The Food Blogger Pro Podcast

Bjork Ostrom
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The Food Blogger Pro Podcast

Welcome to The Food Blogger Pro Podcast, hosted by Bjork Ostrom from Pinch of Yum! Our goal is to help you create a beautiful, functional, and profitable blog. We interview successful food bloggers and industry experts in an effort to surface strategies that can help you more efficiently grow and monetize your site. You'll learn about recipe SEO, food photography, plugins, monetization, traffic, and more. New episodes every Tuesday! Learn more at foodbloggerpro.com/podcast

  1. Writing Standout Recipes and Navigating AI as a Food Creator

    1 DAY AGO

    Writing Standout Recipes and Navigating AI as a Food Creator

    Mastering recipe development in a competitive market and adapting to AI as a food creator with Raeanne Sarazen, author of The Complete Recipe Writing Guide: Mastering Recipe Development, Writing, Testing, Nutrition Analysis, and Food Styling. ----- Welcome to episode 491 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Raeanne Sarazen. Writing Standout Recipes and Navigating AI as a Food Creator Raeanne Sarzen wrote the book on recipes… literally. In 2023, Raeanne published The Complete Recipe Writing Guide: Mastering Recipe Development, Writing, Testing, Nutrition Analysis, and Food Styling. How did she get to be the expert in recipe writing? Raeanne is a Registered Dietitian and a classically trained chef who has worked in hospitals as a clinical dietitian, restaurant kitchens, in food publishing as a writer, editor, and test kitchen professional), and as a culinary nutrition consultant. So yes, she knows a thing or two about developing, writing, testing, and perfecting recipes! In this interview, Bjork and Raeanna discuss the recipe development process, how food publishing has changed over the years, what it takes to write a great recipe, and how food creators can stand out online, especially in a world with AI. Three episode takeaways: What makes a really good recipe?: Raeanne argues that the quality of the recipe differentiates really successful food creators from the rest of the pack. In this interview, she walks listeners through the recipe development process, shares her tips for writing a user-friendly recipe, and discusses the importance of recipe testing. How to adapt to AI as a food creator: Raeanne shares her thoughts on artificially generated recipes – in short, they’re not tested, devoid of personality, and written without personality or critical thinking. Bjork and Raeanne also discuss how you can use AI when developing recipes and writing content. How to differentiate yourself as a recipe developer: Let’s face it — food blogging is a competitive space. But Raeanne believes that if you create accurate, concise, easy-to-follow recipes that solve the problems of your readers and infuse your content with your distinct voice, you can still build a successful career as a food creator. Resources: Raeannesarazen.com The Complete Recipe Writing Guide A Couple Cooks Budget Bytes Follow Raeanne on LinkedIn and Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Memberful. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    54 min
  2. Give to Grow with Mo Bunnell

    19 NOV

    Give to Grow with Mo Bunnell

    Cultivating and nurturing relationships, the power of reciprocity, and the role relationships play in growing your business. ----- Welcome to episode 490 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Mo Bunnell from Bunnell Idea Group about his new book, Give to Grow. Give to Grow with Mo Bunnell In this week’s episode, we’re excited to share Mo's incredible journey from the world of actuaries to the vibrant realm of entrepreneurship. Mo dives deep into how he transitioned from crunching numbers to building a thriving business, discovering that the real magic lies in forging genuine connections. He emphasizes that generosity and relationship-building are key ingredients for success, and you'll definitely want to hear his insights! Mo also explores the power of reciprocity in fostering meaningful relationships. He shares practical tips on making clear, trustworthy offers that can open doors to high-value connections, even if you’re starting from scratch. Whether you have a long list of contacts or are just beginning, Mo’s advice on tracking opportunities and nurturing relationships will inspire you to take proactive steps toward collaboration and growth. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to elevate your networking game! Three episode takeaways: From Actuary to Entrepreneur: Mo shares his journey from crunching numbers as an actuary to diving headfirst into entrepreneurship. Along the way, he discovered the magic of relationship-building, emphasizing how generosity and genuine connections can lead to success. The Power of Reciprocity: You'll learn how Mo taps into the science of reciprocity to foster meaningful relationships. He stresses the importance of making clear, trustworthy offers to brands and prioritizing high-value connections that can drive your business forward. Cultivating Relationships: Discover Mo’s practical tips for nurturing connections and generating leads—even if you start with no contacts! He encourages listeners to keep track of opportunities and relationships, showing that proactive engagement can exponentially grow trust and collaboration over time. Resources: Bunnell Idea Group Give to Grow (Mo's newest book!) James Clear’s paper clip strategy Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! This episode is sponsored by Yoast.  Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    55 min
  3. Evolving Your Brand: When and How to Sell Products as a Food Creator

