The Secret to Building a Family Business and Reaching 2 Million Pageviews

Welcome to episode 494 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Echo and Erica Blickenstaff from the food blog Favorite Family Recipes. 

In this episode, Echo and Erica Blickenstaff dive into the ups and downs of running a family business. The key to their success? Dividing responsibilities and playing to each other’s strengths. After struggling with everyone doing everything (hello, burnout!), they sat down to figure out who would take on what. Once that was sorted, it was like a weight was lifted, and they were able to dive deeper into their areas of expertise.

They also talk about the challenges of growing a business while staying true to your roots. After taking a hit from Google’s algorithm updates, they realized the importance of diversifying their revenue streams and not relying too much on search traffic. With 2 million monthly page views (!!!) and a focus on authentic, family-driven content, they’ve learned to balance growth with staying genuine. Whether you’re running a family business or just trying to keep things organized, this episode is full of actionable tips and inspiring insights!

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Creating Viral Food Content on Social Media with Kimberly Espinel

Welcome to episode 493 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Kimberly Espinel, food photographer and author of How To Make Your Food Famous.

We are excited to welcome Kimberly back to the podcast to discuss her new book, How To Make Your Food Famous, and her strategies for building a successful career as a food creator, especially in today’s ever-evolving social media landscape.

Kimberly discusses how she made the leap from her job as a social worker specializing in adoption to working for herself as a freelance food photographer, starting with brand partnerships and scaling her business along the way. She emphasizes the importance of listening to your audience — paying attention to what resonates with them and shaping your offerings around their needs — and shares her formula for creating viral food content.

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The Art of SEO with Stephan Spencer

Welcome to episode 492 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Stephan Spencer.

In this episode, Stephan Spencer, author of *The Art of SEO*, breaks down why SEO is still as important as ever, even with AI changing the search landscape. While AI may shift how we search, SEO remains the backbone of the internet. Stephan encourages listeners to stay focused on their SEO goals, keep investing in strategies that work, and adapt to the evolving world of search.

You’ll also hear Stephan talk about about the power of experimentation! Don’t be afraid to tweak things like title tags and test different tactics—whether it’s a boost or a drop, tracking results is key and tools like Google Search Console, SEMRush, and Ahrefs can help you monitor performance and refine your strategy. Lastly, you’ll learn about the importance of creating content that resonates with your audience—Google rewards authentic, helpful content, so the more personal and valuable your content is, the better it’ll perform in search. 

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Writing Standout Recipes and Navigating AI as a Food Creator

Welcome to episode 491 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Raeanne Sarazen.

Raeanne Sarzen wrote the book on recipes… literally. In 2023, Raeanne published The Complete Recipe Writing Guide: Mastering Recipe Development, Writing, Testing, Nutrition Analysis, and Food Styling. How did she get to be the expert in recipe writing? Raeanne is a Registered Dietitian and a classically trained chef who has worked in hospitals as a clinical dietitian, restaurant kitchens, in food publishing as a writer, editor, and test kitchen professional), and as a culinary nutrition consultant. So yes, she knows a thing or two about developing, writing, testing, and perfecting recipes!

In this interview, Bjork and Raeanna discuss the recipe development process, how food publishing has changed over the years, what it takes to write a great recipe, and how food creators can stand out online, especially in a world with AI.

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Give to Grow with Mo Bunnell

Welcome to episode 490 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Mo Bunnell from Bunnell Idea Group about his new book, Give to Grow.

In this week’s episode, we’re excited to share Mo’s incredible journey from the world of actuaries to the vibrant realm of entrepreneurship. Mo dives deep into how he transitioned from crunching numbers to building a thriving business, discovering that the real magic lies in forging genuine connections. He emphasizes that generosity and relationship-building are key ingredients for success, and you’ll definitely want to hear his insights!

