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The Food Bloggers Survival Kit 100 Plus Links to Thrive

Welcome, fellow food enthusiasts and aspiring culinary bloggers! Are you ready to transform your passion for food into a captivating online presence and a thriving community? Building a successful food blog requires more than just delicious recipes; it demands a blend of creativity, technical know-how, and strategic planning. That’s why I’ve meticulously compiled this extensive collection of over 100 invaluable resources, covering everything from the art of food photography and compelling content creation to essential SEO strategies, effective blog monetization techniques, and impactful social media engagement.

Whether you’re just starting your blogging journey or looking to elevate an existing platform, this guide is designed to be your one-stop toolkit. While many of these resources are tailored specifically for the unique challenges and opportunities of food blogging, you’ll also discover a wealth of general blogging wisdom applicable to any niche. So, settle in with your favorite beverage, because you’re about to dive into a treasure trove of the most helpful blog posts, insightful podcasts, essential books, and powerful tools that have personally fueled my blog’s growth and success. Let’s get started on making your food blog truly shine!

Ultimate Food Blogger Resource: Over 100 Links to Help You Build a Successful Blog. From photography to blog monetization, from social media to writing, I've compiled all the helpful resources that helped me to improve my blog. Though most of the articles are focused on food blogging, you'll also find some general blogging tips as well.

Why This Comprehensive Guide? My Journey and Your Shortcut to Success

You might be wondering about the inspiration behind such an extensive compilation. My personal journey through blogging led me to bookmark thousands of articles, podcasts, and tools over the years. Recently, while migrating my digital life to a new laptop – a process that always brings a mix of nostalgia and challenge – I revisited my vast archive of saved resources. This deep dive sparked an idea: to consolidate all these gems into a single, accessible guide.

This resource serves two primary purposes: Firstly, it’s my personal repository, ensuring all the critical links are in one organized place for future reference. Secondly, and more importantly, it’s a gift to you, offering a shortcut to discover the most impactful resources for food bloggers. Every single link in this guide has played a pivotal role in my blog’s development, helping me navigate the complexities of content creation, audience growth, and monetization. My aim is for you to find it equally transformative as you build and scale your own culinary platform. I am committed to regularly updating this post with new finds, ensuring it remains a current and invaluable asset for the food blogging community.

(Please note: This post may contain affiliate links. Clicking these links won’t change your price but may result in a small commission for me, which helps support this blog.)

Foundational Food Blogging Resources: Essential Reads for Every Culinary Creator

Whether you’re taking your first steps into the world of food blogging or looking to solidify your existing knowledge, these general resources provide a strong foundation. They cover the breadth of blogging, offering insights into strategy, community building, and fundamental best practices that transcend specific niches.

  • Food Bloggers: 150+ Links to Everything You Need to Know: An excellent starting point for new food bloggers, compiled by Lori, this extensive resource is packed with valuable insights and hidden gems.
  • Food Blogging Links from Food Blog Alliance: A community-driven collection of links, offering diverse perspectives and practical advice from experienced food bloggers.
  • Daily Blog Tips: A comprehensive site offering a wealth of advice on general blogging topics, perfect for refining your overall strategy and staying updated on industry trends.
  • 40 Awesome Case Studies for Bloggers and Internet Marketers: Marc’s curated list of success stories from bloggers worldwide provides inspiration and actionable strategies for achieving your own blogging goals.
  • 1000 True Fans: A powerful concept highlighting that you don’t need millions of followers to succeed; cultivating a dedicated core audience is key. Highly recommended reading for understanding audience loyalty.
  • 17 Useful Links for Food Bloggers and Writers: Another great compilation by Dianne Jacob, including crucial information like how to file DMCA claims, protecting your intellectual property.
  • 26 Blogging Mistakes that Are Costing You Time, Money, and Credibility from ProBlogger: Learn to avoid common pitfalls that can hinder your blog’s growth and reputation. ProBlogger remains an amazing site for continuous blogging improvement.
  • Food Blogging for Dummies Cheat Sheet: A quick reference guide covering the essentials of food blogging, ideal for getting a concise overview.
  • Food Blogger Pro Blog: An incredibly rich source of information from Bjork Ostrom and the team behind Pinch of Yum, offering advanced strategies and practical tips.
  • Food Bloggers Central: Created by the exceptionally generous Nagi of RecipeTin Eats, this site is packed with inspiring content and actionable advice for food bloggers.

