The Food Blogger Pro Podcast

Turning 5 million social media followers into real revenue, syndicating content strategically across platforms, and prioritizing Facebook with Lexi Harrison from Crowded Kitchen. ------ Welcome to episode 547 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Lexi Harrison from Crowded Kitchen. Inside Crowded Kitchen's Strategy for Growing to 2.4 Million Followers on Facebook Lexi Harrison and her mom first started sharing food content on Instagram back in 2015 — and what began as a fun creative outlet has now turned into a thriving, multi-platform business with over 5 million followers across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. In this episode, Lexi shares how they strategically grew their audience, refined their content approach, and learned to make social media work for their business. You'll hear how they navigated major shifts in priorities, why they overhauled their content strategy, and what happened when they decided to take Facebook seriously. If you've ever wondered how to build momentum on social media — or how to balance growth and monetization — you won't want to miss this one! Three episode takeaways: The benefits of prioritizing social media growth — For Crowded Kitchen, focusing on building their social media following has paid off significantly. Their social media traffic now surpasses their organic website traffic, and they're earning $4,000–$6,000 per week through the Facebook Monetization Program. On top of that, their larger audience has allowed them to secure higher-paying brand partnerships and even land a cookbook deal — clear proof that investing time and effort into social growth can yield major returns. How they use recipe series to drive engagement and new followers — Lexi shares more about their use of series like the "better than storebought" series they ran on social media in early 2024 that helped them grow from 30,000 followers in April of 2024 to over 2.4 million followers on Facebook now. Lexi explains the formula they use for the series, and tips for increasing new follower sign-ups. How they syndicate and recycle content strategically across platforms — With only 200 short-form videos to work with, Lexi explains their content posting schedule, their reposting strategy, and how they recycle content to reduce the workload and allow for time off (like for her maternity leave). Resources: Crowded Kitchen The Feed Feed Food Dolls Facebook Content Monetization Beta Grocers List ManyChat Crowded Kitchen Cookbook Follow Lexi on Instagram and Facebook Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive and Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Adapting to the evolving search landscape, building an ecosystem around your food blog, and practical strategies for staying visible in an answer-engine-first world with Casey Markee from MediaWyse. ----- Welcome to episode 546 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Casey Markee from MediaWyse. Surviving (and Thriving) in an AI-First Search World In this episode, we're welcoming back Casey Markee from MediaWyse to talk about the evolving nature of search and traffic. Casey shares his latest insights on AI Overviews, their impact on food bloggers, how SERPs are changing, and why great content still wins. Bjork and Casey also chat about whether you should block AI bots, the growing importance of community, and practical strategies for staying visible in an answer-engine-first world. If you've been concerned about traffic drops, the future of food blogging, or how AI will reshape content discovery, this episode is a must-listen. Three episode takeaways: How AI Overviews are impacting traffic to food blogs — Casey explains the trends he is observing in his site audits and explains what it means for food creators. Why the need for trustworthy recipe creators has not diminished — Casey believes that the need for recipes created by trustworthy food bloggers is stronger than ever, and that the clarity, structure, and usefulness of your food blog will still drive success. How to adapt to the evolving search landscape — Casey shares his recommendations for food blogs to stay relevant — including AI buttons, building an ecosystem around your food blog, Google Discover, and how to get cited in AI overviews. Resources: MediaWyse Advanced SEO Q&A with Casey Markee 399: E-E-A-T, Static Homepages, AI, and More Food Blog SEO Advice with Casey Markee Cloudflare Raptive TopHatRank NerdPress RankIQ Lily Ray Semrush Ahrefs Profound Leite's Culinaria Blogging, AI, and the SEO road ahead: Why clarity now decides who survives Feast AI Buttons Healthful Blondie Cucina by Elena Fit As A Mama Bear Google Tests 'Preferred Sources' To Personalize Top Stories In Search Platter Talk — Air Fryer Cod Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Understanding your rights as a creator, your guide to DMCA, and how to use technology to hunt down copycats. ----- Welcome to episode 545 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Danielle Liss (one of our esteemed FBP experts!) of Liss Legal.  The Creator's Guide to Digital Rights and Copyrighting with Danielle Liss If you feel like you're constantly fighting to protect your original work, you're not wrong; content theft is getting sneakier, especially when you throw AI into the mix. In this episode, Bjork and Danielle of Liss Legal simplify how you can protect yourself. The key takeaway here is knowing that the DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) is your best friend. You'll learn exactly how to use this powerful tool to shut down content thieves on major platforms, giving you back control over your hard work. You'll also hear Danielle share innovative strategies for monitoring your content without getting burnt out. We're talking quick wins like using Google Alerts and reverse image searches, and even how you can leverage AI to spot stolen work faster. The goal here is balance: protect your hustle efficiently so you can get back to doing what you do best — creating amazing new content! Three episode takeaways: - Your rights as a content creator: The content game is changing super fast thanks to AI and new privacy rules. This means bad actors are getting sneakier with stealing content. But here's the good news: you have implicit rights to the original content you make, and copyright law is your best friend. - The lowdown on DMCA: Don't let content thieves win! The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is the most important tool you have for fighting back. Major platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and even Google have clear processes for reporting stolen work. Learn how to use those forms — they are your weapon of choice! - Let technology do the heavy lifting: You can't spend all your time hunting down copycats; you have new content to create! Focus on being smart about monitoring. Simple tools like Google Alerts or reverse image searches are quick wins. Even better, AI isn't just a threat—it can actually help you find similar content and speed up your reporting process. Resources: Liss Legal ChatGPT DMCA Takedown Notice — Georgetown Library Raptive Google Alerts Grammarly Copyscape Copyleaks Visualping Shoot Danielle an email for a free consultation! Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Creating with purpose in a changing digital world, behind-the-scenes of running Ambitious Kitchen for 14 years, and managing burnout with Monique Volz. ----- Welcome to episode 544 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Monique Volz from Ambitious Kitchen. Monique Volz On Reinventing Ambitious Kitchen Over 14 Years Monique launched Ambitious Kitchen in 2011 as a passion project and now it has grown into her full-time business (with several employees) and a New York Times bestselling cookbook (and another cookbook on the way). In this interview, Monique shares how she has adapted to all of the changes in the food creator landscape over the last 14 years, how her priorties and definition of success have changed, and the different "eras" of her business. Due in part to an incredible season of growth during the pandemic, by 2022, Monique was burned-out. The pressure of keeping up with constant content demands — especially in the age of TikTok and Reels — prompted her to take a step back and refocus. She shifted away from the pursuit of virality, re-centered her creative goals, and leaned into the process of writing her first cookbook. In recent years, Monique has downsized her team so that she can focus on creating content (as opposed to managing a team) and returned to what she loves most: creating from a place of joy. Three episode takeaways: Building a brand takes time and adaptability — Monique spent years balancing her blog with a full-time job before taking her site full-time. In this interview, she chats about the combination of hustle, constant learning, and "right time right place" that led to the success of Ambitious Kitchen. Burnout is real, even when you're doing what you love — The constant pressure to create high-performing content eventually led Monique to reevaluate her approach and change her relationship with social media. Reinvention is essential in a changing industry — By reducing her team size, walking away from YouTube, and refocusing on meaningful content (like her cookbooks!), Monique is embracing a new chapter that aligns more closely with her values. Resources: Ambitious Kitchen Broma Bakery The Iced Coffee Hour Johnny Brunet on YouTube Slack Asana The Ambitious Kitchen Cookbook Follow Monique on Instagram and Facebook Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The future of search, using the exposure effect to build trust, and adapting your content strategy for 2026.  ----- Welcome to episode 543 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, we're bringing our very own Emily Walker (Associate General Manager, Food Blogger Pro) back to chat with Bjork about the articles we shared in our latest blogging newsletter! Food Blogging News Roundtable: Black Friday Strategies, New Raptive Requirements, and a Guide to GEO for 2026 In this episode, Bjork Ostrom and Emily Walker discuss the latest articles from the Food Blogger Pro blogging newsletter. They talk about where digital marketing is headed and how to make sure your brand doesn't get left behind. Spoiler alert: If you're only focused on Google, you're missing out! Bjork and Emily break down the reality that users under 45 are looking for answers across an average of five different platforms (yes, we're talking TikTok, Reddit, and all the rest). We delve into the exposure effect, which is a fancy way of saying that the more consistently people see you in different places, the more they trust you. Tune in to learn why adapting your content (aka not just copying and pasting) to fit all of those channels is your biggest opportunity right now for brand discovery and building genuine credibility with your audience! Three episode takeaways: Search is multi-platform now: People under 45 are using an average of five platforms (hello, TikTok and Reddit!) to search for things. If your brand is only visible on one, you're missing out on serious discovery. Use the "exposure effect" to build trust: This concept shows that the more often people see your brand pop up across different channels, the more credible and trustworthy you become. Consistency is the key to building audience loyalty! Adapt your content strategy: Since readers are everywhere, your content has to evolve. You need to tailor your approach; think short-form videos, engaging in forum discussions, etc. to fit the specific demands of each platform for better engagement. Resources: Black Friday strategies that grow revenue, not your workload — Kit Must-Have Q4 Email Strategies to Grow Your List + Boost Traffic — Happy Subscribers Be sure to check out Allea's podcast, Happy Subscribers, here! Opening the door to more creators who meet Raptive quality standards — Raptive Creator Levels — Raptive Mediavine Mediavine Requirements Grocers List ManyChat How to plan for GEO in 2026 and evolve your search strategy — Search Engine Land Seven Sundays Google Tests "Analytics Advisor" Inside GA4, According To Reports — Search Engine Journal Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Embracing slow and steady growth, scaling a food blog without losing joy or balance, and hiring team members with Isabel Orozco-Moore from Isabel Eats. ----- Welcome to episode 542 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Isabel Orozco-Moore. Scaling a Team and Reaching 2 Million Monthly Pageviews In this episode, we're welcoming back Isabel Orozco-Moore from Isabel Eats, who first joined