Food Blogging Strategies: Quality Content

Updated in 2019 🙂

There are millions of food blogs on the internet. In order to stand out, you need to consistently deliver quality content. Today I’m sharing all my advice on publishing quality content. Let’s get right to the point…

Get To The Point

When you write a blog post, ask yourself these 2 questions:

1. What are my selling points on this recipe?
2. How can I describe this to someone who has never tasted it?

Most internet users skim articles, so keeping your content clear and concise is important. On the flip side, it’s helpful to connect with your readers by writing with a personal touch. When I launched Sally’s Baking Addiction in 2011, I posted 1 small picture of the recipe with 1 or 2 sentences describing it. As I got more comfortable, I began typing long drawn out posts that make me yawn when I go back and read them. Ha! Finding a happy medium between personal and factual has worked best for my blog.

Solve a Problem

Does your way of roasting chicken cut the time in half or improve its flavor? Does your chocolate chip cookie recipe only dirty 1 bowl? Does your chicken alfredo taste just as rich, but has half the calories? Try to find common problems in the kitchen and SOLVE THEM for your readers! That makes an interesting and engaging blog post.

Be Real

I enjoy reading blog posts and articles that feel like a friendly conversation. You want your readers to feel comfortable and empowered, so try to make your content relatable and enjoyable. Many food bloggers stick to the recipes, but also have a series of posts for more personal “life” posts. Mine are all in my Life section. People are curious about other people by nature and it’s always nice to find a connection online! Share however much you are comfortable with.

Finding Inspiration

When you’re feeling uninspired, take a break. Get out, experience new places, new adventures, new things. Buy some new cookbooks, cooking magazines, or watch a new cooking show. Go to new restaurants and gather inspiration from the menu. There are so many resources available in today’s world and when an idea catches your attention, write it down. I have a running list of recipe ideas in my phone!

Or if you’re having trouble coming up with a new recipe or a new blog post idea, think of some things that you know that others don’t know. For example, do you know how to boil a perfect soft-boiled egg every time? I certainly don’t. Do you know how to make a killer homemade tomato sauce? Share your secrets. Just think of all the things you know how to do and share it!

Or what about going back into your archives and remaking a recipe, but better? There may be a few recipes in your archives that may not be as perfect as you’d like. Why not try them again and make some changes? Perfect the recipe and publish it again! Explain to your readers the changes you made and why. I explained why removing the extra egg yolk and chocolate chips in cake batter chocolate chip cookies was so important the second time around. I received a lot of positive feedback from curious bakers and it’s still one of the most popular posts on my blog.

Overcoming Writer’s Block

The internet is full of beautiful blogs with beautiful writing and beautiful photos! And sometimes I have NO idea what to say in order to catch your attention. Sometimes the ideas pour out of my head and my fingers get sore from typing so quickly. Other days… not so much.

One of the best things you can do for writing is to… ignore your writing.

When you have trouble expressing your thoughts into words, walk away. Go for a run, make a snack, sit with a book, do some laundry, or drink some tea. When you come back to your desk, your mind might be clearer. It’s nothing new or revolutionary, but taking a break to reset your mind really helps. Wouldn’t you rather publish engaging content that took you a few days to write vs a rushed and crappy blog post?

My Favorite Two Words to Use in Each Blog Post

Here’s something I learned after reading this enlightening article and I try to implement the practice into each blog post.

“You are going to love this cookie recipe because it is easy and quick, which saves you time for holiday shopping and wrapping presents.”

Both effective words appear in the sentence above:

1. You
2. Because

Now, what if I simply said “I love this cookie recipe.” Not engaging or convincing at all, right? I’m marketing my recipes to my readers, so I try to focus on their wants and their needs.

“When it comes to writing engaging content, ‘you’ is the most powerful word in the English language, because people are ultimately interested in fulfilling their own needs. It may sound harsh, but the fact is your readers won’t start to actually care about you at all until you’ve repeatedly offered them exceptional value with your blog.” – Brian Clark

As you sit down and type, constantly ask yourself “why” after each sentence. As a food blog author, it’s your job to specifically describe the processes, ingredients, and methods as precisely as possible. Why did you brown the butter? Why did you use frozen raspberries instead of fresh? Why did you use that oven temperature? How are the cookies so soft?

“Start with a very high oven temperature for the muffins, then lower it down after 5 minutes. You are doing this because the initial hot oven temperature will lift the muffin up quickly, creating a tall muffin domed top.”

Put your reader in the situation– make them imagine they are cooking the recipe and explain WHY they’re doing what they’re doing. We are all inquisitive souls!

My Least Favorite Word to Use

This sentence has appeared on my website before: “These cookies are so yummy!”

First of all, what does “yummy” actually tell you? Is the cookie soft? Is it chewy? Are the rolls doughy? Are they spiced with cinnamon flavor? Try to be very descriptive so readers know exactly what to expect.

How to Write a Recipe

If you’re a food blogger, chances are that your blog is about recipes. Writing recipes in a clear, professional format is crucial.

A few key things to remember:

• Write the ingredients in the order of which they are used
• Specify the size of egg (large? medium) – this makes a difference
• Use “and” to break up fractional measurements. 1 1/2 cups may be hard to understand for the average person. It may be easier to type 1 and 1/2 cups.
• Include serving sizes.
• Include storing and/or freezing instructions. This is helpful for most people!

Remember: It’s Quality, not Quantity.

While it’s important to show up regularly so readers know when to expect you, it’s not the quantity of content you produce. You could publish a new blog post every single day, but if it’s not quality content, who’s going to read it?

The higher quality your content– food photography, writing, videos, originality– the more you’ll stand out. Start small and let yourself grow. Food blogging is not an end point, it’s a journey.

More Food Blogging Advice

• How to Start a Food Blog
• Food Photography Basics
• 10 Tips for Growing Your Food Blog