Insights from Superstar Food Bloggers: Learn from the Best

Discover the go-to resources and advice directly from some of the most successful food bloggers in the industry. Their curated collections offer unique perspectives and proven strategies that have helped them build their influential platforms.

  • White on Rice Couple: Explore their journey and advice on starting and growing a food blog, often accompanied by their signature stunning photography.
  • Minimalist Baker: Dive into Dana Shultz’s resources page for practical tips on developing recipes, photography, and running a successful blog with a focused approach.
  • Pinch of Yum: An essential stop for any food blogger, offering transparent insights into their business, income reports, and educational content.
  • Sally’s Baking Addiction: Get inspired by Sally McKenney’s journey and resources, particularly valuable for baking-focused blogs and building a strong brand identity.

Crafting Your Identity: Tips on Writing Your “About” Page

Your “About” page is often the first impression a new visitor gets of you and your blog. Learn how to write a compelling narrative that connects with your audience, tells your unique story, and establishes your credibility in the culinary space.

  • Welcome Visitors to Your Blog with an About Page by Food Blog Alliance: Understand the fundamental purpose and elements of an effective “About” page.
  • 11 Ways to Write an Irresistible Intro to Your Blog Post by Write to Done: While focused on blog posts, these principles are highly applicable to capturing attention on your “About” page.
  • 5 Important Points to Include in Your “About Me” Page by Rachel Gurk: A concise guide to ensuring you cover all the essential information that visitors seek.
  • How to Write a Fun Bio by Silver Square: Discover creative ways to make your personal introduction engaging and memorable, injecting personality into your brand.

Treating Your Blog as a Business: Strategies for Professional Growth

To move beyond a hobby, it’s crucial to adopt a business mindset for your blog. This section provides resources on planning, organization, and professional habits that can transform your food blog into a sustainable and profitable venture.

  • How to Write a Blog Business Plan by Cookin’ Canuck: Learn to outline your blog’s goals, strategies, and financial projections for structured growth.
  • Ask the Taxgirl: Eating Your Words (Food Bloggers and Deductions) by TaxGirl: Essential advice on tax considerations and deductible expenses specifically for food bloggers.
  • 7 Habits of Highly Effective Bloggers by Kevin Muldoon: Adopt productivity and strategic habits that lead to consistent blog success.
  • How to Get Organized with an Editorial Calendar – It’s Easier than You Think! by Peg Fitzpatrick: Master content planning and scheduling to maintain consistency and reduce stress.
  • Why a Fancy Logo is a Waste of Time and Money (and What You Need Instead) by Smart Blogger: Gain perspective on branding priorities and where to focus your resources effectively.
  • The Guide to Creating a Stellar Content Plan by Regina: Develop a strategic roadmap for your content, ensuring it aligns with your audience’s needs and your blog’s goals.
  • How I Turned My Food Blog into a Career by Sally’s Baking Addiction: A inspiring personal account of transforming a passion into a full-time profession.
  • The Ultimate Guide to Finding Your Unique Selling Proposition by Corbett Barr: Define what makes your blog stand out in a crowded market and attract your ideal audience.

Leveraging Data: Mastering Google Analytics for Blog Growth

Understanding your audience and content performance is vital. Google Analytics offers a powerful suite of tools to track traffic, engagement, and user behavior. These resources will help you interpret your data and make informed decisions to optimize your blog.

  • 20 Must-Know Tips & Tricks To Master Google Analytics Data by Hongkiat: Unlock the full potential of Google Analytics with these essential tips for data analysis.
  • Google Analytics: Page Views Vs. Unique Views by Sue Smith: Clarify the difference between these key metrics and what they signify for your blog’s reach.
  • Using Google Analytics to Unlock the Secrets of Your Blog’s Audience by ProBlogger: Learn how to delve into audience demographics and interests to tailor your content more effectively.
  • How I use Google Analytics ‘Compare’ Feature to Motivate Me to Grow My Blog by ProBlogger: Discover how comparative analysis can highlight growth opportunities and inspire progress.
  • 5 Goals Every Blogger Should Set Up in Google Analytics by ProBlogger: Set up measurable goals within Analytics to track your success and identify areas for improvement.
  • Why You Should Use Adjusted Bounce Rate and How to Set It Up by Moz: A crucial metric for understanding user engagement and how to configure it for more accurate insights.

