On Blogging: Building an Audience.
[You guys! This past week marked nine years of blogging here at howsweeteats. That means that I’m currently working on my TENTH year! I figured it was high time to answer all the questions you’ve asked me over the years about starting/maintaining a blog and what goes into it. ENJOY! xo]
Okay, so you’ve asked. I should warn you! This post is loooong. If you’re a blogger or interested in starting a blog, this is for you!
It’s basically like we are sitting down to lunch and I’m telling you exactly how I’ve done this job. I’m absolutely not an expert. I’ve definitely put this type of post off for, well… close to a decade. You certainly don’t have to follow my advice! I’m just giving you what works for me.
See.
I suffer from this issue – probably called “being a brat syndrome” – where if I don’t want to do something, I just don’t do it. Or well, I loathe doing it. Maybe it’s the crazy scorpio in me or the fact that I’m just weirdly passionate, but I have to love love love what I’m doing. Like LOVE it. Or else, I’m over it.
Like when I was in college. Pretty good student all my life, up until econ my freshman year. I got a D. And I didn’t even care. I hated it and could not stand it. There was no way I was wasting my time on it. That was my mindset.
Yes, I realize this is terrible (and I sure hope my children don’t inherit this nor am I teaching this kind of behavior – and of course my parents did NOT condone it!) but it is the truth.
And I tell you this because this should tell you how much I absolutely adore blogging. I love it.
I seriously, gigantically adore it. And it’s probably one of the reasons that I’ve had a bit of success with it.
When I love something? I’m the lunatic that gives 765%.
And I know how lucky I am. I am so grateful that I have this space and that this is actually a job for me. I am so appreciative of YOU coming here!
And while I’ve very grateful, this space is here because I have spent the last almost-decade working on it every single day. Yes, every single day. Yes, even on the days when I have given birth to my children or had the flu. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I have worked my butt off for what I want on this site. And that’s what this is all about – I’m going to write this series and share everything I can about blogging here at howsweeteats!
ALL THE SECRETS.
That title is a lie. Because! I don’t have “secrets” when it comes to blogging and getting people to read my blog. If you’ve ever emailed me for advice on building an audience, you probably know this. Because when I’m approached about the topic, I often spill my guts like a psychopath to this stranger that doesn’t even know me.
I tell people exactly how I’ve built my blog because it’s not a secret.
In fact, I’ve had other bloggers tell me that I shouldn’t be “giving out so much advice” to those who ask me. I’ve even had family members say that.
Um, what? First, it’s not a secret. It’s just what I do. There’s enough space for everyone and – guess what? I still remember back when I asked bloggers for advice and they wouldn’t share it.
So I will FOREVER share my personal advice when it comes to blogging and what’s worked for me.
I’m an open book. I love to share what has worked for me. I could talk about it for hours and I will answer any question you ask.
The most important thing? Create the kind of content that YOU like. This is all I do. I only create content that I enjoy. That is why you don’t see me repeating my old content on here. I like to read new content and get weirdly creepily into a life of someone on the internet that I don’t know. I like to share my beauty favorites. I like to share my favorite light reads. I have this whole other section here on my blog that half of you don’t even know about it, just so I can ramble on about whatever I want to ramble about and use it as a diary.
The second most important thing? I never started a blog with the intentions of making money or “building an audience” or anything like that. That barely existed back then. I started and continued because I freakishly loved it. Most people today don’t have that luxury – the luxury of starting a blog in a naïve state and continuing because you love it. Nope. Almost immediately when you start, you’re probably googling “starting a blog,” and you realize that people are making money and have 87 billion Instagram followers and you’re like HOW. It just spirals from there.
GETTING READERS AND STUFF LIKE THAT
Building an audience is such an odd thing to me, because I never set out to build anything. I didn’t know blogging could be a JOB (can we all take a moment for this please… I’m dead) and then even when I realized it could, I wasn’t necessarily trying to BUILD. But alas, this is what you asked about, so here I am.
For me, it comes down to two things: consistency and connection.
Sounds super cliché, right? Well, it is.
It’s no secret that I post a lot of content. First, I post a lot of content because I love to do so. I love creating and sharing content. One day, I might not. And I assure you that when that day comes, I will stop.
But that’s not now. I love what I do.
SHOWING UP
Consistency is key. There is a LOT of freaking content on the internet these days. I’m just being honest: if you’re only posting once a week (and let’s just get this out of the way early: by “posting” this could mean on a blog, on insta, insta stories, youtube, etc – whatever your preferred platform is) when you just start out, how can anyone find you? How can you stand out in a sea of content? It’s really difficult and unless you’re doing something cool/awesome/new/different, you probably can’t.
Think about your BFF. Your person. Someone you chat with all the time. I talk to Lacy and Eddie a billion times per day. About stupid things. About serious things. About what’s going on in the world that day. About all the things. If we only talked once a week, we probably wouldn’t be that close. And well, if I only talked to Eddie once a week… ha. You get it.
Be open and genuine. Be yourself. Share what you feel like sharing – honestly sharing, about your life and yourself. You will find your people this way.
I think all the cool young kids are calling it a tribe. You will find your tribe.
You just have to be consistent. I think it’s important to try and connect almost every single day on some form of social media. But whatever you decide you can commit to, it should be consistent. Three days a week? Great. Start there.
And you know what? It has to be consistent for a long time. Like a LONG time.
Daily, I receive tons of messages about growing a brand and an audience. The thing is that I have been growing this for almost TEN YEARS!! It takes time. No “big thing” ever happened for me. A celebrity didn’t shout out my blog, I wasn’t featured on GMA or anything. I don’t have connections. I don’t live in NYC or LA so I don’t even have accidental blog connections by location. It was truly just consistent day-in-and-day-out work that made my blog grow. Working on it nonstop.
Of course, I loved it so much that it didn’t feel like work. But that’s a whole other story.
