9 Things I'd Do Differently If I Was Starting A Blog Today
Release Date: 05/27/2025
Your Food Blog Deserves Better: Why Established Bloggers Go Custom
The Vine Podcast
You've built a successful food blog, you're monetized, you're seeing great traffic, and you know this business is worth investing in. But is your website reflecting the level you're operating at? This week, I'm sharing everything about our package—the full experience for established food bloggers who are ready to take their entire business to the next level. I'll walk you through what's included, who it's for, and the game-changing addition we're making for 2026. In this episode, you'll learn: Who custom web design is really for (and how it's different from our Crafted package) What...
info_outline
Why Food Bloggers Are Choosing Semi-Custom Design
The Vine Podcast
If your website feels like a carbon copy of every other food blog out there—or worse, you're embarrassed to share it because it doesn't match the quality of your content—this episode is for you. I'm pulling back the curtain on our package, our semi-custom web design solution that gets you a professional, unique website without the custom price tag or timeline. I'll walk you through exactly what's included, who it's for, and how it solves the most common website problems food bloggers face. In this episode, you'll learn: Why your pre-made theme might be holding you back from...
info_outline
Your 3-Day Brand Transformation: What's New for 2026
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: How many hours have you spent this year in Canva, tweaking fonts and colors, wondering if your brand really reflects who you are? If you're nodding your head right now, you're not alone. So many food bloggers are creating incredible content but struggling with a brand foundation that just doesn't quite feel right. Here's the thing: your branding isn't just about having a pretty logo. It's about having a clear filter for every decision you make in your business—from the content you create to the platforms you show up on to the products you develop. And when that foundation...
info_outline
Unlearn Everything You Think You Know About Working With Brands with Justin Moore
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: If you've felt burned by brand partnerships in the past or believe your blog isn't "big enough" for sponsorships, this episode will challenge everything you think you know about working with brands. Justin Moore has facilitated over $5 million in brand partnerships and he shares why direct brand relationships can be more profitable than working through networks alone. He also reveals his framework for turning one-off deals into recurring partnerships and shares why your audience size matters less than you think when positioning yourself to work with brands. About...
info_outline
Getting Back In The CEO Mindset
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: If you've ever struggled with working ON your business instead of in it, you may need to get back into a CEO mindset. Sometimes we can look back on the last month, quarter, or even the year to date and wonder why we haven't achieved as much as we set out to. It's so easy to slip into an employee mindset without even noticing. So if that's you, today I'm sharing some super practical ways that you can shift back into a CEO mindset especially heading into the busiest time of the year. Key points from this episode: The Quote That Changes Everything...
info_outline
Why Your Welcome Email Sequence Is Your Secret Weapon Against AI (And How to Build One That Actually Works) with Allea Grummert
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: If you've been treating your welcome email sequence like an afterthought—something you'll "get to eventually"—I have news for you: you're missing out on the single best opportunity to build real connection with your subscribers. In a world where AI-generated content is everywhere and food bloggers are competing for attention like never before, your welcome sequence isn't just nice to have. It's your brand hub, your first impression, and quite possibly the most important automated piece of your email marketing strategy. Email marketing strategist Allea Grummert recently...
info_outline
Streamline Everything from Keyword Research to Content Repurposing Using AI with Aleka Shunk
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: AI tools have revolutionized content creation workflows, but many bloggers still struggle with how to implement them effectively without losing their authentic voice. Aleka, creator of Learn with Aleka, shares her five-stage framework for using AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude to streamline everything from keyword research to content repurposing. She explains how AI has helped her break free from the monotonous blog post structures that were making all food content sound the same, while cutting her writing time in half. You'll discover specific prompts for generating...
info_outline
Help Your Personal Brand Shine During Q4
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: Q4 is about to bring you the biggest influx of new visitors all year. These aren't your regular readers - they're people discovering you for the first time through holiday recipe searches. This is your chance to turn one-time visitors into loyal followers, but only if your personal brand is ready to shine. Today we're talking about how to make sure your personality comes through when it matters most. Key points I'll cover in this episode: The Q4 Traffic Surge: Your Biggest Opportunity of the Year The Personality Gap That's Killing Your Conversions Your Brand Voice:...
info_outline
Streamlining Your Photoshoots with Melodee Fiske
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: Ever feel like you're spending way too much time styling and editing your food photos, only to end up with images you aren't thrilled with? Today I'm talking with Melodee Fiske from , and she's completely changing the game when it comes to food photography for bloggers. You'll learn if you're spending too much time editing photos, overthinking your styling and she'll teach you how to shift your mindset from stressful photoshoots to streamlined. If you've been overthinking your food photography or feeling stuck in a rut, this conversation is going to be so helpful...
info_outline
3 Branding Mistakes That Are Holding You Back
The Vine Podcast
In this episode: If you feel like you're doing everything right, you're posting consistently, you're optimizing your blog posts for SEO, you're engaging on social media and building your email list, but you're not seeing your brand grow, this episode is for you. The real difference between staying stuck and growth is actually more about your personal brand than it is about your fonts or your colors that you choose. Today we're tackling 3 branding mistakes that are blocking the connections you need to grow. The 3 Mistakes we'll cover in this episode are: Thinking Your Logo IS Your...
info_outlineIn this episode:
Have you ever looked back at your blogging journey and thought, "If only I knew then what I know now"? If you've been blogging for more than a year, you've probably had that exact moment of reflection. The food blogging industry has transformed dramatically over the past decade, and what worked five years ago might not be the best strategy today.
Whether you're just starting out or you've been blogging for years, these nine strategies can help you build a more sustainable, profitable, and engaging food blog that truly connects with your audience.
Listen along as I share my honest take on what I'd do differently if I were starting a food blog from scratch today!
The 9 points I discuss:
- Start on self-hosted WordPress from day one
- Build your audience with strategic opt-ins
- Email your list consistently and more often
- Focus on video content
- Connect with your audience and understand their pain points
- Create a system for maintaining content updates
- Hire out writing sooner
- Build multiple revenue streams from the beginning
- Build authority through podcasting or YouTube
Related content:
The Crafted Website Experience
Sign up to get podcast updates sent directly to you!
Connect With Madison
Instagram | Website | Show Notes
Work with Grace + Vine in 2025: