Food blogging

5 Foolproof Ways to Thrive as a Writer

February 10, 2015 by diannejacob 38 Comments

I feel grateful to be alive when I imagine myself here. Wouldn’t it be nice to have this sensation more often?

Don’t you love the word “thrive?” It’s not about just getting through the day, making lists, or driving yourself to do more more more. It’s about a healthy, beaming, happy you, satisfied with your life and filled with gratitude.

Doesn’t that sound incredible? Who doesn’t want to be that kind of person?

As writers, we need constant reminders to stay positive. Otherwise we get distracted by what we’re not doing (not enough pitching, social media, awards, contracts, published work, classes, blog readers), versus what we thrive on (writing!).

Here are five ways to keep writing and moving forward:

1. Believe that you have something to say and people want to read it. Otherwise, when you doubt yourself, you create roadblocks that crush productivity. Manage your internal critic. Learn to recognize [Read more…] about 5 Foolproof Ways to Thrive as a Writer

A Food Blog About “Everything” Can be a Trap

January 13, 2015 by diannejacob 36 Comments

A guest post by Melissa Hartfiel

For the last three years it has been my job to review every blog that applies to join Food Bloggers of Canada.

I make sure they meet our membership criteria, such as being Canadian and being 50% food related. I also find bloggers who can write for us, become a featured member, or a good fit with a brand campaign.

It may sound harsh but, now that I’ve read more than 1600 food blogs, the majority bleed into one generic blog on home cooking and [Read more…] about A Food Blog About “Everything” Can be a Trap

Frustrated by Smaller Can Sizes for Recipes? I Am.

January 6, 2015 by diannejacob 132 Comments

Do canned goods makers have any idea how it affects recipe developers and cooks when they reduce their can sizes?

…and I was just baking, not developing recipes.

Over the holidays I made a pumpkin bread from a favorite recipe in an older cookbook. The recipe called for one 16-ounce can. Yet cans of pumpkin are no longer 16 ounces, but 15.

The manufacturer removed 2 tablespoons instead of raising the price! I repeat: 2 tablespoons. That’s all it takes to mess up [Read more…] about Frustrated by Smaller Can Sizes for Recipes? I Am.

Thank You

December 30, 2014 by diannejacob

A virtual bouquet for you, dear reader.

Today I’m saying thanks for being a reader. It’s my fifth year of blogging, and I still love writing my weekly post on food writing. Most of all, I love hearing from you and having a conversation.

If you lurk, I’m thrilled to have you as a reader, regardless of whether you’ll ever leave a comment.

If you’re a regular commenter, I’m grateful when you take the time to type something, even if it’s “thanks.”

When you tell me you’re a long-time reader who has finally commented, I love that.

If you have corrected me or told me I’m flat out wrong, I’m thankful that you set me straight or offered a different perspective.

If you have tactfully emailed me about a typo, I am grateful, grateful, grateful. To those of you who [Read more…] about Thank You

Working for Free Has Value at Each Stage of a Career

December 9, 2014 by diannejacob 22 Comments

Working for free at any stage of your career has value, says food writer Julie Van Rosendaal.

A guest post by Julie Van Rosendaal

I’m not being paid to write this. It’s a guest post, a format whose popularity has slipped in recent years as the concept of writing for exposure began to lose its luster. It seemed more popular back when no one was making any money at this blogging thing.

So why am I writing it, if I’m not being paid? Because I like and admire Dianne, I read her blog and want to give back for all the knowledge she’s shared with me, and because I’m part of this online community and find it an interesting conversation. Because I do what I do for plenty of reasons, and only one of them is monetary.

Derek Thompson made a good point in The Atlantic, that most of us [Read more…] about Working for Free Has Value at Each Stage of a Career

Start and Grow Your Food Blog with Food Blogger Pro

November 19, 2014 by diannejacob 16 Comments

Pinch of Yum’s LIndsay and Bjork Ostrom report earnings each month of up to $30,000+.

Like thousands of other young women, Lindsay Ostrom started food blogging in 2010 with Pinch of Yum. She was in charge of the content and photography. Her husband Bjork, a techie, took charge of the tech issues and business.

Here’s what’s different: Four years later, the site receives more than 2 million page views per month. The couple has created a lucrative business that sometimes grosses more than $30,000 per month.

As the blog grew, the couple got questions on everything from food photography to starting a blog, so they started Food Blogger Pro, for food bloggers who want to [Read more…] about Start and Grow Your Food Blog with Food Blogger Pro

17 Super-Useful Links for Food Writers and Bloggers

November 11, 2014 by diannejacob 25 Comments

Vibrant tomato sauces, captured courtesy of photographer Donna Ruhlman.

Who has time to keep up with all the tips and irresistible stories on the Internet?

Now you do! I’ve saved you hours by aggregating this tomato-sauce colored list of links about food and recipe writing, successful bloggers, book promotion, and freelance [Read more…] about 17 Super-Useful Links for Food Writers and Bloggers