Before I continue, I feel like I’ve got to give a disclaimer for all my mamas out there. I receive tons of questions about how I do this with kids. I feel that it’s important for me to stress that I did this for SEVEN years before I had kids. I did this for a super long time. I already had a groove. I had become very efficient. I had researched everything. This was my full time job, making an income, helping to support us. I had written a book already. I was immersed in this blog life, if you will.
I know exactly what has to be done, when, and how. I know what I need to do and if it means three baskets of clean laundry go unfolded, so be it. Ultimately, my kids have ended up fitting into this work life with blogging since I did it so long before having them. It’s just like having a job where you work outside the home. I don’t know how other to explain it, other than… I just do it.
And I feel like this is so important to mention because if I tried to start my blog AFTER having kids? I don’t know how it would be today. It definitely wouldn’t be the same. It would be very difficult. I could never do it like how I did it for those seven years before. It was my only priority for a super long time.
SO, THE “AUDIENCE.”
Early on, like… really early on, I decided that I didn’t care about numbers. I really just cared about my readers. That is it.
Want to know why? Because back in 2009 and 2010, when brands started working with bloggers and sending product for review, multiple brands refused to send me product to blog about because they said my numbers weren’t high enough. And in hindsight, all I wanted to do was give them free advertising!
I had literary agents contact me early on, only to also tell me that my “numbers weren’t high enough.”
After a good long while of that, I thought screw it. I’m not doing anything with brands or anything with any other company. I am writing this blog 100% how I want to write it, because I have these readers here actually reading it and that’s who I love and adore.
And that was that. That was when this community really started to grow.
It was the start of my love affair with this community. Sharing recipes and chatting about everything. It made me so incredibly happy. It reinforced that page views are not all that matters.
Now, this is the part where I tell you one thing that is a TOTALLY different subject, but pertains to building an audience and making connections.
Your photos should probably look good. Luckily, you can start with an iPhone today! I couldn’t. I had to teach myself. And I don’t like photography one bit.
I’ll do another post touching on the photography subject. But let’s just say that… if your photos look good? People will start to stick around. Our world is so visual today – the photography is most people’s first impression of your content.
Anyhoo. Moving on.
I’VE NEVER CARED ABOUT SEO. OOOOPS.
When it comes to building a loyal audience and connecting with my readers, do you know what I don’t give a flying fig about? What I don’t even consider?
SEO.
Yep, that’s right.
Now I know, I know, the blogging gods and guides are going to come after me for giving terrible no good very bad advice. This is probably the worst thing ever to be written on the internet. And frankly, I’m not ignorant. I do KNOW that today, in a community that is large (some would say saturated – eh, I don’t always agree), in order to get noticed and get some sort of traction, SEO is important. I get this. I know it. If you’re starting out, follow all the SEO practices. Just do it! It’s easy, because you’re starting and you don’t know any better.
For me, here’s the thing. SEO requires some weirdo things that just don’t go or flow with my writing style. And by “writing style” I simply mean that I sit down at the computer, write whatever the heck is on my mind, pour out my thoughts regardless of how jumbled they are, proofread for typos two or three times and inevitably end up missing a ton, then hit publish.
Having to include larger paragraph headings, writing out a keyword multiple times, including key phrases to make google happy and searching for key words or ad words or whatever the heck words – it just feels so… unnatural to me. Not genuine. I hate it. Honestly, I hate it. I like to sit down and write as if I’m talking to a friend. Write like it’s my diary. Like I’m talking to you! That’s the only way I enjoy it. And I don’t want some SEO rules to determine how I’m writing out the actual thoughts in my brain.
While this may be the worst advice ever given on the internet, it’s important for me. I have always been my true and genuine self on this blog because of it – that matters in my writing. The writing is my favorite part. No one and nothing is going to dictate how I’m “talking” to you guys day in and day out, and I believe that has led to a greater connection for us.
All this to say that… you probably SHOULD do something with SEO. What I mean by not caring about it? Is that I don’t thinking have perfect SEO is the best way to gain a loyal following. Writing your heart out will!
I WRITE THROUGH THE CRAP (errr, the uninspiring moments) FOR THE CONNECTION.
This is another important thing for me, because writing is my favorite part of all of this. I realize that if you’re new, that may come as a shock. I don’t write any literary works of art over here, and since having kids, I know that my writing has lacked a bit. But that’s what I do on this blog – JUST KEEP WRITING. I keep writing, through the good and the bad writing and the awful and embarrassing and ridiculous and rambling writing because that’s how I get through it. Yep, this is my job so it should be semi-professional but it’s also kind of like my daily journal in a way that ended up being my job accidentally on purpose.
I’m the kind of person who is uninspired by taking breaks. I mean, normal breaks – sure, that’s great. They are refreshing. But like, if I “can’t get in the groove” of writing a blog post, and I decide to take a break? It could be WEEKS before I actually “feel” like I have something worthy of writing. You know? I mean, maybe I’d just never come back to write again. And then I’d get all stuck in my head about how it had been so long since I’d come back. It would be a vicious cycle.
If I had followed that tactic, I probably would have quit a long time ago. You just have to sit down and do it. Do the parts that you don’t love (for me, photography!) and the parts that are hard even when you do love them.
So, what I’m trying to say – and, to make a long story, well… longer, I believe that you push through for the connection. Keep writing and telling your story, in whatever way works for you.
That really brings together the whole consistency and connection thing for me. In being consistent with my writing, I’ve been able to connect with so many people.
BE VISIBLE BY SHARING CONSTANTLY.
Well. I don’t mean to be all UP IN YOUR FACE.
Another thing that I stand by that many, many, many people don’t believe in – is staying consistent by posting often. Maybe you don’t need to share three recipes a week these days to build a following. But guess what? There are people out there who are still posting something six and seven days a week. They are staying in your face! By posting often – whether it’s on a blog, Instagram, facebook – whatever, you become a friend. Yep, that sounds ridiculous. But it’s 2018 guys. And 2018 is ridiculous.
