Eat Blog Talk

In episode 518, Megan chats to Nadia Tariq about the transition from a food blogging hobbyist to business owner, highlighting key shifts in mindset, organization, and discipline. Nadia is a computer science graduate, x- project manager turned into pastry chef. She has been creating customized themed cakes for over a decade as a home business creating beautiful cakes for friends and family. Originally from Pakistan, she is based in Riyadh, KSA. Nadia started blogging in 2009 and only recently she decided to turn it into a business. Nadia is now working on her blog strategically in the quest to share her family recipes, Pakistani bakery and street foods to get recognized on the face of the culinary world She is also working as a food photographer, which was her long lost passion to generate some extra income which was not possible earlier due to raising a young family. In this episode, you'll learn about why a food blogger would decide to turn their blog into a business, how to recognize that pivotal moment and what changes you should make to prioritize your blog's growth. Here are the key takeaways: - Recognize the Shift: You have to make the decision to turn your blog into a business, and start either part-time or full-time. - Invest in Learning: A crucial element is continuous learning and investing in resources like podcasts and courses to enhance your skills in food photography, SEO, and content creation. - Listen to Audience Needs: By paying attention to audience feedback and trends, you can adapt your content strategy to meet the demands of your audience. - Effective Time Management: Use batching techniques to streamline your workflow and balance blogging with other responsibilities and sources of income (e.g. food photography for clients). - Discipline and Productivity: Motivation is unreliable, you need to be disciplined and work according to a plan. - Setting Up for Success: Set yourself up for success as a food blogger by being consistent, niching down, and taking a long-term approach. - Embrace Change and Exploration: Don't be afraid of changing your path if you are no longer passionate about what you are doing. Connect with Nadia Tariq Website | Instagram

In this episode, Megan teaches us five practical ideas to alleviate the stress and overwhelm often associated with Mondays, offering insights and strategies to make the start of our week more manageable and fulfilling. Planning can make a notable difference to the start of your week. The better you prepare for what you have to do on a Monday, the better you will feel. In this episode, Megan explains how she prepares for Mondays in order to set a positive tone for the week ahead. Megan covers the following key points: 1. The 15 Minute Friday Plan: Plan ahead by dedicating just 15 minutes on Friday to map out your upcoming week. By scheduling downtime and aligning tasks with your goals, you can reduce mental clutter and increase productivity. 2. The One Hour Friday To-Do List Tackle: Allocate one hour on Friday or Saturday to tackle small tasks from your to-do list for the following week to minimize Monday morning stress and set yourself up for a smoother week. 3. Inbox Zero: Dedicate time on the weekend to clear out your inbox. By organizing emails into folders and archiving non-essential items, you can start Monday with a clean slate and reduce mental clutter. 4. Tidy Up: Declutter and tidy up your physical environment. By maintaining order in your surroundings you can positively impact your mindset and productivity on Monday mornings. 5. Plan and Protect the Monday Morning Routine: Establishing and sticking to a morning routine sets the tone for a successful week. Remember to prioritize sleep, visualize your morning routine, and set intentions before bed to ensure a smooth start to Monday. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram

