlight reader favorites: Share the most popular recipes or content from your site each month to focus on what readers enjoy rather than self-promotion. - Optimize opt-ins: Craft enticing sign-up offers that showcase value to visitors through solutions to common problems or personalized experiences. - Leverage expertise: Lean into your unique knowledge or skills when developing opt-ins and content to form a strong connection with potential subscribers. - Consider quizzes: Interactive opt-in formats like quizzes provide a customized experience that can appeal to subscribers' interests. - Focus on readers: Reframe emails, content and offers from the subscriber's perspective by emphasizing value and benefits rather than self-promotion. - Build relationships: Develop trust and loyalty by communicating regularly with subscribers through a variety of personalized, non-promotional messages. - Own your business: Invest in email marketing to gain more control over monetization and revenue through direct paid offers to your engaged audience. - Think creatively: Don't limit yourself to traditional strategies; explore new marketing channels and formats to take your business in an empowering direction. - Engage subscribers: Keep content fresh through light refreshes while leveraging subscriber data to continuously provide relevant value and keep them involved. Connect with Emily Baksa Website | Instagram

Many of us struggle with anxiety, overthinking and stress. In this episode, I discuss 5 ways for cultivating more mindfulness and reducing stress by being in the present moment. Being happy doesn't need to be complicated. And we actually don't need a ton of money, beauty or possessions to feel happy. Happiness can actually be found in simply letting go of our anxiety, overthinking and distractions and really taking in our surroundings - appreciating life and people who support us. But, you'll need to be intentional about it. Here are 5 ways in which I live in the moment, letting go of distractions and overwhelming thoughts. Action Plan: 1 - Meditate - Sit quietly for 15 minutes a day to get the mind to stop thinking (make it less or more time depending on your situation). This can change your life if you do it consistently. 2 - Get caught up in the fun parts of life - Do enjoyable activities like skydiving, hiking with friends, amusement parks that fully engage you in the moment and prevent worrying. 3- Call out anxious habits - Through self-awareness, identify habits like shoulder tensing or repetitive thoughts caused by anxiety, and gently remind yourself to "change" the habit in the moment. 4 - Spend time in nature - Sitting outside and observing nature can help us feel the present more intensely. 5 - Mindfulness exercises - Simple practices like noticing 5 things you see, hear, feel can help center your mind on the present. Breathing exercises can help as well. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topics you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram Resources Brand Positioning Coach (Carrie Tyler) Promote your food blogging services

In episode 555, Megan chats to Katie Jasiewicz about the ins and outs of hiring interns to help us with our blogs, covering everything from job descriptions, the hiring process and quality of work delivered. Katie Jasiewicz (jazz uh wits) is a seasoned blogger with almost 15 years of experience. She's known for her popular websites; Katie's Cucina (a recipe blog) and Sew Woodsy (a craft/DIY blog). In 2014, she transitioned from a corporate marketing job, and turned her passion for food and crafting into a full-time career. She recently launched Easy Seafood Recipes, a niche seafood recipe website. Katie continues to share her expertise and insights from her journey spanning over a decade in the blogging world. In this episode, you'll learn how to hire an intern either for college credits (i.e. free) or a salary, what tasks to give them, how to train them and whether it's a viable way to outsource blogging tasks. Key points discussed: - Motivated interns can help lessen your workload: Use a diligent hiring process to find motivated interns that can be an asset to your business. - Start with one intern per semester: Taking on multiple interns initially can be overwhelming, it's best to start small and gain experience. - Research college timelines: Understanding semester schedules at target schools helps post internships at optimal times for recruitment and onboarding. - Students need own equipment for virtual internships: If you're offering a virtual internship, think through the requirements for students like access to internet and a computer. - Use a detailed contract: Outlining expectations, responsibilities, confidentiality and more through a contract establishes structure and accountability. - Assign tasks on project boards: Use organizational tools like Trello to help assign and track tasks to keep internships on schedule.Provide training and support: Take time to onboard interns through tutorials and regular check-ins. It will help them succeed in their roles. - Leverage an intern's strengths: Tailoring tasks to skills and interests fosters engagement and quality work from motivated interns. - Communicate schedules and allow for flexibility: Allow for life events on both sides to maintain understanding during a long-term collaborative relationship. Connect with Katie Jasiewicz Website | Instagram

