Eat Blog Talk – Détails, épisodes et analyse

In episode 596, Megan Ellam teaches us how to write and market cookbooks to earn a significant portion of our income from self-publishing.

Megan Ellam is an Australian-based author, photographer, and recipe developer, best known for Mad Creations and 365 Keto Club. Since 2017, Megan has shared her low-carb recipes and weight loss journey, leading to the self-publication of over 10 keto cookbooks and more than 60 eBooks, including two World Gourmand Cookbook Award winners! A passionate foodie, Megan runs Mad Creations alongside her partner in love and life, Dave Hunter.

In this episode, you’ll learn more about how to add extra value to your cookbook or ebook, pricing books correctly and successful marketing ideas to sell more books fast.

Key points discussed:

- Niche down and create a clear theme and vision for your book: Determine the topic, focus and feel of your book to ensure a cohesive final product.

- Develop an index of recipe ideas before writing: Plan out the content of your book to make the writing process more efficient.

- Assemble a team of diverse recipe testers: Include both skilled and novice cooks to get well-rounded feedback on your recipes.

- Offer unique, original recipes that stand out: Develop creative, eye-catching dishes that your audience can't find elsewhere.

- Add extra value through cook's notes, variations, and additional content: Enhance your books by providing helpful information beyond just the recipes.

- Leverage your existing blog content by refreshing and repurposing it: Reshoot and repackage your popular recipes to create new book offerings.

- Price your books and ebooks higher to reflect their value: Don't underestimate the time and effort you've invested; charge accordingly.

- Utilize various marketing channels, including social media and email: Promote your books through a diverse range of platforms to reach your audience.

- Consider collaborations and partnerships to expand your reach: Explore opportunities to work with brands or other creators to cross-promote your books.

Connect with Megan Ellam

Website | Instagram

In this episode, we're going to talk about how to deal with negative emotions towards platforms like Google and social media networks.

Have you ever had a negative experience with an online platform? For us bloggers, it can be Google or any of the social media networks. It’s often a feeling of not being rewarded for our hard work on the platforms. I’ve said in the past things like: “I hate Facebook.” Because I genuinely felt like Facebook had something against me as if it were human. Following along with the idea that these platforms are like humans, how can we repair our relationships with them? Here are 5 steps I take to turn feelings of lack and hatred into appreciation and abundance.

Action Plan:

1 - Identify which relationship needs mending: Choose one platform that is causing you the most frustration.

2 - Make a list of how the platform has wronged you: Write out all the ways you feel the platform has let you down.

3 - Make a list of what you are grateful for regarding the platform: Reflect on the positive aspects and benefits the platform has provided.

4 - Give the relationship some love: Educate yourself on the platform, learn more about its features, and consistently pay attention to it.

5 - Lather, rinse, repeat: Go through these steps repeatedly until you feel the relationship is being repaired. Keep your gratitude list visible as a reminder.

Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover.

Website | Instagram

Resources

Food Blog Writing at Maes Media (Chelsea Plummer)

Promote your food blogging services

Megan’s recommended books and resources

In this episode, we're going to talk about 5 ways to manage feelings of overwhelm in entrepreneurship.

If you are an entrepreneur long enough, you are bound to experience times when you have to evolve or you can't go on. Often, when you’re in a state of complete overwhelm, it’s a signal that something needs to change. I think most of us want to stay passionate about what we do but we don’t want to get buried by to do lists and business projects. Here are 5 ways I manage overwhelm and keep a positive outlook.

Action Plan:

1 - Time Tracking: Track everything you do for a minimum of 3 days, preferably 7 days. Comb through the data to identify where you're spending your time and make changes to reduce draining activities.

2 - Exercise and Self-Care: Commit to a daily habit of exercise, even if it's just 10 minutes and engage in self-care activities like meditation war spending time in nature, reading, or creative pursuits.