Writing for Impact: Crafting Excellent Content That Resonates

Content is king, and for food bloggers, that means more than just recipes. It involves storytelling, engaging prose, and providing value that keeps readers coming back. Master the art of writing captivating blog posts that are not only informative but also highly shareable.

  • How to Create Super Share-Worthy Blog Posts (and a Template of What They Should Include) by Regina: Learn the elements that make content irresistible and highly shareable across social platforms.
  • How To Write Awesome Blog Posts With The Science Of Appeal by CoSchedule: Apply psychological principles to craft content that genuinely appeals to and engages your audience.
  • 5 Places to Find Popular and Trending Recipes by Food Blogger Pro: Stay ahead of culinary trends and create content that your audience is actively searching for.
  • 4-Step System For Writing A Great Blog Post, Even If You Have Writer’s Block by CoSchedule: A structured approach to content creation that helps overcome common writing hurdles.
  • How to Become a Great (Food) Writer: The Big Secret by Four Hour Work Week: Uncover the essential practices that elevate good food writing to great.
  • The 51 Greatest Articles About Writing I’ve Ever Read by BufferApp: A curated collection of writing wisdom that offers timeless advice for improving your craft.
  • The Two Most Important Words in Blogging by CopyBlogger: A profound insight into what truly matters for reader engagement and long-term blogging success.

The Art of Instruction: Perfectly Writing Recipes for Your Audience

For food bloggers, recipes are your core product. Learning to write clear, concise, and easy-to-follow recipes is paramount to your readers’ success in the kitchen and their trust in your content. These resources will refine your recipe writing skills.

  • How To Write A Recipe Like A Professional by The Kitchn: Gain professional insights into structuring and detailing your recipes for maximum clarity and user-friendliness.
  • 10 Ways to Write Clear Recipes by Dianne Jacob: Practical tips to ensure your recipes are unambiguous and easy for anyone to follow.
  • 100 Verbs for Recipes, from Julia Child by Dianne Jacob: Enhance your culinary vocabulary with this inspiring list, adding precision and elegance to your instructions.
  • Recipe Attribution by Food Blog Alliance: Understand the ethics and best practices for crediting sources when adapting or sharing recipes.

Visual Storytelling: Elevating Your Food Photography

In the world of food blogging, a picture truly is worth a thousand words. High-quality food photography is non-negotiable for capturing attention and making your dishes irresistible. These resources will guide you through the techniques of capturing stunning culinary visuals.

  • Story on a Plate: Food Photography & Styling workshop video by Todd Porter and Diane Cu on CreativeLive: A comprehensive workshop that teaches you to compose captivating food narratives through your lens.
  • Food Photography Tips, Tricks, and Tutorials by Taylor Mathis: A collection of practical advice to improve your food photography skills, from beginner to advanced.
  • Photo Tips and Techniques for Beginners: How to Shoot in Manual by Stacie Grissom: Learn to take control of your camera and understand manual settings for superior photographic results.
  • Learning Your Camera and How to Shoot Moody Images with Peter Georgakopoulos by Gourmande in the Kitchen: Explore advanced techniques for creating evocative and atmospheric food photographs.
  • My Take on Food Styling and Photography by 6 Bittersweets: A personal perspective on combining styling and photography to create harmonious and appealing images.
  • How to Take Razor Sharp Photos (Without Pro Gear) by Food Bloggers Central: Discover how to achieve professional-looking sharp images using accessible equipment and smart techniques.
  • How to Photograph “Floating” Food by Gimme Some Oven: A creative tutorial on achieving dynamic and visually intriguing “floating” food shots.

Beyond the Plate: The Art of Food Styling and Props

Food styling is what transforms a good dish into a magazine-worthy photograph. This section offers resources to help you select the right props, arrange your food artfully, and create backdrops that enhance your culinary creations without overshadowing them.

