How to Monetize a Cooking Blog and Make Sizzling Earnings

Starting a cooking blog? There’s a lot to figure out. You’ll learn about registering a domain, installing WordPress, and crafting delicious recipes. But the real excitement comes when you focus on how to monetize your cooking blog.

This part is super fun and will take your passion to the next level.

No matter if you’re just starting or already a cooking pro, these monetization strategies can help you turn your blog into a full-time gig. Let's dive into the details!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for cooking bloggers because it hits the sweet spot between time investment and earning potential.

Affiliate marketing is a form of advertising where a publisher (the site owner) links to a product in their content and earns a commission from the advertiser (the affiliate program) if readers click on that link and make a purchase.

Also, since you can add links to your existing content, it’s the perfect method for beginners. You’ve already written content, so you’ve already done the hard part.

How to Start Affiliate Marketing for Cooking Bloggers

When it comes to affiliate products in the cooking blogging niche, you've got loads of options. Here’s a list of some popular types you might want to consider recommending:

• Cookware Sets: High-quality pots and pans are a must for any kitchen. They last longer and help cooks achieve better results.
• Kitchen Gadgets: Think peelers, slicers, and graters. These tools make cooking easier and more fun!
• Cookbooks: A great cookbook can inspire your readers. From beginners to expert chefs, there’s something for everyone.
• Meal Kits: Convenient options that help busy people cook at home. Lots of affiliate programs for popular brands!
• Cooking Classes: Online classes can help your readers sharpen their skills while you earn some extra cash.
• Health Supplements: If you're focusing on wellness, recommend products like nutritional yeast or protein powders.
• Food Subscription Services: Fresh ingredients delivered right to your door are super appealing for many home cooks.

Here are reasons why these products are great for your affiliate links:

• High Demand: Everyone loves cooking and is always looking for new tools and recipes.
• Diverse Audience: Catering to different skill levels and dietary choices can widen your reader base.
• Recurring Purchases: Products like meal kits or subscriptions encourage repeat purchases, leading to ongoing commissions.
• Easily Usable Links: Most affiliate programs provide user-friendly links that are easy to integrate into your blog.

Once you’ve identified which products will solve problems for your readers, you need to sign up for their affiliate programs.

You should start by joining the Amazon Associates affiliate program.

Most physical products in the cooking niche will be available on Amazon, and the conversion rate on Amazon is insane.

Yes, Amazon’s commission rates are rough, and they only offer a 24-hour cookie duration, but the conversion rate makes up for it. Plus, you’re nearly guaranteed to get accepted into their program.

For products that aren’t available on Amazon, just Google “[Product] affiliate program,” and you’ll find their program’s signup page.

To save you some time, here are a few of the best affiliate networks for cooking bloggers:

1. Rachael Ray

   

   Commission Rate: 5% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   The Rachael Ray Store sells a beautiful assortment of cookware, cookbooks, dinnerware, bakeware, and more.

2. Ketoconnect

   

   Commission Rate: 40% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 90 Days

   KetoConnect is a globally recognized brand for its authenticity and quality content towards improving health and fitness through a keto diet.

3. Cuisinart

   

   Commission Rate: 10% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 45 Days

   Cuisineart sells various kitchen appliances and tools. Get a 10% commission rate and 45-day cookie duration with their affiliate program!

Once you’ve been approved for the product’s affiliate program, the program will give you your affiliate link, and you can start inserting it into your content.

How To Monetize A Cooking Blog With Affiliate Marketing

To add your link to your content, go to your post editor, highlight the relevant text, and insert the link.

Here are a few best practices for adding affiliate links to your WordPress blog:

• Add links where it’s helpful. Adding too many links to your blog posts is just like adding too many ads; it’s annoying. Add links to product titles, images, CTA buttons, and the first time you mention a product. That’s plenty.
• Disclose your links. Every blog post with affiliate links should have a disclaimer at the beginning, and every CTA or product image should also.
• Use direct sales language. When you are writing your call to action, be direct. It’s not rude to say, “Check the price” or “Buy this product today.” Being too passive makes you look unconfident.

