Pondering going into cooking blog

MaryMassey · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 209 Location: Morris County, NJ

Hello ladies...
Since your input is invaluable to me I'd like to know what you think of cooking and recipe blogs. I love to cook and am always taking photos of my creations. Are there any foodies or cooking bloggers in the forum?

My question to you is: What do you look for in a recipe or cooking blog?

I want to include time and money saving tips as well I love Latin American food and plan on including those sorts of recipes also with an emphasis on healthy eating or how the traditionally greasy recipes can be made using less fat and sodium without sacrificing flavor.

Anyway, I could go on and on about this but basically just need a little input. Thanks in advance!!!
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Trending Solutions · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 3550 Location: New Albany, OH

Mary -

Karen with LilyOnTheFly.com would be a great contact as well as Diana with the Slow Cooker Mate.
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mompren-ellen · Posted: Tue Jan 19, 2010 5:25 pm Post subject:

Also connect with Pat, our resident foodie ...she's out of town now. But if you email her personally I'm sure she'll respond. PM me if you need her personal email.

el
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TexasCPA · Joined: 04 May 2007 Posts: 2045

If you enjoy it, do it. There are a lot of food blogs out there so do something that sets you apart. I think focusing on Latin American food is a good idea and then furthering that focus to making traditional recipes healthier is great. Stay away from what Americans think of as Mexican food. Tacos are boring but there is a lot more to Mexican food than tacos and if you explore that it will be interesting. Also, a lot of people think of LA food as Mexican. There is a lot more to LA food then Mexican. What region do you want to blog about? Identify that region on the blog to set yourself apart also.

Good luck with the blog!!

hollyck · Joined: 13 Nov 2007 Posts: 799

I agree with all the advice so far Mary! If you are passionate about it, do it. Just be sure you really focus in on a very specific area of cooking for the best success. There are a ton of 'general' cooking blogs out there and it would be easy to get missed.
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mompren-pat · Site Admin Joined: 01 May 2003 Posts: 2194

What a super idea Mary! Although there are tons of cooking websites and blogs out there, I think you can find a niche to make yours very personal. I always look for rating systems or recommendations by others who have tried the recipe before I try it. Tips for that specific recipe are really helpful too. I think a lot of cooks like that reassurance so they don't waste a lot of time and money.
Pat
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dinnertogether · Joined: 15 Jun 2009 Posts: 26 Location: New York

I wouldn't classify my blog (www.dinnertogether.blogspot.com) as a "cooking blog" per se, but I do include recipes. My focus is more on family meals and raising healthy eaters. When I look at my analytics report, I notice that many people find me by searching for recipes. So as you start posting, give some thought to your titles and tags.

I'd be happy to chat more if you want to contact me directly.

Best of luck!

Kathleen
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Leslie · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 1735 Location: Charleston SC

Oh Mary, that's awesome!! There is a whole FB type foodie / blog community that you should give a "taste". Here... go to http://www.foodbuzz.com/ Sign up and just start poking around. It's where all the foodie bloggers "hang out". You can link your posts directly to twitter, put your entire foodie blog on there, connect with big name chefs, restaurants, critics and bloggers. "Friend" me when you get there Very Happy

I'm Grill Charmer Wink

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MaryMassey · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 209 Location: Morris County, NJ

Thank you ladies for all your advice and links! I plan on getting started soon. Most of my friends are big foodies and we're always getting together to cook (and play RockBand Smile

. Coming up with a name will be a challenge but I will let you know when it's up. I'm one of those people who doesn't use measurements when cooking so making sure the recipes are easy to follow will be another challenge!

Again, thank you for always being positive and encouraging!
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Mary Massey
Okiana Designs, LLC
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Have you had your Mona Vie today?
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Kenna · Joined: 25 Jan 2010 Posts: 24

I think cooking blogs are wonderful. There is unlimited opportunity with the millions of recipes available. Just find your own niche or speciality and zone in on that.

What is your intention for the blog? Are you sharing recipes and cooking tips or are you wanting to build a real online business?

I just saw Jill's website "Outdoor Cooking Depot". It sounds like a great niche. You may want to check her website out.

Best of luck to you.
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MaryMassey · Joined: 01 May 2007 Posts: 209 Location: Morris County, NJ

Hello Kenna,

I'd like to concentrate on Latin American cooking. Many of the ingredients needed for these foods are now widely available locally and online. I did see Jill's site, it's great!

Still thinking of a title for the blog and trying to take better photos of the food too!
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Mary Massey
Okiana Designs, LLC
Proud mom and Website Designer
http://www.okianadesigns.com
Have you had your Mona Vie today?
http://mymonavie.com/healthysunshine