533: Increase Your Passive Income Through Affiliate Marketing and SEO (+What You Should Do to Adhere to Google’s Helpful Content Update) with Tonya Lawson

In episode 537, Megan chats to Madeeha Anwar about why blogging is a marathon and not a sprint and how to prepare yourself accordingly, especially if you’re starting out, including what to prioritize now for long-term success as a blogger. Madeeha is a baker, recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer. Her blog, Now Delish, was started in December 2021. In addition to the blog, Madeeha continues to work full time, and has reached a point where she knows how to organize her blog well to keep things moving forward. Now Delish primarily features baking recipes and easy main course recipes, especially the authentic Pakistani recipes that Madeeha grew up with. In this episode, you’ll learn about common difficulties food bloggers face, the need for patience, why you should spend time to understand your analytics and invest in your blog, as well as other strategies for continued growth. Key points discussed: - Prepare Your Mindset For A Marathon: Blogging is complex with many layers to learn; there is no get rich quick scheme that gets you long-term success overnight. - Plan Your Content In Advance: It’s important to plan and create a content calendar prior to creating blog posts - it will help you stay organized and on top of your goals. - Find a Way to Pivot and Adapt: Adapt your content strategy when something is not working or as a result of Google updates and other changes in the field. - Allow Yourself to Procrastinate: If you do not feel inspired to do a certain task, be easy on yourself and postpone if necessary. - Stay Productive, Avoid Burnout: By focusing on quality over quantity in blogging and social media it’s easier to stay balanced. - Invest Time in Free Resources: Use free resources like podcasts and YouTube videos to learn as much as possible about different aspects of blogging. - Get an Audit as Soon as You Can: If your budget allows, get a website audit as this reveals SEO mistakes you may not know of and other areas that you can improve. Connect with Madeeha Anwar Website | Facebook

In episode 536, Mike Cleavenger teaches us how to prioritize deep work and set boundaries to minimize distractions to get more done in less time. Mike Cleavenger of the Frizzled Leek started his career after culinary school working in professional kitchens in the San Diego area. He got laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result decided to embark on a journey as a food blogger. The goal of The Frizzled Leek is to show people that cooking shouldn't be intimidating but fun! They specialize in Sous Vide and Air Fryer recipes. In this episode, you’ll learn about managing social media distractions, time management strategies and creating a conducive work environment to maximize productivity and focus. Key points discussed: - Why Should you Prioritize ‘Deep Work’: Deep work is when you focus on one task and eliminate all distractions in order to be more productive. - Manage Distractions to Increase Your Focus: Put phones in a different room and remove other distractions that may prevent you from focusing 100%. - Schedule Time for Social Media: If you schedule for example 30 minutes a week for social media you’ll feel less tempted to go on your phone when you’re working. - Spend Time on Your Phone Wisely: Decide what are beneficial activities on your phone and which  social media accounts are most inspiring - curate your feed and be intentional. - Increase Your Productivity with Time Blocking: Time block as much of your workday as possible - do not leave open space. - Brain Dump all Tasks Before Planning: Use brain dump techniques to plan and prioritize tasks for the week, batching similar tasks together for maximum efficiency. - Take Breaks to Recharge and Gain New Insight: Include breaks in your daily planning and do things outside of work that bring you joy as a reward for deep work. - Schedule a Shutdown Routine: Be strict with ending your work day at a specific time and give yourself some time to plan for the next day. Connect with Mike Cleavenger Website | Instagram

How you plan your calendar can either lead to increased productivity or burnout. In this episode, Megan shares 5 things to put in your calendar for a balanced week and how to avoid work backlogs. If you want to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it’s essential to start your calendar planning with self-care, downtime and family time. While it might seem counterintuitive to prioritize non-work related activities, if you plan on constantly working, especially at unrealistic times and without quality breaks, you’ll risk low levels of motivation, productivity and potentially burnout. Action Plan: 1 - Block out self-care and downtime for the following week before adding other items. 2 - Consider when and for how long you want to spend quality time with loved ones - plan dates or meetings with friends/family. 3 - Schedule regular time for life and work admin tasks on a weekly basis to avoid backlogs. 4 - Schedule calls and appointments on your calendar to avoid last-minute chaos and ensure preparedness. 5 - Once you’ve scheduled your self-care and admin tasks, block out time to work around other priorities. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram

In episode 534, Megan chats to Teri-Ann Carty about the value of asking for help in life and food blogging, including the potential for growth and success. Teri-Ann is a Toronto native renowned for her culinary creations and photography skills. Formerly a high-end restaurant manager grappling with addiction, she chose a different path, traveling solo and becoming a certified yoga instructor. Now settled in Toronto with her hubby and their two cats, Teri-Ann focuses on recipe development and photography, while also teaching yoga. Her journey to sobriety fuels her determination for future endeavors. In this episode, you’ll learn about embracing your vulnerability, being courageous, the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people and learning from others to succeed as a food content creator. Key points discussed: - Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help: Everybody who seems successful, probably has help. It may seem scary, but asking for help will be a game-changer for your life and business. - How to Ask for Help: Start by approaching friends or colleagues to make it less intimidating. - Start Small When Looking for Help: Ask students for help if your budget is limited - look for someone who is aligned with your values. - Release Control and Surrender to the Process: By releasing control, you’ll have more time to focus on other aspects of your business and doing what you love most. - Tap into Your Community on Instagram: Make connections on Instagram or your favorite social media platform. Normally, people are eager to help others. - Invite More Good Things Into Your Life: By reaching out to others and thereby building your network, you’re opening up the door for more good things to happen. Connect with Teri-Ann Carty Website | Instagram

