89. Guest Post // Food Blogging Exposed

Today's post is a brilliant guest post from a lovely blogger, Samantha, over at Planet Bake Life where she blogs about all things yummy! I hope you enjoy, and don't forget to stop by at Sam's blog to check out some of her delicious recipes!

Food Blogging Exposed: 5 Expectations vs Realities

So this has been a whirlwind year for me! I’ve been blogging for about three years now on and off but this year is the first time I’ve sat down and blogged seriously. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed myself and when I saw a few bloggers doing an Expectation vs Reality post I knew I wanted to do something similar. So here I am!

1// Expectation: Everything will turn out perfectly the first time round even if it’s a new recipe.

      Reality: Stuff flops. You will end up with half risen cakes, uncooked biscuits and burnt loaves. That’s just life and it’s no different in baking. You have no idea how many times I’ve taken biscuits out of the oven when they were meant to be cupcakes or how many cakes have leaked uncooked batter out of the sides. Don’t let it put you off!

2// Expectation: You’ll post every food picture and 20 000 people will like, retweet and comment on them all.

      Reality: You’re going to have to work hard for admirers and you’re going to take 100 000 photos and end up posting 4 of them before you get bored. There is no way around this. Just because something is out there doesn’t mean everyone will find it. The internet is a big place, your photos can get a bit lost.

3// Expectation: Every recipe and post will be loved and people will call for your place as head chef with EVERYTHING.

      Reality: There are a lot of food blogs and you are a very small ripple in the pond. Ripples can become waves but not overnight. You have to work hard on everything you do to create an audience. Not everyone will love your recipes and you won’t be the next Joy The Baker in the blink of an eye. You should write your blog because you love it and not for what you can get out of it in the end. If you get freebies, get paid or even make a living off your blog eventually then that’s cool but you should still enjoy blogging for blogging.

4// Expectation: You’ll use only the most expensive and top quality of ingredients available to mankind.

      Reality: Food is expensive. Even if you can afford truffle oil and vanilla pods on the daily, maybe offer an alternative on the blog for those that can’t? Sure, baking that cake with the most expensive butter will add a different flavour but it’s not strictly necessary and you can always put an alternative in your recipe. It’s important for people to feel like the recipes are accessible and that will help engage them with your blog.

5// Expectation: Every reader will be your friend.

      Reality: Not all bloggers are created equal. There are those that will sneer at all you do because they’re jealous and mean spirited but that’s ok. You’ll learn who your true friends are and you’ll make amazing connections with genuine people who love what you do. These are the people to appreciate and spend your time on. Just like in real life, make friends with people who are positive influences on you.

By Samantha