Eat Blog Talk | Megan Porta

In episode 546, Megan chats to Carl Ross about the current state of SEO and why our traffic is either dropping or increasing following changes in Google’s algorithm. Carl is an engineer who spent many years in corporate technology consulting roles which gave him a unique perspective on the application of technology, processes, and getting a return on your investments. It means he’s spent literally decades helping customers make sense of technology products. In 2019, he started offering SEO services and the food blogging niche was an obvious fit. While Carl works with bloggers in many different niches, food bloggers are his bread and butter. In this episode, you’ll learn about current effective strategies to rank on Google, including what is implied by ‘helpful content’ and why you should focus on user experience and backlinks. Key points discussed: - SEO is not dead: While some sites have seen traffic declines, Google is still sending traffic to food blogs and recipe sites through search results. - Focus on c

In episode 545, Desiree Nielsen teaches us how to find our unique voice and cooking style in food blogging through self-reflection, embracing creativity and sharing vulnerability to meaningfully connect with readers. Desiree Nielsen is a registered dietitian in Vancouver Canada with over a decade of experience in plant-based nutrition and chronic digestive and inflammatory disease. She is the author of two Canadian bestselling and award-winning cookbooks, Eat More Plants and Good For Your Gut. Her latest book, Plant Magic, arrives April 2024. Her work has been featured in People, Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, KTLA, WGN Chicago, The Social, Food Network Canada and Elle Gourmet Canada in addition to hundreds of media features across North America. Desiree is also a food blogger and the host of the evidence-informed wellness podcast, The Allsorts Podcast, where she hosts a diverse roster of guests from NYT bestselling authors to leading health professionals and researchers. In this episode, you’ll learn a

Moving your body and staying physically fit has a significant impact on your mindset. Yet, many of us depioritize fitness in favor of work. In this episode, I explain why we should avoid falling into this habit and my top 5 ways to stay active. I found that the peak of my mental performance has always aligned with times when I was prioritizing my physical health. Moving my body consistently gave me confidence and I experienced so many other physical and mental benefits, including just being in a better mood. Action Plan: 1 - Track your steps using your watch, Fitbit or phone and find an accountability buddy. 2 - Commit to a workout program whether at home or at the gym, or choose a sport like running, cycling, CrossFit etc. 3 - Do daily bursts of physical activity like pushups, burpees or running on the spot. 4 - Double duty: Move while doing other tasks, for example you can walk while on a call. 5 - Choose the harder option such as taking the stairs instead of the escalator or parking far away from a venue.

In episode 543, Megan chats to Shyanne Reynolds about why it is worthwhile to hire a food blog writer, where to find reliable writers and other tips for the hiring process. Shyanne is a food blog content writer who helps bloggers manage editorial teams and rank in Google. She has 7 years of writing experience and a degree in English. Shyanne started her freelancing journey while in college and accidentally on purpose launched a 6 figure career. In this episode, you’ll learn about how to outsource food blog writing, how this benefits your business and why you shouldn’t ask your VA to do blog writing. Key points discussed: - Where to Find Food Blog Writers: Word of mouth is one of the easiest ways to find a reliable blog writer. - Why Should You Outsource Writing: Blog writing takes up most of our time, and can be especially overwhelming during content updates. - What to Look For In a Content Writer: Look at a content writer’s portfolio and someone who has ideally studied English, journalism or another relevant

In episode 542, Kathie Lapcevic teaches us how to create products that fill us up creatively and make customers happy, while making a profit. Kathie Lapcevic is a blogger and teacher living in northwest Montana. She is a quiet rebel, embracing a simple and seasonal life that isn’t exactly mainstream. She can often be found either making a mess in the garden or in the kitchen where she focuses on intentional living that showers love upon the important people in her life. In this episode, you’ll learn about how to brainstorm ideas for products that could work well for your niche and why testing the idea is essential before investing time and money into it. Key points discussed: - Align Your Product and Actions With Your Values: If you stay true to your niche you’ll feel good about your product and selling it will come more naturally. - How to Think Outside of the Box with New Products: Look at your competition - what are they selling? Will it work for your audience? Use it as inspiration but do not copy. - Rese