In episode 533, Megan chats to Tonya Lawson about strategies to generate regular passive income through affiliate marketing and what you should do to make sure your affiliate posts adhere to Google’s Helpful Content Update. Dr. Tonya Lawson is a musician, blogger, passive income and SEO specialist whose mission is to empower creatives to build out passive income streams so they have the financial freedom to live the life they want to live. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who runs 3 blogs, a coaching business, a private music studio, and teaches at Middle Tennessee State University. In this episode, you’ll learn more about creating valuable content that attracts organic traffic and affiliate income, through programs like the Amazon Associates Program or while working with brands. Key points discussed: - Passive Income Through Affiliate Marketing and Niche Websites: Make it easier to rank on Google by having a well-defined niche and using new SEO strategies. - Amazon Associates Program and the AAWP Plugin: Amazon remains a popular option for affiliate marketing and the AAWP plugin for WordPress can streamline the process of adding affiliate links to your blog. - Maximize Affiliate Income: Share your blog content with affiliate links as widely as possible - email list, social media etc. - Affiliate Links with Sponsored Work: Ask for affiliate links when working with brands to maximize long-term income potential. - Think Big, Earn More: Think beyond immediate work and set bigger goals for yourself over time to expand your reach and income. - Blog Posts Need to Be Real and Helpful: Google prioritizes helpful content, such as original images and real-life experiences, over curated flatlays and special images. - SEO Optimization and Understanding Google Updates: Google seems to follow trends on social media platforms like Instagram, so focusing on real people and helpful information in blog posts can give an edge in SEO. 5 day challenge just for Eat Talk Blog listeners! Connect with Tonya Lawson Website | Instagram

Do you celebrate your wins or do you let them pass by quickly? Megan shares 5 ways to get the most juice out of your wins, so that you can fully enjoy your success and invite more good things into your life. As we are often rushing to our next goal, it is easy to brush off our wins when they do happen. In this episode, Megan emphasizes the value of gratitude and appreciation in attracting positivity as well as the importance of acknowledging and appreciating small and big wins in life, encouraging us to create a win list and journal about them to keep gratitude alive. Action Plan: - Write down 5-10 wins in a Google Doc or notebook daily to reflect on and feel accomplished. - Journal about wins when they occur as this will help you understand the process that bring you success. - Set up win triggers in daily life so that you can remind yourself daily of your accomplishments and express gratitude. - Practice meditating while focusing on wins - this will help you appreciate life’s wins leading to personal growth and more success. - Celebrate wins verbally - say it out loud - or through a special occasion. This will help boost your confidence and morale. Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram Resources Mentioned Brand Positioning Coach (Carrie Tyler) Explore Megan’s recommended books and resources at eatblogtalk.com/books. Promote your food blogging services: www.eatblogtalk.com/audioclip

In episode 531, Octavia Conner teaches us strategies to increase profits, including how to determine the overall financial health of our business, identify financial leaks and avoid overpaying on tax. Octavia Conner stands as an esteemed financial and tax strategist, celebrated best-selling author of two books, accomplished speaker, and the visionary proprietor of not one but three successful enterprises: Say Yes To Profits, Her CEO Space, and Octavia’s Helping Hands Inc. With notable mentions in Forbes and prominent features in Essence, Fox Five News, Portia TV, Fox Soul, ENSPIRE Magazine, Voyage ATL, Authority Magazine, Intuit, and numerous other esteemed platforms, Octavia’s unwavering mission is to eradicate small business failure and create wealthy entrepreneurs. Recognized as one of the top 50 accountants in North America for two consecutive years, Octavia boasts a remarkable history of guiding more than 90% of her clients to achieve remarkable growth ranging from 30% to a staggering 350% within just 12 months, all while saving over 55% in business taxes. Octavia Conner isn’t merely a financial and tax strategist; with over 20 years of accounting and finance experience, she is the go-to Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for entrepreneurs or small business owners seeking to streamline their finances and pave the way for generational wealth through their business’s success. In this episode, you’ll learn about having a solid financial foundation, accurate bookkeeping, pricing your services or products for profit, and proactive cash flow management in order to maximize profits. Key points discussed (and action items!): - Pricing Strategies for Small Businesses: Review your pricing strategy and ensure your products and services are priced for a profit margin of around 30% (including hidden costs). - Identify and Address Financial Pitfalls: Business owners should conduct a "profit audit" to identify unnecessary expenses and "profit leaks" in their business. - Are You Overpaying on Tax? Implement a tax strategy at the beginning of the year and check progress regularly to take advantage of deductions and reduce taxes (examples given in episode). - Bookkeeping is Crucial to Make Informed Decisions: Maintain good bookkeeping practices and use an accounting system to track finances and identify expenses for tax deductions - How Much Should You Have Saved? Save a portion of each payment received, such as 20-30%, in a separate "financial peace" or savings account and do not dip into it for other expenses. - Be Prepared for Emergencies: Project business cash flow and revenues several weeks in advance to prepare for periods where cash may be low. - Financial Planning and Profitability for Entrepreneurs: Keeping a track record of your finances and understanding where you can save or cut down on costs will help you become more profitable. Octavia Conner's Free Financial Toolkit Connect with Octavia Conner Website | Instagram