  • Finding Props for Food Photography with Naomi Robinson by Gourmande in the Kitchen: Expert advice on sourcing and utilizing props to enhance your food photography aesthetic.
  • Food Photography Behind the Scenes by The Spice Train: A peek into the setup and process of professional food photography, revealing styling secrets.
  • Food Styling Tips by Food Bloggers Central: Essential techniques and creative ideas for arranging food to make it look its absolute best on camera.

Polishing Your Pictures: Essential Photo Editing Techniques

Post-processing is where good photos become great. Learn to use editing software to adjust lighting, color, and composition, bringing out the best in your food photography and creating a consistent visual style for your blog.

  • How to Create a Cool Matte Finish Look in Lightroom by Eat the Love: A step-by-step tutorial for achieving a popular, soft, and artistic matte effect in your images.
  • Why Lightroom May Be The Only Photo Editor You Need by Kevin & Amanda: Explore the comprehensive capabilities of Adobe Lightroom as a powerful tool for photographers.
  • How to Make Quick, Easy & Free Photo Collages by Gimme Some Oven: Learn to create visually appealing collages for social media and blog posts using simple and free tools.

Expanding Your Reach: Strategies for Driving Blog Traffic

A beautiful blog and delicious recipes need an audience. This section provides a variety of strategies to increase your blog’s visibility, attract new readers, and encourage loyal followers. From SEO to social sharing, learn how to get your content seen.

  • How To Increase Blog Traffic by A Merry Life: A foundational guide with practical steps to boost the number of visitors to your blog.
  • How To Get Your Blog Noticed By 100,000 People In 8 Simple Steps by Matthew Woodward: Ambitious yet achievable strategies to significantly expand your blog’s readership.
  • 5 Ways to Grow Your Blog Without Relying on Google Traffic by ProBlogger: Explore diverse traffic generation methods beyond traditional search engines.
  • 21 Tactics to Increase Blog Traffic by Moz: A comprehensive list of actionable strategies from SEO experts to drive more visitors to your site.
  • Proof That Emotional Headlines Get Shared More On Social Media by CoSchedule: Understand the psychology behind viral content and craft headlines that evoke strong reader engagement.
  • 10 Ways to Market Your New Blog or Website by The Every Girl: Essential marketing tips for getting your new online venture noticed and building an initial audience.
  • 30 Ways to Promote Your Blog Posts by Launch Grow Joy: A extensive checklist of ideas to maximize the visibility and reach of every piece of content you publish.

Mastering Pinterest: Visual Discovery for Food Bloggers

Pinterest is an indispensable platform for food bloggers, acting as a visual search engine for recipes and culinary inspiration. These resources will help you optimize your Pinterest strategy, drive traffic, and get your delicious creations discovered by millions.

  • How to Get More Pinterest Exposure With Less Work by Social Media Examiner: Learn smart strategies to boost your Pinterest reach efficiently.
  • How to Get Pinterest Recipe Rich Pins by Sweet C Designs: Implement Rich Pins to provide detailed recipe information directly on Pinterest, increasing engagement and click-through rates.
  • 5 Ways to Get Your Pins Noticed on Pinterest by Social Media Examiner: Actionable tips to make your pins stand out and capture the attention of potential readers.
  • 4 Pinterest Tips to Make Your Pins More Searchable on Pinterest by MCNG Marketing: Optimize your pin descriptions and keywords to improve discoverability within Pinterest’s search algorithm.
  • 35+ Pinterest Tips from Basics to Beyond by Amy Lynn Andrews: A comprehensive guide covering everything from fundamental Pinterest practices to advanced growth hacks.

Connecting on Facebook: Engaging Your Culinary Community

Facebook remains a powerful platform for building a community around your food blog, sharing updates, and engaging directly with your audience. These resources will help you navigate Facebook’s evolving algorithms and maximize your presence.

  • 15 Resources to Improve Your Organic Reach on Facebook by Constant Contact: Discover various strategies to increase the visibility of your posts without relying solely on paid ads.
  • How to Use Facebook Ads to Reach the Right People with Tony Rulli from IntentionalSpark.com by Food Blogger Pro: Learn targeted advertising techniques to connect with your ideal audience on Facebook and drive conversions.

Cultivating Direct Relationships: Building an Email List

Your email list is arguably your most valuable asset, offering a direct line of communication with your most engaged readers. These resources focus on effective strategies and tools for growing your subscriber base and nurturing those relationships.

