3 Ways Sharing Recipes Has Changed for the Better
If you’re a food content creator in 2024, you’ve been on a rollercoaster ride. 🎢
Algorithm updates have changed the way recipes are shared, blogs are managed, and audiences are engaging. But here’s the good news: these shifts are all for the better!
As a copywriter who works alongside food bloggers and content creators, I’ve experienced these dramatic shifts with you. And while they may have caused a lot of financial stress and discomfort, I firmly believe these shifts are here to help empower your business to grow.
Let’s dive into three of the most exciting changes and how they can help you thrive in the evolving world of food blogging:
1. Less Keyword Stuffing, More Authenticity 🥘
Gone are the days when food bloggers awkwardly crammed keywords and phrases into their posts just to rank on Google. No more long-winded, repetitive FAQs and keyword-heavy paragraphs. This was once a necessary strategy for getting noticed by search engines, but now things are feeling a bit more natural.
Helpful content updates have welcomed a shift toward authenticity.
Google's algorithm now prioritizes easy-to-read content that genuinely engages readers over keyword-stuffed text. (That feels celebration-worthy to me!)
Now, it’s all about writing in a way that naturally aligns with your voice and your audience’s needs.
When you emphasize helpful tips and address objections, readers feel a deeper connection to you. That will keep them coming back for more.
Plus, when readers find your content valuable and engaging, search engines will reward you with higher rankings.
The goal is to serve your audience with meaningful content that resonates on a personal level.
Pro Tip: Always consider your audience’s pain points and struggles with a certain recipe. When you meet these head on, and help them navigate through them, you earn their trust.
2. Nurturing Real Relationships 🤝
It can be easy for food blogs to often feel like one-way communication: you publish your post and hope readers will leave a comment, share it, or return for your next recipe.
But success actually lies in relationships—and that’s where nurturing comes in.
Your blog isn’t just a place to share recipes anymore; it’s a platform for building lasting relationships with your audience. You can turn casual visitors into loyal followers by offering more ways to engage with your readers.
One of the most powerful ways to do this is by growing your email list. Offer a helpful piece of content in exchange for a visitor’s email address and say new subscribers with a welcome sequence.
From there, it’s important to engage with your list regularly. Your content doesn’t have to be life-changing, but it should be more than simply sharing your latest recipe. You want to nurture this relationship by consistently providing value.
Pro Tip: Send out a survey to your email list asking what content they’d love to see next. It’s all about keeping the conversation going and showing your readers that you value their input. (I did this with a client and we received over 300 awesome responses!)
3. New Revenue Opportunities 💻
No longer relying solely on page view from algorithms opens up opportunities for things like digital products. More and more content creators are turning their blogs into thriving businesses by offering digital products that provide real value to their audience.
Think about it: your blog is already a treasure trove of knowledge. You know how to create delicious meals, solve kitchen challenges, and inspire home cooks. Why not turn that expertise into a product? Here are just a few ideas to get you started:
Ebooks: Create a collection of your most popular recipes, or design a themed ebook (like “Jamaican Family Recipes” or “Healthy Holiday Baking”).
Meal Plans: Offer detailed meal plans (especially around the holidays!), including shopping lists, prep instructions, and bonus tips. These can be life-savers for busy families and confidence-building home cooks.
Online Courses: If you’re a master in a culinary topic (sourdough! cast iron cooking! vegan desserts!), create an online course that teaches others how to do it, too. Video tutorials, coaching, and live Q&A sessions can set you apart.
The beauty of these products? Once you’ve created them, they can generate direct revenue into your business — no cutting margins with ad platforms or brand partners. They’ll also work for you for years and years. Set them up once, and you can sell them forever.
Pro Tip: Start small with one digital product, like an ebook, and gauge your audience’s interest. You can expand your offerings and create multiple revenue streams as you learn and adapt.
Grow Your Blog Into A Thriving Business
These changes aren’t just about keeping up with trends—they’re about helping you create a more authentic, engaged, and profitable business as a food content creator.
By embracing this evolution, you’ll not only serve your readers better, but you’ll also set yourself up for sustainable growth so you can keep loving what you do. 🪴