The Vine Podcast
The Vine Podcast is a show designed for food bloggers who want to spend more time creating content for their audience and less time feeling overwhelmed on how to make their brand and website work for them. Each episode is designed to give you strategies and tools to build your brand and website and get back to why you started a food blog in the first place. Join host Madison Wetherill as we explore how to build a food blog that serves you and your audience.
info_outline
Unlearn Everything You Think You Know About Working With Brands with Justin Moore
10/21/2025
Unlearn Everything You Think You Know About Working With Brands with Justin Moore
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 Justin: Justin Moore is a Sponsorship Coach, author, and the founder of , a school & community that teaches you how to find & negotiate your dream brand partnerships so that you stop leaving thousands on the table. His latest book, "," offers a succinct distillation of his ideas and frameworks for securing successful brand collaborations. Along with his wife April, he has been a full-time creator since 2014 and has personally made over $5M working with brands. He also ran an influencer marketing agency for 7 years that helped other creators earn millions more. Justin brings a very unique perspective because not only has he been a creator in the trenches doing sponsorships for years but by running an agency, he has insider knowledge behind how big brands choose which influencers to partner with and why they pass on others. Justin's mission is to enable creators big and small to land 1 million paid brand partnerships by 2032. Key points from this episode: Why Your Past Brand Partnership Experiences Might Have Sucked (And Why That Doesn't Matter) The Mindset Shift: You're Not Just a Creator, You're a Consultant Should You Work With Brands That Have Never Done Influencer Marketing? From One-Off Deal to Recurring Partnership: The Strategy The Pricing Question: What Should You Actually Charge? Creative Deal Structures That Turn Into Long-Term Partnerships Why You Need to Follow Up (Even When It Feels Awkward) The Bottom Line Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/38644100
info_outline
Getting Back In The CEO Mindset
10/14/2025
Getting Back In The CEO Mindset
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 Signs You've Slipped Into Employee Mindset The Power of Time Tracking Create a Protected CEO Work Block Managing Your Team Without Getting Sucked Into Employee Work Expand Your Perspective Beyond Food Blogging Your CEO Mindset Challenge Why This Matters Now More Than Ever Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/38567805
info_outline
Why Your Welcome Email Sequence Is Your Secret Weapon Against AI (And How to Build One That Actually Works) with Allea Grummert
10/07/2025
Why Your Welcome Email Sequence Is Your Secret Weapon Against AI (And How to Build One That Actually Works) with Allea Grummert
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 broke down exactly why welcome sequences matter so much right now, and how to create one that actually differentiates you from every other food blogger out there. Here's what you need to know. About Allea: Owner of , Allea Grummert is an email marketing strategist, copywriter and tech expert who helps bloggers and content creators make a lasting first impression through automated welcome & nurture sequences. She helps her clients build intentional email strategies that engage readers, build brand loyalty and optimize conversions for sales and site traffic. Allea is the host of the podcast, holds the coveted spot as the email marketing industry expert for the Food Blogger Pro membership community, is a Recommended Expert through NerdPress, a trusted Mediavine Partner and recognized as a Kit Approved Expert. Key points we discuss in this episode: The Wake-Up Call: Your Subscribers Don't Know You What Makes a Welcome Sequence Your "Brand Hub" How Welcome Sequences Combat AI and Information Overload What Actually Goes in a Welcome Sequence? The One Thing That Changes Everything: A Welcome Video Handling Transactional Subscribers (Print Pass, Creator Network, Save This Recipe) Your List Size Doesn't Matter (Your Engagement Does) The Bottom Line: Your Welcome Sequence Matters More Than You Think Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/38484895
info_outline
Streamline Everything from Keyword Research to Content Repurposing Using AI with Aleka Shunk
09/23/2025
Streamline Everything from Keyword Research to Content Repurposing Using AI with Aleka Shunk
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 SEO-optimized outlines, uncovering content gaps your competitors are missing, and turning one blog post into multiple pieces of content across different channels. About Aleka: is an educator, course creator, and former middle school teacher who specializes in helping bloggers master keyword research to increase traffic and revenue. She is the founder of 'Learn With Aleka', Formally '', which is a suite of SEO-focused courses that provide clear, actionable strategies for ranking higher on Google, tracking keywords and using AI to blog smarter. Drawing on over a decade of experience in education and content creation, Aleka has taught thousands of bloggers how to identify high-value keywords, optimize existing content, and create posts that consistently attract the right audience. When she’s not teaching or creating content, Aleka enjoys cooking, entertaining, and spending time with her husband and two sons in Florida. Key points we discuss in this episode: The Pre-AI Content Creation Struggle A 5-Stage Framework for AI-Powered Content Creation The Real-World Impact: From 3 Hours to 90 Minutes Smart Prompting Strategies That Actually Work Starting Small: Where to Begin Beyond Content Creation: Other AI Applications The Voice Mode Game-Changer Maintaining Your Authentic Voice The Future of Content Creation Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/38258260
info_outline
Help Your Personal Brand Shine During Q4
09/16/2025
Help Your Personal Brand Shine During Q4
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: The Bridge Between Platforms Strategic Ways to Infuse Your Brand Into Q4 Content The Q4 Content Audit: Your Action Plan Small Changes, Big Impact Making This Quarter Count Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/38181550
info_outline
Streamlining Your Photoshoots with Melodee Fiske
07/29/2025
Streamlining Your Photoshoots with Melodee Fiske
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 for you. Key points I'll cover in this episode: The Recipe is Always the Hero Simplify Your Styling Approach Master the "Oven to Served" Method Lighting and Composition Trump Styling The Tutorial-Based Photography Mindset Streamline Your Photo Shoot Process Common Angles and When to Use Them The Value is in the Variety Melodee Fiske is a food photography educator and founder of , where she has helped thousands turn their passion into profitable, work-from-home businesses. As a former teacher and full-time photographer, she built her own dream career and now teaches others how to do the same. They have recently launched a brand-new edition of Pretty Focused and this time, its built specifically for food bloggers. It’s designed to help bloggers take better photos of their own recipes using the camera they already have. Whether they just getting started or have been blogging for years, they are going to love hearing how this new program can help them save time, build confidence, and elevate their content. Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/37546520
info_outline
3 Branding Mistakes That Are Holding You Back
07/22/2025
3 Branding Mistakes That Are Holding You Back
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 Brand Showing Up Differently on Social Media VS Your Website Hiding Behind Your Blog Instead of Building a Personal Brand Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/37497795
info_outline
3 Web Design Mistakes That Are Costing You Traffic
07/15/2025
3 Web Design Mistakes That Are Costing You Traffic
In this episode: Here’s the truth nobody talks about: a beautiful website doesn’t automatically equal a successful food blog. In fact, some of the best looking websites I see are making critical mistakes that could be hurting their traffic. Today we’re diving into 3 design mistakes that look harmless but are actually costing you readers and traffic over time. The 3 Mistakes we'll cover in this episode are: Your Homepage Fails the 3-Second Test Your Categories Are Confusing Google (And Your Readers) Your Homepage Is Just a Blog Feed Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/37406310
info_outline
3 Things To Do With Your Recipe Index
07/08/2025
3 Things To Do With Your Recipe Index
In this episode: When was the last time you actually looked at your recipe index page? If you're like most food bloggers, it's probably been a while – and there's a good chance it's not doing what you think it should be doing. Your recipe index might be one of the most misunderstood pages on your entire website. Many food bloggers treat it like a traditional recipe box, trying to catalog every single recipe they've ever created. But here's the thing: that approach is actually working against you, both for your readers and for Google. If your recipe index feels overwhelming, confusing, or just plain ineffective, you're not alone. Today we're going to break down exactly what your recipe index should be doing and give you three simple changes that will make this page work harder for your blog. Key Points in this episode: The truth about recipe indexes (it's not what you think!) Focus on categories, not individual recipes Make it easy for users to actually find what they want Putting it all together: Your Recipe Index Action Plan The Bottom Line: Simple wins Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/37328560
info_outline
From Food Blogger to CEO: How to Scale Your Blog Without Losing Yourself with Bjork Ostrom
06/24/2025
From Food Blogger to CEO: How to Scale Your Blog Without Losing Yourself with Bjork Ostrom
In this episode: If you have ever felt stuck on the hamster wheel of content creation and struggled to grow your business, you're definitely not alone! Today Bjork Ostrom from and joins me to talk about the transition we all face of going from maker to manager. He shares a delegation framework, how to identify which tasks to never outsource and his approach to getting 1% better every day. Bjork is the chief tech consultant / business advisor / taste tester at Pinch of Yum, the food blog created by his wife, Lindsay. Day-to-day, you’ll mostly see him around Food Blogger Pro, the membership site and podcast they created to share what they've learned with other food bloggers. Bjork and Lindsay live in Minnesota with their daughters Solvi and Lena, and dog Sage. He can usually be found with a coffee in hand and is a terrible chef. Key Points in this episode: The Great Transition: From Maker to Manager Starting your delegation journey Advanced Delegation: The Art of Intentional Ignorance The philosophy that changes everything Practical tips for daily improvement Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/37122820