us on the podcast back in 2019, just after she had narrowed her niche to Mexican recipes. Since then, she's grown her blog from 650,000 to over 2 million monthly pageviews and grown her team to 3 full-time employees (including her husband!) and several contractors. Isabel shares how she's built a sustainable business by focusing on slow, intentional growth, smart hiring, and maintaining joy in her work. Bjork and Isabel chat about how she avoids the comparison trap, what it's like working with her husband, and how she uses tools like Airtable to stay organized while managing a growing team. Isabel also gives us a peek into her upcoming cookbook project (coming spring 2027!) and shares what it really takes to scale a business while still loving what you do. Three episode takeaways: How Isabel balances making, managing, and scaling — Even as her traffic and team have grown, Isabel has stayed connected to the creative side of her business by focusing on what she loves most — developing recipes in her niche and creating videos — not managing a team. Systems and support are game changers — Hiring strategically, using tools like Airtable, and taking advantage of Raptive's SEO support have helped Isabel delegate tasks, stay organized, and focus on the creative work she loves. Balance fuels longevity — From setting boundaries around her work to prioritize family time to avoiding comparison, Isabel shares how finding balance has kept her passionate, efficient, and motivated. Resources: Isabel Eats The Freedom of a Niche with Isabel Orozco-Moore The Future of Wanting (in an age of A.I.) Slow Productivity Toggl Focus Things App How to Get Things Done, Stay Focused and Be More Productive with Dr. Cal Newport Asana Airtable Buy Back Your Time Slack Semrush Pinch of Yum Email Crush Diversifying Income Series: Monetizing Your Email List with Matt Molen Email Marketing for Bloggers with Matt Molen WisprFlow Grammarly Raptive Tastes Better from Scratch Follow Isabel on Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The future of AI, leveraging custom GPTs, and the importance of personal branding with Trey Griffin from Raptive. ----- Welcome to episode 541 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Trey Griffin from Raptive.  Maximize Efficiency with AI (Without Losing Your Voice) with Trey Griffin from Raptive In this episode, Bjork and Trey Griffin get real about AI, which is here to be your new workhorse, not your competition. They dive into how tools like Custom GPTs can give you a massive efficiency boost, helping you move past the grunt work of brainstorming and drafting so you can focus on creative risks and developing better ideas. By letting AI handle the routine tasks, you're freeing up your most valuable resource (your time!!!) to strategize and stay ahead of a rapidly changing content landscape. The biggest factor that will keep you relevant? Your human touch. Since AI can create a mountain of content, your unique personal branding and authentic storytelling is now more crucial than ever. They'll talk about why the creators who build genuine connections and layer their own personality into their work are the ones who will stand out in a saturated market. This episode provides the blueprint for leveraging AI for speed while ensuring your core content remains something only you can create. Three episode takeaways: Think of AI as an assistant rather than a replacement: Think of tools like Custom GPTs as a way to ditch the grunt work, like brainstorming or first drafts. That way, you can spend more time on the things that truly matter. The efficiency boost is real, letting you take more creative risks and move faster. Your "human touch" is the secret sauce: With AI making it easier for everyone to create something, your personal branding and unique storytelling is what will make you stand out. The human element — your voice, your perspective, your emotion — is what people connect with and what AI simply can't replicate. Don't overlook it! Staying nimble in a changing landscape: There's no denying that the content game is being reshaped by AI, which brings both opportunities and threats to creators. This technology is only going to get better, so keep experimenting with new tools and be ready to adapt how you create and how people consume content. Resources: Raptive OpenAI DevDay 2025 ChatGPT Episode 424 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: The Future of Content Creation (and Protection) in a World of AI with Paul Bannister from Raptive Sora — OpenAI ElevenLabs Anthropic VO3 If Anyone Builds It, Everyone Dies Alpha Evolve AlphaFold Claude Connect with Trey on LinkedIn Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Building relationships with your audience, thriving as a content creator in a crowded market, and adapting to AI with Stephanie Woodin from Raptive. Welcome to episode 540 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This is the first episode of Can't Be Automated: A Raptive Series on Scaling, Standing Out, and Staying Human. To kick-off the series, Bjork interviews Stephanie Woodin from Raptive. Authenticity, AI, and Audience Connection This week, we're joined by Stephanie Woodin to pull back the curtain on her brand-new podcast with Raptive, Ctrl+Alt+Ask, and dive into the fast-changing world of the creator economy. Stephanie has spent years working with top creators at Raptive, and now, as the host of Ctrl+Alt+Ask, she's taking calls from creators to talk about everything from burnout and branding to revenue strategies, AI, SEO, and more. She's the perfect person to chat with Bjork about the unique challenges creators face today. In this episode, Bjork and Stephanie unpack what it takes to thrive as a content creator in a crowded space, how AI is reshaping the industry, and practical ways to grow and connect with your audience. Three episode takeaways: Authenticity is key to standing out —Stephanie shares how standing out today means showing up as your real, relatable self. Authenticity is key to building trust, positioning yourself as an expert, and staying ahead of AI-generated content. Building relationships with your audience is crucial — Success isn't just about great content, it's about connection. Stephanie explains how treating your audience like real people (because they are!) can transform your brand and build long-term loyalty. How AI is transforming content creation and brand deals — Stephanie breaks down how AI is shifting the way brands work with creators — and why being the "face" behind your blog or business matters more than ever. Resources: Raptive Ctrl+Alt+Ask Search Quality Rater Guidelines: An Overview 424: The Future of Content Creation (and Protection) in a World of AI with Paul Bannister from Raptive 410: AI, Third-Party Cookies, and Changes in Video Advertising Standards with Paul Bannister from Raptive 352: How to Optimize Your Ad Revenue with Paul Bannister and Courtney Kahn from AdThrive Inspired Taste Email Stephanie at Ctrl+Alt+Ask Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Niching down, the power of a simple sales funnel, and preventing burnout with Johnny Brunet.  ----- Welcome to episode 539 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Johnny Brunet.  The Journey to $100k as a Content Creator with Johnny Brunet Johnny Brunet's story is proof that a pandemic pivot can lead to major success! He went from stand-up comedy to mastering the Blackstone griddle, finding his sweet spot by creating content specifically for beginner cooks. He shares the secret sauce of his content empire: how he strategically focused on one niche tool to stand out and why targeting the starting-out crowd was the perfect gap in the market for massive growth. Beyond the cooking, Johnny gets real about the business, breaking down his successful revenue mix of YouTube AdSense, eBooks, and affiliate marketing. You'll get his best advice on keeping your sales funnel incredibly simple and the importance of smart content marketing to drive product sales. This episode will give you the blueprint for turning a niche idea into a full-time income without spreading yourself thin. Three episode takeaways: The power of niching down: Johnny's big pivot from comedy during COVID shows that sometimes you have to roll with life's changes! He found massive success by niching down to a specific tool (hello, Blackstone griddle!) and focusing on beginner cooks, proving there's gold in filling those market gaps. The simple sales funnel is your friend: Believe it or not, you don't need a crazy-complicated setup to make money! Johnny broke down his successful monetization mix of YouTube AdSense, eBooks, and affiliate marketing, emphasizing how a simple sales funnel and smart content marketing are key to actually moving those products. Don't spread yourself too thin: If you're creating content, take a note from Johnny: don't try to be everywhere at once. He recommends focusing on one type of content and, even better, just documenting your own learning process. It keeps you from spreading yourself too thin and is a great way to keep your audience engaged! Resources: Johnny's food blog: Johnny Brunet Be sure to check out Johnny's e-book, Griddle 101! Visit the members-only Food Blogger Pro forum here! Canva Stan Gumroad Kit ThriveCart FourthWall MKBHD — FourthWall Follow Johnny on YouTube and Facebook Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Leveraging Facebook for monetization and audience growth, leaning into short-form video, and creating relatable content with Jessica Robinson from A Farm Girl's Kitchen. ----- Welcome to episode 538 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Jessica Robinson from A Farmgirl's Kitchen. How Jessica Robinson Built a Profitable Food Brand Without SEO From publishing her first two cookbooks to launching her site, Jessica walks us through the early days of her journey as a food creator and the strategies she used to help her gain momentum — fast! She talks about why she chose to focus on Pinterest and Facebook instead of traditional SEO and how those choices paid off, allowing her to monetize her business within just a few months. Jessica shares her tips for growing her audience on social media, monetizing through the Facebook Content Monetization program and Amazon affiliate links, and how her short-form videos not only drive traffic but also boost her SEO. With over 430k followers on Facebook and a rapidly expanding presence across platforms, Jessica emphasizes the importance of diversifying income streams and traffic sources and connecting with her audience through relatable, authentic content and storytelling. Three episode takeaways: Lean into the concept of being 'expert enough' — Jessica monetized her site within three months by focusing on Pinterest and later Facebook and skipping SEO-heavy strategies in favor of visual platforms with viral potential. She really focuses on analytics and is constantly evolving and pivoting based on what is working (and what isn't working anymore). Facebook can be a powerful traffic and revenue source — With over 430k followers, Facebook is Jessica's #2 traffic driver and brings in $1,500–$3,000 monthly from the Facebook monetization program — excluding the additional income Jessica receives from affiliate income and search traffic. Jessica shares more about her posting strategy and how viral videos on Facebook contribute to her SEO strategy. The importance of short-form video — Consistently posting relatable, engaging recipe videos with a focus on storytelling helps Jessica grow her audience — all while connecting deeply with her community. Resources: A Farmgirl's Kitchen New England Farmgirl A Farmgirl's Table Everything Food Conference Delicious Table Intercom Social Fabric Cinnamon Rolls Recipe PicMonkey Canva Splice App Maximizing Affiliate Revenue with Deep Linking URLgenius Grocers List Geniuslink Manychat Follow Jessica on Instagram and Facebook Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Email Bjork Email Jessica Join Food Blogger Pro during our Q4 Sale! Become a member for just $65 for 3 months! Sale ends Friday, October 3rd at 11:59pm EST. Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive and Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