By posting on a platform often, you have content that can be featured. It can be featured by online publications, bigger instagram accounts, by other bloggers – all of that.
Example: there are a handful of blogs that I just adore. I love the writing. I’m inspired by the photos and want to eat every recipe. I’m even invested in their lives – when they share, that is. And they go weeks without posting on their blog or on instagram and I actually forget about them. Not because I’m a terrible person (let’s hope?) but because there is so much content in my face that after a day or two, there is new content to consume and move on to. It’s just a fact of life.
It’s a fact of 2018!
JOIN THE OFFICE HAPPY HOUR.
There is one part of connection that I believe is vital to building an audience. And that is networking with your peers and coworkers. Otherwise known as… other bloggers. Other bloggers in your space, other bloggers not in your space.
If you are a blogger who has been around forever or if you’re a reader who has been an avid blog reader forever, then you know. YOU KNOW. It’s embarrassing how much you know.
You know how many blogs I used to comment on.
Bloggers loooove comments. Comments are still treasured by bloggers. It’s one of the reasons that I try to respond to every comment on every platform every day. I SEE YOU! THANK YOU! Thank you for being here. It literally means the world to me.
Back when I started this blog, commenting on blogs was a big deal. Instagram didn’t exist. Neither did pinterest – I don’t even think facebook fan pages existed yet. Commenting on blogs was basically THEEEE social media of 2009. And it made it easy for readers to find you.
Here’s the deal. I did comment on a shit ton of blogs. I mean, hundreds a day. It wasn’t JUST because I was trying to gain traction for my own blog. Yes, of course it helped. But I commented for a few reasons. First, I was absolutely miserable and deeply depressed at a job where I had NOTHING to do but answer an occasional phone call. I sat in front of a computer with Google Reader open (oh the good old days) and read blogs all day long. Blogs saved me. They made me feel like I had friends at work! They made me feel like I wasn’t so alone and miserable! I made friends. I loved these bloggers’ stories. I loved to read their writing and keep up with their lives.
So I left comments because it was a way to participate in the community. It was a way to show other bloggers’ my appreciation for the work they put into a post (because, holy crap, if you’re not a blogger you have no idea how much work goes into a post!) and yes, it was also a way to “get my name out there.”
A lot of those blogs that I commented on? I’m friends with those people today. I developed amazing relationships and connections with incredible people through commenting on other blogs.
I also gained some readership from people seeing my name in the comments. At that time, that was really one of the only ways to discover other blogs.
I tell you this rambly, drawn out story because it does have a point. This is still a really big way to get your “name” out there as a blogger (or… the dreaded word, INFLUENCER) and build an audience. But it’s also a great way to participate in your community and make “work friends” (haha).
Show some love, share some love.
Obviously things are different today. While I still very much believe in commenting on actual BLOGS (we love them! Please keep commenting!), Instagram interaction is probably the most important right now. You know?
And not to be the bearer of bad news, but commenting on a few Instagram posts for 10 days is not the answer to this. I commented on tons of blogs for YEARS. For well over five years. Five+ years, daily commenting on other blogs. The only reason my commenting took a back seat is because I had released my first book and shortly after, had Max, and then my whole life shifted and I had to prioritize a bit more. However, I often take a few days a month and comment on multiple blogs just to show my appreciation for how hard those bloggers are working.
And oh p.s. while I adore all blog comments here (seriously I love you so much!), it’s not WHY I write. I would still write this blog even if no one ever read it. Because I can’t do anything until my brain is clear of all these words! Clearly, 3536 words in. I’m the worst.
ON A CONNECTION FAIL. KIND OF.
Because I am a product of this internet generation and an oversharer, I’ll tell you about how I feel that I’ve missed some connection here on the blog.
I really feel as though I’ve missed connection in the mom/baby/kid space.
I mean, sure, I have this baby page over here. Pour my heart out into it – at least once a month. I rarely direct anyone to it and it doesn’t even go through my RSS feed. And that’s because back when I was pregnant with Max, I had some comments from readers that basically said “please don’t turn into a mommy blogger!”
I mean, I get it. I never took offense. Getting pregnant with Max was kind of a surprise for us and I wasn’t reading any mom blogs or kid stuff at the time – I didn’t have much interest in that either. I also feared every time one of my favorite bloggers got pregnant – the ones who I really clicked with because we were in the same stage of life – that they would change and their blogs would change.
Well. DUH! Of course they would change. That is life. Life is about changing.
While I never had any plans to turn into a mommy blogger and I can’t imagine ever basing my business on the behaviors of my children, I still had blogged about my personal life for nearly a decade.
And I took those comments to HEART.
The first year or so that Max was here, I definitely struggled with my writing content because I was so afraid (and, well, exhausted) to even MENTION things about being a mom or having kids, for fear of ostracizing the community that I had spent so much time creating here.
And that’s crazy, because I write a lot about my life and when I read someone’s blog, I’m usually very invested in their whole life. Even with the changes!
I wish that I had (to be oh-so cliche) followed my heart and weaved it more into my writing. Always follow your gut!
I’M FINALLY FINISHED WRITING THIS, THANK GOD.
I don’t mean to sound flippant AT ALL about being consistent and building a connection. Of course, once I was into blogging and realizing it was an actual THING – and working on building my audience and writing books and all that, I’ve been strategic about things.
By strategic, I just mean that I bridge the gap between what we all love here on the blog. The things WE love. I want to create the kind of content that my readers enjoy. I only get the opportunity to do this because of my readers.
I listen to my readers (you guys!) on what you want to see more of. And I combine that with what I want to make more of. I find a happy balance.