info_outline
9 Things I'd Do Differently If I Was Starting A Blog Today
05/27/2025
9 Things I'd Do Differently If I Was Starting A Blog Today
In 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: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/36717880
info_outline
Why Your Digital Product Launch Failed (And How to Fix It) with Emily Baksa
05/06/2025
Why Your Digital Product Launch Failed (And How to Fix It) with Emily Baksa
In this episode: If you've thought about creating digital products to diversify your revenue streams, you're going to love this week's episode. I'm chatting with Emily Baksa, a food copywriter and content strategist, about creating digital products that diversify your revenue and reconnect you with the creative joy of food blogging. She unpacks a three-part framework that can transform your digital product launches — from creating offers your audience actually wants and building engaged email audiences to implementing marketing that connects rather than sells. Key Points: Why digital products matter for food bloggers now What are we talking about when we say "digital products"? The 3 reasons your digital product launch didn't succeed Digital products as an evolution, not a one-time effort Be bold and try again Related Episodes: Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/36253175
info_outline
How Your Website Should Support Your Personal Brand
04/15/2025
How Your Website Should Support Your Personal Brand
In this episode: Your personal brand is the only thing truly setting you apart from countless others in your niche. Yet so many food bloggers hide behind their websites, creating a disconnect between who they really are and what their audience experiences online. Today, I'm sharing how to stop hiding and start authentically aligning your website with your personal brand. Today we're talking about how your website should support your - the element that truly sets you apart in a crowded niche of food bloggers. Key Points: What is your personal brand (and why does it matter)? The About Page: Your brand's foundation Bridging the Gap: Aligning your website with your social media persona Weaving your story throughout your content The power of consistency & regular audits Your Challenge: Conduct a personal brand audit Related Episodes: Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/36134020
info_outline
Beyond Technical SEO: Content Strategy for Food Bloggers with Jeff Hawley
04/09/2025
Beyond Technical SEO: Content Strategy for Food Bloggers with Jeff Hawley
In this episode: Are you tired of chasing SEO trends and algorithm updates without seeing sustainable growth? As food bloggers, we often get caught up in technical SEO tweaks and site speed optimizations, but what if there's a more holistic approach that could lead to long-term success? In this insightful conversation with SEO expert Jeff Hawley, we explore why the most successful food bloggers are shifting from purely technical SEO tactics to a more comprehensive content strategy focused on building topical authority and creating a memorable brand. Let's dive into how this approach can transform your blog from just another recipe site to a trusted authority in your niche! Key Points: Why traditional SEO advice falls short for food bloggers Building a long-term brand strategy (not just content) The 75/25 Rule for Content Planning Building topical authority through strategic content Balancing new content vs. updating existing posts Practical tools for implementing this approach Moving Forward: A Balanced Approach to SEO Related Episodes: Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/36044080
info_outline
Making Data Based Decisions For Your Business
04/01/2025
Making Data Based Decisions For Your Business
In this episode: Have you ever made an emotional decision that impacted your food blog? It can be so easy to chase the next big thing for your business, but you could find yourself frustrated with the lack of results. In today's episode I'll share how you can shift away from emotion based decision making and focus on making data based decisions that will serve your business and help it grow! If you're tired of feeling like you are spinning your wheels, this episode will help you determine and focus on the things that move the needle forward for your food blog. Key Points: The Emotional Decision Trap Data points you should be tracking Creating a framework for data-based decisions Combining emotion and data for smart decisions When to hire help Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/35934780
info_outline
Balancing Instagram Strategy with Connection with Kimberly Espinel
02/11/2025
Balancing Instagram Strategy with Connection with Kimberly Espinel
