The power of authenticity, website usability, and new monetization opportunities with Rachel Cunliffe.

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Welcome to episode 549 of The Food Blogger Pro Podcast! This week on the podcast, Bjork interviews Rachel Cunliffe of Cre8d Design.

This episode is packed with wisdom on thriving in the current food blogging landscape! Rachel Cunliffe, who tracks all the trends in her Best Served Hot newsletter, emphasizes that you absolutely have to stop chasing every trend out there and lean into your own style. Your authentic voice and that irreplaceable "human touch" are the only things guaranteed to truly connect with your audience, even as AI enters the mix. This is your number one priority for sustainable growth!

Beyond the content, Rachel reminds us that the basics still matter: website usability and good design are often neglected, but they are crucial for keeping users happy (and staying monetized). With the food blogging market constantly evolving, success requires striking a balance between a strong, unique voice and paying attention to new monetization opportunities!

• Stop chasing trends and be yourself: Rachel stresses that in today's chaotic online world, authenticity is your secret weapon. Algorithms may shift, but the irreplaceable "human touch" and your unique voice are the only things that truly connect with and grow your audience sustainably. Focus on your strengths and let your genuine self shine!
• Design matters more than you think: While we obsess over SEO keywords, Rachel points out that basic website usability and design are often totally neglected. Think of your site like your kitchen: if it's messy and hard to navigate, guests (and Google!) won't stick around. Don't skip the step of making your site genuinely pleasant to use.
• The food blogging landscape is changing: The food blogging landscape is still growing, but the rules are evolving. It's time to look beyond traditional display ads. Pay attention to new monetization opportunities and remember that balancing that authentic voice with smart strategy is the key to thriving in this market shift.

Resources:

• Cre8d Design
• Best Served Hot — Rachel's Substack
• TechCrunch
• ProBlogger
• Raptive
• Kit
• Flodesk
• MailerLite
• Mailchimp
• Adweek
• Wimp Decaf
• Substack
• New York Times Cooking
• PageSpeed Insights
• Suno
• Reddit
• ChatGPT
• Join the Food Blogger Pro Podcast Facebook Group

This episode is sponsored by Clariti and Raptive. Learn more about our sponsors at foodbloggerpro.com/sponsors.

Interested in working with us too? Learn more about our sponsorship opportunities and how to get started here.

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for interviews, be sure to email them to podcast@foodbloggerpro.com.

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