The Vine Podcast

In this episode: If you've felt burned by brand partnerships in the past or believe your blog isn't "big enough" for sponsorships, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about working with brands. Justin Moore has facilitated over $5 million in brand partnerships and he shares why direct brand relationships can be more profitable than working through networks alone. He also reveals his framework for turning one-off deals into recurring partnerships and shares why your audience size matters less than you think when positioning yourself to work with brands.   About Justin: Justin Moore is a Sponsorship Coach, author, and the founder of Creator Wizard, a school & community that teaches you how to find & negotiate your dream brand partnerships so that you stop leaving thousands on the table. His latest book, "Sponsor Magnet," offers a succinct distillation of his ideas and frameworks for securing successful brand collaborations.   Along with his wife April, he has been a full-time creator since 2014 and has personally made over $5M working with brands. He also ran an influencer marketing agency for 7 years that helped other creators earn millions more.   Justin brings a very unique perspective because not only has he been a creator in the trenches doing sponsorships for years but by running an agency, he has insider knowledge behind how big brands choose which influencers to partner with and why they pass on others. Justin's mission is to enable creators big and small to land 1 million paid brand partnerships by 2032.       Key points from this episode: Why Your Past Brand Partnership Experiences Might Have Sucked (And Why That Doesn't Matter) The Mindset Shift: You're Not Just a Creator, You're a Consultant Should You Work With Brands That Have Never Done Influencer Marketing? From One-Off Deal to Recurring Partnership: The Strategy The Pricing Question: What Should You Actually Charge? Creative Deal Structures That Turn Into Long-Term Partnerships Why You Need to Follow Up (Even When It Feels Awkward) The Bottom Line   Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you've ever struggled with working ON your business instead of in it, you may need to get back into a CEO mindset. Sometimes we can look back on the last month, quarter, or even the year to date and wonder why we haven't achieved as much as we set out to. It's so easy to slip into an employee mindset without even noticing. So if that's you, today I'm sharing some super practical ways that you can shift back into a CEO mindset especially heading into the busiest time of the year.       Key points from this episode: The Quote That Changes Everything Signs You've Slipped Into Employee Mindset The Power of Time Tracking Create a Protected CEO Work Block Managing Your Team Without Getting Sucked Into Employee Work Expand Your Perspective Beyond Food Blogging Your CEO Mindset Challenge Why This Matters Now More Than Ever   Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you've been treating your welcome email sequence like an afterthought—something you'll "get to eventually"—I have news for you: you're missing out on the single best opportunity to build real connection with your subscribers. In a world where AI-generated content is everywhere and food bloggers are competing for attention like never before, your welcome sequence isn't just nice to have. It's your brand hub, your first impression, and quite possibly the most important automated piece of your email marketing strategy. Email marketing strategist Allea Grummert recently broke down exactly why welcome sequences matter so much right now, and how to create one that actually differentiates you from every other food blogger out there. Here's what you need to know.   About Allea:  Owner of Duett, Allea Grummert is an email marketing strategist, copywriter and tech expert who helps bloggers and content creators make a lasting first impression through automated welcome & nurture sequences. She helps her clients build intentional email strategies that engage readers, build brand loyalty and optimize conversions for sales and site traffic. Allea is the host of the Happy Subscribers podcast, holds the coveted spot as the email marketing industry expert for the Food Blogger Pro membership community, is a Recommended Expert through NerdPress, a trusted Mediavine Partner and recognized as a Kit Approved Expert.   Key points we discuss in this episode: The Wake-Up Call: Your Subscribers Don't Know You What Makes a Welcome Sequence Your "Brand Hub" How Welcome Sequences Combat AI and Information Overload What Actually Goes in a Welcome Sequence? The One Thing That Changes Everything: A Welcome Video Handling Transactional Subscribers (Print Pass, Creator Network, Save This Recipe) Your List Size Doesn't Matter (Your Engagement Does) The Bottom Line: Your Welcome Sequence Matters More Than You Think   Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: AI tools have revolutionized content creation workflows, but many bloggers still struggle with how to implement them effectively without losing their authentic voice. Aleka, creator of Learn with Aleka, shares her five-stage framework for using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to streamline everything from keyword research to content repurposing. She explains how AI has helped her break free from the monotonous blog post structures that were making all food content sound the same, while cutting her writing time in half. You'll discover specific prompts for generating SEO-optimized outlines, uncovering content gaps your competitors are missing, and turning one blog post into multiple pieces of content across different channels.   