To quickly summarize my almost 4000 word brain dump (SORRY! Oh wait, not sorry, I’m trying to stop saying I’m sorry! And I’m failing.) this is what I feel works, especially for new bloggers:
- Be consistent and post content (on at least one platform of your choice) OFTEN.
- Be genuine in what you share. You will find your people this way.
- “Network” with other bloggers. Make office friends. Genuine friendships and connections. No fake crap.
- Be patient. It’s the worst part. But guess what? I’m being patient (I mean, trying to) ten years in.
- Work harder than everyone else. That’s what I’ve always said. Whatever that means to you.
Okay. I’m officially tapping out at 4096+ words. Ask me whatever questions you’d like down in the comments! I’m here for it.
Oh an next up… the comparison trap. And how to get out of it. I’m hoping I figure out the answer by next month. I’ll be sharing all sorts of things in this series (my take on photography, how to stay consistent, how to get over burn out, etc), but if there is something specific you want to know, leave it below!
180 Comments on “On Blogging: Building an Audience.”
Thank you for sharing your tips and experiences – twas such an enlightening and inspiring read!
thank you kay!! xo
I have been waiting for you to write a post like this for so long. I am so excited about this series and appreciate you sharing your honest take on things. I can’t wait to read more!
thanks jenna!!
Long time reader here — think I found you in the comment section of someone else’s blog soon after you started howsweeteats. I had a food blog for a year as well back in 2010-11 and remember the wonderful community of readers and bloggers it brought. I just started another blog to support my new business and am amused at how much advice out there is now about SEO (and I worked a corporate job as an SEO specialist)! Your post is so refreshing. Thank you for all your wonderful, genuine content through the years. I enjoy your POV and appreciate all the work you’ve shared with your readers.
thank you so much amanda! means the world that you’ve been reading so long!
This was a great post! I’m not considering a career in blogging but this actually gave me more of an appreciation for the blogging community. It does not sound easy. I have been reading your blog for years and years. It’s my favorite. I agree with everything you said about building a connection with your readers. You have done that so well!
Also, re: Mommy Blogging, I loved reading those baby posts even before I got pregnant as it gave me so much to look forward to!!! XO You rock!
thank you so much jenna!!! that really means a lot to me.
Hi Jessica! I’ve been reading you for a couple years now and I think you are one of my favorite writers out there. In every post I feel like I’m on a coffee date and said coffee date is trying to make me hungry.
I appreciate this post so much! I started my blog because I love to cook and have been doing it since I can remember, and these are great encouraging words to keep going and DOING MA THING, find my voice, find my “tribe” lol (“squad” is also trendy), focus on what really matters. If you’re doing it only for the money, you’re in for the wrong reasons.
Thank you for being always so honest, especially with this post!
♥
THANK YOU!!! thank you so much. and yes, it’s really about doing what you love! xo
Thank you so much for this post! This is really helpful for me. I’m currently between jobs and I’m not sure what direction I want to go in my next job but I love posting on my blog. This is so inspiring! Thank you for the information and I’m looking forward to your next post about this!
you are so welcome megan!! let me know if you have any other questions.
I definitely will, Thanks!
Your post could not be more perfectly timed for me. I started my blog almost 9 years ago. It took a while for me to build an audience and make actually blogger friendships. I loved it! My photography improved. I began to try new cooking and baking techniques. I thrived on comments and really loved it. Then, something happened… I lost my mojo. Maybe I got tired of having to be a slave to social media. Maybe I got discouraged as comments began to become less and less.. The cooking videos really threw me off– making me feel incapable of competing with that.
Your post made me realize that I was looking at this all wrong. I love to cook and bake, and I also enjoy writing. That should be my motivation! Sure, a little bit of money is always nice (feeds my cookbook and kitchen gadget addiction). I want to pick up where I left off almost a year ago thanks to you.
I love the way you write– with humor and raw emotions. I love your photography. I’ve made several of your recipes over the years, and yes, I’ve bought your cookbooks. I even met you at a food blog convention years ago! You have given me new energy to jump back in and write from the heart, share from the heart– and don’t worry about other people’s successes.
Thank you!
oh my gosh. YOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD!!!
i get this. i actually talk about it so much with friends – or basically anyone who will listen. it’s like things just keep getting piled on top of bloggers work-wise. like we are supposed to have amazing video now, on top of everything else we do. and now it’s IGTV, but ON TOP of everything else. things just get piled on! there aren’t enough hours in the day.
i agree with you. video really flipped me out at first. that is not in my wheelhouse. and i know it can be discouraging because there are bloggers who have created video that has taken their blog to a high level. but it just comes down to doing what YOU love. the personal connection for me (in reading anyone’s blog!) comes with their writing or talking. not a hands-only food video.
thank you so much for commenting and your amazingly kind words. i hope you get back into blogging and love it. xoxoxo
Amazing, thorough, excellent post. You’ve been so consistent, REAL, and passionate all these years of blogging – you evolve without changing too much (if that makes sense), and remain genuine in your writing, photos, style; and selfishly, I’m so grateful that you’re even more awesome in person as a friend and in messages :) Looking forward to the next installment – cheers to more of your fabulous blogging. If only all bloggers would be like you with their craft and intentions.
YOU are one of the OG bloggers girl!!! thank you so much for all of the support you have given me. means so much to me!!!
xoxoxo
Thanks for all the tips! I hope there will be a post on way of monetizing a blog. Even though it is all about the love, sometimes we just need to look forward to a light at the end of the tunnel where we can maybe, hopefully one day kind of escape full time work.
thanks erica!! i will probably be writing about that at some point (to monetize, you really do need some sort of audience!) – but in the meantime i would suggest checking out my friend nicole culver’s most recent project, the social shift. nicole and i actually started blogging around the same time and she is really knowledgable about building a business, especially now, when it’s not just about ad networks (that’s what it was like when i started) – she is such a great resource!!! https://nicoleculver.clickfunnels.com/thesocialshift
You’re so sweet! Thank you!