In episode 516, Jo Keohane teaches us how to style food to make it look as delicious as possible in order to drive more traffic to our blogs. Since graduating from Culinary School in NYC in 2010 Jo Keohane freelanced as a Recipe Developer and Food Stylist in test kitchens of many America's best known publications, like Bon Appetit Magazine, Epicurious and Saveur. She has also worked with a variety of household brands like William Sonoma, Weightwatchers, Staub Cookware, Danone, Kraft and more. She started off life as a BBC journalist and then worked in PR in London. But a love of cooking and a desire to find a fulfilling career which would allow her to spend more time with her 3 kids took her back to school to study cooking. After moving to the USA in she was lucky enough to attend the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. Now she runs her own food blog - The Family Food Kitchen - helping other busy families to eat well even when time is short! her blog focusses on easy, delicious and do-able recipes - and contains lots of one pot, sheet pan and easy meal ideas. In this episode, you'll learn about what to consider before you start shooting your recipe, including how to layer and pick ingredients, backdrops, props and garnishes. - Food Styling is a Problem Solving Exercise: During recipe development, plan ahead to make sure your ingredients will help you make your dish look appealing. - Don't Hold Back on Good-Quality Ingredients: Better quality ingredients will have more vibrancy and make your photos pop more. - Create Depth and Movement in Food Photography: Use layering to create depth in your photos and take photos of movement (e.g. pouring a sauce). - Balance Perfection and Authenticity: While it's important to make your photos look appealing and create intrigue avoid overly perfect photos - crumbs and spills in small quantities add character. - Proper Ingredient Storage: Store ingredients to maintain freshness and quality. For example improper storage of herbs can lead to wilting and might detract from your photos. - Adjust Cooking Times for Food Photography: There's a difference between cooking to eat food and cooking for photography. Adjust cooking times to ensure that the food looks its best on camera. - Use Props and Tools for Food Styling: Jo discusses the importance of having a set tray with essential tools and props for food styling, such as sharp knives, tweezers, Q-tips, paper towels, toothpicks, spritz bottles, squeeze bottles, spatulas, and brushes to aid in food styling. - Layering Garnishes to Enhance the Dish: Use different garnishing techniques to elevate the appearance of dishes for photography. By layering garnishes strategically, you can add depth and visual interest to the dish. Connect with Jo Keohane Website | Instagram

In episode 515, Jenn Trepeck teaches us why comparison is natural and how to deal with it in a healthy way that leads us closer to our goals by building our confidence instead of creating self-doubt. Jenn Trepeck has been described as a "force of nature" in the wellness space, recognized as one of Podcast Magazine's 40 under 40, and nominated for the 2022 International Women's Podcast Award for Visionary Leadership. She is an Optimal Health Coach, Podcaster, and Business Consultant. After graduating from the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, Jenn founded Better Life Now LLC while working full time in hedge funds. After over a decade of building her practice as a side-hustle, Jenn took the leap to full-time self-employment. That's when she launched Salad with a Side of Fries Podcast, empowering larger audiences to achieve optimal health. She helps aspiring wellness warriors break into the health world, and mentors entrepreneurs to get started or level-up. In this episode, you'll learn why our brains are hard-wired for comparison and practical strategies to handle the frustration of feeling that we are not doing as well as others in our space and how to reframe the situation in order to unlock more opportunities. Key points include: - Understand the Psychological Basis of Comparison: The innate tendency of human brains to compare is a natural response rather than a flaw. By acknowledging this tendency, individuals can adopt a more compassionate approach towards themselves and others. - Reframe Your Perspective: Instead of viewing others' success as a threat, recognize the abundance of opportunities within your niche by embracing a mindset of collaboration over competition. - Cultivate Grounded Confidence: Grounded confidence means that you stay true to your vision amidst external comparisons. By cultivating confidence in your expertise and audience, you can can navigate challenges with resilience and creativity. - Journal and Seek Support: By articulating your thoughts and seeking alternative perspectives, you can gain clarity and resilience in the face of comparison. - Creating New Neuropathways: Create new neuropathways by interrupting negative thought patterns with a simple "Cancel, cancel" technique. By replacing unproductive thoughts with positive affirmations, you can shift their mindset towards growth and possibility. - Observing the Mind: Meditation is highlighted as a powerful tool for observing the mind rather than trying to control it. - Strategic Competition Analysis: While it's essential to stay informed about competitors' strategies, it's important to do strategic analysis at specific intervals rather than constant comparison. - Make Changes in a Constructive Way: If you do decide to change your strategy in line with competitors, make sure that it's still in line with your values and not shiny object syndrome. Connect with Jenn Trepeck Website | Instagram Book a 30-min complimentary consultation with Jenn Trepeck.

Megan shares five powerful questions to help shift our perspective during challenging times and help us find clarity. What do you do when you are experiencing a tough time in your life? It is when we face challenges that mindset shifts can really make a difference. Megan talks through the diverse range of challenges faced by entrepreneurs and emphasizes the importance of embracing difficulties as opportunities for growth. She shares her recent experience with a significant challenge and reveals how she navigated through it using mindset strategies. She covers the following questions points: 1. Who would I be without this thought? Challenge your thoughts during a rough time and envision a perspective free from negativity and embrace acceptance and peace instead. 2. What if it's a gift? Challenges can be potentially life-changing in a positive way. Recognize the unexpected gifts that emerge from these times in your life. 3. Who would I be without this challenge? Consider the personal growth and resilience cultivated through confronting challenges. Envision yourself without the current challenge, can you recognize your strength and adaptability? 4. How can I take care of myself? Self-care is a foundation for resilience and emotional well-being during challenging times. Which self-care practices can help you pull through adversity? 5. Who can I lean on for support? Seek support from trusted individuals during difficult times or engage with supportive communities and reach out for assistance when needed. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram

In episode 513, Megan chats to Samantha Blake about the lessons she learned from her experience as a food blogger, including the importance of niching down, SEO strategy, web design and building a blogging network. Sam began a web design & SEO business after food blogging didn't go as planned. While she still enjoys cooking and baking as a hobby, she learned she truly had a love for web design & SEO pieces when it comes to business. Sam particularly loves designing and developing websites & coming up with SEO strategies for food bloggers - it's the best of both worlds! She is so excited about the opportunity to share her experience and knowledge about SEO to help more food bloggers grow their blog. In this episode, you'll learn about the common mistakes made by food bloggers, such as neglecting niche selection and keyword strategy, underestimating the value of backlinks, and prioritizing design over functionality. Key points include: - Niche and Keyword Strategy: It's crucial to pick a clear niche and develop a proper keyword strategy to enhance topical relevance and attract organic traffic. - Start Broad, Then Narrow: Begin with a broader topic or competitor analysis, then drill down to find high-volume, low-competition keywords to target. - Avoid Primarily Seasonal Content: Prioritize evergreen content to maintain consistent traffic rather than relying solely on seasonal spikes. - Comprehensive SEO Strategy: Piecemealing SEO strategies from various sources may not yield desired results; focus on one comprehensive approach tailored to your goals. - Prioritize Functionality Over Design: In the early stages, prioritize a simple, professional, user-friendly, and searchable blog design over intricate aesthetics. - Build a Blogging Network: Connect with fellow bloggers through Facebook groups, social media, or accountability groups to learn, grow, and collaborate. - Value of Backlinks: Recognize the importance of backlinks for SEO and credibility; engage in outreach and collaborations to acquire them. - Participate in Roundups and Guest Posts: Explore opportunities to contribute to roundups or guest posts on other blogs to gain backlinks and exposure. Connect with Samantha Blake Website | Instagram Interested in taking your food blog to the next level? Here are ways to work with Sam: - Need a new website fast? Check out Sam's One-Day Website service. - Ready to take action on an extensive SEO audit & strategy? Check out Sam's SEO Audit service. - Looking for comprehensive SEO services and coaching? Check out Sam's Food Blogger SEO services.

In episode 512, Janelle Hama teaches us how to build a supportive community, especially around your blog's niche, highlighting the benefits of collaboration, networking, and accountability within such communities. Janelle is a keen plant based recipe blogger specialising in vegan Lebanese food. Due to having to change her diet a few years ago for health reasons, this, coupled with her love of cooking, started Janelle on a blogger journey 3 years ago. In this episode, you'll learn about whether you should create your own group or join an existing one as well as these topics: - Benefits of Community: Networking, collaboration, and seeking advice from others are key benefits of being part of a community. - Experience Sharing: Engaging with bloggers from diverse backgrounds brings different perspectives and learning opportunities. - Friendships and Support: Community offers emotional support, understanding, and celebration of achievements among bloggers. - Accountability: Being part of a community helps in setting and achieving goals through mutual accountability. - Start a Community: Initiate a group or join existing ones on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. - Set Clear Parameters: If you start your own group, set clear guidelines for who it caters for and what the community rules are. Connect with Janelle Hama Website | Instagram Apply to Janelle' Community for Vegan / Plant-Based Recipe Bloggers here.