About Aleka:  Aleka Shunk is an educator, course creator, and former middle school teacher who specializes in helping bloggers master keyword research to increase traffic and revenue. She is the founder of 'Learn With Aleka', Formally 'Keywords With Aleka', which is a suite of SEO-focused courses that provide clear, actionable strategies for ranking higher on Google, tracking keywords and using AI to blog smarter.   Drawing on over a decade of experience in education and content creation, Aleka has taught thousands of bloggers how to identify high-value keywords, optimize existing content, and create posts that consistently attract the right audience.   When she’s not teaching or creating content, Aleka enjoys cooking, entertaining, and spending time with her husband and two sons in Florida.   Key points we discuss in this episode: The Pre-AI Content Creation Struggle A 5-Stage Framework for AI-Powered Content Creation The Real-World Impact: From 3 Hours to 90 Minutes Smart Prompting Strategies That Actually Work Starting Small: Where to Begin Beyond Content Creation: Other AI Applications The Voice Mode Game-Changer Maintaining Your Authentic Voice The Future of Content Creation Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Q4 is about to bring you the biggest influx of new visitors all year. These aren't your regular readers - they're people discovering you for the first time through holiday recipe searches. This is your chance to turn one-time visitors into loyal followers, but only if your personal brand is ready to shine. Today we're talking about how to make sure your personality comes through when it matters most.   Key points I'll cover in this episode: The Q4 Traffic Surge: Your Biggest Opportunity of the Year The Personality Gap That's Killing Your Conversions Your Brand Voice: The Bridge Between Platforms Strategic Ways to Infuse Your Brand Into Q4 Content The Q4 Content Audit: Your Action Plan Small Changes, Big Impact Making This Quarter Count             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Ever feel like you're spending way too much time styling and editing your food photos, only to end up with images you aren't thrilled with? Today I'm talking with Melodee Fiske from Pretty Focused, and she's completely changing the game when it comes to food photography for bloggers.   You'll learn if you're spending too much time editing photos, overthinking your styling and she'll teach you how to shift your mindset from stressful photoshoots to streamlined. If you've been overthinking your food photography or feeling stuck in a rut, this conversation is going to be so helpful for you.   Key points I'll cover in this episode: The Recipe is Always the Hero Simplify Your Styling Approach Master the "Oven to Served" Method Lighting and Composition Trump Styling The Tutorial-Based Photography Mindset Streamline Your Photo Shoot Process Common Angles and When to Use Them The Value is in the Variety     Melodee Fiske is a food photography educator and founder of Pretty Focused, where she has helped thousands turn their passion into profitable, work-from-home businesses. As a former teacher and full-time photographer, she built her own dream career and now teaches others how to do the same. They have recently launched a brand-new edition of Pretty Focused and this time, its built specifically for food bloggers. It’s designed to help bloggers take better photos of their own recipes using the camera they already have. Whether they just getting started or have been blogging for years, they are going to love hearing how this new program can help them save time, build confidence, and elevate their content.         Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you feel like you're doing everything right, you're posting consistently, you're optimizing your blog posts for SEO, you're engaging on social media and building your email list, but you're not seeing your brand grow, this episode is for you. The real difference between staying stuck and growth is actually more about your personal brand than it is about your fonts or your colors that you choose. Today we're tackling 3 branding mistakes that are blocking the connections you need to grow.   The 3 Mistakes we'll cover in this episode are: Thinking Your Logo IS Your Brand Showing Up Differently on Social Media VS Your Website Hiding Behind Your Blog Instead of Building a Personal Brand             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Here’s the truth nobody talks about: a beautiful website doesn’t automatically equal a successful food blog. In fact, some of the best looking websites I see are making critical mistakes that could be hurting their traffic. Today we’re diving into 3 design mistakes that look harmless but are actually costing you readers and traffic over time.   The 3 Mistakes we'll cover in this episode are: Your Homepage Fails the 3-Second Test Your Categories Are Confusing Google (And Your Readers) Your Homepage Is Just a Blog Feed             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: When was the last time you actually looked at your recipe index page? If you're like most food bloggers, it's probably been a while – and there's a good chance it's not doing what you think it should be doing. Your recipe index might be one of the most misunderstood pages on your entire website. Many food bloggers treat it like a traditional recipe box, trying to catalog every single recipe they've ever created. But here's the thing: that approach is actually working against you, both for your readers and for Google. If your recipe index feels overwhelming, confusing, or just plain ineffective, you're not alone. Today we're going to break down exactly what your recipe index should be doing and give you three simple changes that will make this page work harder for your blog.   