Afleveringen
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In episode 662, Christina Jolam and Nadia Shatila share how they were able to recover from devastating traffic loss following Google's Helpful Content Update (HCU).
Nadia is the blogger behind Simple And Fraiche, a website dedicated to sharing wholesome recipes that utilize real foods with minimally processed ingredients. Her goal is to help people create recipes that not only fuel their bodies but also taste great.
Christina Jolam helps home chefs get confident cooking seafood through her site, Weekday Pescatarian. The former communications consultant creates foolproof fish recipes that work whether you're shopping at a Portuguese fish market or your local grocery store. Cooking and writing from her adopted home in Portugal, she helps her followers master restaurant-quality seafood dishes and build a delicious, fish-forward lifestyle.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to endure long periods of traffic loss and decide what action you should take to successfully regain momentum.
Key points discussed include:
- Accept the reality of change: Google updates aren’t personal; they aim to improve user experience. Adapting to change is key to long-term success.
- Assess and improve your content: Review existing posts with a fresh perspective—focus on user experience, clarity, and overall helpfulness.
- Strengthen EEAT (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness): Build credibility by showcasing expertise in your niche through an updated about page, author bios, and citations.
- Optimize technical aspects: Ensure images, alt text, interlinking, and post formatting enhance usability and search visibility.
- Diversify traffic sources: Relying solely on Google traffic is risky—invest in Pinterest, email lists, social media, and brand partnerships.
- Update and refine posts regularly: Revisiting older content with new insights keeps your blog relevant and valuable.
- Stay curious and keep learning: Instead of blaming algorithm changes, focus on learning, adapting, and finding new ways to serve your audience.
If You Loved This Episode…
You’ll love Episode 648: How to Bounce Back and Thrive After Significant Google Traffic Loss with Jules Grasekamp
Connect with Christina Jolam
Website | Instagram
Connect with Nadia Shatila
Website | Instagram
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In this episode, we're going to talk about how to use fear as a catalyst for growth in five key areas to open up new opportunities this year.
Fear can be a major roadblock, but what if we started viewing it as a guide instead? This year, I decided to challenge myself by facing fears head-on, and today, I’m sharing five powerful areas where stepping outside your comfort zone can lead to personal and professional growth. Whether it’s putting yourself out there in new ways, making bold business moves, or tackling financial and health challenges, embracing fear can open up new doors. Let’s dive in and get uncomfortable—in the best way possible!
Action Plan:
1 - Personal Growth: Challenge limiting beliefs and take on new experiences that push you forward.
2 - Professional Growth: Show up boldly in your business, even when it feels scary or imperfect.
3 - Community: Connect with others, build relationships, and embrace the vulnerability that comes with it.
4 - Courageous Action: Take bold steps in life and business that may feel intimidating but lead to huge rewards.
5 - Health & Finances: Tackle fears around well-being and money to create a stronger foundation for success.
Get in touch with Megan below.
Website | Instagram
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In episode 660, Megan chats to Lauren Less about how to quickly grow a Substack audience and harness the platform for food blogging and community engagement.
Lauren Less combines her passions for food and helping others by creating a space where people can find allergy-friendly recipes, chronic illness support, non-toxic lifestyle suggestions, and health and wellness tips. She discusses everything from fitness with chronic illness to tips for traveling with food allergies and everything in between.
In this episode, you’ll learn how Lauren grew her Substack from zero to 13,000 subscribers and how Substack can serve as both an email list and a blog, helping you connect with your audience in a more personal and customizable way.
Key points discussed include:
- Substack is more than just an email platform: It functions like a blog, allowing creators to share content and build a community.
- Growing a subscriber base takes consistency: Lauren used Instagram and TikTok to direct her audience to her Substack.
- Listening to your audience is key: Making adjustments based on subscriber feedback improves engagement and retention.
- Monetization is built-in: Substack allows creators to offer paid subscriptions for exclusive content.
- Cross-promotion helps growth: The recommendation feature on Substack lets creators share and promote each other’s newsletters.
- Substack offers more than written content: Features like podcasting, video, and live interactions help creators engage with their audience in multiple ways.
- Owning your audience is crucial: Unlike social media platforms, Substack ensures direct access to subscribers without algorithm limitations.
Connect with Lauren Less
Website | Instagram
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In episode 659, Allea Grummert shares seven common email marketing mistakes and how to fix them to create happy, engaged subscribers.