3 - Take a Break: Listen to your gut and take a break, whether it's a 30-minute break during the day or a longer, week-long or month-long break from your business. Giving yourself this time off can help reset and reduce overwhelm.

4 - Limit Tech and Social Media: Reduce the time you spend on your phone, computer, and social media platforms. The constant connectivity can contribute to feelings of anxiety and overwhelm.

5 - Laugh and Love: Surround yourself with situations and people that bring you joy, laughter, and love. Spend time with friends, family, or pets, and engage in activities that make you smile.

Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topics you'd like her to cover.

Website | Instagram

Resources

Food Photography by Ikram Ali

Promote your food blogging services

Megan’s recommended books and resources

In episode 497, Lexi Harrison teaches us the latest strategy to grow on Instagram and TikTok and how to generate a lot of audience engagement.

Lexi and Beth are the mother-daughter duo behind Crowded Kitchen, a (mostly) vegetarian food blog. In addition to creating recipes, photography and videography for Crowded Kitchen's social media and website, Lexi and Beth also create freelance content for many food and beverage brands.

In this episode, you’ll learn about how to increase your social media following and improve your engagement using hooks, voiceovers and captions.

- Post a Series to Build an Audience: Posting a series of related content on Instagram Reels encourages people to follow your account for more.

- Leverage Facebook for content distribution: Leverage your content via Facebook, especially now that there is the ability to post reels.

- Casual Setup and Filming: Avoid overstylizing your shots and use an iPhone for filming.

- Longer Form Content for TikTok: TikTok strategy includes using longer videos to qualify for the creator fund (i.e. monetization).

- Variable Posting Frequency: The frequency with which you post can vary without it necessarily affecting your views (e.g. daily, weekly, bi-weekly etc.).

- Caption This: Detailed captions on Instagram Reels are emphasized for audience engagement.

- Your Voice = Engagement: Voiceovers are crucial for engagement, especially on TikTok.

- Showing Your Face: Showing one's face is not necessary for content success; Lexi suggests you focus instead on compelling hooks.

- Practice, Practice, Practice: Experiment with different hooks to capture audience attention and drive engagement.

Connect with Lexi Harrison

Website | Instagram

In this episode, Megan explores the transformative power of visualization, focusing on five steps to help you manifest your dreams.

Megan explains why visualization is essential in accelerating personal and professional goals. Visualizing your dreams involves more than just imagining; it entails embodying the emotions and sensations associated with achieving your desires and requires clarity, belief, and inspired action in the process.

Megan covers the following key points:

1. Know What You Want: Clearly define your goals, whether they involve material possessions, experiences, or personal growth. Be open to flexibility in the details while maintaining clarity on your desires.

2. Understand Why You Want It: Dig deep into the reasons behind your aspirations. Your true motivations often extend beyond surface-level desires and connect to deeper values and emotions.

3. Believe It Is Yours: Embrace a mindset of unwavering belief that your dreams are within reach. Visualize them as if they are already manifesting in your life, amplifying the emotions of gratitude and fulfillment.

4. Release and Trust: Surrender control over the "how" and trust in the universe, God, or your higher power to orchestrate the details. Let go of doubt and have faith that your intentions will materialize in due time.

5. Take Inspired Action: Remain open to signs and inspirations that guide you towards your goals. Act upon these insights with confidence and determination, knowing that each step brings you closer to realizing your dreams.

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 495, Megan chats to Ashley Covelli about how to host successful virtual or in-person cooking classes, including technical setup, engagement strategies, and pricing considerations.

Ashley Covelli is the food photographer, recipe developer, and culinary instructor behind Big Flavors from a Tiny Kitchen and the co-founder of Passing the Plate. She loves helping busy people find time to cook delicious meals while reducing the amount of stress, money, and waste involved in the process. She believes in the restorative and joyful practice of sharing meals in the community, preserving the recipes of our ancestors, and cooking as a way of creating memories with loved ones. Ashley’s legitimately tiny kitchen is located in Ossining, New York, where she lives with her husband, son, and a feisty rescue cat. Her professional background is in graphic design and fine art, and she brings that aesthetic to her culinary creations.

