645: How to Succeed as a New Blogger in 2025 (Part 2) with Ashley Freeman and Gwen Wolken

In episode 647, Lisa Steele teaches us how to make a drastic change to our niche and online presence like she did by going from lifestyle blogging to food content creation. Lisa Steele is an author, blogger and 5th generation chicken keeper living in Maine. She started her business more than 10 years ago and grew a successful "chicken lifestyle" blog called Fresh Eggs Daily. In 2022, Lisa got a cookbook deal with HarperCollins and that started her pivot to egg recipes and cooking. In this episode, you’ll learn about the challenges to expect when you start a new food blog, positioning yourself as an expert in your niche and how to successfully build a multifaceted online presence Key points discussed include: - Focus on your goals, not what others are doing: Determine your unique objectives and align your activities accordingly, rather than comparing yourself to other bloggers. - Streamline your activities ruthlessly: Regularly evaluate your tasks and drop anything that doesn't directly contribute to your goals, even if it's popular with others. - Develop a thick skin for criticism: Expect and be prepared to handle negative feedback, as it often comes with success. Don't take it personally. - Leverage your expertise and authority: Position yourself as the go-to expert in your niche, which can open up opportunities like media appearances and partnerships. - Prioritize engagement over follower count: Publishers are more interested in your ability to connect with and influence your audience than just the size of your following. - Recognize the long-term benefits of cookbooks: While the initial monetary rewards may not be as immediate as your blog, cookbooks can provide passive income and increased credibility over time. - Be prepared for the challenges: Understand that both food blogging and cookbook writing require significant time, effort, and resilience, but the rewards can be worth it if aligned with your goals. Guest Details Connect with Lisa Steele Website | Instagram

In this episode, I share five practical strategies to help you start your year on the right foot and carry positivity throughout the months ahead. How’s your new year going so far? Are you still sticking to those New Year’s resolutions, or are a few starting to slip through the cracks? If they are, don’t stress—you’re definitely not alone! If overwhelm or negativity is creeping in, this episode is here to help you hit reset. I’ll share how a little intentional planning and some small, consistent actions can pave the way for a positive and fulfilling year. From practicing gratitude and reflecting on your progress to setting meaningful goals and visualizing your dreams, I’ve got strategies to keep you motivated and moving forward. Action Plan: 1 - Review and reflect on the previous year with a gratitude exercise. 2 - Make a list of things you're looking forward to in the coming year. 3 - Set goals for the year in various areas and review them weekly. 4 - Create a vision board. 5 - Commit to making one positive, permanent change each month. Get in touch with Megan below. Website | Instagram

In episode 645, Megan chats to bloggers, Ashley Freeman and Gwen Wolken, about how to achieve success as a new blogger. This is part 2 of the New Blogger conversations. Ashley is a seasoned culinary content creator with 11 years of experience who launched her blog, Little Black Skillet, at the end of 2023. Her journey began in the publishing world as a recipe developer, food stylist, and cookbook editor before transitioning to freelance. Ashley has served as the editor of over 40 cookbooks and has authored two of her own, including The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook, published in 2020. She also brought her culinary expertise to television, working as the head food stylist for seasons 1–4 and culinary producer for seasons 5–9 of the Food Network show Delicious Miss Brown. Gwen Wolken founded A Sweet Thyme to share her recipes with family and friends and to connect with others who love to cook. Today, the blog houses delicious and dependable Mediterranean recipes that are mostly gluten-free and simple to prepare. After spending time in corporate America, Gwen became an entrepreneur and had several businesses, but her favorite was a chocolate business that she nurtured for over ten years before creating A Sweet Thyme. Gwen is married and the Mom to three adult boys, two of which are married. In this episode, you’ll learn how to invest wisely in your blogging business when you're starting out and why networking can make a big difference to your blog’s growth trajectory. Key points discussed include: - Understand your audience: Regularly survey your audience to ensure your content aligns with their needs and interests. - Explore new content formats: Consider adding video content to your Pinterest strategy to diversify your offerings. - Evaluate your marketing efforts: Regularly assess the return on investment for your participation in Facebook recipe roundup groups. - Leverage organizational tools: Use tools like Reminders and spreadsheets to create a daily to-do list and stay organized. - Find your niche: Identify your unique strengths and passions, and let them shine through in your content. - Invest in your business: Be willing to spend money on hosting, themes, and other tools to improve your blog's performance. - Build a supportive community: Participate in mastermind groups and attend conferences to connect with like-minded bloggers. - Adapt to platform changes: Stay flexible and willing to adjust your strategies as platforms like Pinterest update their algorithms. - Embrace authenticity: Focus on creating content that aligns with your values and resonates with your audience, rather than chasing trends. Connect with Ashley Freeman Website | Instagram Connect with Gwen Wolken Website  | Instagram