This was so encouraging to hear! For someone launching a food blog in exactly one week! (Super nervous) This was exactly what needed to hear!
AHHHH! how exciting!! be sure to come back when you launch it. :)
Thank you so much for writing this, it was really enlightening. I stopped blogging in 2012 because I was so discouraged with never being able to find my own voice or feeling like I was doing enough. I recently started writing again just for me, and with no intentions, and I’m so much happier. Your blog is probably one of the few blogs over the past 7-8 years I still read because of how consistent and genuine you have always been and not trying to sell your readers anything. Thank you for giving us wonderful content and recipes and showing it can be done without turning into someone you’re not ! [PS – I was probably one of those readers who was scared you would become a mommy blogger, but have found that because your writing was never geared towards anything except recipes and life, that watching you go on your new journey with two cute kids has been really wonderful to follow!! :)]
thank you emily!!! i’m so glad you started again!
and thank you soooo much. xo
O LOVE you Jessica! This space has changed so much even in my 5+ years, and getting these types of posts from the bloggers I followed even before my own blog are just the little boosts I always end up needing every few months! Ha! xoxo
thank you so much rebecca!! xo
I remember discovering your blog in 2011 – I binged it! I especially loved all the cookie chat and memories of your Grandma. Thank you for not only being you but also doing you.
Like THAT makes sense, but I think you feel me. xo
thank you so much michelle!
Just wanted to say that I loved reading this and hearing your authenticity and honesty. You’re doing an amazing job with it all. Lots of love to you!!
thank you so much kaitlin!!
I’m in no way interested in starting a blog, but I loved reading about your experiences and processes!
I have been a longtime reader (like foreeeeever) of your blog. One of the first dishes I made as an “adult” was a lemon chicken romano you posted. I love your writing style and voice, and that’s why I still faithfully read! The recipes are great too ;)
Thanks for making this corner of the internet one of my favorites to visit!
thank you so much! that is an OLDDD recipe so yes, you have been reading forever. that means so much to me. thank you maggie!!
I adore you, friend, and admire your passion so much!! I remember back in the day how you were always the first comment on almost every blog and you’ve our hard work showed. I’m so proud to know you and am even more proud to call you a friend (who I wish I got to see more often!). So thankful blogging brought us together.
And I don’t do SEO either. Hate the way I write when I do think about it.
Love you and congrats!!!
thank you!!! you made my night. you have always been someone i look up to so much. i love that this brought us together!! xo
Jessica,
I’ve been a long time reader of your blog and I absolutely adore it! A lot blogs and writers these days have left me frustrated with their lack of transparency, lack of humor, or over-advertising of sponsored products. UGH. But your blog does not! Your recipes, ideas, and style are original! It is so refreshing. Most of the time, if you recommend a product, it is because you like it, not because someone paid you to say you like it. You have worked so hard for many years and you DESERVE the success and fame you have achieved. Many people getting into blogging these days think that they will achieve instant fame and not have to put in the work a “full-time” job requires. NOT TRUE. As you have said, it takes years! Anywho, that was a rant, but I had to say it because I’m a huge fangirl of you.
-Jill
thank you so much jill! it means a lot to me that you feel that way – my goal has been to stay as “un-commercial” (ha!) as i can be and only work with a really small handful of brands per year. thank you so so so much!!
Thanks for sharing this Jessica! I too have been a long time fan. I have realized though that my “problem” with maintaining my blog is that writing is my least favorite part. I love coming up with recipes and cooking and taking pictures, but when it’s time to write it all up I have nothing to say! Any thoughts on this problem? Thanks as always!
i actually thought of this after i hit publish, and i wish i would have touched on it more!
i definitely don’t think that someone has to love writing or be a great writer to have a successful site today. so much of it is visual, so i think if you have some amazing recipes and gorgeous photos (which you do!), that’s the key.
after that, find what DOES work for you when it comes to writing. maybe you want to just write a few sentences. maybe you don’t want to write at all! maybe you want to do something with bullet points or just highlight 5 things in each post (i love that ingredient spotlight on your blog). i think they key is to be consistent with what you do choose – and make sure that it’s something sustainable that you enjoy. you know??
the best advice i’ve read when it comes to feeling like you have writer’s block is to go read and go write. when i’m reading (i just like to read fiction) often, i do find that i write better. and when i’m writing posts consistently or even journaling, i also write better!
one more tip about that – sometimes i do get kind of stuck on where to start a post, so i’ll actually start it in the middle. i’ll start writing about the recipe and the few things i DO know that i want to include, and then i’ll try to build an intro and outtro from there!
thank you so much! This is really thoughtful advice and really actionable. It’s definitely sparking ideas on what I want to say (quickly) but something that I can do consistently. Thanks again! you are the best!
Omg I loved all 4000 words of this. I’ve beeb reading your blog for like a ridiculously long time- I think like 2010. And now having my own I’m constantly in awe of how much content you generate. I’d love to know how many hours a week you spend on your blog. How do you break it up? I was loving those day in the life posts you did. I’d love be more of that bc you are a boss at getting things done and need all your time management tips with a daughter at home max’s Age and twins on the way plus freelance work in addition to my blog. How do you do it on a daily breakdown? I’d love to peek more into your schedule. Seriously I’d like be day in a life posts every day for like a week.
thank you so much jenna!!! i am also obsessed with peoples’ day in the life posts, haha. i get it!
no day is really the same, especially since having kids. i probably spend at least 60+ hours a week on the blog, but it’s scattered all over the place.