Allea Grummert is an email marketing strategist, conversion copywriter and tech expert who helps bloggers make a lasting first impression through automated welcome and nurture sequences. She helps her clients create strategic email sequences that engage email subscribers, build brand loyalty and optimize conversions for sales and site traffic. She is the host of Happy Subscribers podcast.
In this episode, you’ll learn why a thorough welcome sequence is crucial for building an engaged subscriber list and why you should clean out your email list regularly.
Key points discussed include:
- Welcome new subscribers properly. Many bloggers miss the chance to make a strong first impression—use a welcome page and an introduction video to engage them right away.
- Make your first email personal. Avoid generic confirmation emails; instead, reflect your brand personality and set clear expectations for subscribers.
- Set up a welcome sequence. A structured email sequence helps introduce new subscribers to your best content and builds a strong connection.
- Personalize content wisely. Use segmentation to send relevant emails without overcomplicating your strategy.
- Drive traffic back to your funnel. Regularly promote your freebies and opt-ins within your email list to keep subscribers engaged.
- Clean your email list regularly. Remove inactive subscribers to improve deliverability and engagement.
- Keep track of what’s being sent. Maintain an SOP (standard operating procedure) to stay organized and ensure your emails align with your strategy.
Connect with Allea Grummert
Website | Instagram
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In this episode, we're going to talk five simple yet powerful mindset shifts that can instantly bring more positivity into your life.
Some days just feel off. No matter how much we plan or try to stay positive, life, work, and everything in between can throw us off track. But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay stuck in that negative space. I’ve found that small, intentional shifts can turn a rough day around fast, and today, I’m sharing five simple things you can do right now to boost your mood and bring more positivity into your life. These aren’t big, time-consuming tasks—they’re quick, effective, and totally doable.
Action Plan:
1 - Actually Listen: Be fully present in conversations and truly hear others.
2 - Offer Undeserved Grace: Show kindness and forgiveness, even when it’s not expected.
3 - Experience a Moment: Pause and appreciate the present, no matter how small.
4 - Lose the Phone: Step away from your screen to reconnect with yourself and others.
5 - Spend 10 Minutes Decluttering: Clear your space to create mental clarity and peace.
Get in touch with Megan below.
Website | Instagram
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In episode 657, Megan chats to Kara Myers about how to organize and automate your blogging business for success in 2025.
Kara is the recipe developer, photographer, and voice behind Sweetly Splendid, where she shares comforting Southern and Tex-Mex recipes. She is a 6th-generation Texan and has a passion for nostalgic flavors that bring people together. Her work has been featured in outlets like Woman’s World and Food & Wine. She is a seasoned entrepreneur with multiple successful businesses, and specializes in helping others streamline their workflows and build efficient processes. Kara likes to use the approach of combining real-world experience with actionable insights for creators looking to grow and thrive. When she's not working, Kara loves camping, reading, and spending time with her daughter and dogs.
In this episode, you’ll learn actionable strategies for streamlining workflows, implementing project management systems, and creating a sustainable approach to blogging.
Key points discussed include:
- Your brain is not a project management system: Storing everything in one place frees up mental space and increases productivity.
- A time audit reveals hidden inefficiencies: Track your tasks for a week to identify bottlenecks and areas that slow you down.
- Content planning reduces stress and boosts efficiency: Even planning one month ahead prevents last-minute scrambling and saves time.
- Choosing the right project management tool is key: ClickUp, Asana, and Airtable help streamline tasks—pick one that fits how your brain works.
- Automations free up valuable time: Tools like Zapier, Wordable, and Finite Analytics handle repetitive tasks so you can focus on growth.
- Small organizational changes lead to more revenue: The more systematized your business is, the more time you have to scale and make money.
- Break down big goals into actionable steps: Instead of vague yearly goals, set specific, trackable monthly milestones.
- Give yourself grace and stay flexible: Life happens—adjust your systems and goals as needed without guilt.
Connect with Kara Myers
Website | Instagram
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In episode 656, Alicia Wolf shares how to transform personal struggles into a thriving niche blog that supports others facing similar challenges, just as she has done with her own medical journey.