In episode 644, newer bloggers Kristina Cadelina, Rose Sioson and Mandy Martinez teach us how to start a successful blog in 2025. This is part 1 of the New Blogger conversations. Kristina is a food blogger who helps her readers reconnect with their wellness by offering nourishing and versatile Mediterranean inspired recipes. She is also a food photographer and helps brands and food bloggers grow their business by offering professional photography and video services.  Rose is an experienced IT professional with over two decades in the field. Nearly a year ago, she launched Deliciously Rushed, a blog that blends her love for food with her need for a creative outlet, all while balancing a full-time job and family. Aware of her limited time, Rose strategically invested in courses to streamline her growth and minimize costly mistakes. Her primary goal for 2024 is to qualify for the Mediavine ad network, and she is currently on the verge of reaching the 50K session threshold needed to achieve it. Mandy is the photographer and recipe developer behind Semi Homemade Kitchen. Her passion lies in simplifying the art of cooking without sacrificing flavor. She believes that anyone, regardless of their cooking expertise, can whip up mouthwatering dishes. Using shortcuts like cake mixes, cookie mixes, pudding mix, premade pie crusts, biscuit dough, canned soups, pasta sauces, and more to make the cooking process accessible and enjoyable for everyone. In this episode, you’ll learn about the importance of niche and experimenting with different strategies, as well as how to pick seasonal content to boost your visibility. Key points discussed include: - Consistency is key: Maintaining consistent activity and content creation across platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Google is crucial for driving traffic and growth. - Experiment with different strategies: Try various tactics like video pins, animated pins, and keyword research tools to see what works best for your unique blog and audience. - Invest in yourself: Joining mastermind groups, taking courses, and outsourcing tasks can provide valuable insights and free up time to focus on core activities. - Leverage niche communities: Actively participating in relevant Facebook groups can be an effective way to drive immediate traffic and build relationships with your target audience. - Capitalize on seasonality: Aligning your content with popular seasonal trends, like holiday recipes or summer ice cream, can help boost your visibility and engagement. - Diversify your traffic sources: While Google traffic is valuable, don't rely solely on it - explore other platforms like Pinterest and social media to build a well-rounded traffic strategy. - Stay true to your niche: Focusing on content that aligns with your blog's core purpose and resonates with your target audience can lead to greater success. - Embrace an experimental mindset: Be willing to try new things, even if they don't work out initially, as it can lead to unexpected breakthroughs. - Leverage freelancing opportunities: Combining your blog with freelance work, such as photography or recipe development, can provide financial stability and creative fulfillment. Connect with Kristina Cadelina Website | Instagram Connect with Rose Sioson Website  | Instagram Connect with Mandy Martinez Website | Instagram

In this episode, we're going to talk about five key things entrepreneurs should avoid bringing on vacation in order to truly disconnect and recharge. I get how hard it can be to fully step away from work, even when you know you need a break. From my own experiences, I’ll share some practical tips and strategies to help you protect your vacations and downtime. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better handle on the mindset shifts and boundaries that’ll let you truly enjoy your time off. That way, you can come back feeling refreshed and ready to go—without the guilt or burnout. Taking the time to unplug is so important for your well-being and the long-term success of your business. Action Plan: 1 - Avoid unfinished to-do lists: They can cause mental clutter and keep you in work mode during vacation. 2 - Don’t bring business guilt: Reframe downtime as an investment in your creativity and productivity. 3 - Avoid digital leashes: Set specific tech boundaries and remove distracting apps to stay disconnected. 4 - Set clear expectations: Over-communicate your availability and boundaries to your team, clients, and audience. 5 - Resist work temptation: Commit to being fully present and trust the systems you've put in place. Get in touch with Megan: Website | Instagram