In episode 530, Megan chats to Brenda Cadman about how to use Canva efficiently to organize and optimize content creation for food bloggers. Brenda Cadman is a Canva Verified Expert from Prince Edward Island, Canada. After spending more than two decades supporting businesses with their website development needs, she now focuses on teaching small business owners how to use Canva more effectively and efficiently. Brenda has taught thousands of business owners through her courses, and in particular, she loves to help business owners tame their hot mess Canva accounts by creating an organizational system that ensures they can spend less time in Canva, and more time doing what they love. In this episode, you’ll learn about how to use features effectively, like the brand kit and magic tools, and how to organize your Canva account using folders to save time and boost productivity. Key points discussed (and action items!): - Declutter Your Canva Account: Create an "Archive" folder and move all old Canva designs and images into it to declutter the account. - Images in Canva: Organize images by moving them from the "Uploads" folder into custom categorized folders like "Images", "Pizza" etc. using the bulk select and move features. - Differentiate Important Files: Star templates, elements, icons and photos in Canva that are used frequently by clicking the three dot menu to access them easily from the starred folder. - Streamline Branding: Use the Canva "Brand Kits" feature to organize company branding assets like logos, colors and fonts for quick access. - Save Time Using Canva: Canva Pro’s features can help save you time and repurpose content easily, using  tools like resizing, mock-ups, background remover and other AI-powered tools. - Don’t Postpone Decluttering: Set up a regular schedule (e.g. Fridays) for a VA or assistant to maintain the Canva organization system. - Don’t Overcomplicate it: Make most of the time you have, progress over perfection. Resources Canva Organization Roadmap - help organizing your Canva account Listen to Episode 502 on 5 Ways to Declutter Your Life. Connect with Brenda Cadman Website | Instagram

In this episode, Megan talks about the importance of social connections for well-being and business success, sharing five steps to nurture healthy relationships and turn your network into a strong support system. How will inviting more people into your life change anything? Will it not be overwhelming and give you more to do? That is why Megan explains, firstly, the benefits for personal growth and business success by inviting high-quality people into your life. Secondly, she share five steps that will help you manage new connections, making them a meaningful part of your life and potentially opening up new business opportunities. Action Plan: - Send an invitation to the universe / God for more high-quality people in your life. - Prepare your calendar or routine to make room and time for new connections. - Express gratitude daily for the people already in your life. - Host something new, even if small, to take action on your invitation. - Show up as the best version of yourself when interacting with others. Resources mentioned Food Blogger Services – Mika Kinney Explore Megan’s recommended books and resources at eatblogtalk.com/books. Promote your food blogging services: www.eatblogtalk.com/audioclip Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover. Website | Instagram

In episode 528, Cheryl Norris teaches us the importance of our core belief system and how we to replace negative beliefs with positive affirmations. Cheryl Norris is a food blogger in Portland, OR where she lives with her husband. Her blog, Bakes by Brown Sugar, in business since 2018, specializes in desserts with a focus on using seasonal and quality ingredients. In addition to running her food blog business, she works full-time as an engineer. She loves to travel, with Paris being her favorite place to visit. In this episode, you’ll learn about the pervasive nature of negative self-talk and its consequences on self-perception, decision-making, and success, highlighting the importance of recognizing and managing these emotions to achieve personal growth. Key points discussed (and action items!): - Identify and Address Your Pain Points: Be aware of what you're thinking and saying about yourself and what you struggle with most. - Journal to Increase Awareness: Journal your thoughts so that you know exactly what you say to yourself with regard to situations. - What is the Source of Your Self-doubt: Discover the source of thoughts - why are you feeling a certain way about situations? - Negative Self-Talk Impacts Your Success: Change negative self-talk to positive affirmations - only through awareness and determination can you shift your mindset. - Recognize and Overcome Negative Self-Talk: Note words used about self in times of difficulty like workouts to identify patterns of self-talk. - Affirmations, Self-belief, and Confidence: Be conscious of what you affirm about yourself every day - do you need to change your self-talk? - Recognize and Overcome limiting beliefs: "Break up" with limiting beliefs by deciding to break up with them, replacing them with empowering beliefs, and saying empowering affirmations daily in writing until internalized. Connect with Cheryl Norris Website | Instagram