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.

Legitimizing the creator economy and working with brands with Chandice Probst and Abbey Rodriguez from Tastemaker Conference ----- Welcome to episode 483 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Chandice Probst and Abbey Rodriguez from Tastemaker Conference.  How to Thrive in the Creator Economy and Build Successful Brand Partnerships Chandice and Abbey have been on the front lines of the food content creation revolution, watching the industry evolve from bloggers to influencers and creators. Now, they’re dedicated to proving that being a food creator is a serious business, not just a hobby. Tune in as they discuss the power of community and how embracing an abundance mindset can open doors to new opportunities. You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation that could transform the way you approach your creative business! Three episode takeaways: Legitimizing the Creator Economy: Chandice and Abbey argue that being a [food] creator is a real business, not just a hobby. They’ve seen the food blogging industry evolve over the years and are working hard to decentralize the food creator business model. Building Your Brand Takes Work: Getting brand partnerships isn’t as easy as it might seem. It requires a strategic approach, including creating a sponsorship deck, reaching out to brands directly, and even leveraging AI to find potential partners! Collaboration Over Competition: The key to success in the creator economy is often collaboration. Abbey and Chandice emphasize the importance of building a supportive community and leaning into the abundance mentality over the scarcity mentality. Resources: Tastemaker Conference | FBP members get $100 off with code FBP100 through this link from October 15th - October 22nd. Tastemaker sponsorship referral program Tastemaker affiliate program Tastemaker Collaborative FYPM (rates brand partnership deals) Tastemaker brand pricing calculator Tastemaker brand education webinars Federal Trade Commission Announces Final Rule Banning Fake Reviews and Testimonials Follow Tastemaker on Instagram Email Chandice at chandice@tastemakerconference.com Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and 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.

Building community, providing exclusive value, and streamlining membership sites with Jen Matichuk from Memberful.  ----- Welcome to episode 482 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Jen Matichuk from Memberful—this is the third and final episode of our Memberful mini-series! How to Build a Thriving Membership Site In this week’s episode of our podcast, we’re diving deep into the power of community for your membership site! Join Jen as she shares her insights on how to foster genuine connections with your audience and ensure they feel valued and engaged. Discover how to deliver exclusive content that truly resonates—think behind-the-scenes access and in-depth tutorials that keep your members coming back for more. Plus, Jen highlights some of Memberful’s essential tools that can streamline your site management and allow you to focus on building meaningful relationships with your audience. You won’t want to miss this episode! Three episode takeaways: Build a Community Around Your Content: A strong community can be a powerful asset for your membership site. Encourage engagement, provide exclusive content, and create a space where your members can connect with each other. Offer Value Beyond Your Free Content: To justify the cost of a membership, provide exclusive content and benefits that your free audience can’t access. This could include behind-the-scenes content, in-depth tutorials, or access to a private community. Use the Right Tools to Streamline Your Membership Site: Tools like Memberful can help you manage your membership site, from creating tiers to facilitating payments. By using the right tools, you can save time and focus on building your community. Resources: Memberful Rhett and Link Mythical Society The Perfect Loaf community Wistia JWPlayer Jacques Pépin Foundation The Bittman Project Workweek Lunch Little Spoon Farm (ad-free experience!) Molly Baz Connect with Jen via email email Follow Jen on Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! 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.

Leveraging email lists, boosting revenue, and building relationships with Nathan Barry. ----- Welcome to episode 481 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Nathan Barry from ConvertKit, soon-to-be Kit. Maximizing the Impact of Your Email List Nathan Barry started ConvertKit back in 2013 and has grown his company into a multi-million dollar business with over 30,000 creators that use the platform. We are happy to welcome Nathan back to the podcast to chat about how he has grown his business, email marketing strategy, and the transition from ConvertKit to Kit. As algorithms change and search traffic becomes increasingly unpredictable, it’s a great time to double down on your email list. Capturing your audience from both site traffic and your social accounts and building an ongoing relationship with that audience is a great way to diversify your income streams and protect the future of your business. This podcast episode dives into the importance of optimizing your emails for the reader, consistency, and driving revenue with your emails. Three episode takeaways: Strategies for Increasing Email List Sign-ups: When something goes viral on social media, how do you make sure you’re capturing that audience? Nathan and Bjork discuss the importance of optimizing links in your social media profiles, lead magnets, and other tips for growing your email list. How Your Email List Can Increase Your Revenue: With the (slow) demise of third-party cookies, creators need to be more… creative with providing more relevant ads to their readers. If you’re working with an ad network, your email list can be an incredibly valuable resource for serving targeted ads to your users (thereby maximizing your ad revenue). The Magic of Flywheels: Nathan explains how and why to apply the concept of flywheels, which emphasizes attracting, engaging, and delighting your community, to your business. He also makes a case for why you should focus on repeating what is working for your business (rather than chasing the next new thing). Resources: ConvertKit NathanBarry.com Follow Nathan on X Raptive The Elliott Homestead The Flexible Dieting Lifestyle Bonnie Christine Jenna Kutcher’s Instagram post Mediavine Clariti Kit Kit Studios Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group 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 at foodbloggerpro.com/work-with-us. 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.