How to identify AI-generated food content, optimize email opt-ins, and build a personal brand with Emily Walker and Bjork Ostrom. ----- Welcome to episode 537 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, we're bringing our very own Emily Walker (Associate General Manager, Food Blogger Pro) back to chat with Bjork about the articles we shared in our latest blogging newsletter! Food Blogging News Roundtable: AI-Generated Food Content, Optimizing Opt-ins, and Building A Personal Brand In our latest episode, we sat down with Bjork Ostrom and Emily Walker to talk about the future of food blogging. The main takeaway? Don't let AI steal your thunder! We dive into why your personal stories and unique perspective are more crucial than ever to standing out. We also cover why building an email list is your most valuable asset (stop us if you've heard this before!) — it's the one place you can directly connect with your audience. So if you're looking to create content that feels genuine and builds a real community, this episode is a must-listen. Bjork and Emily share tips for creating high-quality content that not only ranks with search engines but also earns the trust of your readers. Three episode takeaways: Think of AI as a tool, not a replacement: In a world where AI can write a recipe in seconds, the episode stresses that your unique voice and personal stories are what truly set you apart. Don't just create content; share your perspective and connect with your audience on a personal level! Email is your secret weapon: Social media algorithms can change at any time, but your email list is something you own. The conversation highlights why building a strong email list is a crucial and reliable way to communicate directly with your community and build long-term trust. SEO and authenticity can go hand in hand: From your photos to your SEO strategy, the show explains that authenticity is key. Instead of just chasing trends, focus on creating high-quality content that solves real problems for your readers. This approach builds trust with your audience and helps you stand out with search engines. Resources: Visit the Food Blogger Pro site to subscribe to our email list! The Truth Behind AI-Generated Food Content — From a Chef's Kitchen 9 opt-in form best practices + examples from top creators — Kit Episode 518 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: How Molly Thompson Grew Her Email List from 15K to 100K SEO in the age of AI: Becoming the trusted answer — Search Engine Land The two parts of E-E-A-T Google hasn't told you about — Search Engine Land Why Keywords Alone Won't Build a High-Performing Blog — Clariti Google: We're Testing Changes To AI Mode To Encourage Clicks — Search Engine Roundtable Easy French Toast Recipe — Tastes Better from Scratch How to Build a Personal Brand as a Food Blogger — Food Blogger Pro Single Serve Cottage Cheese Pancake — Pinch of Yum Have you come across any interesting articles you'd like to share with the FBP team? Shoot Emily an email! Follow Food Blogger Pro on Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Navigating burnout, creating unique content, and running a blog with 30 million monthly pageviews with Jeanine Donofrio from Love & Lemons. ----- Welcome to episode 536 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Jeanine Donofrio from Love & Lemons. The Journey to Reaching 30 Million Views a Month In this episode, Bjork chats with Jeanine Donofrio, the creator of the massively popular vegetarian food blog Love & Lemons, which now receives over 30 million monthly pageviews (!!!). Jeanine shares the story behind her blog's evolution — from a personal creative outlet that she started in 2011 to a thriving business with multiple employees. Bjork and Jeanine also talk about how Jeanine balances creativity with content strategy, manages the pressure of staying consistent, and how she navigates seasons of burnout. Three episode takeaways: How and why Jeanine started focusing on SEO — Love & Lemons was monetized solely with sponsored posts for the first 8 years, before fellow food blogggers and friends convinced Jeanine to focus on SEO and monetize with ads in 2019. Jeanine explains more about why she resisted ads and SEO for so many years, and how she navigated the transition to creating content with SEO in mind. How to anticipate and navigate burnout — Jeanine has experienced four intense periods of burnout in her time as a food creator, often related to the creation and promotion of her cookbooks. She shares how she plans for these seasons, why she views burnout as a necessary step to making creative space, and how she avoids rushing herself through burnout. How Jeanine has grown her team and batches content — Jeanine explains how she has hired teammates over the years and why she decided to prioritize outsourcing certain tasks, like photography, to free up her time for recipe development, writing, and spending time with her family. She also shares a peak behind-the-scenes into her content batching process (and why she batches 30 recipes at a time). Resources: Love & Lemons Love & Lemons Cookbooks Smitten Kitchen 101 Cookbooks A Couple Cooks Semrush Lemon Water on Substack Register for our webinar with Grocers List Follow Jeanine on Instagram and Facebook Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Optimizing your website for Q4 success, making your personal brand stand out, and adapting to the changing landscape of content creation with Madison Wetherill from Grace and Vine Studios. ----- Welcome to episode 535 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Madison Wetherill from Grace and Vine Studios and Joyfully Mad. Branding, Blogging, and Q4: How to Stand Out Online In this conversation, Madison discusses the importance of personal branding and website optimization for food bloggers, especially as they prepare for the critical Q4 season. She emphasizes the need for food creators to carefully define their niche and audience, effectively communicate their brand message, and integrate your brand into your site. Madison also shares strategies for standing out in a saturated market and the significance of calls to action on websites. The discussion highlights the evolving landscape of content creation and the need for bloggers to adapt to stay relevant and connect with their audience. Three episode takeaways: How to audit your own content — Madison shares how to review your site for user experience and brand messaging. She explains how to optimize individual blog posts to convey your personal brand and voice, why you must always review your blog on mobile, and how to ensure that every page on your website reflects your brand. Madison describes this process as the foundational work that will make your brand sustainable in the years to come — sold. How to adapt to