the best thing i do to break it up is batch my work. this means that i do all my recipe photos in one chunk (usually one day). i do all photo editing in one batch too. i also enter everything into wordpress in one batch, so i may sit and transfer my written recipes into wordpress for a few hours at night. i also schedule all calls and/or meetings for the same day if possible. it just depends on the day! so on mondays, i might photograph 4 recipes and be done by 3 or 4. that’s it for photography that week. once the kids are in bed that night, i’ll upload all photos, go through them, edit and upload them to wordpress. that’s it for photo editing! and so on.
i also am adamant about front-loading my week. i fit as much as i can into the beginning of the week. by friday, i loosen the reigns and while i still do a few hours of work, it’s computer based and not styling or photography. on that same note, i front load my day and really try to get done the most important things immediately.
time management is crazy for me. i am not the best at it, but i’ve just realized that this is the stage of life that i’m in. sometimes there will be toy tornados all over the house for two days while i meet deadlines or finish work. sometimes i don’t ever get the laundry folded!
however, i LOVE this job and the freedom it allows me, so while i do follow a loose schedule, i also take liberties where and when i can. for instance, if my mom wants to do something on a monday (usually my biggest workday), i’ll try to rearrange things because i can, and that’s the best part of working for yourself!
Jessica,
Thank you for your most informative post. Your work ( no matter the platform ) shows your passion. I’ve been a reader for a few years and about 95% of us are visual learners. Your pictures are always lovely. Your children are darling and your obviously doing it all right. Love your passion.
thank you so much!! xo
Great post and I think if you and I each had a nickel for every blog that we commented on from 2009 to 2014 or so, we’d probably be able to retire :) Commenting was a full time job back then! Keep on keeping it real on your blog and glad you don’t write for SEO purposes either!
omg YES YES YES!!! hahaha, it sure way.
xoxoxox
When I first discovered food blogs were a thing this quickly became my favorite. And when I started mine I very much had the same spirit as you-just chatting with my friends and posting what I want. I’ve made so many friendships through commenting on other bloggers’ posts and I think all of your advice is just perfect. I love this whole post <3
thank you so much love!! xo
I’m not a blogger but I’ve been reading your blog since 2011 – yours and VERY few others for so long and the reason is your authenticity which is exemplified in this post. (I am also from Pittsburgh so I think I also felt a kindred spirit. Also since I don’t live there now, whenever you share info or visits to Pittsburgh locations make me happy and nostalgic so thank you for those). So just wanted to say thank you for this candid post and to keep doing what you’re doing :)
thank you kim!! so glad you are loving the pittsburgh mentions too. it’s such a great place. :) xo
Love you and congrats on ten TEN years!!! I read parts of this out loud to my husband, I’m like THIS! He even paused the TV lol. Love blogging and love that I’ve met you and love all your content!
HAHAHAH i am so glad you did!!! oh what our poor husband’s go through… lol.
thank you love!! xo
I have no plans to start a blog, but I still loved this post! I have been following for a long time, and reading your blog really does make me feel like we could be friends. Can’t wait for (at least!) 9 more years! P.S. I forgot how much I miss Google Reader!! Definitely the good old days.
thank you so much micaela! yes, it was the BEST.
Thank you so much for starting this series!!! I have been a reader for 8 plus years and I have always just loved everything about your blog. You are your genuine self, so thank you for always being you!
I’m a blogger too, and I really struggle with the consistency. It’s something I’ve really been trying to work on because I would love to grow an audience and eventually be able to monetize it. I’m a baker professionally and I’m a vegetarian, so I’m trying to create a little niche for myself within those two things.
Reading about your process over all these years is super inspiring! Can’t wait for your next posts. Also, I find it so funny that you hate the photography part of blogging because you always have the most beautiful photos, so it doesn’t show at all that you dislike it haha.
I just moved to Pittsburgh from California this summer for my boyfriend’s school so I love hearing about your fave places here! :)
thank you so much sophie!!
and thank you about the photos! i’ve just made myself learn but ugh, so not my favorite thing.
and welcome to pittsburgh! i hope you love it. :)
Can I just say how this post has given me so much of a boost at the start of my work week?
I blog full time (though with a much smaller audience – a lot of my ‘job’ comes from freelance writing and recipe development) and it always bothers me that I honestly don’t care about SEO because I don’t want my writing to come across as unnatural, and, newsflash while in the past I’ve taken professional photography gigs and I wrote and styled my own cookbook (my publishers really wanted me to do it), I really don’t enjoy food photography and styling all that much.
Happy nine years – feels strange as I think you were one of the first food blogs I ever read (I used to be a fashion blogger) and I think the first one I ever cooked from, and we’ve been at this about the same amount of time!
thank you so much rachel!!! xo you are the best!
Thanks Jess, I love reading your blog: I love your writing style, your photos, and your little peeps! I love your recipes too but don’t often make stuff from blogs (though I do save a lot of recipes on Pinterest). It’s not you; it’s me. I don’t blog, but I am trying to grow my IG presence for my art page, so this really hit home. Thank you!
thank you so much lisa!! xoxo
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I enjoy your blog, I had your cookbook Delish before I became hooked on your blog. I cook from your blog A LOT. I truly enjoy everything about your blog. I try to comment on blogs also, but have to admit, I really appreciate comments by people who have made the recipe and have something to say about it, not those who say something like I plan to try this, or that looks good. Really? Say you plan to make it and then, come back when you do and then, comment. That is my pet peeve. I am not a blogger, but I am a reader. I have a few blogs I read religiously and yours is one of them. Thank you for your genuine content. I enjoy everything about your blog, and especially enjoy the pictures of your beautiful children. The expressions on their little faces….just so adorable. Your blog is your life….we have to hear or want to hear about all of it, even the parts that may seem mundane. That’s what makes it so captivating.
thank you so much karen!! that really means a lot to me. xoxo
some insight on the commenting – comments on blogs really started because blogging is so personal and it was a way to communicate. i don’t really think anyone ever expected them to be full blown recipe websites where there would be comments and ratings! it’s so crazy!