    12 NOV

    Evolving Your Brand: When and How to Sell Products as a Food Creator

    Mastering product development and sales, prioritizing problem-solving for your audience, and overcoming perfectionism with Jillian Leslie from MiloTree. ----- Welcome to episode 489 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Jillian Leslie from The Blogger Genius Podcast and MiloTree. Evolving Your Brand: When and How to Sell Products as a Food Creator In this week’s podcast episode, Jillian Leslie explains everything you need to know about selling a product as a food creator. Bjork and Jillian discuss the strategy behind developing a product and the importance of leaning into problem-solving for your audience. Jillian also walks listeners through how to get started selling products, how to scale products and generate recurring revenue, and how to overcome perfectionism within your business. Three episode takeaways: Prioritize problem-solving for your audience — As recipe developers, we’re always looking to solve problems for our readers. Whether you’re developing quick and easy recipes for busy families or vegan recipes for readers hoping to make a lifestyle change, problem-solving is at the center of what we do. Jillian makes the point that the same mentality should apply to developing products to sell and that the more you can market a product as a solution, the more success you’ll have. The importance of testing and iteration — Research, testing, and iteration are essential to growing any business, including developing and selling products. Jillian also explains her theory that creators should start by producing B- work and then refine their product from that point. In this interview, she goes into detail about this theory and talks more about how to prevent perfectionism from holding you back. When to transition into paid content—Many content creators struggle with transitioning from providing free content to putting some content behind a paywall. Bjork and Jillian discuss more about overcoming this barrier and how to know when the time is right for you to create your first product (and how to scale your products). Resources: The Blogger Genius Podcast MiloTree 095: How Embracing the Mess Propelled a Career with Jillian Tohber Leslie from MiloTree Clariti Catch My Party TJ Therrien Rainbow Plant Life 452: YouTube, Meal Plans, and Business Growth with Nisha Vora The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles Rhodium Network Nixta Follow Jillian on Instagram Email Jillian Book a free call with Jillian Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group ----- This episode is sponsored by Clariti. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    1h 10m
  4. Differentiating Your Content in a Crowded Market with Brian Watson

    5 NOV

    Differentiating Your Content in a Crowded Market with Brian Watson

    Prioritizing your blog, freeing yourself from metrics, and building a digital cookbook with Brian Watson from Thee Burger Dude. ----- Welcome to episode 488 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Brian Watson from Thee Burger Dude.  Differentiating Your Content in a Crowded Market with Brian Watson In this week's episode, Brian Watson from Thee Burger Dude shares his inspiring journey from posting on Instagram to building a successful blog on WordPress. He'll reveal his secrets to standing out in a crowded digital landscape — including tips on simplifying your content creation process, focusing on versatile recipes, and the power of blogging and why it remains a vital tool for content creators. Plus, he'll debunk the myth of chasing numbers and encourage you to be gentle to yourself to prioritize your mental well-being. Whether you're a seasoned blogger or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you grow your audience and build a sustainable online business! Three episode takeaways: Brian's Content Creation Journey: You'll hear about how Brian got his start on Instagram and eventually made the leap to YouTube. He dives into the early days of his content creation and how he built a successful blog on WordPress after initially trying out Wix, emphasizing the flexibility WordPress offers for monetization. Discover the Power of Blogging: He highlights why blogging remains a crucial part of his success, serving as his main source of income, while platforms like Instagram serve as more of a bonus. He encourages content creators on TikTok and Instagram to consider starting their own blogs for a more stable and personalized space that they fully control. Making Your Content Stand Out: You'll hear Brian talk about how to differentiate your brand in a crowded space, including tips on simplifying photography setups and focusing on multifunctional recipes that can be used across various dishes. Plus, he offers valuable advice for new bloggers: don’t get caught up in the numbers and embrace a mindset that prioritizes mental well-being and self-compassion! Resources: Thee Burger Dude Tiffy Cooks: How I Transitioned from 9–5 to FT Food Blogger Episode 392 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: How Pinch of Yum’s 1.1 Million Follower Instagram Account Got Hacked (and Recovered!) Joe’s Vegan Food Gram Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks and Win Your Inner Creative Battles by Steven Pressfield Follow Brian on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Memberful. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    54 min
  5. Actionable Steps to Shape a Successful Brand with Katie Trant