In episode 554, Sonia Khosla teaches us several mindset hacks for a happier, more successful life, including how to make small changes over time to create momentum in your business and what to do when things don't go as planned. Sonia Khosla founded Love Incredible Recipes as a way to share her favorite vegetarian and refined sugar-free recipes. She has a passion for food and making recipes using fresh and healthier ingredients. Love Incredible Recipes aims to inspire people to make fresh vegetarian meals using wholesome ingredients as well as refined sugar-free desserts and snacks. In this episode, you'll learn why adopting a positive outlook and focusing on serving others can help keep you motivated when things go wrong, especially as you're starting out in blogging. Key points discussed: - Small, consistent changes can have a big impact over time: Small, consistent changes to habits and routines can lead to significant improvements in mindset and success when done regularly. - Shifting perspective helps maintain a positive mindset: Focus on gratitude, small wins, and how you are inspiring others to help shift perspective away from challenges and towards a more positive outlook. - Community support strengthens food bloggers: Food blogging community is a good example of how to give by helping one another and sharing valuable resources, which benefits all. - Self-defined success leads to happiness: Success can come from inner fulfillment - it's more important to be happy in the present moment rather than waiting to achieve milestones. - Serving and giving to others is fulfilling: Focus on how you can help and inspire people through blogging to keep yourself motivated like Tony Robbins says, "the secret to living is giving." - Gratitude cultivates abundance: Practice daily gratitude to help shift your mindset towards abundance. - Self-care prevents burnout: Prioritize activities that you enjoy like cooking without limitations, exercise, meditation and unplugging to recharge and maintain well-being. Connect with Sonia Khosla Website | Instagram

Do you ever wonder where your time goes? Do you ever feel completely drained but don't understand why? It's probably time to do an audit. I realised the importance of doing regular audits on my life and business a few years back. Like tracking time, energy drains and to do lists. It has made a huge difference. However, in order to make the most of your audit, you need to be prepared to make some life changes. Here are 5 audits that can change your life and practical strategies for how to implement changes to improve your health, income and relationships. Action Plan: 1 - Time audit: Complete at least a week-long time audit and note any discrepancies between perceived vs actual time spent working. 2 - Energy audit: Fill out "gives me energy" and "drains my energy" lists, then take steps to minimize your biggest drains. 3 - People audit: Evaluate your closest relationships by making a list of the 10 people you spend the most time with. Identify anyone on the list that seems to drain your energy. 4 - Calendar audit: Audit your calendar for the next 3 months and remove any items that feel unnecessary or don't align with your goals. Make room for important tasks. 5 - To do list audit: Sweep through your existing to-do list, removing any items that can be deleted, delegated, or postponed. Tackle remaining high-priority tasks. 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 552, Megan chats to Parker Thornburg about his recent experience of buying an existing blog, how it is different to starting a new one and practical advice for succeeding as a blogger regardless of which path you choose. Parker Thornburg worked at Yahoo for 8 years in Omaha, NE. After Parker left Yahoo to enter the startup world, he told his manager of 8 years that he wanted to stay connected and possibly even own a business together someday. That day came in April 2023 when they purchased a food blog, Foodness Gracious, that had been established since 2012. They continue to work full-time jobs while spending all of their spare time trying to grow Foodness Gracious. Parker has an amazing wife of 23 years and three great children aged 18, 16 and 11. In this episode, you'll learn about which factors you should evaluate before buying or selling an existing blog (or starting a new one), including time, energy, goals, and budget, and making sure your passion aligns with the blog's niche and target audience. Key points discussed: - Time and energy considerations are important when deciding to buy or sell a blog: How much time and effort is required to keep the blog going and is it worth it? - Passion for the topic is important: Don't pursue a niche that you do not really feel passionate about. - Know your strengths and weaknesses: Outsource tasks that you feel less confident in and focus on tasks that you are skilled at. - Change the blog design only if it really makes an improvement: Analyze your analytics to know what impact your design had. - Audience engagement must be maintained during transitions: Try to smoothly transition ownership by respecting the previous owner's vision and followers. - Social media isn't always traffic-driving: You can focus on posting regularly for followers but don't have to obsess over engagement metrics. - Intentionality helps prevent burnout: To maintain a healthy work-life balance set clear boundaries. Connect with Parker Thornburg Website | Instagram