the changing landscape of content creation — Bjork and Madison discuss the importance of creating an online space and content style that is uniquely yours to stand out from AI (and in a saturated market). Engaging with your audience through personal stories can enhance connection, which is critical for building trust with your audience and moving beyond a transactional relationship for recipes. How can you be more helpful for your audience? What makes you different? How (and why) to prepare your site for Q4 — Q4 is a critical time for food creators thanks to increased site traffic and earning potential. But Madison explains that many creators forgot to get their websites ready and are missing an opportunity. She shares exactly how to do this and why website optimization is crucial for converting traffic into loyal followers. Resources: Grace + Vine Studios Joyfully Mad How to Optimize Your Website Design as a Food Blogger with Madison Wetherill The Vine Podcast MKBHD Pinch of Yum Ask From Food Blogger to CEO: How to Scale Your Blog Without Losing Yourself with Bjork Ostrom Follow Madison on Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Leveraging social media to grow your audience and building a community through your website with Danny Dobrzenski from Cooking in the Yard. ----- Welcome to episode 534 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Danny Dobrzenski from Cooking in the Yard.  From Pandemic Hobby to Full-Time Hustle with Danny Dobrzenski In this week's episode, Bjork interviews Danny Dobrzenski, a food creator who turned a pandemic hobby into a full-time content career. After getting laid off in April 2020, Danny took a leap of faith and leaned into sharing his cooking journey online. With some serious hustle and smart use of platforms like Instagram and Facebook (particularly Facebook!), he built an engaged audience and started landing brand deals that helped turn his passion into a paycheck. Danny also reveals what it really takes to grow as a creator, from staying consistent with content to learning how to navigate ever-changing social media algorithms. He discusses how delegating and "buying back time" helped him scale and why building a strong creator community is at the heart of everything he does. Now, he's launching a new project to help other creators do the same: monetize their content and grow with intention! Three episode takeaways: From hobby to full-time hustle: Danny started his food creation journey during the pandemic as a hobby and then grew it into a full-time job (the dream!). He shares how a mix of taking a leap of faith, landing brand deals, and leveraging social media helped him make the transition. The power of having "home base": While social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook are great for reaching new people, Danny stresses the importance of having a central hub, like a website, to drive traffic and build a strong community. Helping others win: With his new project, Danny is now focused on helping other creators navigate the tricky world of monetization. He's passionate about sharing his knowledge and building a supportive community to help others succeed. Resources: Cooking in the Yard Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell Y Combinator Meta Business Suite Raptive Grocers List Pinterest YouTube The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel Check out Danny's latest venture — Trust Me, Try It Episode 89 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: 9 million visitors & 450 contributors: the Story of Her View From Home with Leslie Means Follow Danny on Facebook and Instagram Be sure to join us for our Live Q&A with Ben Jabbawy from Grocers List happening on Thursday, September 25th! Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Reconnecting with creativity, redefining success as a creator, and creating without burnout or comparison with Sabrina Loyer. ----- Welcome to episode 533 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Sabrina Loyer. Building a Creative Life Beyond the Metrics In this episode, we're chatting with Sabrina Loyer about what it really means to be successful as a content creator. Sabrina built a thriving business around helping others go viral, but she also experienced the anxiety, burnout, and pressure that can come with chasing metrics. She shares her journey of moving beyond the comparison trap, creating without boundaries, and learning to view social media as a tool rather than the end goal. Sabrina and Bjork also discuss the two powerful tools that have transformed her creative process (and life!) and Sabrina's practical advice for simplifying content creation and using tools like ChatGPT effectively — all while staying grounded and joyful in your work. Whether you're a seasoned creator or just starting out, this episode will help you reconnect with your creativity, quiet your inner critic, and redefine success on your own terms. Three episode takeaways: How to redefine success — As a creator, it can be really easy to define success by the number of pageviews, followers, or likes you get. But churning out more and more content in service of those goals can be stressful and lead to burnout. It can also zap your creativity! In this episode, Sabrina explains how to refocus your workflow to emphasize joy and authenticity, not just numbers. Two exercises that will transform your creativity — Sabrina explains two exercises she has incorporated into her life — morning pages and artist dates — that help reconnect with your inner child and creative self. How to avoid burnout — Sabrina shares how she works with clients to reorganize their content strategy with pillars, ChatGPT prompts, and mindful creation to avoid burnout. Resources: Follow Sabrina on Instagram and TikTok HairCut Harry "The Story of the Chinese Farmer" by Alan Watts The Artist's Way clearspace Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Raptive and Yoast. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