Alicia Wolf created a food blog after being diagnosed with chronic vestibular migraine and losing her career in design. Her blog is seen as a very small niche and not widely understood by companies, but 10% of the world population lives with migraine attacks. Alicia has been able to grow a small website that was focused on helping people with a migraine diet into 400K sessions a month with multiple sources of revenue outside of ad income as well as 2 published cookbooks.
In this episode, you’ll learn tips for diversifying income outside of ad revenue, how to deal with blogging setbacks and the importance of community in a chronic-illness focused blog.
Key points discussed include:
- Community is key: Building a strong, engaged audience is essential for niche blogs, especially those focused on chronic illness.
- Diversify your income: Relying solely on ad revenue can be risky—explore brand partnerships, consulting, books, and affiliate marketing.
- Leverage your expertise: Alicia collaborates with medical professionals to add credibility to her content, making her blog a trusted resource.
- Be adaptable in blogging: Google updates and social media shifts can impact traffic, so diversifying content distribution is crucial.
- Consistency and patience pay off: Growing a niche blog takes time, but staying committed to quality content and engagement leads to success.
- Your story is your strength: Sharing personal experiences builds trust and authenticity, helping you connect deeply with your audience.
- Keep learning and evolving: Whether through domain research, audience feedback, or SEO strategies, continuous learning is key to staying relevant.
Connect with Alicia Wolf
Website | Instagram
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In this episode, we're going to talk five key replacements you can make in your life and business to help you achieve entrepreneurial success.
Ever feel like you’re stuck in a rut, spinning on an endless hamster wheel, or trapped in an out-of-control wash cycle? I’ve been there, and I know how hard it can be to break free. That’s why I’d like to share these five powerful replacements you can make in your life and business to help you reset, refocus, and find success. If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or just a little lost, these shifts might be exactly what you need.
Action Plan:
1 - Replace fear with courage.
2 - Replace comparison with community.
3 - Replace scarcity with abundance.
4 - Replace perfection with progress.
5 - Replace overwhelm with clarity.
Get in touch with Megan below.
Website | Instagram
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In episode 654, Megan chats with Ashley Freeman about professional food styling, including how to embrace ‘mess’ and other key elements that make food images visually appealing and unique.
Ashley Strickland Freeman is the creator of the blog Little Black Skillet. Just like a "Little Black Dress," she strives to create approachable, everyday recipes her audience can trust and turn to again and again. With over 19 years of experience as a food stylist, cookbook author, recipe developer and tester, and culinary producer (culinary content creator for short), Ashley offers a unique perspective having worked on all sides of culinary publishing. In addition to developing recipes and food styling for some of her favorite brands, she's currently working on her fourth cookbook.
In this episode, you’ll discover the essential equipment for capturing mouthwatering food photos, how props can make or break your shots, and the role of color theory in food photography.
Key points discussed include:
- Invest in a quality camera and lens: Having the right equipment, such as a DSLR camera and a versatile zoom lens, can make a significant difference in your food photography.
- Use a sturdy tripod: A geared tripod, like the Manfrotto, allows you to achieve precise angles and compositions for your shots.
- Experiment with budget-friendly props: Look for unique items at thrift stores, fabric shops, and even your own home to create visually appealing scenes.
- Embrace color theory: Understand how complementary colors can enhance the visual appeal of your food photos.
- Prioritize composition: Use odd numbers, multiples, and strategic placement to guide the viewer's eye through your images.
- Enhance food appearance: Techniques like brushing cheese with oil or using thickened syrups can help make your food look fresh and irresistible.
- Embrace the "mess": Don't be afraid to capture the natural imperfections and realistic details that make your food photos more approachable.
- Practice and trust your intuition: Continuous practice, studying other photographers' work, and having confidence in your own style are key to improving your food photography.
If You Loved This Episode…You'll also love Episode 492: Exquisite Food Photography – How to Tell a Story with Lighting, Props, Food and Textures with Murielle Banackissa.
20% Discount code for Southern Ash Surfaces: Littleblackskillet20
Connect with Ashley Freeman
Website | Instagram
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In episode 653, Meggen Wilson teaches us how to create our own product line to become a profitable business without relying on ad revenue.
Meggen Wilson is the founder of Pine and Palm Kitchen, a specialty food company based in Northwest Montana that creates premium, small-batch vanilla and vinegar products using organic, locally sourced ingredients like honey, apples, and spirits. A retired real estate investor and dedicated advocate for Montana’s natural habitats, Meggen combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a passion for exceptional culinary craftsmanship. Her products celebrate the land she loves, inspiring home cooks and bakers to create with care and intention.
you'll discover how to choose the perfect product for your audience, along with the most effective strategies for manufacturing and selling it.