In episode 551, Lilian Boukheir teaches us how to cultivate a growth mindset in food blogging, by understanding the ups and downs of running a business and the need to focus on progress rather than perfection. The Matbakh is a Mediterranean food blog blending culture and good food. I'm a mom, engineer, psychology grad student, and food blogger. The Matbakh started as a passion project and has since grown into a monetized food blog. In this episode, you'll learn about developing a flexible mindset instead of a rigid approach to blogging, having compassion for yourself in the face of life's challenges and why you should keep your wins top of mind. Key points discussed: - Focus on progress, not perfection: Focus on gradual improvements rather than getting stuck in perfectionism. - Build habits for success: Create consistent habits like publishing frequently to grow your blog steadily over time. - Celebrate small wins: Appreciate comments or minor improvements to keep yourself motivated through challenges. - Manage overwhelm with gratitude: Get through busy periods by focusing on what your thankful for in your business. - Overcome self-doubt with action: Start publishing to move past your initial fears instead of waiting for perfection. - Prioritize self-care: Making time for yourself through exercise or meditation to help you show up better for your blog work. - Keep perspective on setbacks: Fluctuations are normal parts of the nonlinear entrepreneurial journey rather than failures. Connect with Lilian Boukheir Website | Instagram

Food blogging is an intense job. This year in particular feels extra turbulent for us food bloggers. On top of Google's HCU, I've taken on some new projects (who remembers that food blogging conference in Denver?) and had to part ways with my VA who's worked for the business for many years. So I'd like to share 5 steps I've been taking to get through this turbulent time. In this episode, you'll learn about the importance of slowing down and focusing on things you can control when you feel overwhelmed by changes in your space. And remember, self-care and keeping a positive mindset are more important than ever during turbulent times! Action Plan: 1 - Awareness: Ask yourself, what is the source of turbulence and what is in your control? 2 - Plan: Pull out the top 5-10 things you can do this week to minimize your distress. 3 - Delegate: Assign realistic due dates or people to each point on your list to manage the workload. 4 - Action: Do the things on your list and get accountability from others. 5 - Evaluation: Keep an eye on your list and prioritize self-care - remember even if you regain some control, turbulence can resurface, so it's a continual process. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topics you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram Resources Content Creation for Food Bloggers (Ella Gilbert) Promote your food blogging services: www.eatblogtalk.com/audioclip Megan's recommended books and resources at eatblogtalk.com/books.

In episode 549, Megan chats to Jess Saunders about strategies for growing a big Instagram account, emphasizing the importance of consistency, experimentation, and connection with followers. Jess Saunders co-founded Vegan Punks in 2017 in order to show that vegan food is delicious, easy to make and accessible. Prior to this, Jess was the social media lead at the world's first green energy company, is accredited by the Charted Institute of Marketing and social media agency founder. In recent times, Jess has over tripled her Instagram following to over 110,000 using a unique strategy and reel formula that she developed over a number of months. In this episode, you'll learn how to use Instagram analytics to find content that works, effective hooks that grab attention and whether the timing of your post matters. Key points discussed: - Consistency is key to Instagram success: Post in line with your strategy every day (or on a consistent basis) even when it feels like it's not working to see big results eventually. - Compound small actions over time: Consistency compounds to significant results when maintaining effort on a long-term growth strategy. - Find your niche: The narrower your niche, the easier it will be to find what engages your audience best. - Experimentation is crucial for growth: What is working for other content creators? Trying new content types, hooks and styles is needed to find what resonates with your audience and increase reach. - Analyze engagement metrics: Watch time, saves and comments can reveal what content performs best and where users lose interest to improve future posts. - Consider audience activity times: Posting when followers are online can boost initial engagement and trigger wider distribution from Instagram. - Use hooks to grab attention: Visual and spoken hooks at the start can intrigue viewers and increase time watched, a strong signal to Instagram. - Engage your community: Asking viewers to comment or DM in captions builds relationships and indicates when a recipe is really popular. Connect with Jess Saunders Website | Instagram