The impact of the latest Google Core Updates, how AI can assist with content creation, and expanding your content's reach with Bjork Ostrom. ----- Welcome to episode 532 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, we're doing something a little different and bringing on our very own Emily Walker (Associate General Manager, Food Blogger Pro) to chat with Bjork about the articles we shared in our latest blogging newsletter! Food Blogging News Roundtable: Core Updates, GEO, and Content Syndication Curious about the latest happenings in the food blogging sphere? In this episode, Bjork and Emily are chatting through the articles we shared in the Food Blogger Pro newsletter that went out last week and diving into what they mean for food creators. From Google's recent Core Update (which actually brought some good news for bloggers!) to the continued importance of E-E-A-T, they're breaking down how to keep your content high-quality and search-friendly. They'll also discuss how AI is showing up in the world of content creation and how creators are using it while still keeping things real and personal (aka human!). Plus, you'll hear some ideas for getting your content in front of more eyes by expanding beyond SEO to platforms like LinkedIn and Threads. If you want to stay current, get inspired, and pick up some practical tips, this is a great episode to tune into! Three episode takeaways: The scoop on Google's latest Core Update: Google's latest update actually brought good news for food bloggers by reinforcing the importance of high-quality, trustworthy content. The emphasis on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) continues to be a key factor in search visibility. AI is becoming an integral part of content creation: A recent survey of 2,000 Substack publishers revealed how creators are leveraging AI tools. While AI can be a helpful assistant, the human element and personal voice remain essential! Expanding your content's reach takes more than just SEO: While you should still continue to develop your content SEO strategy, it's also imporatnt to understand user intent and syndicate content. Believe it or not, platforms like LinkedIn and Threads can significantly boost visibility and engagement! Resources: Visit the Food Blogger Pro site to subscribe to our email list! Pinch of Yum Search Engine Journal Ahrefs Tastemaker Conference TopHatRank Analyzing pages that improved following the June 2025 core update — Maria Haynes Will GEO replace SEO – or become part of it? — Search Engine Land ChatGPT ProRata Gist Substack The Substack AI Report Claude Granola superwhisper Episode 518 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: How Molly Thompson Grew Her Email List from 15K to 100K New Platforms, Real Results: How Creators (and Brands) are Winning on Threads and LinkedIn in 2025 — Later WhatsApp Follow Pinch of Yum on Threads Follow Food Blogger Pro on Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Discoverability with Meta Ads, digital product sales funnels, and thinking beyond organic traffic with Tammy Overhoff from Organize Yourself Skinny. Welcome to episode 531 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Tammy Overhoff. Mastering Digital Products and Meta Ads Tammy started food blogging in 2011 and has reinvented her business many times over the last 14 years. After taking her food blog full-time in 2014 and being hit hard by one-too-many Google algorithm updates, Tammy knew she needed to make a change to her business so that she was no longer working from a place of desperation. In 2022, she took a step back from SEO and diversified her business by leaning into digital product sales. In this interview, Tammy explains her exact process (including numbers!) for selling digital products, including her Meta Ads strategy. For any creator, it can feel daunting to spend money to reach an audience when social media and organic traffic are free. But Tammy makes a really compelling case for investing in Meta Ads as a different opportunity for discoverability to allow you to think beyond organic traffic for growing your business online. If you're looking to diversify your traffic (hello, who isn't!?) or dive into digital product sales, you won't want to miss this interview. Three episode takeaways: How to run successful Facebook ad campaigns — Tammy breaks down how she fine-tunes the creative elements and messaging in her Meta ads. She highlights the importance of testing different ad variations — exploring various themes, angles, and messaging — and explains when to optimize your ad sets for better performance. How to analyze Facebook ad data effectively — Tammy and Bjork dive deep into the analytics behind Meta ads, discussing key metrics like ROAS (Tammy aims for a range between 1.6 and 1.85). They share real numbers around daily ad spend and email leads, and walk through how to scale your ad budget strategically. While ads can ensure visibility, they emphasize the importance of making sure your content delivers a strong return on investment. How to strategically build and nurture your community — Tammy shares actionable strategies for growing an engaged audience that's ready to buy. She emphasizes the value of offering helpful, problem-solving content and explains how to use email sequences, sales funnels, and automation to build a sustainable business, without burning out. Resources: Organize Yourself Skinny Tasty Digital Eats Reset and Flourish Shop Canva Raptive Future Current by Melyssa Griffin ThriveCart Shopify Intentional Spark FREE Nurture to Sales Primary Funnel Audit Checklist Follow Tammy on Instagram Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Member Kitchens and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Leveraging AI to be a more efficient content creator and the role of keywords in today's SEO landscape with Aleka Shunk. ----- Welcome to episode 530 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Aleka Shunk from Aleka's Get Together and Keywords with Aleka. She also happens to be one of our FBP experts!  How to Personalize AI for Better Content with Aleka Shunk In this conversation, Bjork and Aleka discuss the evolving landscape of SEO and content creation, particularly focusing on the role of keywords and the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT. They explore how keywords remain essential in SEO, despite changes in content creation approaches. Aleka will also share insights on how to use AI to streamline content creation processes, enhance brand collaborations, and personalize interactions for better outputs. The discussion emphasizes the importance of adapting to AI advancements and leveraging them to improve efficiency and creativity in content creation. Three episode takeaways: Keywords are still relevant, but AI can be your co-pilot: Don't ditch those keywords! They're still super important for getting your content found. Think of AI as your super-efficient sidekick that can help you with everything from brainstorming ideas and creating outlines to finding new content opportunities. Personalize your AI for pro-level results: Just like you wouldn't give every human the same instructions, don't treat AI tools the same! The more you personalize your interactions and even create custom GPTs for specific tasks, the better and more relevant your AI-generated content will be.  