In episode 642, Megan chats to Bjork Ostrom about how to protect your time and mental well-being as a creator and business owner, so you can continue producing your best work and building the business you desire. Bjork loves to find ways to maximize potential - of people, of technology, of life. His wife Lindsay started a food blog a few years ago and they decided to do just that - maximize its potential. They hope to share what they've learned with other food bloggers here on Food Blogger Pro. Bjork is a terrible chef. In this episode, you'll discover effective strategies to organize your workday for maximum focus and reduced mental clutter, while also uncovering ways to find deeper fulfillment in your work. Key points discussed include: - Purpose prevents burnout: Clearly define the purpose and mission behind your work to stay motivated and avoid burnout. - Recognize "enough": Determine what "enough" looks like for your business and personal life, and set boundaries accordingly. - Implement effective systems: Develop repeatable processes to manage tasks, priorities, and projects, keeping your brain uncluttered. - Practice self-care: Prioritize your mental and physical health, as your brain is the primary tool for your creative work. - Embrace imperfection: Accept that you'll never be "done" and that some level of imperfection is inevitable - focus on continuous improvement. - Seek alignment: Ensure your daily work aligns with your deeper purpose and brings you a sense of flow and fulfillment. - Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries around technology, work hours, and other commitments to protect your time and energy. - Reflect and adjust: Regularly reflect on what's working and what needs to change, then make small, incremental adjustments. - Leverage support systems: Build a team or community that can provide a "fallback" when you need it, reducing stress. If You Loved This Episode… You’ll love Episode 536: Is Social Media Ruining Your Productivity? How to Prioritize Deep Work and Minimize Distractions with Mike Cleavenger Connect with Foodblogger Pro Website | Instagram | Facebook

In episode 641, Laura Arnold teaches us how to set realistic goals for SEO in 2025, staying ahead of AI and algorithm changes. Laura Arnold is a New York City-based Emmy-Nominated Culinary Television Producer, Cookbook Consultant, and award-winning Content Creator with over a decade of experience. She currently is the Supervising Culinary Producer for Food Network’s The Kitchen, and has worked previously at ABC’s The Chew, DotDash Meredith, Good Housekeeping, Food52, kitchn.com, and with many more brands. After learning about SEO through several food clients and brands over the past several years, she kept hearing from clients that they wished a food media expert had an SEO consultancy. She then founded Dang Good Digital, her own SEO consulting business specifically for food creators and bloggers to help them grow their brands, sites, and social media exposure. In this episode, you’ll learn how to analyze your content and niche down to get more traction, why it’s worth investing in video, even if it's not perfect, and ways to build a strong community. Key points discussed include: - Niche down your content: Analyze your past year's performance to identify your content strengths and focus on building out those areas. - Experiment with content pillars: Try increasing content in your top-performing areas, like salads, while maintaining a balance of other recipe types. - Research keywords strategically: For newer bloggers, look for high-volume, low-competition keywords to target and build content around. - Adjust your publishing cadence: Aim for 5 new posts and 12 post updates per month, adjusting as needed based on your blog's size and goals. - Write with a conversational tone: Incorporate trigger words and a more personal approach when writing blog post introductions and meta descriptions. - Embrace video content: Experiment with creating simple video content to accompany your blog posts, even using a smartphone. - Build a community presence: Invest time in building a community on 2-3 platforms, such as Instagram and Facebook. - Expect SEO changes: Stay adaptable as search algorithms and AI continue to evolve, focusing on creating high-quality content. - Understand domain authority: While it's important, don't let a low domain authority discourage you, as newer bloggers can still achieve success. Connect with Laura Arnold Website | Instagram

In this episode, we're going to talk about five healthy distractions that can help you stop focusing on negative thoughts and feelings. As a business owner, wife, and mom, I totally get how easy it is to fall into cycles of stress, overwhelm, and anxiety. I've been there myself—it's tough to climb out of those dark moments. That’s why I’m excited to share some super practical tips you can try in just five minutes to reset your mindset and recharge your energy. Whether you’re feeling a little off or spiraling into full-on stress mode, these simple distractions can help you get back on track. Action Plan: 1 - 5 minutes of moving your body: Engaging in a quick physical activity like dancing, walking, stretching, or strength training can shift your mood and focus. 2 - 5 minutes of creativity: Tapping into your creative side through doodling, writing, or making something can help you get out of a negative mindset. 3 - 5 minutes connecting with a loved one: Reaching out to someone you care about, whether through a text, call, or making plans, can provide a healthy distraction. 4 - 5 minutes of gratitude: Intentionally reflecting on things you're grateful for, either by writing a list or visualizing, can pull you out of a negative rut. 5 - 5 minutes of mindful breathing: Practicing deep, conscious breathing exercises can help calm your mind and body when you're feeling stressed or anxious. Get in touch with Megan: Website | Instagram