    29 OCT

    Actionable Steps to Shape a Successful Brand with Katie Trant

    Creating a brand to withstand algorithm changes, going beyond branding basics, and how your brand can influence your business strategy. ----- Welcome to episode 487 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Katie Trant from Foodie Brand Lab and Hey Nutrition Lady. Actionable Steps to Shape a Successful Brand There has been a lot of buzz around the importance of building a strong brand as a food creator. Amidst the volatility of search algorithms and the rise of AI, food bloggers are looking for a way to stand out and build a loyal following. Enter, Katie Trant! She has a Masters in Nutrition and started her own food site, Hey Nutrition Lady, back in 2010. She also works full-time at brand and business consultancies helping big companies define their brand. So you might say she was well-positioned to start Foodie Brand Lab to help food bloggers (like you!) refine their brand strategy. In this interview, Bjork and Katie discuss everything you need to know about brand: what it is, why it matters, how to define your brand, and how it can influence your business strategy. Katie also provides actionable steps to start building a stronger brand to help you stand out in the crowded space of food blogging. 3 episode takeaways: What is a brand? A brand is much more than a logo, color scheme, design, or font. It includes such things as brand personality, tone of voice, brand position, brand purpose, and brand values. Your niche is part of your brand, but your brand has the potential to be even more impactful in your success than a niche. A strong brand can withstand algorithm changes: It has never been more important to have a brand as a food blogger. Katie discusses how to shape the perception of your brand, and why brand matters so much in the current digital landscape. Actionable steps to go from search traffic to direct traffic: Katie walks listeners through several thought exercises (like whether you have a traditional or personal brand) and concrete steps that they can take to start building a better brand. Resources: Foodie Brand Lab Hey Nutrition Lady Pinch of Yum Magnolia Kate Spade 424: The Future of Content Creation (and Protection) in a World of AI with Paul Bannister from Raptive 467: Pinterest Strategy in 2024 Q&A with Kate Ahl Dave Ramsey 1000 True Fans Pinch of Yum Easy Sesame Noodles Smitten Kitchen Butter Noodles CultivateWP Inquiring Chef Follow Katie on Instagram and Facebook Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Tailor Brands. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    1h 3m
  6. Building Brand Relationships that Last with Chris Pieta

    22 OCT

    Building Brand Relationships that Last with Chris Pieta

    Working with brands, communicating with clients, and staying organized with Chris Pieta from Creative Biz Launch.  ----- Welcome to episode 486 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Chris Pieta from Creative Biz Launch.  Building Brand Relationships that Last with Chris Pieta In this week’s episode, Chris highlights the value of narrowing your focus. By clearly defining what you offer and identifying your ideal client, you can transform your outreach efforts. When you zero in on how to help them achieve their goals, your messaging becomes much more impactful! Chris will also talk about the power of personal connections (consider hopping on a call instead of just firing off emails)—it’s all about building relationships! Plus, he'll share how using a CRM can streamline your processes and keep your emails from landing in spam. With a solid onboarding system, you’ll make the transition smooth for new clients. Be sure to tune in for these tips to supercharge your business! Three episode takeaways: Narrow Down Your Niche: Chris emphasizes the importance of knowing exactly what you’re selling, your ideal client, and how you can help them achieve their dream outcome. This will help you tailor your outreach and messaging to resonate with the right people! Reach Out Strategically and Nurture Relationships: When it comes to working with brands, you’ll want to lean on the power of clear communication and strategic outreach. Hop on a call with a client rather than exchanging emails—this personal touch can help you better understand your client’s needs and pave the way for a successful collaboration. You’ll also learn how you can use cold outreach to connect with potential clients and the different phases of a discovery call. Streamline Your Process with Systems: A CRM can be a game-changer for managing leads, tracking interactions, and automating tasks. Chris also emphasizes the importance of setting up proper email infrastructure to prevent your emails from going to spam and creating a clear onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition for new clients! Resources: Creative Biz Launch The 4-Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss Gary Vaynerchuk Folk CRM Notion GoHighLevel Close Dan Martell Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell Food Blogger Pro Course: Google WorkSpace Alex Hormozi’s YouTube channel Follow and/or DM Chris on Instagram, YouTube, and for photo and video work, check out Pieta Productions Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    56 min
  7. Achieving Quiet Success as a Six-Figure Food Creator with Elizabeth Emery