The power of recurring revenue and breaking down key metrics for running a membership site with Bjork Ostrom ----- Welcome to episode 480 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week, we’re excited to air the second episode of our mini-series with Memberful, in which Bjork discusses the ins and outs of membership sites and the power of recurring revenue. The Secret to Generating Recurring Revenue with Bjork Ostrom Tired of chasing after millions of followers? In this week’s podcast, Bjork spills the beans on how you can build a thriving business with just a small but dedicated community. He discusses the power of recurring revenue and how that can translate into stability for your business. He also breaks down some key business metrics that can help you track your progress and make smart decisions. Let’s face it: Building a sustainable business isn’t about getting everyone on board. It’s about finding your tribe and serving them really well. This episode is a must-listen if you’re looking to grow your business in a more sustainable way! Three episode takeaways: You Don’t Need Millions of Followers: It’s a common misconception that you need millions of followers or subscribers to build a successful and profitable business. The reality is that even a small, dedicated community can be enough! By focusing on quality over quantity and building strong relationships with your audience, you can create a sustainable income stream that allows you to thrive. Recurring Revenue is Key to Stability: One of the biggest advantages of membership sites is the predictable income they generate through subscription fees. This recurring revenue provides a stable foundation for your business, allowing you to focus on growth and improvement without constantly chasing new opportunities. Unlike one-time sales or advertising revenue, which can fluctuate, membership fees offer a reliable source of income. Understand Your Business Metrics: To make informed decisions and evaluate the health of your business, it’s essential to track key metrics such as MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue), churn rate, customer lifetime value, and customer acquisition cost. These metrics can help you understand your business’s performance, identify areas for improvement, and make strategic decisions. Resources: Memberful Episode 45 of the Food Blogger Pro podcast: How to Use Facebook Ads to Reach the Right People with Tony Rulli from IntentionalSpark.com QuietLight Episode 32 of the Food Blogger Pro podcast: Buying & Selling Websites with Mark Daoust from Quiet Light Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! 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.

Publishing a cookbook, fostering a community, and creating a work-life balance with Danielle Walker ----- Welcome to episode 479 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Danielle Walker.  The Art of Cookbook Publishing with Danielle Walker Danielle’s journey to becoming a cookbook author is anything but ordinary! From a chance encounter with a publisher to releasing her seventh (!!!) cookbook, “Make It Easy,” she’s learned so many valuable lessons along the way that have propelled her into the successful cookbook author she is today. In this episode, Danielle shares her insights on building a strong community, understanding your audience, and prioritizing mental health and work-life balance. You’ll discover how these strategies have helped her create successful cookbooks and maintain a fulfilling career. For aspiring cookbook authors and anyone looking to build a successful online community, this episode is for you! In this episode, you’ll learn: The unconventional path to cookbook publishing: Early on in her journey, Danielle had a publisher reach out to her to work on a cookbook, and this unexpected opportunity led her to the world of cookbook writing. She’s learned so much along the way and shares some valuable lessons from her early experiences in this episode — from the necessity of advance payments to the importance of hiring an agent. The importance of building a community: Danielle used Kajabi and Substack to connect more deeply with her audience and gather valuable feedback for her cookbook. By fostering a sense of community, she was able to better understand her readers’ needs and preferences and shape the content she created for them. Prioritizing mental health and work-life balance: Danielle discusses how important it was for her to take a step back to reevaluate her work to ensure she brought value to her community and have a better relationship with her work. You’ll learn about how she’s been able to find a healthy balance between her professional and personal life — no easy feat! Resources: Danielle Walker’s website Against All Grain Episode 443 of the Food Blogger Pro podcast: Why David Lebovitz Switched from Blogging to Substack Danielle’s latest cookbook, Make It Easy 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly Meals Made Simple by Danielle Walker (her first cookbook!) Episode 191 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: Building a Better Bio with Ryan Walker Follow Danielle on Instagram and Substack Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast 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.

Income diversification, monetization strategies, and memberships with Bjork Ostrom ----- Welcome to episode 478 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week, we’re launching the first episode of our three-episode mini-series with Memberful, in which our very own Bjork Ostrom talks about the power of community, income diversification, and memberships. How to Address This Common Food Blogging Mistake Let's face it: most food bloggers are stuck in a rut when it comes to making money. They're relying on one source of income (usually ads), and that's a bit of a risky game. If Google or Pinterest decides to change their algorithms, your traffic and income could take a nosedive. So, what's the solution? Diversification! Instead of squeezing the same old orange, look for other juicy options. Affiliate marketing and sponsored content can be great ways to boost your income, but if you're looking to bring in recurring income, you may want to consider membership sites. They let you build on what you're already good at: creating awesome content and connecting with your audience. We hope you enjoy this episode — be sure to tune in to the second part of the mini-series next week! In this episode, you’ll learn: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Relying solely on ad revenue can be risky, especially if your traffic sources change. Diversify your income streams. Explore options like affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and memberships to create a more stable business. Build a strong business foundation. Focus on creating valuable content, engaging with your audience, and building relationships to support sustainable income. Resources: Memberful 1,000 True Fans by Kevin Kelly Ewen Finser’s newsletter: Niche Media Publishing Food Blogger Pro Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsor! 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.