In this episode, you’ll learn about how to generate additional income through cooking classes and finer details like creating a welcoming environment, managing class logistics, and striking a balance between preparation and execution.

- Diversify Revenue Streams: Consider various income sources like sponsored posts, affiliates, and teaching classes to sustain your business.

- Protect Your Energy Levels: Avoid overcommitting to classes or projects to maintain balance and prevent burnout.

- Factor in Prep Work: Acknowledge the extensive preparation involved in virtual classes, including recipe testing, setup, teaching, and cleanup.

- Test Your Gear: Prioritize tech checks and microphone charging to ensure smooth virtual class experiences.

- Encourage Audience Interaction: Create a welcoming environment by inviting questions and feedback during classes.

- Be Prepared for Tech Glitches: Stay calm and adaptable in case of technical issues during live sessions.

- Use Instagram Stories: Use platforms like Instagram Stories to practice and improve comfort with video content.

- Engage Authentically: Embrace imperfection and genuine interactions to connect with your audience effectively.

Connect with Ashley Covelli

Website | Instagram

In episode 494, Ella Gilbert talks about how to create extra income streams for your business through freelancing while still maintaining time for your blog.

Ella is a food blogger focused on cozy and approachable recipes for the modern baker and home cook. Ella is also a food photographer and writer for other food bloggers.

In this episode, you’ll learn about the viability of having a career in freelancing, how to build your personal brand, develop strong relationships and manage your time.

- Freelancing as a Viable Career: Freelancing offers a viable career path, providing opportunities for individuals to showcase their skills and expertise in a flexible and independent manner.

- Personal Branding: Building a strong personal brand is crucial in freelancing, enabling freelancers like Ella to differentiate themselves and attract clients based on their unique skills, experience, and reputation.

- Client Relationship Management: Clear communication, transparency, and professionalism foster long-term client partnerships.

- Continuous Skill Development: Freelancers need to prioritize continuous skill development to stay relevant in the ever-evolving market, by consistently upgrading skills and knowledge.

- Time Management and Discipline: Managing time effectively and maintaining discipline are essential for freelancers to balance multiple projects, meet deadlines, and maintain a sustainable work-life balance.

- Value Proposition: Ella stresses the importance of articulating a clear value proposition to potential clients, demonstrating how freelancers can communicate the benefits of their services and expertise to meet client needs effectively.

- Financial Management: Freelancers need to prioritize financial management, including budgeting, invoicing, and tax considerations, to ensure financial stability and sustainability in their freelance careers.

- Work-Life Balance: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential for freelancers' well-being and productivity - set boundaries and allocate time for personal pursuits and relaxation.

- Adaptability and Resilience: Freelancers must be adaptable and resilient in the face of challenges and uncertainties, demonstrating the ability to navigate setbacks, learn from failures, and persevere in pursuing their career goals.

Connect with Alpine Ella

Website | Instagram

In this episode, Megan explores the 5 steps to release business grudges and why it’s important for our blogging career and mental health.

It is important to address business grudges, because they can evolve into significant mental burdens affecting various aspects of our lives. From negative comments and unsolicited advice to challenges with platforms like Facebook, Megan unveils the common grudges that plague the food blogging community.

She covers the following key points:

1. Defined and Acknowledge the Grudge: Identify the business grudge occupying the most mental space and write down specific details.

2. Write Out Your Grudge Story: Delve into your grudges, answering why you hold them and exploring the emotions associated with these grievances.

3. Analyze Your Grudge Story: Take a step back, analyzing the grudge story with a big picture lens. By distancing yourself from the emotions, you can identify patterns and underlying issues.

4. Rewrite Your Grudge Story: Reframe the narrative with a collaborative and empathetic tone. By taking responsibility for our attitudes, we can shift the perspective and find positive aspects even in challenging situations.