    15 OCT

    Achieving Quiet Success as a Six-Figure Food Creator with Elizabeth Emery

    Prioritizing passive income, overcoming burnout, and rediscovering joy as a food blogger with Elizabeth Emery from Vancouver with Love. ----- Welcome to episode 485 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Elizabeth Emery from Vancouver with Love. Achieving Quiet Success as a Six-Figure Food Creator Food blogging can be a dream job — hey, we wouldn’t have started Food Blogger Pro if we didn’t believe that! But it also requires a lot of hustle, perseverance, and uncertainty. Elizabeth Emery first started Vancouver with Love in 2015 as a side hustle and took her site full-time in 2018. By 2021, she was feeling completely burnt out. That year ended up being a pivotal moment in her career. To overcome her burnout, she met with a business coach and adjusted the parts of her business that she wasn’t happy with. Once she made significant changes to her business and income streams, she rediscovered the joy of content creation, and her business started growing along with these changes. Elizabeth is now making a six-figure income from her business, and she shares all the details about her journey in this great interview! Three Episode takeaways: How to overcome burnout: Between working on her blog for 6+ years, the pandemic, and unreliable income, Elizabeth found herself completely burned out running her food blog. She was desperate for a change but knew that she could still love her job with a few tweaks. In this interview, she explains the process of working with a business coach to find more joy and flexibility in her career. Why ‘quiet success’ is underrated: Elizabeth has 30,000 followers on Instagram, no book deal (yet!), and isn’t on TV. And you don’t need any of those things to build a career as a successful food creator! It isn’t the right time for Elizabeth to pursue those goals, and she shares more about why those metrics of success aren’t for everyone. How to prioritize passive income: Elizabeth has been very intentional in the growth of her business and in adjusting her sources of revenue to increase her passive income. In this episode, you’ll learn how she makes a six-figure income from her business between ad revenue, sponsored content, and freelance recipe development. Resources: Vancouver with Love Pinch of Yum Meal Plans Full Focus Jen Carrington Your Simple & Spacious Business Letters From a Hopeful Creative Designing Your New Work Life Mediavine KeySearch Raptive Tastemaker Conference Zillow Yoast Alex Hormozi You Can Making Millions with 5000 Followers? Follow Elizabeth on Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Tailor Brands and Yoast. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    1 hr
  8. The Importance of Building Community with A Couple Cooks

    8 OCT

    The Importance of Building Community with A Couple Cooks

    Balancing passion, building a sustainable business, and predicting the future of food blogging with Alex and Sonja Overhiser from A Couple Cooks. ----- Welcome to episode 484 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Alex and Sonja Overhiser from A Couple Cooks. The Importance of Building Community with A Couple Cooks Alex and Sonja first started blogging at A Couple Cooks over 14 years ago and have navigated countless changes in the food blogging landscape over the years. In this interview, they share the things that kept them going before they achieved success with their business and the importance of having an accountability partner in the early days. They also discuss more about key decisions they’ve made in their business: why they’ve chosen not to build a team, why they don’t prioritize Instagram, and how they pivoted their cookbook strategy after initial rejections. Bjork, Alex, and Sonja have been friends for over a decade, and it’s a pleasure to hear them catching up as people who have been around the block in this industry. Episode takeaways: Balancing passion and business: Alex and Sonja have learned a lot in the 14 years that they’ve been running A Couple Cooks, including the delicate balance between their passion for sharing recipes with their community and the reality that their site is also their livelihood. In this interview, they share more about how they run a successful business while still making space for creativity and joy. Developing a giftable cookbook: Alex and Sonja are publishing their second cookbook, A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together, this fall, but it wasn’t a linear path to getting this cookbook published. After their first cookbook proposal was rejected by publishers, they went back to the drawing board and developed a new proposal for a “giftable cookbook” that was accepted by the first editor they approached! Having the ability to pivot: With the growth of AI and the uncertainty of Google algorithm updates, it is more important than ever to build an experience and community as a creator. Alex and Sonja discuss this shift, including why they’re focusing more on email marketing, as well as their predictions for the content creation landscape over the next year. Resources: A Couple Cooks 178: Life, Podcasting, Blogging, and Cookbook Writing with Sonja and Alex Overhiser Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell Ten Thousand Hours by Macklemore 365: How to Find Your Zone of Genius and Hire the Right People with Emily Perron Independence by Design A Couple Cooks | Pretty Simple Cooking: 100 Delicious Vegetarian Recipes to Make You Fall in Love with Real Food A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together The Art of Cookbook Publishing with Danielle Walker Vegetarian Ventures Chronicle Books Bard Press Raptive Dotdash meredith ConvertKit Pinch of Yum This Week in Startups Golden Hour Books for a signed copy of their new cookbook Follow A Couple Cooks on Instagram and YouTube Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

    56 min
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Welcome to The Food Blogger Pro Podcast, hosted by Bjork Ostrom from Pinch of Yum! Our goal is to help you create a beautiful, functional, and profitable blog. We interview successful food bloggers and industry experts in an effort to surface strategies that can help you more efficiently grow and monetize your site. You'll learn about recipe SEO, food photography, plugins, monetization, traffic, and more. New episodes every Tuesday! Learn more at foodbloggerpro.com/podcast

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