Diversifying your traffic sources, the power of community, and using Reddit as a growth hack with Ewen Finser ----- Welcome to episode 477 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Ewen Finser from Venture 4th Media.  Leveraging Reddit as a Traffic Source In this episode, Bjork sits down with Ewen Finser to discuss the evolving landscape of digital content creation. With algorithm changes impacting traffic, Ewen emphasizes the importance of diversifying your audience reach beyond Google. He shares insights on building a strong presence on platforms like Reddit, while also highlighting the power of community-building as a cornerstone for long-term success. Ewen also delves into the art of platform-specific content creation. He explains how understanding and catering to the unique preferences of each platform is essential for maximizing your impact. Get ready to gain valuable insights into expanding your online reach and building a sustainable digital business! In this episode, you’ll learn: Diversify Your Traffic: With algorithm updates and the rise of platforms like TikTok and Instagram, it’s time to start looking for an alternative recipe for your traffic. Building a strong presence on other platforms can be a game-changer as you find new ways to reach your audience and ensure your content is where they are. The Power of Community: The real key to success is building a loyal community and providing them with information that will actually help them. Platforms like Reddit (which Google is starting to treat as a publisher!) offer a unique opportunity to connect with your audience on a deeper level. By providing value, being authentic, and engaging with your community, you can create a sustainable business that’s less reliant on Google’s ever-changing rules. Master the Art of Platform-Specific Content: Every platform is different. What works on Instagram won’t necessarily work on Reddit so in order to succeed, you’ll need to tailor your content to each platform. It’s about understanding your audience and giving them what they want, where they want it. By mastering this, you can maximize your reach and impact. Resources: Venture 4th Media Reddit Leverage Course Niche Media Publishing Follow Ewen on X and LinkedIn Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group ----- This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Member Kitchens. 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.

Creating effective category pages, navigating keyword research, and balancing SEO with creativity with Casey Markee from Media Wyse. ----- Welcome to episode 476 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Casey Markee from Media Wyse. Advanced SEO Q&A with Casey Markee This is the third and final episode of our Summer Membership Spotlight, in which we have been sharing a piece of content that is normally exclusive to Food Blogger Pro members here on the podcast. We are finishing the series with a replay of our Advanced SEO Live Q&A with Casey Markee! Food Blogger Pro members submitted many questions all about SEO — Helpful Content Updates, SEO best practices, topic clusters, AI, and more! We hope you learn a lot from this Q&A (we always do!) and that you enjoyed this special series on the podcast. In this episode, you'll learn about: SEO Survival Guide: Get the latest scoop on Google's cookie changes and how to optimize your content for search engines, even after the Helpful Content Update. You'll hear more about keyword research tools and strategies that will help you rank higher. Recipe Creation and SEO Balance: Learn how to create delicious recipes that will both satisfy your cravings and rank well in search results. Casey will discuss building strong topic clusters and how you can leverage recipe roundups to boost your SEO. Leveraging AI for SEO: Discover ChatGPT's potential for SEO and how to use it effectively to improve your content strategy. Get the resources for this episode at foodbloggerpro.com/476. 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.

Growing your email list, connecting with your audience, and working with sponsors with Allea Grummert from Duett ----- Welcome to episode 475 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Allea Grummert from Duett.  Grow Your Email List and Connect with your Audience with Allea Grummert  Email marketing expert Allea Grummert founded her agency, Duett, in 2018 with the goal of helping content creators improve their email marketing. She’s been an invaluable resource for the Food Blogger Pro and Pinch of Yum teams and is also an industry expert in the Food Blogger Pro community, so you may have seen her around the forum! In this episode, Allea spills the tea on growing your email list and building deeper connections with your audience. She'll also talk about why email is a must-have for content creators and how to turn it into a profitable asset. From crafting irresistible welcome sequences to landing brand sponsorships, Allea shares her proven strategies for email success. Get ready to level up your email game! In this episode, you’ll learn about: Email is Your Secret Weapon: Learn why email should be a top priority for any content creator or publisher. Discover how to grow your email list, create compelling welcome sequences, and use chat marketing tools like ManyChat to boost your blog traffic. Connect and Convert: Uncover the power of email in building genuine connections with your readers. Allea talks more about her email philosophy and how you can leverage email to humanize your brand, increase engagement, and turn subscribers into paying customers. Automate, Monetize, and Thrive: Discover time-saving strategies for automating your email sequences and maximizing your email list's potential. Learn how to generate income through sponsored emails and ad networks while maintaining creative freedom. Resources: Duett Alexandra’s Kitchen Interact Episode 277 of the Tax Smart Real Estate Investors Podcast: Growing A Multi-Million Dollar Empire & Real Estate’s Role with Sam Parr Tax Smart Real Estate Investors Podcast The Hustle Sam’s List Hampton Hubslife Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle Raptive: Newsletter Identity Capture Who Not How by Dan Sullivan Follow Allea on Instagram and X Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group ----- This episode is sponsored by Yoast and 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.