Mo also explores the power of reciprocity in fostering meaningful relationships. He shares practical tips on making clear, trustworthy offers that can open doors to high-value connections, even if you’re starting from scratch. Whether you have a long list of contacts or are just beginning, Mo’s advice on tracking opportunities and nurturing relationships will inspire you to take proactive steps toward collaboration and growth. Don’t miss this chance to learn how to elevate your networking game!

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Evolving Your Brand: When and How to Sell Products as a Food Creator

Welcome to episode 489 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Jillian Leslie from The Blogger Genius Podcast and MiloTree.

In this week’s podcast episode, Jillian Leslie explains everything you need to know about selling a product as a food creator. Bjork and Jillian discuss the strategy behind developing a product and the importance of leaning into problem-solving for your audience.

Jillian also walks listeners through how to get started selling products, how to scale products and generate recurring revenue, and how to overcome perfectionism within your business.

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Differentiating Your Content in a Crowded Market with Brian Watson

Welcome to episode 488 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Brian Watson from Thee Burger Dude. 

In this week’s episode, Brian Watson from Thee Burger Dude shares his inspiring journey from posting on Instagram to building a successful blog on WordPress. He’ll reveal his secrets to standing out in a crowded digital landscape — including tips on simplifying your content creation process, focusing on versatile recipes, and the power of blogging and why it remains a vital tool for content creators.

Plus, he’ll debunk the myth of chasing numbers and encourage you to be gentle to yourself to prioritize your mental well-being. Whether you’re a seasoned blogger or just starting out, this episode is packed with practical advice to help you grow your audience and build a sustainable online business!

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Actionable Steps to Shape a Successful Brand with Katie Trant

Welcome to episode 487 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Katie Trant from Foodie Brand Lab and Hey Nutrition Lady.

There has been a lot of buzz around the importance of building a strong brand as a food creator. Amidst the volatility of search algorithms and the rise of AI, food bloggers are looking for a way to stand out and build a loyal following.

Enter, Katie Trant! She has a Masters in Nutrition and started her own food site, Hey Nutrition Lady, back in 2010. She also works full-time at brand and business consultancies helping big companies define their brand. So you might say she was well-positioned to start Foodie Brand Lab to help food bloggers (like you!) refine their brand strategy.

In this interview, Bjork and Katie discuss everything you need to know about brand: what it is, why it matters, how to define your brand, and how it can influence your business strategy. Katie also provides actionable steps to start building a stronger brand to help you stand out in the crowded space of food blogging.

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Building Brand Relationships that Last with Chris Pieta

Welcome to episode 486 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Chris Pieta from Creative Biz Launch. 

In this week’s episode, Chris highlights the value of narrowing your focus. By clearly defining what you offer and identifying your ideal client, you can transform your outreach efforts. When you zero in on how to help them achieve their goals, your messaging becomes much more impactful!

Chris will also talk about the power of personal connections (consider hopping on a call instead of just firing off emails)—it’s all about building relationships! Plus, he’ll share how using a CRM can streamline your processes and keep your emails from landing in spam. With a solid onboarding system, you’ll make the transition smooth for new clients. Be sure to tune in for these tips to supercharge your business!

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Achieving Quiet Success as a Six-Figure Food Creator with Elizabeth Emery

Welcome to episode 485 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Elizabeth Emery from Vancouver with Love.

Food blogging can be a dream job — hey, we wouldn’t have started Food Blogger Pro if we didn’t believe that! But it also requires a lot of hustle, perseverance, and uncertainty. Elizabeth Emery first started Vancouver with Love in 2015 as a side hustle and took her site full-time in 2018. By 2021, she was feeling completely burnt out. That year ended up being a pivotal moment in her career.

To overcome her burnout, she met with a business coach and adjusted the parts of her business that she wasn’t happy with. Once she made significant changes to her business and income streams, she rediscovered the joy of content creation, and her business started growing along with these changes. Elizabeth is now making a six-figure income from her business, and she shares all the details about her journey in this great interview!

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