Do you finish your projects or do you postpone them indefinitely? It’s important to finish projects off in order to open up doors to new opportunities. Megan shares 5 things you can finish this week to reap the rewards waiting for you. Finishing off work projects can be hard. It’s sometimes easier to get started on an exciting new idea, but seeing it through to the end requires perseverance. Besides work, there are other things in our life that often get put on the back burner. But what if we just finished them? Stubborn admin tasks, home projects and other to do list items. Imagine the relief you’ll feel if you finish off one thing this week. Action Plan: 1. Finish off a house project: make it small and manageable like tidying up a drawer before moving on to bigger tasks. 2. Finish off a work project. Especially as an entrepreneurs, we tend to collect unfinished projects. If you’re putting something off the whole time, is it really worth your time at all? 3. Finish off a conversation with a family member, fr

In episode 540, Dyutima Jha teaches us how to keep readers on our food blogs for longer by creating visually compelling narratives with our photos, and which common mistakes to avoid. Dyutima is an architect-turned commercial and editorial food photographer and podcaster based in Singapore. She is the first South Asian woman to host a food photography podcast, My Food Lens. After 15 years as an architect, designing healthcare facilities around the world, she found her passion in food styling and photography. Today, she has a successful business working with clients around the world and teaching other photographers how to do so as well. Her work has been featured in a range of food & photography magazines like Thrive magazine, Whalebone magazine etc. and she has worked with several prestigious clients like The Intercontinental Hotel Singapore, McCormick etc. In this episode, you’ll learn about the importance of visual storytelling, lighting, angles, and consistency in creating compelling narratives that en

In episode 539, Megan chats to MaryAnne Hoekstra about why joining an accountability group can help you refocus and gain direction, especially after a drop in traffic. MaryAnne is the writer, recipe developer, and photographer behind Gastronotherapy, where she creates delicious recipes that are mainly vegetarian and vegan. MaryAnne grew up in Minnesota with a fondness for baking, and lived in NYC for 17 years. While there, she sharpened her palate over the years while taking cooking and baking classes, making dinner for friends, and trying as many restaurants as she could afford. In this episode, you’ll learn about 7 benefits of joining an accountability group, including having a supportive community with which to share resources, ideas and receive weekly support to help you set and achieve your blogging goals. Key points discussed: - Get Specific Support From an Engaged Community: Unlike general food blogger groups, a focused accountability group, like the Eat Blog Talk Accountability group, allows for more

Time off can often derail us from our goals. In this episode, Megan talks through 5 ways you can prepare for time off, whether planned or unplanned, so that you get back into work without disruption. Whether it’s a planned vacation or sudden sickness, if we don’t plan for time off, it can be challenging to get back on track when we return to work, especially as entrepreneurs. Therefore, some entrepreneurs never take time off. But there’s a way around it!  Action Plan: - Plan ahead and have your content ready and scheduled a few weeks or months in advance. - When planning time off, allow for wiggle room so that you give yourself time to get back into your routine - Don’t overload your to do list on the first day back! - Set a ‘jump back in date’ and stick to it to avoid compounding work. This counts for your self-care and workout routine as well. - Work on your mindset as many of the struggles related to getting back into work after “time off” is related to mindset. - Do not feel guilty for taking time off - i

In episode 537, Megan chats to Madeeha Anwar about why blogging is a marathon and not a sprint and how to prepare yourself accordingly, especially if you’re starting out, including what to prioritize now for long-term success as a blogger. Madeeha is a baker, recipe developer, food stylist, and photographer. Her blog, Now Delish, was started in December 2021. In addition to the blog, Madeeha continues to work full time, and has reached a point where she knows how to organize her blog well to keep things moving forward. Now Delish primarily features baking recipes and easy main course recipes, especially the authentic Pakistani recipes that Madeeha grew up with. In this episode, you’ll learn about common difficulties food bloggers face, the need for patience, why you should spend time to understand your analytics and invest in your blog, as well as other strategies for continued growth. Key points discussed: - Prepare Your Mindset For A Marathon: Blogging is complex with many layers to learn; there is no get r