Key points discussed include:
- Identify your signature product: Look at your most popular recipes and consider creating a complementary product, like a spice blend or specialty ingredient, to offer your audience.
- Test the market first: Start with a cottage license to validate your product idea and gather customer feedback before investing in a commercial license and scaling up.
- Leverage your community: Use farmers markets, pop-ups, and local partnerships to test your product and build relationships with your target customers.
- Prioritize quality and sourcing: Invest in high-quality, locally-sourced ingredients to create a premium product that reflects your brand's values.
- Seek support from local resources: Reach out to your county health department and extension offices - they want to help you succeed as a small food manufacturer.
- Control your distribution: Selling directly through your own online store gives you more control over pricing, branding, and the customer experience.
- Have a long-term vision: Develop a 5-year plan for your product line and be patient as you build the business - it takes time to get the formula right.
Connect with Meggen Wilson
Website | Instagram
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In this episode, we're going to talk about five powerful antidotes that can help you navigate mental blocks and entrepreneurial challenges as a food blogger.
I recently heard someone use the word antidote to describe how they dealt with mental blocks as an entrepreneur, and it stuck with me. I love the idea that there’s a remedy—a way to counteract the “poison” of things like overwhelm, self-doubt, and confusion that can suck the life out of us as business owners.
In this episode, I’m diving into five powerful antidotes that can help you break free from those struggles that feel impossible to escape. You don’t have to stay stuck. If you can identify the “poison” and apply the right antidote, you can move forward with clarity and purpose. Let’s talk about how to do just that.
Action Plan:
1 -Physical movement is the antidote for rumination.
2 - Air, water, and words is the antidote for confusion.
3 - Gratitude for people is the antidote for feeling underappreciated, undervalued, and unworthy.
4 - Doing one thing is the antidote for a lack of motivation.
5 - Setting boundaries is the antidote for overwhelm.
Get in touch with Megan below.
Website | Instagram
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In episode 650, Megan chats to Amy Roskelley about how a no-spend year changed her life and how we can implement the same strategy to reduce business costs and ultimately make more money.
Amy Roskelley is the owner of the online nutrition resource, Health Beet. Health Beet is a resource for nutrition educators and families with a goal to improve their health through diet and exercise. Amy has a bachelor's degree in Community health from BYU and a Masters degree in Business from the University of Utah. Amy’s a certified personal trainer, published cookbook author, certified personal chef, NPC Competitor, and marathon runner.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify which tools and services are essential for your business and why saving money now can improve the your life later.
Key points discussed include:
- Review your expenses regularly: Closely examine your monthly and annual business expenses to identify areas where you can cut costs without negatively impacting your operations.
- Prioritize essential tools and services: Determine which software, platforms, and contractors are truly essential to your business, and eliminate or reduce the rest.
- Automate and streamline processes: Look for ways to directly integrate tools and eliminate the need for expensive third-party integrations or workarounds.
- Focus on content creation first: Before investing in optimization tools or services, ensure you have a solid foundation of high-quality content that resonates with your audience.
- Embrace a minimalist mindset: Adopt a simplified approach to your business and personal life, focusing on the essentials and eliminating unnecessary expenses.
- Diversify your income streams: Explore opportunities to generate passive income through investments or additional revenue sources, reducing your reliance on a single income stream.
- Manage emotional burnout: Recognize the emotional toll that fluctuations in traffic and revenue can have, and develop strategies to maintain a positive mindset.
Connect with Amy Roskelley
Website | Instagram
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In episode 650, Cathy Yoder teaches us how to grow a successful YouTube channel, including why having a niche expertise is essential and how to build a loyal following.
Cathy Yoder is a well-regarded figure in the air fryer community, known as "The REAL Air Fryer Queen." She transformed from a reluctant cook, seeking quick ways to feed her large family of eight, into an air fryer expert and successful entrepreneur. Her business, Empowered Cooks, offers practical cooking tips, recipes, and accessories, helping busy families create nutritious meals with ease. Cathy’s journey has resonated with countless individuals, with her best-selling cookbook (over 35k copies sold) and YouTube channel (700k+ subscribers), making her a trusted voice in the kitchen.