Thank you for your reply. I really learned something from your reply. I guess I am just a very literal person, and started out with foodnetwork, epicurious and my number one blog resource, by an individual, for great, predictable recipes, onceuponachef where they do encourage comments and ratings. Other bloggers I read also request recipe comments, and feedback. It’s easy to tell which blogs are which, but I definitely appreciate your clarification and now know where to focus my comments. I will continue to read and enjoy your blog for all the reasons I stated in my original comment.
This is a such a helpful post! I really enjoy following you!
thank you so much! xo
Thank you so much for writing this. Your post made me smile, giggle, feel relieved and understood, and even made me shed a little tear because…SOMEONE GETS IT. :) I can’t wait to read more from you on blogging. I’ve followed your blog for years and have had some of the best meals because of your recipes! I also love “Tuesday Things.” :-)
I started my food/book blog a few months ago, and I’ve since fallen head over heels with blogging. I’ve always loved writing, and now that I can combine writing, reading, and recipes, I feel like I’ve found what I’m meant to do in the world. I’ve been going all-in, 150%, every day, working on my blog and related social media, and I’ve loved every minute of it.
However, I’ve recently gotten a bit over-focused on my readership levels — I don’t expect overnight success, but I’d like to know that at least more people than just my mom and her friends are reading this thing, LOL. I’ve done research about SEO and Pinterest and Tailwind and all that, and it’s EXHAUSTING. Plus, I don’t agree with a lot of what I’m reading; so many recommendations doesn’t seem to celebrate authenticity, and I just wanna be myself on my blog. I took a break from it all on Saturday, feeling frustrated and discouraged, and then spent yesterday doing what I love for my blog — writing and cooking and reading. It was wonderful and exactly what I needed to reset myself. And, this morning, your post came through and further inspired me to just continue doing what I’m doing, to be me, and to simply enjoy the amazing experience I’m having. Not to get all sappy on you, but this post is EXACTLY what I needed to see today. THANK YOU. xoxo
thank you so much CJ!!!
it’s definitely interesting when you first start because it’s like people don’t realize it’s actually this world that exists and that so much goes into it. isn’t it nuts?!
thank you!! xoxox
Thank you. Just thank you!
Sabrina Pflug
Peach and the Willow
thanks sabrina!! xo
I also started blogging about the same time as you did. I knew nothing about SEO or Google ranking or even blogging as a “business”. I just started writing about what I loved (chickens and gardening) and taking photographs and sharing and being visible and active. I cringe when I look back at some of my old blogs, but because of those blogs, I started getting noticed and eventually got (multiple) book offers which led to a local TV show. I have learned a bit about SEO and all that but I STILL focus on consistent quality content. You hit that nail on the head. Great post. Great tips and reminder than there IS no secret to blogging. Taking courses or buying likes and all that isn’t the answer. It’s just hard work over an extended period of time.
Oh, and p.s. love your blog and cookbook.
Lisa
Fresh Eggs Daily
thank you so much lisa!! xo
I just wanted to say a couple things that are only tangentially related: I found you way back in 2011 because you commented on a Healthy Tipping Point post and I was like “omg, what’s How Sweet It Is??”. I was 15 and I feel like I’ve grown up with you. You are one of the only blogs I read consistently through college, and i spent the past several months cooking every recipe in The Pretty Dish because i was so excited for you. Secondly, I don’t have children and totally relate to the “Oh no, don’t become a mommy blogger” feels. But i have to say, i loved your newborn posts for both babies so so much. Seeing how much you were absolutely in love with them warmed my heart. Thank you for existing. You make my days brighter.
thank you!!! that means so much to me!! xo
Such a great post, Jessica – thanks for sharing!! I’ve been a long-time reader and love all the content you provide, but especially your genuine voice which feels like we’re chatting over coffee! Also — I’m not a mom yet, but your baby posts always make me smile and look forward to that next season. Thanks for all your hard work on this space — it is appreciated!!
thank you so much jessica!!
Thank you for what you do! I’m a working mom of two who looooves your blogs and recipes (and I’m not at all the “blogger loving” type). Your recipes and honesty adds so much fun and enjoyment to my days! Some blogs tend to consistently tell you what you haaaave to have to be happy in life. I know my true source of joy already and just love the fun your blogs bring! You’ve also helped me to become a much better cook, which is why my husband gave me your two cookbooks for Christmas- it’s a win for us both! Thanks for all you do!
thank you so much heather!!!
xoxo
Thank you so much for posting this! I’ve been hobby-blogging for years, and have recently decided the world may not, in fact, end if I actually attempt to promote or tryrealhard on my own stuff. Today, I sat down and was juuuuust catching up on my favorite blogs before actually getting any work in that direction done. So, thanks for helping kill two birds with one stone!
thank you carolyn!! haha this made me laugh. i’ve always had a really hard time promoting my own stuff. i totally get it!
Thank you for all your honesty and struggles with creating this everyday content I look forward to reading the moment I see it. KEEP DOING YOU – cooking, makeup, Nordstroms, favorites, photos, kids, mommy and wife. It is all apart of who you are, your evolution and perspective as a writer and what we, as subscribers love.
thank you so much shannon!
JESS!! You are amazing for posting this and I can’t thank you enough for your insight! I’ve only been blogging seriously for a year, and it’s always pushed to find your audience. And I’m always like HOW?! So thank you for making this feel doable and OK if I fail all the time!
I’ve been a fan of yours for at least the last 8 years if not longer! I just love your recipes and your writing style – your openness, honesty, and just being YOU! Lots of love!!
thank you so so so much kasey!