In episode 536, Mike Cleavenger teaches us how to prioritize deep work and set boundaries to minimize distractions to get more done in less time. Mike Cleavenger of the Frizzled Leek started his career after culinary school working in professional kitchens in the San Diego area. He got laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic and as a result decided to embark on a journey as a food blogger. The goal of The Frizzled Leek is to show people that cooking shouldn't be intimidating but fun! They specialize in Sous Vide and Air Fryer recipes. In this episode, you’ll learn about managing social media distractions, time management strategies and creating a conducive work environment to maximize productivity and focus. Key points discussed: - Why Should you Prioritize ‘Deep Work’: Deep work is when you focus on one task and eliminate all distractions in order to be more productive. - Manage Distractions to Increase Your Focus: Put phones in a different room and remove other distractions that may prevent you from focusing

How you plan your calendar can either lead to increased productivity or burnout. In this episode, Megan shares 5 things to put in your calendar for a balanced week and how to avoid work backlogs. If you want to maintain a healthy work-life balance, it’s essential to start your calendar planning with self-care, downtime and family time. While it might seem counterintuitive to prioritize non-work related activities, if you plan on constantly working, especially at unrealistic times and without quality breaks, you’ll risk low levels of motivation, productivity and potentially burnout. Action Plan: 1 - Block out self-care and downtime for the following week before adding other items. 2 - Consider when and for how long you want to spend quality time with loved ones - plan dates or meetings with friends/family. 3 - Schedule regular time for life and work admin tasks on a weekly basis to avoid backlogs. 4 - Schedule calls and appointments on your calendar to avoid last-minute chaos and ensure preparedness. 5 - Once

In episode 534, Megan chats to Teri-Ann Carty about the value of asking for help in life and food blogging, including the potential for growth and success. Teri-Ann is a Toronto native renowned for her culinary creations and photography skills. Formerly a high-end restaurant manager grappling with addiction, she chose a different path, traveling solo and becoming a certified yoga instructor. Now settled in Toronto with her hubby and their two cats, Teri-Ann focuses on recipe development and photography, while also teaching yoga. Her journey to sobriety fuels her determination for future endeavors. In this episode, you’ll learn about embracing your vulnerability, being courageous, the importance of surrounding oneself with supportive people and learning from others to succeed as a food content creator. Key points discussed: - Don’t be Afraid to Ask for Help: Everybody who seems successful, probably has help. It may seem scary, but asking for help will be a game-changer for your life and business. - How to Ask

In episode 533, Megan chats to Tonya Lawson about strategies to generate regular passive income through affiliate marketing and what you should do to make sure your affiliate posts adhere to Google’s Helpful Content Update. Dr. Tonya Lawson is a musician, blogger, passive income and SEO specialist whose mission is to empower creatives to build out passive income streams so they have the financial freedom to live the life they want to live. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur who runs 3 blogs, a coaching business, a private music studio, and teaches at Middle Tennessee State University. In this episode, you’ll learn more about creating valuable content that attracts organic traffic and affiliate income, through programs like the Amazon Associates Program or while working with brands. Key points discussed: - Passive Income Through Affiliate Marketing and Niche Websites: Make it easier to rank on Google by having a well-defined niche and using new SEO strategies. - Amazon Associates Program and the AAWP Plugi

Do you celebrate your wins or do you let them pass by quickly? Megan shares 5 ways to get the most juice out of your wins, so that you can fully enjoy your success and invite more good things into your life. As we are often rushing to our next goal, it is easy to brush off our wins when they do happen. In this episode, Megan emphasizes the value of gratitude and appreciation in attracting positivity as well as the importance of acknowledging and appreciating small and big wins in life, encouraging us to create a win list and journal about them to keep gratitude alive. Action Plan: - Write down 5-10 wins in a Google Doc or notebook daily to reflect on and feel accomplished. - Journal about wins when they occur as this will help you understand the process that bring you success. - Set up win triggers in daily life so that you can remind yourself daily of your accomplishments and express gratitude. - Practice meditating while focusing on wins - this will help you appreciate life’s wins leading to personal growth