Have you ever felt worried about your screen time? Megan shares her personal struggles with tech addiction and offers five actionable strategies to limit tech usage for improved well-being. In this episode, you'll learn practical methods to reduce tech dependency and reclaim control over your time and mental space. While technology makes our lives more comfortable, Megan emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and creating healthy habits to foster a balanced relationship with tech. She covers the following key points: - Set Times for Email Dipping: Establish specific times during the day for checking and responding to emails to prevent constant distraction and maintain focus on important tasks. - Establish Downtime Before the Week Begins: Plan and schedule dedicated downtime periods in your calendar to disconnect from technology and prioritize self-care and family time. - Set Timers for Social Media: Use timers to limit the duration of social media usage, gradually reducing dependency and reclaiming valuable time and energy. - Remove Apps and Email from Your Phone: Experiment with removing addictive apps and email from your phone to minimize temptation and break unhealthy habits. - Create a Boring Phone: Make your phone less appealing by turning on grayscale mode or choosing neutral wallpapers, reducing the allure of constant screen engagement. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram

In episode 510, Megan chats to Lily Payen about how to transition from a full-time job to full-time blogging without getting overwhelmed and while managing responsibilities as a parent. Lily, a mom of three and former math teacher turned food blogger, never envisioned ever leaving the world of teaching, but the opportunity to blog somewhat fell into her lap and she's now enveloped into that world. When Lily had her second son, she started sharing baby-led weaning recipes online and discovered a community of parents who were also looking for similar recipes. Things took off from there and she found herself in this new profession of blogging. Now Lily can't imagine doing anything else. In this episode, you'll learn about the importance of starting with a specific niche to make it easier to rank, maintaining consistency in content creation without burning out, having backup content prepared and not being too hard on yourself when you need to rest. - Start Specific: Learn the importance of starting with a specific niche, which allows for easier ranking and targeting a more defined audience. - Consistency Matters: Maintaining consistency in content creation is vital for success, even if the frequency varies over time. The importance is in delivering quality over quantity. - Balance Work and Parenting: Managing blogging while caring for children can be difficult, so why not plan your work around nap times and find a routine that works for the family? - Invest in Learning: Investing time and money in learning about blogging, SEO, and other relevant topics is crucial for long-term success. - Adopt a Business Mindset: Transitioning from a full-time job to full-time blogging requires adopting a business mindset, being one's own boss, and holding oneself accountable. - Flexibility in Scheduling: Being flexible in scheduling and adapting to unexpected situations, such as sick days, is essential for maintaining productivity and consistency. - Use Backup Content: Having backup content ready for unforeseen circumstances to ensures consistent publishing. - Encouragement for Mom Bloggers: Despite the challenges, moms should be encouraged to pursue blogging, knowing that it gets easier with time and dedication. For example when Lily was pregnant with her 3rd child, during her first trimester she was so sick and nauseous and couldn't find the energy to pre-plan and post content and she just had to take time off from posting content. She thought that she would come back to a "dead blog", but she was surprised to know that her traffic had actually increased during that time. The work Lily had put into previous posts was picking up traction and she was still able to maintain her traffic. Connect with Lily Payen Website | Instagram

In episode 509, Amy Whiteford teaches us what to do when our niche no longer aligns with our personal or professional circumstances and the importance of mindset shifts in sustaining a successful food blog. Amy Whiteford is a food enthusiast originally from Scotland, now residing in Sydney, Australia, and has been the driving force behind the blog Healthy Little Foodies since 2012. Amy is a mum of two "Little Foodies", Finlay (12) and Rory (9), and has a background in Food Science, Education, and Childhood Nutrition. Amy is on a mission to simplify mealtime for parents of babies / young children by providing healthy and delicious recipes and feeding tips. In this episode, you'll learn about the challenges and rewards of maintaining a niche food blog as well as insights about rebranding, staying inspired, and focusing on the expertise you've gained even if you've outgrown your niche. - Niche Evolution: Sometimes you have to adapt your blog's niche to changing circumstances. - Rebranding Strategy: Rebranding can help you expand your blog's audience and content focus. - Target Audience: Identifying and catering to a specific audience, such as parents seeking baby and toddler recipes, can drive blog growth. - Niche Challenges: Can you explore other types of recipes or should you adhere to your niche's recipe standards? - Mindset Shift: Changing your mindset to appreciate the depth of knowledge and skills gained within a niche is crucial for long-term sustainability. - Recipe Diversity: Ask yourself how you can broaden your niche to include different recipes while still catering for your audience. - Secondary Blog Ventures: Starting a secondary blog can be a creative outlet while maintaining financial stability from an established blog. - Niche Flexibility and Growth: Bloggers should assess their passions, expertise, and niche viability, recognizing the need for specialization in a saturated blogging landscape. Connect with Amy Whiteford Website | Instagram