Key Points in this episode: The truth about recipe indexes (it's not what you think!) Focus on categories, not individual recipes Make it easy for users to actually find what they want Putting it all together: Your Recipe Index Action Plan The Bottom Line: Simple wins             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you have ever felt stuck on the hamster wheel of content creation and struggled to grow your business, you're definitely not alone! Today Bjork Ostrom from Food Blogger Pro and Pinch of Yum joins me to talk about the transition we all face of going from maker to manager. He shares a delegation framework, how to identify which tasks to never outsource and his approach to getting 1% better every day. Bjork is the chief tech consultant / business advisor / taste tester at Pinch of Yum, the food blog created by his wife, Lindsay. Day-to-day, you’ll mostly see him around Food Blogger Pro, the membership site and podcast they created to share what they've learned with other food bloggers. Bjork and Lindsay live in Minnesota with their daughters Solvi and Lena, and dog Sage. He can usually be found with a coffee in hand and is a terrible chef.   Key Points in this episode: The Great Transition: From Maker to Manager Starting your delegation journey Advanced Delegation: The Art of Intentional Ignorance The philosophy that changes everything Practical tips for daily improvement             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Have you ever looked back at your blogging journey and thought, "If only I knew then what I know now"? If you've been blogging for more than a year, you've probably had that exact moment of reflection. The food blogging industry has transformed dramatically over the past decade, and what worked five years ago might not be the best strategy today. Whether you're just starting out or you've been blogging for years, these nine strategies can help you build a more sustainable, profitable, and engaging food blog that truly connects with your audience. Listen along as I share my honest take on what I'd do differently if I were starting a food blog from scratch today!     The 9 points I discuss: Start on self-hosted WordPress from day one Build your audience with strategic opt-ins Email your list consistently and more often Focus on video content Connect with your audience and understand their pain points Create a system for maintaining content updates Hire out writing sooner Build multiple revenue streams from the beginning Build authority through podcasting or YouTube             Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you've thought about creating digital products to diversify your revenue streams, you're going to love this week's episode. I'm chatting with Emily Baksa, a food copywriter and content strategist, about creating digital products that diversify your revenue and reconnect you with the creative joy of food blogging. She unpacks a three-part framework that can transform your digital product launches — from creating offers your audience actually wants and building engaged email audiences to implementing marketing that connects rather than sells. Vine Podcast Exclusive! Get your FREE Digital Product Income Calculator from Emily today!     Key Points: Why digital products matter for food bloggers now What are we talking about when we say "digital products"? The 3 reasons your digital product launch didn't succeed Digital products as an evolution, not a one-time effort Be bold and try again       Related Episodes: EP 175: Exact Steps to Create a Digital Product ASAP EP 190: Monetizing Your Expertise Through Digital Products with Jillian Leslie       Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!       Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Your personal brand is the only thing truly setting you apart from countless others in your niche. Yet so many food bloggers hide behind their websites, creating a disconnect between who they really are and what their audience experiences online. Today, I'm sharing how to stop hiding and start authentically aligning your website with your personal brand. Today we're talking about how your website should support your personal brand - the element that truly sets you apart in a crowded niche of food bloggers.     Key Points: What is your personal brand (and why does it matter)? The About Page: Your brand's foundation Bridging the Gap: Aligning your website with your social media persona Weaving your story throughout your content The power of consistency & regular audits Your Challenge: Conduct a personal brand audit     Related Episodes: EP 199: Risk Proof Your Business Through Personal Branding     Related content: See how we can help you refine your personal brand! The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Are you tired of chasing SEO trends and algorithm updates without seeing sustainable growth? As food bloggers, we often get caught up in technical SEO tweaks and site speed optimizations, but what if there's a more holistic approach that could lead to long-term success? In this insightful conversation with SEO expert Jeff Hawley, we explore why the most successful food bloggers are shifting from purely technical SEO tactics to a more comprehensive content strategy focused on building topical authority and creating a memorable brand. Let's dive into how this approach can transform your blog from just another recipe site to a trusted authority in your niche!     