In addition to her air fryer expertise, Cathy also founded Pine & Pepper, a product line of air fryer accessories. Her story, rooted in practicality and family life, has empowered many home cooks. Whether discussing easy meal prep, building a brand, or balancing family and career, Cathy’s insights can inspire and provide actionable advice for busy parents and aspiring entrepreneurs.
In this episode, you’ll learn why you should create a YouTube channel for your food blog, how to film relatable content and the importance of evaluating your content strategy regularly.
Key points discussed include:
- Start creating YouTube content even if it's not perfect: Don't wait for perfection, just get started and your content will improve over time.
- Repurpose existing blog content into YouTube videos: Build a backlog of content by repurposing recipes, tips, and other resources you've already created.
- Engage with your audience by responding to comments: Connecting with your viewers, especially when starting out, helps build a strong relationship.
- Experiment with different video lengths and formats: Try out various video lengths and styles to see what resonates best with your audience.
- Consider live streaming or premiering videos: These interactive features can create a more engaging experience for your viewers.
- Continuously evaluate and refine your content strategy: Pay attention to what's working and adjust your approach to better align with your audience's needs.
- Patience and commitment are crucial: Growing a successful YouTube channel is a long-term process, so be prepared to invest time and effort consistently.
- Leverage your existing expertise and personal journey: Sharing your unique experiences and knowledge can provide valuable and relatable content for your viewers.
Guest Details
Connect with Cathy Yoder
Website | Instagram
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In this episode, we're going to talk about five steps to designing a future version of yourself that is energetic, fulfilled, and happy.
What does 'Future You' look like? I love this concept of being able to implement new habits and improve the quality of my life, year by year. We probably don’t realize how much control we have over our future selves. In fact, we’re all constantly shaping our lives through our thoughts, beliefs, habits, and emotions. So what is the problem? We get complacent and stop trying to change. We end up not reaching our potential, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We can shake off complacency, step into intentionality, and take control of creating a future version of ourselves that’s happy, fulfilled, and thriving. That’s what I intend to do in 2025 and here are five easy steps you can follow too.
Action Plan:
1 - Design future you on paper.
2 - Display the details of your future self where you can see them daily.
3 - Start allowing the details of your future self to guide your decisions.
4 - Surround yourself with people who support your future you.
5 - Track your progress and adjust as needed.
Get in touch with Megan below.
Website | Instagram
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In episode 648, Megan chats to Jules Grasekamp about how to reframe failure as an opportunity for growth and refining your food blogging business, especially in light of Google traffic loss.
Jules Grasekamp is the sweet-toothed Scot behind Bonni Bakery, a dessert blog showing you how to easily create impressive desserts at home. She uses her experience from 10 years of running her own bakery to give detailed recipes packed with expert tips for success to make showstopping desserts and grow your confidence in the kitchen.
In this episode, you’ll learn how stay positive and embrace unpredictability while overcoming severe challenges, like revenue loss, in your business, as this may lead to new opportunities.
Key points discussed include:
- Failure is not the end, but a stepping stone: Embrace failures as opportunities to learn, grow, and refine your business.
- Be brutally honest with yourself: Critically examine your business to identify weaknesses and areas for improvement.
- Have a long-term plan for delegation: Strategize how you can eventually offload tasks you don't enjoy to free up time for what you love.
- Consume positive, motivational content: Start your day or week with uplifting podcasts, books, or speakers to maintain a growth mindset.
- Actively participate in a supportive community: Attend events and connect with other bloggers to find inspiration, advice, and a sense of belonging.
- Embrace the unpredictability of entrepreneurship: Understand that volatility in income and traffic is part of the journey, and focus on the opportunities it presents.
- Persist with enthusiasm: Maintain your drive and determination, even when facing failure, as success often comes from stumbling forward with unwavering passion.
If You Loved This Episode…You’ll love Episode 402: Reach 85k Page Views in 7 Months After 7 Years of Failure with Maren Epstein.
Resources Mentioned
The Brendon Burchard Podcast: Hosted by Brendon Burchard, this motivational podcast offers personal growth advice and life coaching.
Good Work with Barrett Brooks: Hosted by Barrett Brooks, this podcast features interviews with founders, scientists, authors, and adventurers, discussing impactful work and leadership.