Keeping it real in the age of AI: AI can seriously speed up your workflow and help you refine your content, saving you a ton of time, but remember, the human touch is what makes your content truly unique and engaging! You can leverage AI to boost your efficiency, but always keep your personal style and voice front and center. Resources: Aleka's Get Together Cooking with Keywords Be sure to check out Aleka's new course, Blogging with AI! Use the code FBP30 for 30% off the course! ChatGPT Episode 518 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: How Molly Thompson Grew Her Email List from 15K to 100K Claude Gemini KeySearch Granola Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martell Episode 484 of The Food Blogger Pro podcast: The Importance of Building Community with A Couple Cooks Liss Legal Follow Aleka on Instagram here and here! Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Editing more efficiently in Lightroom, using AI thoughtfully in your food photography, and developing a visual aesthetic that's uniquely yours with Roberta Dall'Alba. ----- Welcome to episode 529 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Roberta Dall'Alba. In this podcast interview, Bjork and Roberta discuss the importance of having your own distinct style or photography aesthetic to build your brand and why editing is such an essential part of this process. Roberta is an incredible food and travel photographer (trust me, you need to check out her food photographs!) and was a 2023 Lightroom Ambassador. Needless to say, she has spent a lot of time experimenting with Lightroom. Roberta dives into how she approaches editing food photos with integrity, efficiency, and her own unique style. From navigating AI tools responsibly to building a signature look in Lightroom, she offers practical tips to help creators stay authentic while working smarter. This is an excellent interview to help you take your photography and editing to the next level. Three episode takeaways: How to use AI thoughtfully in food photography and editing — Roberta shares her approach to using generative AI tools in editing. While she's open to retouching photos, she avoids adding anything artificial, always considering if edits will help readers successfully replicate the recipe and/or align with her values. Efficient editing leads to better results — Roberta walks through her streamlined Lightroom workflow, from importing and filtering/organizing, to color grading, taking a step back, and final reviews on mobile, to ensure efficient, high-quality results (and to avoid over-editing). Build a visual style that's truly yours — She emphasizes the importance of creating your own presets over buying someone else's, why you should deepen your understanding of color theory, and how to develop editing efficiencies that reflect your brand's unique style. Resources: Roberta Dall'Alba Photography Roberta's Lightroom Transforms Course — use code FBP10 for 10% off! Pinch of Yum Lightroom Photoshop Follow Roberta on Instagram and Other platform - facebook, youtube, tiktok, whatever seems most important for them Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership.

Committing to consistency, running strategic year-long marketing campaigns, and leaning into a niche with Kate Shungu from Gift of Hospitality. ----- Welcome to episode 528 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Kate Shungu from Gift of Hospitality. How Kate Shungu Grew to 800k Sessions a Year from Pinterest by Using a Marketing Campaign Kate first started food blogging in 2017 with no real focus or niche. In 2018, she rebranded to entertaining and hospitality but, understandably, had to pivot again during the summer of 2020. Since then, she settled into her niche of vintage recipes for modern cooks and quickly grew to 50k sessions by the spring of 2021. In this interview, Bjork and Kate discuss approaching your brand promotion via platform-specific, year-long marketing campaigns and how to think about marketing as investing your time versus spending your ad dollars. Kate's success stories on both Pinterest and Facebook will be really inspiring to anyone looking to diversify their traffic sources away from Google! Three episode takeaways: How Kate doubled her Pinterest traffic in one year — Kate spent a year devoted to growing her Pinterest account, and it (majorly) paid off. Pinterest is now Kate's biggest traffic driver and has kept her afloat through many Google algorithm updates. Kate shares her keyword research strategy on Pinterest, her pinning schedule, and more in this interview. How to develop "marketing campaigns" to promote your brand — Kate uses her background in marketing to develop year-long "marketing campaigns" for her brand and has seen huge success when committing her time to different social media platforms (so far, Pinterest and Facebook) for an entire year. She shares why you don't need to worry about over-promoting your content, and how you can get started with your own marketing campaigns. The importance of clarifying who you're marketing to — Bjork and Kate discuss the benefits of constraints for creators, and how committing to a niche and defining the person you're marketing to can transform your marketing strategy. By focusing on your reader — how they use the internet and what platforms they're on, you can simplify your brand and clarify your business. Resources: Gift of Hospitality Food with Feeling Loom Follow Kate on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group Thank you to our sponsors! This episode is sponsored by Yoast and Raptive. Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com. Learn more about joining the Food Blogger Pro community at foodbloggerpro.com/membership