7 TIPS YOU *NEED* TO KNOW FOR NEW FOOD BLOGGERS

I started my food blog over one year ago, and since then I have learned so much valuable information, that I thought it would be helpful for any newbies starting out. That's why these 7 Tips for New Food Bloggers can help you UPLEVEL your blog & your work.

When I first started my blog, Under the Willow Tree, I literally had no idea what I was doing. I went out on the limb bought a domain & host and started trying creating posts that had 1 photo and maybe 200 words.

I cringe looking back at those because those posts were literally setting themselves up for FAILURE.

Which is fine by me because like in Tip #1, I had to learn.

So, if you want to start a blog and but you don't know where to start, here are 7 helpful tips for new bloggers looking to creating successful blogs.

1. LEARN LEARN LEARN

I cannot stress this point enough. If I were to do it all again, I would likely have done it all different, but alas it was all perfectly timed. Things you sure as hell need to know are:

What is a SEO
How to Optimize SEO on your Website & Pinterest
How to Grow on Pinterest
Branding (Colors, Vibe, Writing, Style)
Opt-In / Email List
Starting off with a niche
Tailwind Tribes & Group Boards on Pinterest

So basically, all the the things.

I just started learning about all of these things and implementing these tooIs on my blog and it has made all the difference! Within the past few months, I have seen a tremendous growth not only in the quality of my posts, but they are reaching more people.

Now, I'm not saying you need to take an expensive course, but there are plenty of free videos, guides, and even courses that you can find on any of these topics simply with a google search.

By getting the base level of knowledge around blogging you are giving yourself a head start into having a better blog and a better chance of being seen.

2. Have a balance between Informational & Inspirational

Like with food, fitness, or anything. You can be simply showing me a recipe which is inspirational, meaning I want to make it instead of solving a problem for your audience aka informational.

You want to ask yourself, why are readers coming to you? Why do they keep coming back? Is it because of your amazing recipes or is it because you provide them with that, information about say ingredients & food, tips on baking & cooking, and more!

I mean which would you pick?

Probably the latter am I right?

It's good to have both interwoven in your blog. If you are still confused, some examples of Informational posts are:

How To...
10 Ways...
A Guide To...
Simple swaps for

This allows you to show off your knowledge about your topic and have your reader interested in more of what you do and what you have to offer.

3. Design

If you are like me, your blog is going to change as fast as the weather. Meaning, when you are first beginning you will likely be experimenting with different designs, colors, and more until you figure out what you like. The blog grows with you so allow yourself to change and experiment. You aren't fixated to one theme for the rest of your blogging days.

Get inspiration from other blogs you admire. Pull what you like and don't like.

If you can, you can even hire someone to design it for you, but with all the websites out there, I wouldn't say it is super necessary.

4. Style of Writing

Writing is an expression of you. You sure as hell do not need to talk like those essays your wrote in school. Be you, whatever that is or means. Allow your quirks to come out. Speak how you would if you were talking to a close friend.

This allows people to know you and to get a sense of who you are even if they are just reading some words you wrote on the internet!

Maybe don't call them baby or doll. Just me?

5. Photography is IMPORTANT.

I am going to show you some of my photos from back when I first started getting into food photography. I will warn you, they are rough.

Oh boy. Here is another:

I genuinely had no idea what I was doing. I had no concept of diagonals, layering, or props. Most often, I used my phone's camera to take pictures. That was until I purchased a DSLR.

Do I hate these pictures?

NO.

I am proud of them because when I reflect back on these old posts and images I am able to see how much I have improved and all the skills I have learned.

The best way to learn is from looking at others for inspiration, seeing how other photographers used props, back drops, and the like. A great food photographer to learn from is the Bite Shot on Youtube. Her videos have truly been a big help!

6. Sharing Websites

You want people to see your stuff right? Well, you are going to need the handy dandy Recipe Sharing websites!

These two are my favorite and drive traffic to my blog time and time again.

1. Foodgawker

I remember the first time one of my recipes was accepted and seeing that 40 people viewed my blog in a DAY. This girl was SHOOK.

Now, that number isn't high, but it was a huge number considering I started that week.

This Recipe Sharing sight, will definitely give you views on your website. There have been times when I have gotten 400 simply from submitting a photo.

Things to look out for:

Lighting (GET GOOD LIGHTING, nothing over or underexposed)
Photo Composition (You don't want a hyper-zoomed in picture of hummus. We will all just be confused.)

These are all things that i have learned from and I don't find it terribly hard to get accepted on their website. Also, make sure to use their tags!

2. FindingVegan

If you are fellow vegan blogger or happen to make a vegan dish you can share it on this website! Now, the website alone typically doesn't garner that many views, but if they share it on other social media. WATCH OUT, because your users count is going to go UP.

Things to look out for:

Image Size, Must be 1000 x 1000 pixels or less (Won't be accepted if it is bigger)
TAGS
Good images will likely be put on their social media!

I have tried other sharing websites, but these are the only that are consistently updated and have show consistent viewership.

7. Pinterest

Oh Pinterest, you wonderful tool.

If you are not using this at all I have to ask, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" If your pin goes viral you are looking at BIG VIEWS. Not only that, consistent views.

I could make a whole series of posts based solely on Pinterest because it is an easy way to show off your amazing work. So I will briefly talk about what it is and some tips!

If you don't know, Pinterest is the birth child of Instagram & Google. It works like a search engine and quality pictures are a must.

Some Tips to get you started:

Text on your Pins saying what it is --> Easily Readable
Use Tags
Use Description like SEO aka use KEYWORDS
Join Group Boards

I could go on, but I will save it for a different post!

Final Thoughts

Overall, starting a food blog can be overwhelming and exciting. You are putting yourself and your creations out there for others to see. So for that, I want to congratulate you! Don't worry so much about the numbers or this and that. If you are purely doing it from a place of love and passion it will show and others will notice.

Hopefully these 7 Tips for New Food Bloggers will help you jump start your blogging experience and making some moves.

So, LET'S CHAT! Are you thinking about starting a blog? Why do you want to start a blog? If you have any questions or tips you think I should add, tell me in the comments!

7 TIPS FOR NEW FOOD BLOGGERS