  • 9 Plugins for Growing Your Email List That Work So Well It Feels Like Cheating by Smart Blogger: Explore powerful tools and plugins to efficiently expand your email subscriber count.
  • Zero to 5,273 Subscribers in 90 Days by ProfitBlitz: A case study and actionable plan for rapidly growing your email list from scratch.
  • Building Your Mail List is Your #1 Growth Priority by Food Bloggers Central: Understand why an email list is crucial for long-term blog success and how to prioritize its growth.
  • 10 Things You Can Do Right Now to Grow Your Email List by ProBlogger: Immediate and practical steps you can take to start or accelerate your list-building efforts.
  • 7 Simple Ideas for Mailing List Opt-Ins by ProBlogger: Creative and effective ways to encourage visitors to subscribe to your email newsletter.

Enhancing Discoverability: Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Food Blogs

SEO is the art and science of getting your blog posts to rank higher in search engine results, bringing organic, targeted traffic to your recipes and content. These resources will demystify SEO and provide actionable advice specifically for food bloggers.

  • 5 Ways to Improve Your Blog’s SEO by Austin Food Bloggers: Fundamental tips to kickstart your SEO efforts and improve your blog’s search visibility.
  • Keyword Research by Copyblogger: Learn how to identify the terms and phrases your audience uses to find content, guiding your content creation.
  • Writing for SEO by Katy Widrick: Understand how to naturally integrate keywords and structure your content to be both reader-friendly and search engine-friendly.
  • SEO for Food Bloggers by Bake Your Day: Tailored advice on optimizing your specific food-related content for search engines.
  • SEO Starter Guide by Google: The official guide from Google, offering foundational knowledge directly from the source.
  • Metrics that Matter (Spoiler: It’s Probably Not Page Views) by Katy Widrick: Shift your focus to more meaningful SEO metrics that truly reflect your blog’s performance and impact.
  • 10 Food Blog SEO tips from Moz’s Beginner’s Guide to SEO by Food Blogger Pro: Practical and powerful SEO tips specifically adapted for the food blogging niche, drawing from a trusted SEO authority.
  • SEO: What Are NoFollow and DoFollow Links? by Blogging Basics 101: Understand the impact of different link types on your SEO and how to use them correctly.
  • Fix These Overlooked SEO Opportunities in 10 Minutes Flat by Katy Widrick: Quick and easy optimizations that can significantly boost your search engine ranking with minimal effort.

Monetizing Your Passion: Strategies for Blog Income

Turning your food blog into a source of income requires understanding various monetization strategies. This section offers resources on affiliate marketing, selling digital products, sponsored content, and more, helping you build a sustainable revenue stream.

  • My Top Affiliate Marketing Tips by Amy Lynn Andrews: Learn the ins and outs of promoting products and earning commissions through affiliate links effectively.
  • $72,000 in E-Books in a Week – 8 Lessons I Learned by ProBlogger: A compelling case study on selling digital products and the lessons learned from a highly successful launch.
  • How to Make Money Blogging by ProBlogger: A comprehensive overview of different income streams available to bloggers.
  • Sponsored Posts: Where to Find Them, How to Do Them, and What You’ll be Paid by Food Bloggers Central: A detailed guide to collaborating with brands and earning through sponsored content.
  • Pinch of Yum’s Traffic and Income Reports by Pinch of Yum: Transparent reports offering invaluable insights into how a successful food blog generates revenue.
  • The best type of affiliate marketing: What it is and why you need to do it by Food Blogger Pro: Focus on the most effective affiliate strategies for long-term gain and audience trust.

Strategic Collaborations: Successfully Working with Brands

Collaborating with brands can open new doors for your food blog, providing exciting opportunities for content creation, product reviews, and financial partnerships. These resources guide you through pitching, negotiating, and executing successful brand campaigns.

  • Q&A: Recipe Girl’s Lori Lange on Working With Brands by Dianne Jacob: Learn from an industry veteran about building relationships and securing partnerships with brands.
  • Working with Brands: Pick Up the Phone! by Food Bloggers Central: Encouragement and practical advice on initiating direct communication with potential brand partners.
  • Amazon Affiliate Program: A powerful program for earning commissions by recommending products available on Amazon, an essential tool for many bloggers.
  • Kitchen PLAY Marketplace for Bloggers: A membership-based platform that facilitates connections between influencers and relevant food brands.
  • Social Fabric/Collective Bias: A network where I personally started doing sponsored posts, offering opportunities for brand collaborations.
  • IZEA: The Creators Marketplace: A platform designed to connect content creators with brands for sponsored content opportunities.