Jessica, this article is so very you! Thanks for writing it. I remember meeting you at one of my first blogging conferences (probably 8 years ago?). We were both in an intimate group session led by Shauna Ahern and you’d left everyone speechless (including Ahern) when you presented yourself and said you blogged 6 new recipes a week. That kind of hard work and dedication has to pay off in the long run! I only wish you shared more about what your daily schedule looked like. Like HOW do you get all of that done! I’m still speechless at how present and genuine and generous you are, all those years later. Please write more articles for this “On Blogging” series, we need more insight into what you do! Love <3
ahhh marie i remember that SO well!! haha thank you so much. you are the sweetest. xoxoxo
Dear Jessica! This article is priceless. And it makes me realize that I have been following you since Day One and writing when I needed to add something to your comments. French being my mother language, I sometime have funny ways to express. But in whole: I always loved the way you express yourself, be it through words or food. You have a huge talent and I told you again and again…if I was a TV Producer, I would get you a show, that’s for sure. Why don’t you ever go out there and try to shake some booties in FoodNetwork or elsewhere? I know your life is full with the two kids, and the books, and the husband… I know. Anyhoo as you write, I loved all the 3thousand++ words of this MasterClass on blogs. As a matter of fact, I loved all the zillions of words that went through your blogs along the way. Avanti!
thank you so much mia!! xoxo
Jessica, Congratulations on your 10th year of blogging! Thank you so much for this post and this series. I also appreciate your answers to my questions last week. I made a connection to you on your blog over your Michigan vacation photos My mom is from the UP, and we would go there or to Wisconsin a lot when I was young. Yours was one of the first blogs I consistently read. Your writing style and photography is what drew me in, as well as your recipes, Tuesday Things, and Currently Crushing On.
I started blogging in 2013 because I found out I had a yeast allergy (Candida) and had to change my way of eating. It was drastic, so I thought there must be others struggling with this. So it was basically to help others, which in turn helped me.
I would also make recipes “yeast free” so I could still enjoy food! I was on a roll until my nephew passed away in 2015. He was the first person who “liked”my blog. He was into healthy eating and was so proud of my blog. I had even featured a recipe he developed. I began to post very inconsistently.
I kept reading your blog. I retired from teaching in December, 2017. When you came out with The Pretty Dish, it motivated me to make your recipes “yeast free”. I bought four copies of The Pretty Dish and did a giveaway on my blog. I went to your book signing in Atlanta. You have really been an encouragement to me to be authentic, write what I know about, and start posting at least 3-4 times a week. I cannot thank you enough!
thank you so so much ladonne!!! your support of the blog and book mean so much to me.
and i am so sorry to hear about your nephew. that is heart breaking. i love that he played someone of a role in your blog – and i’m sure he would want you to continue! <3 xoxo
Jessica, Thank you for being so open to help all of us with our blogging. You are a special person and so incredibly talented! You are right, Michael would definitely want me to continue with my blogging. Thank you!
I’ve been so excited for this post!! Thank you sooo much for sharing all of this – you’re AMAZING and never cease to amaze me with your insight and how hard you work 24/7. You’re incredibly inspiring and I feel so grateful for all the advice and help you’ve given me on my blogging journey – seriously cannot thank you enough. You deserve every ounce of your success and congratulations on 10 years!! I can’t believe it’s been that long – but I remember where I was when my friend first told me about you – probably about 9 years ago! So crazy. But thank you thank you again for everything!! <333
thank you so so much molly!!!
xoxoxo
I honestly don’t remember how I came across your blog, but I’ve been following you for at least six years now. Yours was the first blog I ever subscribed to, and the main reason for that was your writing style. I love how you’ve always been so open and honest and funny – just like talking to your friends (as you said). I always remember one time you wrote about Eddie’s love for WWE and how he had framed photos. I can relate – because while there are no framed photos in our house, my husband has been an avid WWE fan forever. So much so, that I watch it with him now haha! So, congratulations on 10 years, and here’s to at least 10 more!
thank you so much crystal!! hahaha wrestling fans unite?
This is just perfection. And 1 bajillion percent your voice, which is all that ever truly matters. Like my mom always says about any relationship (romantic, platonic, “internet friend”) — at the end of the day, when everything shiny has faded, you should just love listening to each other. Thanks for sharing :)
thank you katy!!! xoxoxo
Loved reading this! I remember back in the day (when I was originally Pennies on a Platter) I remember all the comments (and yours!). It’s something I miss, but in this ever evolving world of blogging it’s exciting to try and keep up with the changes — especially after taking almost 2 years “off”. I now need to get better on IG commenting! :) Thanks to your recs! Looking forward to the future posts!
thank you so so much nikki!!! xoxo
Thank you sooo much for sharing. I have tried blogging for almost as long as you but have been discouraged and gotten lazy or to busy with life. I keep coming back to it because I like to share and it’s something I enjoy. My blog mostly started out because my sisters wanted recipes or we didn’t have time to talk everyday and this was a great way to connect. You are very inspiring it makes me want to be better at this but I like you I don’t like to follow others rules of how to do things… this mas the harder bu that’s how I fool. Best of luck in all you do. Lury
thank you!! xo
This is such an excellent read, so thank you for taking the time to put it all out there! Being a newbie to all of this, it’s been a struggle figuring out how to prioritize tasks and how not to fall down a burn out inducing rabbit hole of instagram likes. It’s really inspiring to be reminded that love for what you do will always result in good things.
thank you so much jo!
I LOVE how you said you write whatever you want and stay true to your writing style! I am a professional writer and recently started a “writing tips for food bloggers” series that talks a bit about just that – being authentic and genuine. As you point out, SEO is important in this saturated food blog industry, but at the same time, so is the actual blogging and making that personal connection. Reading this made my day! And so did reading some of the comments! It is so clear that you have connected with so many who want to read what you have to say and remember stories from your posts. And that’s what it’s all about…creating a loyal following as you said! Thank you for sharing this piece! LOVED it! :)
this means so much to me – a professional writer!! i mean, seriously, the fact that you even read these jumbled paragraphs that i write? is everything. :) thank you so much sherri!!!