Food—everyone eats it (or so I think). Seems like perfect fodder for an Instagram blog, no? I mean, if everyone eats it, they probably like looking at it too.
And yes, that’s true, but here’s the thing—tons of other people had the same idea. There are lots of food blogs on Instagram because everyone had the same realization we are now.
So how do you beat ‘em and serve (pun intended) the best Instagram food blog out there?
Well, you’re gonna find out in this article, so strap in and chow down on some amazing insight.
Getting Started
When it comes to starting any blog, we gotta begin somewhere.
1. Find your niche
You need to find your niche.
What kind of foods do you like to make? What kind of foods do you like to eat? Is your focus on healthy eating, or do you want to share your love of baking?
Maybe you’re a bit more eclectic, and your focus is on finding new foods and recipes from all over the world.
2. Download the app
No, seriously. You need the app to post to Instagram. You can post from your phone’s browser, but the app is much easier. Trust me on this one.
3. Create an account
If you don’t have one already, make an account. It’s pretty simple. If you do have one, great! You can skip this step.
4. Pick a name and profile picture
Your username can be anything, but I recommend keeping it simple and easy to remember.
As for your profile picture, choose something that represents you or your brand. It could be a picture of your food, your logo, or even a headshot.
5. Create a consistent aesthetic
Your feed should have a cohesive look and feel. This means using similar colors, filters, and editing techniques on all of your photos.
If your photos are all over the place, it will be hard for people to connect with your brand. Pick a color scheme and stick to it.
6. Flesh out your bio
No matter what your focus is, make sure it is clear in your bio
Your bio is the first thing people see when they visit your profile, so make sure it is clear and concise.
You want people to know exactly what your blog is about so they can decide if it’s something they’re interested in.
Posting
This is where the fun begins.
7. Find or create recipes
Recipes are key to any food blog, so you’ll need a reliable source of them.
You can scrounge together recipes in cookbooks, online, or from people you know (you needed to call your grandma anyway).
If you want to create your own recipes, that’s great! Just make sure you test them and explain them clearly so people can follow them.
Don’t be afraid to recycle recipe posts, either! Only a small portion of your followers will see each post.
8. Take quality photos
No matter what you’re posting, photos are important. People eat with their eyes first, so ensure your photos are appealing.
Invest in a good camera, learn how to use it, and take the time to stage your photos. It’ll make a world of difference in terms of engagement.
9. Write engaging captions
Your photos should be accompanied by captions that are engaging and informative. Give people a reason to keep reading, and make sure they know what they’re looking at.
10. Use hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to reach new people. Use relevant hashtags so people can find your photos, but don’t use too many, or your caption will look spammy.
Getting Followers
Your blog’s worthless without engagement.
11. Engage with other users
The Instagram community is all about engagement. Like and comment on other people’s photos, and they’ll likely do the same for you.
12. Host giveaways and contests
People love free stuff, so host giveaways and contests to attract new followers. Ensure the prize is relevant to your niche and that the entry requirements are easy to follow.
13. Collaborate with other bloggers
Collaborating with other bloggers is a great way to reach new people. You can collaborate on recipes, blog posts, or even giveaways and contests.
14. Use relevant hashtags
We’ve talked about hashtags before, but they really are important. Use relevant hashtags so people can find your photos, but don’t use too many, or your caption will look spammy.
15. Post regularly
The more you post, the more likely people will see your photos and engage with them. Try to post at least once a day, but more is better (up to three times a day).
Monetization
Okay, this is where the real fun begins.
16. Sell merchandise
If you have a loyal following, you can sell merchandise with your branding on it. T-shirts, tote bags, and aprons are great examples.
17. Sell e-books
I’m sure you have a wealth of knowledge to share, so sell e-books. These could be cookbooks, recipe books, or even books about the business of blogging.
18. Sell online courses
If you want to take things a step further, you can sell online courses. These could be anything from cooking courses to recipe development courses to food photography courses.
20. Sell private coaching
If you’re an expert in your field, you can sell skills through private coaching. One-on-one cooking lessons, recipe development help, general blogging advice—the sky’s the limit.
Things to Avoid
You don’t want to lose followers. Here’s what to avoid when building your Instagram food page:
Avoid using too many hashtags
Hashtags are great, but using too many of them will make your caption look spammy. Stick to one or two relevant hashtags per photo.
Don’t post too often
Yes, post regularly, but posting too often will irritate your followers. Stick to posting once or twice a day, maximum.
Avoid using filters
I know filters are fun, but they can make your photos look fake and/or unappetizing. Use natural lighting and edit your photos manually.
Avoid posting low-quality photos
No one wants to see low-quality, blurry photos. Like I said earlier, take the time to do things right with a proper camera, and you’ll see results.
Wrapping Up
Building a successful food blog on Instagram takes time, effort, and dedication. But if you’re passionate about food and you’re willing to put in the work, it can be a profoundly rewarding experience.
So what are you waiting for? Sit down and start putting out a feast of amazing content!