Powering Your Workflow: Crazy Useful Tools for Bloggers

Efficiency is key in blogging. These carefully selected tools can streamline your workflow, analyze your performance, and help you create better content, from optimizing site speed to crafting perfect headlines.

  • GTMetrix: A powerful tool to analyze your website’s speed and performance, providing actionable recommendations for improvement.
  • Peek Usertesting: Get a free 5-minute video review of your website from a real person, offering invaluable insights into user experience (use with discretion, as reviewers may not be niche-specific).
  • Get a Pin Count: Quickly check how many times a specific link from your site has been pinned on Pinterest.
  • Mobile-Friendly Test: Ensure your website provides a seamless experience for users on mobile devices, a critical factor for SEO and user satisfaction.
  • Free Broken Link Checker: An easy-to-use tool to identify and fix broken links on your site, improving user experience and SEO.
  • Blog Post Headline Analyzer: Craft compelling and effective headlines that grab attention and encourage clicks, boosting your content’s reach.
  • Link Report/Nofollow Tool: A simple utility to verify nofollow links on your site, ensuring proper SEO practices.
  • CoSchedule: An all-in-one marketing calendar and social media scheduler, invaluable for organizing your content strategy and automating social posts.
  • Evernote: A versatile note-taking application that syncs across devices, perfect for capturing ideas, recipes, and blog drafts on the go.
  • PicMonkey: A user-friendly online photo editor, ideal for creating visually appealing collages for Pinterest and other social media platforms.
  • Namechk: A super useful tool to quickly check the availability of domain names and corresponding social media usernames, essential for branding and re-branding efforts.

Deep Dives: Recommended Books and E-Books for Bloggers

For those who prefer a more in-depth learning experience, these books and e-books offer comprehensive guides and expert insights into various aspects of blogging, from writing and photography to business and marketing.

  • Will Write for Food: The Complete Guide to Writing Cookbooks, Blogs, Memoir, Recipes, and More by Dianne Jacobs: A definitive guide for anyone serious about culinary writing, covering a broad spectrum of topics.
  • Food Blogging For Dummies by Kelly Senyei: An accessible and practical guide for beginners looking to navigate the complexities of food blogging.
  • Strategies Worth Sharing: How I Grew My Facebook Page from 2,000 Likes to 100,000 Likes In Five Months by Brittany Ann: A success story offering actionable strategies for rapid Facebook page growth.
  • Food Photography Behind the Scenes – Bright Food, Dark Shadows by Nicole Branan: Explore advanced food photography concepts, focusing on dramatic lighting and mood.

Learn on the Go: Informative Podcasts for Busy Bloggers

Podcasts are a fantastic way to absorb new information and stay inspired while multitasking. Tune into these expert-led discussions covering blogging tips, marketing strategies, and insights from successful online entrepreneurs.

  • ProBlogger Podcast: Blog Tips to Help You Make Money Blogging: Essential listening for practical, actionable advice on growing and monetizing your blog.
  • The Food Blogger Pro Podcast: Dedicated specifically to food blogging, offering interviews and insights tailored to the culinary niche.
  • Online Marketing Made Easy by Amy Porterfield: Expert strategies for digital marketing, audience building, and online business growth.
  • The Chopped Podcast: Interviews with successful food bloggers and entrepreneurs, sharing their stories, tips, and challenges.
  • Blissful Bites Podcast: Focuses on building a joyful and profitable food business, covering everything from recipes to branding.

There you have it – a truly comprehensive collection of resources designed to empower your food blogging journey. Remember, building a successful blog is a marathon, not a sprint. Consistency, learning, and adaptability are your greatest allies. Keep experimenting with new techniques, engaging with your audience, and most importantly, continue sharing your passion for food with the world.

I hope this ultimate guide becomes a cornerstone resource for your success. I will continue to update and expand this list with new discoveries, ensuring you always have access to the latest and most effective strategies. What are your favorite resources that have helped your blog thrive? Share them in the comments below!