In this episode: Is your Instagram strategy draining your creative energy? When today's guest, Kimberly Espinel realized almost all her content had become promotional, she took a bold step back - and discovered a better way forward. We're exploring what actually works on Instagram in 2025, from finding the right mix of content types to maintaining authenticity while growing your audience. If you're tired of feeling like every post needs to drive traffic or sales, you'll learn how to create content that not only performs well but keeps you creatively energized. Key Points: The Wake-Up Call The power of personal connection Creating a sustainable content strategy Instagram trends for 2025 and beyond The path forward Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/35070755
info_outline
Using AI to Support Your Blog Growth with Hanelore Dumitrache
02/04/2025
Using AI to Support Your Blog Growth with Hanelore Dumitrache
In this episode: If you've been wondering whether AI could help or hurt your food blog, this episode will transform how you think about AI as a business tool. Join me for a great conversation with Hanelore Dumitrache as we dive into practical ways AI can streamline your workflow—from cutting blog post writing time by 75%, to uncovering hidden patterns in your analytics. Plus, you'll discover how to use this technology in a way that actually strengthens your brand, without sacrificing what makes your content unique. Key Points: Ethical AI implementation for food bloggers Streamlining content creation with AI Leveraging AI for analytics and growth Additional AI applications for food bloggers Embracing the future of food blogging Exclusive Offer! Receive 50% OFF Hanelore's ebook "AI for Food Bloggers!" Click the link below and enter discount code VINEPODCAST at checkout! Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/34416570
info_outline
A 90 Day Reels Challenge with Ansley Beutler
01/28/2025
A 90 Day Reels Challenge with Ansley Beutler
In this episode: What happens when you commit to posting Instagram Reels every day for 90 straight days? Today I’m chatting to a blogger who came up with the challenge to create and share daily recipe videos without batching content in advance. You’ll hear what she experienced instead of massive follower growth like you might expect! Whether you’re feeling disconnected from your audience or stuck in a content rut, you’ll learn practical strategies for how to break through those challenges without burning out. Key Points: The Challenge: Going all in Breaking free from perfectionism Unexpected results Building authentic connections Content creation tips The power of consistency Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/34416515
info_outline
SEO Still Matters in 2025 with Carl Ross
01/21/2025
SEO Still Matters in 2025 with Carl Ross
In this episode: Wondering if SEO still matters for food blogs in 2025? Despite what you might have heard, Google remains the largest source of traffic on the internet, and food blogs are still ranking prominently in search results. Today, I sit down with Carl Ross from for a discussion all about what's really working right now, from smart content strategy to the technical elements that can make or break your site's performance! Key Points: Core web vitals deep dive Common technical issues Advanced technical SEO Future-proofing your site Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/34416405
info_outline
New Rules for Pinterest Success with Kate Ahl
01/15/2025
New Rules for Pinterest Success with Kate Ahl
In this episode: Are you wondering if Pinterest is still worth your time in 2025? Here's the truth - Pinterest isn't just another social media platform, it's a powerful search engine that can drive consistent traffic to your site for months or even years. In today's episode, I sit down for a really insightful conversation with Kate Ahl from about breaking down what actually matters for success on Pinterest, which metrics to track and how to turn traffic into email subscribers. Key Points: The evolution of Pinterest Current strategy deep dive Future-proofing your Pinterest strategy Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/34416330
info_outline
Realistically Navigating the Food Blogging Landscape Today
01/07/2025
Realistically Navigating the Food Blogging Landscape Today
In this episode: If the past year has felt like a roller coaster in the blogging world, you are certainly not alone! It seems like every week there was a new threat to the industry and the stability of this career we love so much. With a new year it is a fresh start and the chance to navigate the waters a bit differently this year. In today's episode, I'll share some reflections over the past year and some action steps you can take to navigate the food blogging industry this year! Key Points: Time tracking & time blocking Embracing a CEO mindset Protecting the asset in your business Taking time to experiment Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2025:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/34416260
info_outline
Semi-Custom Never Cookie Cutter (Our Semi-Custom Approach)
09/24/2024
Semi-Custom Never Cookie Cutter (Our Semi-Custom Approach)
