What was once thought of as a hobby for many people has turned into big business. Food, health and nutrition bloggers were at one time considered hobbyists who simply liked to share their ideas, interests and creations online.
Now, it’s become a competitive industry where it’s difficult to distinguish yourself. It’s also become a full-time career for many bloggers, which requires a marketing and revenue-generating strategy like any other business.
It isn’t necessarily enough to have great pictures and original recipes or health tips if you want to go from hobby blogger to an industry leader.
Some of the top food and nutrition blogs right now include 101 Cookbooks, which was launched back in 2003 and has since spawned a successful cookbook writing business for creator Heidi Swanson, as well as Nom Nom Paleo, headed by Michele Tam, who has become a legend in the paleo cooking niche. Sprouted Kitchen is also popular for its focus on healthy eating, simplified.
While talent is certainly a significant part of the equation, turning your love for food into a viable business is also about smart marketing and strategizing.
Here are four tips that can help you jumpstart your blog from a side interest to a career:
1. Consider Joining An Ad Network Geared Toward Food Bloggers
There are a large number of ad networks specifically aimed at food bloggers, so try to choose one that’s going to work well for you. Your blog will be matched with advertisers that are going to be the best fit for your targeted audience. Choose a network where the focus is on quality and finding that right fit.
2. Only Promote Quality Products
Rather than trying to promote everything, often the better strategy with your marketing and advertising can be to focus on one great product like Mike Kamo does on his blog, Nutrition Secrets. If you’re trying to sell everything, regardless of quality, your strategy may be okay in the short-term, but it’s not a good way to build a long-term career from your food blog. Tailor whatever you sell to the needs and wants of your audience.
3. Use Social Media Marketing
Food, nutrition and health blogs go hand-in-hand with social media marketing techniques. Make sure you create beautiful, high-quality images that are inherently shareable.
You can also use Deeplink.me so your readers can go directly from a blog post to their social media apps, which will improve the chances they’re going to follow you.
Also, as part of your marketing strategy, make sure you’re putting the right content on the right social media channels. Some content is going to work better on Instagram than Twitter, for example.
4. Focus on a Beautiful Design
Food and nutrition blogs need to be aesthetically appealing if you want to successfully market them. Spend time to find the right template and design style that’s going to speak to your targeted audience and be in line with your overall brand and concept.
Transforming Your Blog Into a Marketing Machine
Just a decade or so ago, turning something you were passionate about into a revenue-generating career seemed almost impossible for most people. Now it’s not only possible but also incredibly attainable. Using smart marketing techniques and having a bit of creativity can help you take your blog from something fun on the side to a job you love.
