Food Blogger Success Story
Have you ever wondered how to make money with a Food blog?
I mean, there are so many food blogs out there how can you stand out?
Well, there are many ways. How do we know? Because we met Addison who has not only 1 blog but 4!
After we found out Addison was earning over $10,000 per month from her high-traffic food blogs we had to interview her.
In this awesome interview, we get to hear how Addison got started from posting on Instagram to her very own site and then on to 4 others.
Check out her story and get inspired by how your struggles in life can propel you to something you may have NEVER imagined
How to Make Money as a Food Blogger
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got started blogging?
My name is Addison and I am the owner and operator of 4 websites in the food niche! I started my first site, organicallyaddison.com, in late 2018.
In 2016, I became gluten-free. Upon graduation in 2016, I decided to start running long distances to run a marathon.
Unfortunately, I experienced extreme pain and numbness in my legs after several miles. After seeing several doctors, I was diagnosed with Compartment Syndrome.
My doctors told me the only options were to give up running or to have invasive surgery on each leg. I was desperate to feel better.
My aunt is a seasoned marathon runner and suggested I try becoming gluten-free to help me feel better, not necessarily to cure my Compartment Syndrome.
Shockingly, adopting a gluten-free lifestyle cleared up all of my symptoms. I could finally run pain-free! Within 2 years, I had run 2 half marathons and 2 full marathons.
A gluten-free diet changed my life. It allowed me to run, to feel normal every day, and to achieve some dreams. After a couple of years of being gluten-free, I started my Instagram page.
After posting several gluten-free recipes, my account took off. Suddenly I had several thousand followers asking me where to find my recipes.
The next natural step was creating a website. Since I have zero experience coding and building a website, I hired a web designer to completely customize Organically Addison.
Through consistent posting, connecting with readers, and learning SEO, Organically Addison grew to over 800,000 pageviews per month. When I started an Instagram account years ago, I had no idea what it would turn into.
I moved from my small coastal hometown in Maine to Dallas, Texas, in late 2021. I enjoy working out, running, trying new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and cooking and baking!
2. What made you want to start your second blog, then your next blog and so on?
I bought the other 3 blogs because I wanted to reach a wider audience and diversify my income.
After a few years of building up Organically Addison, I was ready and excited by the thought of a new challenge.
3. How do you go about purchasing a blog, what things do you look for in finding good opportunities?
I first heard of buying websites on a podcast. I was initially intrigued but somewhat skeptical. After that, I leaned heavily into researching the process of buying websites.
I found several brokerages for those looking to buy and/or sell websites. I used FE International out of New York and Quiet Light brokerage, both of which are fantastic and professional.
Websites typically sell for anywhere from 20X to 50X monthly multiple. So, if a website is making $1,000 per month, it will probably sell for between $20K and $50K, depending on a bunch of factors.
4. How did you learn how to blog?
I have watched hours and hours (more like months!) of YouTube videos, webinars, and helpful videos.
I have taken a few SEO courses, but most of the things I have learned have been through informational videos and trial and error.
SEO can be learned by anyone, but it takes someone analytical to really implement the SEO best practices. In addition, someone must like numbers and data analysis to fully understand page views, traffic patterns, etc.
5. Now, how in the WORLD do you manage multiple blogs?
Up until I bought the 3 blogs, I was a solo entrepreneur. I did everything myself.
Now that I have 4 websites, I have hired a team. I have a virtual assistant who helps with social media posting, 2 food photographers, and a content writer.
This team helps me manage most aspects of the blogs while allowing me to make the decisions. At the end of the day, I work 80 hours per week and spend a lot of time growing my business.
These days I don’t get a lot of sleep – but I am excited to continue outsourcing and eventually removing myself from the minute-to-minute tasks.
6. How do you get people to visit your blogs, can you give us a breakdown of your traffic sources?
About 60% of my traffic comes straight from Google. Then, another 20% comes from social media (Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest).
The remaining 20% is a combination of direct traffic (people coming straight to my websites), email, and referral (people coming to me from a link on another site).
7. How much do you earn with your blogs?
I comfortably earn in the mid-figures per month. I honestly had no idea that websites could be this lucrative. It feels like a dream job!
8. What’s next for you?
Stay tuned… my big dream is to launch my own brand!
9. If there is such a thing as a typical day, can you tell us what that looks like for you managing multiple blogs?
In terms of work, no two days are exactly the same but there are certain tasks I do every single day.
I like to check my email first thing and answer anything that is time-sensitive. I will then post on my Instagram pages.
If that day is a recipe testing day, I will make 2 to 3 recipes and photograph and/or video them.
Then, edit photos, upload the photos, and maybe write 1 or 2 blog posts. If the day is not a recipe testing day, then it’s mostly computer work.
I will write blog posts, check in with my assistant, schedule social media posts, and get my inbox back down to zero.
10. What platform/tools do you use for your business?
My websites are built on WordPress. Every day, I use Instagram, Facebook, email, Google Docs, Google Sheets, Microsoft Office, and my banking app.
11. Starting your business, what are the top 3 things you’ve learned that could help others who want to start one as well?
First and foremost, be fearless. Fear can be paralyzing. There is no time like the present to jump in, take a leap of faith, and start your business.
Next, work harder than everyone around you. There are no secrets to success.
Lastly, analyze, adapt, and adjust. Analyze your numbers, adapt to new industry trends, and adjust your business to better serve your audience.
12. Do you have any products or services you sell?
I do have several digital downloads! Check those out here https://learn.100daysofrealfood.com/
13. How can others find you as we are all fans of you now?
Here are my websites and social media channels:
www.organicallyaddison.com
www.100daysofrealfood.com
www.simplyoatmeal.com
www.microwavemealprep.com
https://www.instagram.com/organicallyaddison/
https://www.instagram.com/100daysofrealfood/
https://pinterest.com/organicallyaddison
https://www.pinterest.com/Leake100Days/
https://www.facebook.com/organicallyaddison
https://www.facebook.com/100daysofrealfood
Subscribe to my email newsletters that offer free recipes, exclusive content, and more:
Thank you Addison for giving us a peek inside your awesome world.
Addison is a great example of how to overcome obstacles and how you can turn your circumstance into a profitable business. Our stories are so important to share it because you never know who you can help.
For Addison, it has been hundreds of thousands of people. She is able to help so many people with ideas on what they can eat and how to prepare it.
So, what do you think? Would you want to start a blog? Let us know in the comment section.