5. Release Your Grudge and Forgive: The final step involves a powerful declaration of release and forgiveness.

Get in touch with Megan if there is a specific mindset and self-care topic you'd like her to cover.

In episode 492, Megan chats to Murielle Banackissa about how to create inspirational food photography and tell a story using lighting, props, food and textures.

Murielle Banackissa is a food photographer, food stylist, YouTuber, and soon-to-be cookbook author based in Montreal, Canada. Outside of spending hours developing new recipes and shooting them in her home studio, Murielle loves getting lost in good books, designing her bullet journal spreads, sipping on warm beverages, and going on long walks. She draws a lot of inspiration from the colors and textures found in nature. From water droplets to the sun shining through the leaves early in the morning and the orange glow of summer nights, Murielle loves paying attention to the magic surrounding her as a way to feel more grounded and present.

In this episode, you’ll learn how to improve your food photography, from setting mood and learning from others to practical advice such as which lenses are best depending on where you are in your own food blogging journey.

- Intentional Photography - Tell a story by focusing on details, intention, and purpose, bringing elements like family history and special moments into visuals.

- Create Atmosphere - Consider the story and mood behind a recipe.

- Moody Photography - Moody photography evoke comfort and warmth. Achieve this style using black foam boards to control natural light and creating a cozy atmosphere.

- Learning from Others - Look at the work of other photographers for inspiration. Analyze behind-the-scenes content and experiment with different techniques.

- Creative Seasons - Accept the non-linear nature of the creative journey.

- Favorite Lens - Use a 50mm F1.8 lens, particularly for those starting in food photography. This lens allows for a low F-stop, enabling a beautiful blurry background and focus on the main subject.

- Macro Shots Capture Close-Up Details - It also highlight textures, decadence, and intricate elements of the food.

- Observing Light - It’s important to observe and understand natural light. Recognizing how different lighting conditions affect food can help develop a unique style and improve photography skills.

Connect with Murielle Banackissa

Website | Instagram

In episode 491, Jacqueline Debono teaches us how to grow an engaged audience of email subscribers by sending authentic newsletters. 

Jacqueline is a Brit living in Verona Italy for 20 years, happily married to a wonderful Sicilian. Jacqueline has a love of Italian food, particularly pasta and so 7 years ago she started her blog about Italian pasta, including only authentic Italian recipes for all kinds of pasta (dried, fresh, homemade). Her original goal was to feature as many types of pasta as she could (with recipes). So far Jacqueline has about 400 recipes for 80 types of pasta! Many more to go! Jacqueline got accepted to MediaVine in 2019 (with 25k sessions) now at 190-200k sessions a month. She can say it's a pretty successful niche blog. But then everybody loves pasta, right?

In this episode, you’ll learn how to grow your newsletter subscription base using personal anecdotes, insights into your own life and evergreen content, as well as finding out how often to send out emails to your subscribers.

- Apply A Growth Strategy: How to approach growing your email subscribers, including the use of the MediaVine subscribe widget, social media, and regular newsletters.

- Add a Personal Touch: Adding personal elements about your own life into your newsletter, like failures or anecdotes, can lead to increased engagement and a healthy circle of followers.

- How to Monetize Newsletters: Strategies include the creation of paid-for eBooks and addition of affiliate links.

- Build Relationships With Your Subscribers: Newsletters offer the opportunity to build real relationships with subscribers, even leading to in-person meetings.

- Use Social Media Influence: Using success on other platforms such as Facebook is a great way to encourage newsletter sign-ups.

- Content Reusability: Reusing content, especially recipes, is a unique advantage for food bloggers with evergreen content.

- Build Subscriber Loyalty: Email subscribers tend to be the most loyal followers, engaging through comments and emails, providing a dedicated audience.

- A Blogger's Passion Is Important: Appealing to the passion or interests of the target audience, Jacqueline focused on Italy and Italian food as an example.

Connect with Jacqueline Debono

Website | Instagram