Key Points: Why traditional SEO advice falls short for food bloggers Building a long-term brand strategy (not just content) The 75/25 Rule for Content Planning Building topical authority through strategic content Balancing new content vs. updating existing posts Practical tools for implementing this approach Moving Forward: A Balanced Approach to SEO     Related Episodes: EP 154: 5 Ways to Boost Your SEO This Year EP 207: SEO Still Matters in 2025 with Carl Ross   Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Have you ever made an emotional decision that impacted your food blog? It can be so easy to chase the next big thing for your business, but you could find yourself frustrated with the lack of results. In today's episode I'll share how you can shift away from emotion based decision making and focus on making data based decisions that will serve your business and help it grow! If you're tired of feeling like you are spinning your wheels, this episode will help you determine and focus on the things that move the needle forward for your food blog.     Key Points: The Emotional Decision Trap Data points you should be tracking Creating a framework for data-based decisions Combining emotion and data for smart decisions When to hire help     Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Is your Instagram strategy draining your creative energy? When today's guest, Kimberly Espinel realized almost all her content had become promotional, she took a bold step back - and discovered a better way forward. We're exploring what actually works on Instagram in 2025, from finding the right mix of content types to maintaining authenticity while growing your audience. If you're tired of feeling like every post needs to drive traffic or sales, you'll learn how to create content that not only performs well but keeps you creatively energized.     Key Points: The Wake-Up Call The power of personal connection Creating a sustainable content strategy Instagram trends for 2025 and beyond The path forward     Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: If you've been wondering whether AI could help or hurt your food blog, this episode will transform how you think about AI as a business tool. Join me for a great conversation with Hanelore Dumitrache as we dive into practical ways AI can streamline your workflow—from cutting blog post writing time by 75%, to uncovering hidden patterns in your analytics. Plus, you'll discover how to use this technology in a way that actually strengthens your brand, without sacrificing what makes your content unique.     Key Points: Ethical AI implementation for food bloggers Streamlining content creation with AI Leveraging AI for analytics and growth Additional AI applications for food bloggers Embracing the future of food blogging   Exclusive Offer! Receive 50% OFF Hanelore's ebook "AI for Food Bloggers!" Click the link below and enter discount code VINEPODCAST at checkout! AI for Food Bloggers Deal     Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: What happens when you commit to posting Instagram Reels every day for 90 straight days? Today I’m chatting to a blogger who came up with the challenge to create and share daily recipe videos without batching content in advance. You’ll hear what she experienced instead of massive follower growth like you might expect! Whether you’re feeling disconnected from your audience or stuck in a content rut, you’ll learn practical strategies for how to break through those challenges without burning out.     Key Points: The Challenge: Going all in Breaking free from perfectionism Unexpected results Building authentic connections Content creation tips The power of consistency     Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Wondering if SEO still matters for food blogs in 2025? Despite what you might have heard, Google remains the largest source of traffic on the internet, and food blogs are still ranking prominently in search results. Today, I sit down with Carl Ross from Uku Digital for a discussion all about what's really working right now, from smart content strategy to the technical elements that can make or break your site's performance!     Key Points: Core web vitals deep dive Common technical issues Advanced technical SEO Future-proofing your site     Related content: The Crafted Website Experience Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.

In this episode: Are you wondering if Pinterest is still worth your time in 2025? Here's the truth - Pinterest isn't just another social media platform, it's a powerful search engine that can drive consistent traffic to your site for months or even years. In today's episode, I sit down for a really insightful conversation with Kate Ahl from Simple Pin Media about breaking down what actually matters for success on Pinterest, which metrics to track and how to turn traffic into email subscribers.     Key Points: The evolution of Pinterest Current strategy deep dive Future-proofing your Pinterest strategy     Related content: Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!   Connect With Madison Instagram | Website | Show Notes Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: Design Services for Food Bloggers Our newest way to redesign your website! Learn more here.