In episode 531, Octavia Conner teaches us strategies to increase profits, including how to determine the overall financial health of our business, identify financial leaks and avoid overpaying on tax. Octavia Conner stands as an esteemed financial and tax strategist, celebrated best-selling author of two books, accomplished speaker, and the visionary proprietor of not one but three successful enterprises: Say Yes To Profits, Her CEO Space, and Octavia’s Helping Hands Inc. With notable mentions in Forbes and prominent features in Essence, Fox Five News, Portia TV, Fox Soul, ENSPIRE Magazine, Voyage ATL, Authority Magazine, Intuit, and numerous other esteemed platforms, Octavia’s unwavering mission is to eradicate small business failure and create wealthy entrepreneurs. Recognized as one of the top 50 accountants in North America for two consecutive years, Octavia boasts a remarkable history of guiding more than 90% of her clients to achieve remarkable growth ranging from 30% to a staggering 350% within just 12

In episode 530, Megan chats to Brenda Cadman about how to use Canva efficiently to organize and optimize content creation for food bloggers. Brenda Cadman is a Canva Verified Expert from Prince Edward Island, Canada. After spending more than two decades supporting businesses with their website development needs, she now focuses on teaching small business owners how to use Canva more effectively and efficiently. Brenda has taught thousands of business owners through her courses, and in particular, she loves to help business owners tame their hot mess Canva accounts by creating an organizational system that ensures they can spend less time in Canva, and more time doing what they love. In this episode, you’ll learn about how to use features effectively, like the brand kit and magic tools, and how to organize your Canva account using folders to save time and boost productivity. Key points discussed (and action items!): - Declutter Your Canva Account: Create an "Archive" folder and move all old Canva designs and i

In this episode, Megan talks about the importance of social connections for well-being and business success, sharing five steps to nurture healthy relationships and turn your network into a strong support system. How will inviting more people into your life change anything? Will it not be overwhelming and give you more to do? That is why Megan explains, firstly, the benefits for personal growth and business success by inviting high-quality people into your life. Secondly, she share five steps that will help you manage new connections, making them a meaningful part of your life and potentially opening up new business opportunities. Action Plan: - Send an invitation to the universe / God for more high-quality people in your life. - Prepare your calendar or routine to make room and time for new connections. - Express gratitude daily for the people already in your life. - Host something new, even if small, to take action on your invitation. - Show up as the best version of yourself when interacting with others. R

In episode 528, Cheryl Norris teaches us the importance of our core belief system and how we to replace negative beliefs with positive affirmations. Cheryl Norris is a food blogger in Portland, OR where she lives with her husband. Her blog, Bakes by Brown Sugar, in business since 2018, specializes in desserts with a focus on using seasonal and quality ingredients. In addition to running her food blog business, she works full-time as an engineer. She loves to travel, with Paris being her favorite place to visit. In this episode, you’ll learn about the pervasive nature of negative self-talk and its consequences on self-perception, decision-making, and success, highlighting the importance of recognizing and managing these emotions to achieve personal growth. Key points discussed (and action items!): - Identify and Address Your Pain Points: Be aware of what you're thinking and saying about yourself and what you struggle with most. - Journal to Increase Awareness: Journal your thoughts so that you know exactly wha

In episode 527, Megan chats to Candice Ward about the importance of having multiple income streams and how to pitch brands in an effective and time efficient way. Candice is the Founder of Eat More Cake Dessert Blog, Food Photographer, Educator, and Sales Expert. Candice spent over a decade in corporate sales and translated that experience to help other food content creators monetize and scale their businesses. She has coached hundreds of food content creators in her business course, The Confident Pitch Program. She is passionate about helping other food bloggers reach their full potential! In this episode, you’ll learn about different ways to diversify your revenue streams, including freelancing, affiliate work and coaching, but most importantly how to tap into sponsored work by pitching brands using Candice’s time efficient, strategic pitching method (i.e. the Strategic Pitching Approach). Key points discussed: - Diversify Your Revenue Streams to Reduce Business Risk: Diversifying income sources helps mitig