How to Be a Better Food Blogger

We at the IFBC have heard literally hundreds of speakers over the last 10 years speak to all facets of being a better food blogger. So we thought we would distill some of that wisdom into one simple list.

We realize no list is perfect and what works for one person will not work for another. So let us know what you think!

How to Be a Better Food Blogger

1. Identify your niche. You might choose a subject about a specific cooking style, a specific type of cuisine, the business of food, restaurant reviews, or whatever you want. But if you don’t have a niche, it is hard to get attention in a crowded online world.
2. Invest in your website. Make a splash on your home page using graphics and a good logo. For a couple hundred bucks you can pay someone from Craig’s List to do this and make your site look professional.
3. You are your brand. People read blogs in large part because they want to hear from the blogger herself or himself. Identify yourself, provide an About page, and include photos on your blog.
4. Take a position on paid work. First off, make it easy for people to contact you. Then, decide what your policies are on writing for pay, advertisements, etc and put them on your site.
5. Engage in social media. This one is pretty obvious but no one is just a blogger anymore. Use Pinterest at a minimum and potentially Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to help promote yourself and your blog. But only use platforms you have time for.
6. Be authentic. Write about what you love and are passionate about. Show your personality! If blogging is a chore, it will come across that way in your writing.
7. Cater to your audience. Conversely, determine who your reader is and why they want to read your articles. Google Analytics will help with this. In the extreme, you could be writing just what your readers (and Google) want, so keep in mind point #2.
8. Use photography. Learn how to or spend the money to get quality food pictures. The more appetizing the picture, the more your audience will want to pin, retweet and share your recipes.
9. Take video. Conversely, your videos to do need to be professionally filmed or edited. Just get that camera out and film you in the kitchen, out to eat, at a farm, or wherever.
10. Interact with others. Network. Make friends with other food bloggers by commenting on their posts and reaching out to them on social media. Email other food bloggers in your area and arrange a meeting. Attend the International Food Blogger Conference!