In episode 639, Megan chats to Justin Moore about how to secure, price and carry out brand deals to generate consistent income using Moore’s eight-step process - “the sponsorship wheel framework”. Justin Moore is a Sponsorship Coach, author, and the founder of @CreatorWizard, a school & community that teaches you how to find & negotiate your dream brand partnerships so that you stop leaving thousands on the table. His latest book, "Sponsor Magnet," offers a succinct distillation of his ideas and frameworks for securing successful brand collaborations. Along with his wife April, he has been a full-time creator since 2014 and has personally made over $5M working with brands. He also ran an influencer marketing agency for 7 years that helped other creators earn millions more. Justin brings a very unique perspective because not only has he been a creator in the trenches doing sponsorships for years but by running an agency, he has insider knowledge behind how big brands choose which influencers to partner with and why they pass on others. Justin's mission is to enable creators big and small to land 1 million paid brand partnerships by 2032.  In this episode, you’ll learn how to pitch effectively and build lasting relationships with the brands you admire and why it's essential to avoid exchanging work for free products. Key points discussed include: - Proactivity is key: You need to be proactive in your approach to sponsorships, not just reactive to brand inquiries. - Relationships matter: Building strong relationships with the humans behind the brands can lead to recurring partnerships. - Knowledge is power: Researching your audience's psychographics and the brand's needs can give you a competitive edge. - Avoid the free stuff trap: Be cautious when accepting free products, as there may be hidden terms that could harm your rights. - Negotiate platform terms: Brand deal platforms can be valuable, but you should negotiate the terms to protect your interests. - Showcase your professionalism: Delivering high-quality content on time and being responsive can make you a brand's favorite to work with. - Leverage post-campaign reports: Providing detailed post-campaign reports, including testimonials, can lead to repeat collaborations. - Manage your mindset: Approach sponsorship opportunities with a mindset of learning and growth, rather than fear or resentment. - Prioritize your own advocacy: Consider managing sponsorship opportunities in-house rather than relying solely on agents or managers. Connect with Justin Moore Website | Instagram | Facebook

In episode 638, Leslie Shreve teaches us strategies for increasing efficiency and reducing stress during our workdays. Leslie Shreve is a workload management and productivity expert, and the Founder and CEO of Productive Day®, which was established in 2003. Leslie is also the creator of Taskology® The Science of Getting Things Done, a unique, proprietary, and all-encompassing system for workload management and productivity that includes the management of tasks, time, email, information, and more. Leslie works with corporate executives and professionals to show them how to increase efficiency and productivity by up to 300% in as little as 4 weeks, gain 1-2 hours back in their workday—EVERY day, spend up to 50% LESS time in their email Inbox, and reduce stress by up to 90%. In this episode, you’ll learn how to centralize tasks using a digital system, how to create a streamlined process for email and information management and the importance of protected time blocks. Key points discussed include: - Centralize your tasks: Gather all your tasks from various sources (email, notes, calendar, etc.) into one central digital task list to improve planning and prioritization. - Protect your time: Block off dedicated time in your calendar each day for focused work on tasks and email management to avoid getting distracted. - Streamline your processes: Develop efficient systems for managing tasks, email, and information to save time and reduce stress. - Avoid paper-based task management: Using paper to track to-dos is less effective than a digital task management system. - Make quick decisions on emails: Process emails immediately and either take action, file, or delete them - don't let them accumulate in your inbox. - Categorize your digital files: Organize your documents, photos, and other digital assets into a structured folder system with main categories and subcategories. - Don't let your desktop accumulate: Build a habit of immediately filing or deleting temporary files like screenshots to prevent clutter. - Start small and work backwards: Even small improvements to your productivity processes can make a big difference. Connect with Leslie Shreve Website | Facebook