In this episode: Over the last two years we started offering a new way to redesign your website with us called Crafted. These are semi-custom websites that allow bloggers like you to get a one of a kind look without the hefty price tag of a custom website. But if you’ve ever wondered what exactly semi-custom means and whether it’s right for you, this episode is for you. I’ll share exactly what we mean by semi-custom, how our approach differs from others in the industry and ultimately whether it’s a good fit for you or it isn’t. Let’s jump in. Key Points: What does semi-custom mean? What about our approach is sem-custom? Which parts of your project are custom? Related content: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/33173162
info_outline
Beyond the Recipe: Enhancing User Experience On Your Food Blog
09/17/2024
Beyond the Recipe: Enhancing User Experience On Your Food Blog
In this episode: Have you ever gone to a food blog and been super frustrated by the experience you had on their website? Creating a solid user experience is something I think we all want for our readers, but what do we need to do to make sure that happens? Today we’re diving into some best practices, both things to do and not to do for better user experience. I’ll share 6 key best practices of how to make sure your readers have a quality experience on your website and want to come back for more of your content. Key Points: Limiting intrusions and distractions Having a Table of Contents for Long Form Posts Making your content readable Having multiples of the same thing Checking your website on mobile Adding helpful and unique pieces of content Resources mentioned in this episode: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/33078652
info_outline
Income Streams Outside of Ads
09/10/2024
Income Streams Outside of Ads
In this episode: Are you a food blogger feeling stuck in the cycle of relying solely on ad revenue? You pour your heart into creating new recipes and improving your food photography, but your bank account may not be reflecting the hard work you put in. In today's episode, I’ll be sharing over 10 ways you can monetize your food blog outside of traditional ad revenue. These income streams are a great way to increase your income as a blogger without having to rely solely on increasing traffic to increase your ad revenue. By the end of this episode, I’m sure you will have at least one or two new ideas to diversify your revenue streams and increase your income streams as a food blogger. Key Points: Creating digital & physical products Monetizing your expertise Affiliate marketing & brand deals Related Episodes: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/32974392
info_outline
How To Stop Being The Bottleneck In Your Business
08/27/2024
How To Stop Being The Bottleneck In Your Business
In this episode: Do you ever feel like there are not enough hours in the day to get everything you need to get done? Maybe you decide to hire an assistant, thinking that will solve all of your problems! But now you have a bigger problem. Now you have to give your assistants tasks and feedback and now you have more on your plate. If you have ever found yourself in this position, you have been the bottleneck in your business. Today I’m going to unpack a few ways to untangle this web and help create a more seamless experience for you and your team. Key Points: Give ownership not delegation Create systems around your bottlenecks Rely on task management systems Streamline your plan and goals Utilize other team members DO LESS Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Related Episodes: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/32752627
info_outline
Creative Ways to Showcase Social Proof
08/06/2024
Creative Ways to Showcase Social Proof
In this episode: What is social proof? Essentially it’s the trust that a reader has in your blog or recipe because they’ve seen other people like it. Social proof is really important these days because of how much other social proof is out there already between Amazon reviews, restaurant reviews, etc. If you’ve been wondering the best way to showcase social proof on your blog, listen in for these creative ways you can share your readers feedback and engagement on your blog! Key Points: Add recipe rating stars to your header Optimize Commenting Showcase a reader comment in blog post Add social sharing plugin and display total number of shares Encourage people to share when they make your recipes Related Episodes: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/32446282
info_outline
Risk Proof Your Business Through Personal Branding
07/30/2024
Risk Proof Your Business Through Personal Branding
In this episode: If you want to be successful as a food blogger you cannot afford to blend in. Personal branding is the way that you can stand out as a food blogger and it’s incredibly important that you focus on that more than ever. In this episode you’ll hear why personal branding is an essential part of risk proofing your food blog. Key Points: The importance of establishing a unique beyond just "food blogging" Crafting and sharing your personal story to build authority and trust Choosing authentic ways to across various platforms Actionable Tips: Define your specific niche using a three-layer approach Showcase your expertise and experience on your and Incorporate your brand message into CTAs and recipe card blocks Update your social media bios and create pinned content highlighting your story Consider starting a podcast or email sequence to share your brand's origin Resources mentioned in this episode: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/32333777