Connect with Jules Grasekamp
Website | Instagram
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In episode 647, Lisa Steele teaches us how to make a drastic change to our niche and online presence like she did by going from lifestyle blogging to food content creation.
Lisa Steele is an author, blogger and 5th generation chicken keeper living in Maine. She started her business more than 10 years ago and grew a successful "chicken lifestyle" blog called Fresh Eggs Daily. In 2022, Lisa got a cookbook deal with HarperCollins and that started her pivot to egg recipes and cooking.
In this episode, you’ll learn about the challenges to expect when you start a new food blog, positioning yourself as an expert in your niche and how to successfully build a multifaceted online presence
Key points discussed include:
- Focus on your goals, not what others are doing: Determine your unique objectives and align your activities accordingly, rather than comparing yourself to other bloggers.
- Streamline your activities ruthlessly: Regularly evaluate your tasks and drop anything that doesn't directly contribute to your goals, even if it's popular with others.
- Develop a thick skin for criticism: Expect and be prepared to handle negative feedback, as it often comes with success. Don't take it personally.
- Leverage your expertise and authority: Position yourself as the go-to expert in your niche, which can open up opportunities like media appearances and partnerships.
- Prioritize engagement over follower count: Publishers are more interested in your ability to connect with and influence your audience than just the size of your following.
- Recognize the long-term benefits of cookbooks: While the initial monetary rewards may not be as immediate as your blog, cookbooks can provide passive income and increased credibility over time.
- Be prepared for the challenges: Understand that both food blogging and cookbook writing require significant time, effort, and resilience, but the rewards can be worth it if aligned with your goals.
Guest Details
Connect with Lisa Steele
Website | Instagram
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In this episode, I share five practical strategies to help you start your year on the right foot and carry positivity throughout the months ahead.
How’s your new year going so far? Are you still sticking to those New Year’s resolutions, or are a few starting to slip through the cracks? If they are, don’t stress—you’re definitely not alone! If overwhelm or negativity is creeping in, this episode is here to help you hit reset. I’ll share how a little intentional planning and some small, consistent actions can pave the way for a positive and fulfilling year. From practicing gratitude and reflecting on your progress to setting meaningful goals and visualizing your dreams, I’ve got strategies to keep you motivated and moving forward.
Action Plan:
1 - Review and reflect on the previous year with a gratitude exercise.
2 - Make a list of things you're looking forward to in the coming year.
3 - Set goals for the year in various areas and review them weekly.
4 - Create a vision board.
5 - Commit to making one positive, permanent change each month.
Get in touch with Megan below.
Website | Instagram
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In episode 645, Megan chats to bloggers, Ashley Freeman and Gwen Wolken, about how to achieve success as a new blogger. This is part 2 of the New Blogger conversations.
Ashley is a seasoned culinary content creator with 11 years of experience who launched her blog, Little Black Skillet, at the end of 2023. Her journey began in the publishing world as a recipe developer, food stylist, and cookbook editor before transitioning to freelance. Ashley has served as the editor of over 40 cookbooks and has authored two of her own, including The Duke's Mayonnaise Cookbook, published in 2020. She also brought her culinary expertise to television, working as the head food stylist for seasons 1–4 and culinary producer for seasons 5–9 of the Food Network show Delicious Miss Brown.
Gwen Wolken founded A Sweet Thyme to share her recipes with family and friends and to connect with others who love to cook. Today, the blog houses delicious and dependable Mediterranean recipes that are mostly gluten-free and simple to prepare. After spending time in corporate America, Gwen became an entrepreneur and had several businesses, but her favorite was a chocolate business that she nurtured for over ten years before creating A Sweet Thyme. Gwen is married and the Mom to three adult boys, two of which are married.
In this episode, you’ll learn how to invest wisely in your blogging business when you're starting out and why networking can make a big difference to your blog’s growth trajectory.
Key points discussed include:
- Understand your audience: Regularly survey your audience to ensure your content aligns with their needs and interests.
- Explore new content formats: Consider adding video content to your Pinterest strategy to diversify your offerings.
- Evaluate your marketing efforts: Regularly assess the return on investment for your participation in Facebook recipe roundup groups.
- Leverage organizational tools: Use tools like Reminders and spreadsheets to create a daily to-do list and stay organized.
- Find your niche: Identify your unique strengths and passions, and let them shine through in your content.
- Invest in your business: Be willing to spend money on hosting, themes, and other tools to improve your blog's performance.
- Build a supportive community: Participate in mastermind groups and attend conferences to connect with like-minded bloggers.
- Adapt to platform changes: Stay flexible and willing to adjust your strategies as platforms like Pinterest update their algorithms.
- Embrace authenticity: Focus on creating content that aligns with your values and resonates with your audience, rather than chasing trends.
Connect with Ashley Freeman
Website | Instagram
Connect with Gwen Wolken
Website | Instagram
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In episode 644, newer bloggers Kristina Cadelina, Rose Sioson and Mandy Martinez teach us how to start a successful blog in 2025. This is part 1 of the New Blogger conversations.
Kristina is a food blogger who helps her readers reconnect with their wellness by offering nourishing and versatile Mediterranean inspired recipes. She is also a food photographer and helps brands and food bloggers grow their business by offering professional photography and video services.
Rose is an experienced IT professional with over two decades in the field. Nearly a year ago, she launched Deliciously Rushed, a blog that blends her love for food with her need for a creative outlet, all while balancing a full-time job and family. Aware of her limited time, Rose strategically invested in courses to streamline her growth and minimize costly mistakes. Her primary goal for 2024 is to qualify for the Mediavine ad network, and she is currently on the verge of reaching the 50K session threshold needed to achieve it.
Mandy is the photographer and recipe developer behind Semi Homemade Kitchen. Her passion lies in simplifying the art of cooking without sacrificing flavor. She believes that anyone, regardless of their cooking expertise, can whip up mouthwatering dishes. Using shortcuts like cake mixes, cookie mixes, pudding mix, premade pie crusts, biscuit dough, canned soups, pasta sauces, and more to make the cooking process accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
In this episode, you’ll learn about the importance of niche and experimenting with different strategies, as well as how to pick seasonal content to boost your visibility.
Key points discussed include:
- Consistency is key: Maintaining consistent activity and content creation across platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, and Google is crucial for driving traffic and growth.
- Experiment with different strategies: Try various tactics like video pins, animated pins, and keyword research tools to see what works best for your unique blog and audience.
- Invest in yourself: Joining mastermind groups, taking courses, and outsourcing tasks can provide valuable insights and free up time to focus on core activities.
- Leverage niche communities: Actively participating in relevant Facebook groups can be an effective way to drive immediate traffic and build relationships with your target audience.
- Capitalize on seasonality: Aligning your content with popular seasonal trends, like holiday recipes or summer ice cream, can help boost your visibility and engagement.
- Diversify your traffic sources: While Google traffic is valuable, don't rely solely on it - explore other platforms like Pinterest and social media to build a well-rounded traffic strategy.
- Stay true to your niche: Focusing on content that aligns with your blog's core purpose and resonates with your target audience can lead to greater success.
- Embrace an experimental mindset: Be willing to try new things, even if they don't work out initially, as it can lead to unexpected breakthroughs.
- Leverage freelancing opportunities: Combining your blog with freelance work, such as photography or recipe development, can provide financial stability and creative fulfillment.
Connect with Kristina Cadelina
Website | Instagram
Connect with Rose Sioson
Website | Instagram
Connect with Mandy Martinez
Website | Instagram
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In this episode, we're going to talk about five key things entrepreneurs should avoid bringing on vacation in order to truly disconnect and recharge.
I get how hard it can be to fully step away from work, even when you know you need a break. From my own experiences, I’ll share some practical tips and strategies to help you protect your vacations and downtime. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a better handle on the mindset shifts and boundaries that’ll let you truly enjoy your time off. That way, you can come back feeling refreshed and ready to go—without the guilt or burnout. Taking the time to unplug is so important for your well-being and the long-term success of your business.
Action Plan:
1 - Avoid unfinished to-do lists: They can cause mental clutter and keep you in work mode during vacation.
2 - Don’t bring business guilt: Reframe downtime as an investment in your creativity and productivity.
3 - Avoid digital leashes: Set specific tech boundaries and remove distracting apps to stay disconnected.
4 - Set clear expectations: Over-communicate your availability and boundaries to your team, clients, and audience.
5 - Resist work temptation: Commit to being fully present and trust the systems you've put in place.
Get in touch with Megan:
Website | Instagram
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