info_outline
Adjusting Your Goals Mid-Year
07/23/2024
Adjusting Your Goals Mid-Year
In this episode: If you feel like this year has flown by at record pace, you are not alone. This year feels especially chaotic with everything going on in both our industry and the world. After the mid-point in the year, checking in and adjusting your goals is a great way to get back on track and make the most of the remainder of the year. Whether you set goals back in January and need to review and adjust them or you need a process for setting some goals for the rest of the year, tune into this episode! In this episode, we'll discuss: Finding and reviewing your goals Whether you have them digitally in a task management tool like Asana or you wrote them down on a piece of paper, gather them so you can analyze them. Analyzing your goals What status are your goals? For the goals that are not completed, analyze why. Deleting or Resetting Now that you know what your previous goals were, you can choose to let them go (or delete) them or to reset them to be more realistic and achievable. Adding new goals If you set goals during another quarter or month, they may not be relevant for the upcoming season. Add in any new, relevant goals that you need for this season. Related Episodes: Resources mentioned in this episode: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/32245767
info_outline
Summer & Beyond: Prioritizing and Surviving
07/16/2024
Summer & Beyond: Prioritizing and Surviving
In this episode: Do you feel like you’re just treading water keeping up with your business over the summer? There can be multiple times throughout the year where it just all feels like too much. When those seasons come up, there are a few ways you can prioritize, set boundaries and ultimately feel on top of your workload despite the chaos of the season. Listen in for how you can prioritize and get the most important things done in a crazy season! In this episode, I'll share about: Setting aside intentional work time I'll share from my own experience of setting aside protected work days as a working mom to insure that I spend designated time on my business each week Reviewing and resetting goals I’m going to be sharing a whole process on the next episode, but for now, I’ll say that it’s incredibly important to revisit your goals often but especially at mid-year or before each quarter. Try setting goals for one season at a time to help you stay on top of your tasks and priorities! Setting better boundaries The nature of our businesses being online means we have about a million things to distract us at all times. When we have less time to work in the summer, it’s incredibly important to be diligent with your boundaries! "Taking care of the crying baby" When you are prioritizing what to do, you take care of the baby that is crying first. When you have limited time, you have to prioritize and triage your tasks for what is the most important. Planning ahead By taking a step back to analyze and categorize content on your site, you will be able to laser focus on the direction of your blog, and therefore the type of content you need to start creating, to further fill out those categories. Resources mentioned in this episode: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/32145467
info_outline
Organizing Your Blog Categories
05/28/2024
Organizing Your Blog Categories
In this episode: Let’s talk about categories! One of the conversations I always seem to have with my clients is around how to properly use categories to organize their blog. Listen along as we discuss the importance of categories, how many you should have, and what to do if you’ve never considered your categories before. In this episode: Categories VS Tags I'll hash out the difference between a category and a tag, and how to properly utilize both of them How to organize your categories Start with thinking about your niche, make sure you have this nailed down and stick with it! With your niche in mind, you can start to choose which categories make the most sense for your blog. The next step is to look at how your website is organized. Thinking about your user experience can really help you to start to wrap your head around what categories you might need. How many categories do you need? First look at how many blog posts you have in the first place. has a guideline of a 1:10 ratio of categories to posts as a guideline. So that means if you have 200 posts, it would be okay to have upwards of 20 categories. Ultimately, it's about drilling down specifics as many levels down as possible, so that it is easier for visitors to find what they are looking for. Fully fill out your category pages It’s a good idea to have an outlook on the number and types of categories you think you will want to fill out eventually. You want your categories to be as filled out as possible and you don't want to have categories with one or two posts unless you plan to be building those posts out in the next few months. How to fix old categories By taking a step back to analyze and categorize content on your site, you will be able to laser focus on the direction of your blog, and therefore the type of content you need to start creating, to further fill out those categories. Resources mentioned in this episode: Connect With Madison | | Work with Grace + Vine in 2024:
/episode/index/show/thevinepodcast/id/31478832