Or, take it a step further by creating product displays.

You Can Double Your Affiliate Sales With Lasso Displays

You can create displays manually using the post editor to add links to images and buttons.

However, it can be time-consuming to create these displays and keep them updated if you’re doing it all by hand.

Luckily, monetizing your blog with affiliate links is simplified when you’re using a tool like Lasso.

Lasso makes it super easy to add links and product displays to your posts. You can add product displays to posts right from the post editor; no coding is required. It’s as simple as clicking your mouse three times.

You can also automatically import product info from retailers like Amazon. Just paste the link into the Lasso dashboard, and Lasso will populate the display with the product title, image, and price.

With all of this, remember to follow the guidelines in the affiliate program’s terms and conditions. Amazon, in particular, is pretty stringent.

But everything Lasso does is compliant with Amazon Associates’ TOS, so you never have to worry about being booted from the program.

That’s just scratching the surface of what Lasso can do to help you monetize your cooking blog. If you’re ready to start making a serious affiliate income from your cooking site, sign up for Lasso today.

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Cooking Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a great way for cooking bloggers to monetize their passion. You can promote products like kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, or ingredients, earning commissions on each sale through your unique links. It’s flexible—write posts as you normally do about your favorite recipes, and seamlessly incorporate relevant affiliate products.

However, there are challenges to consider. It can take time to build a substantial income. You need traffic to your site, which can be tough, especially for new bloggers. Plus, if your followers feel you’re pushing products too aggressively, it may hurt your credibility and trust. Authenticity matters in the cooking community.

Transparency is crucial. Always disclose your affiliate partnerships to your audience. This fosters trust and shows you’re honest about your recommendations. Balancing product promotion with genuine content is key. Keep your main focus on providing valuable and engaging cooking content while subtly including your affiliate links.

2. Display Ads

The second best way to monetize your cooking blog is with display ads. Ads are the internet's favorite monetization method, but they have severe drawbacks.

How to Monetize a Cooking Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a cooking blog with display ads couldn’t be easier.

First, choose an ad network to join. Networks have traffic requirements, so here are the best ad networks to join based on your site’s page views:

• 100,000+ Visitors per month - Raptive
• 50,000+ Sessions per month - Mediavine
• < 50,000+ Visitors per month - Ezoic

Once you’re accepted to an ad network, follow their instructions to integrate their ads into your site. They will have documentation for every type of content management service (WordPress, Joomla, Ghost, etc.).

If your chosen ad network has a dedicated accounts manager, they will guide you through getting their ads on your site.

And… that’s it. Let the ads run and wait for your deposits to hit your account.

Display Ad Pros And Cons For Cooking Bloggers

Display ads can be a mixed bag for cooking bloggers. On the plus side, they can be a steady source of income. When placed strategically, these ads can engage your audience and generate clicks, which means more earnings for you.

However, there are downsides. Display ads can clutter your blog’s look and feel. If overused, they may distract readers from your content, making them less likely to stick around or revisit your site.

Another consideration is load time. Ads can slow down how quickly your blog loads, especially if you're using multiple ad networks. Slow loading times can frustrate visitors, leading to a higher bounce rate.

Ultimately, balancing ads while keeping your blog's appeal is key. It’s crucial to find the right ad placement that complements your content instead of overshadowing it.

3. Digital Products

Selling your own digital products is a great way to increase your earnings per visitor in the cooking niche.

A digital product is anything you can sell on your cooking blog that the customer will receive via download.

Digital Products to Sell on a Cooking Blog:

• Recipe E-books: Curate themed collections like quick weeknight meals or healthy snacks. Great for readers looking for streamlined cooking solutions.
• Meal Plans: Offer weekly or monthly meal planning guides. This helps busy individuals organize their meals easily.
• Cooking Classes: Create video classes covering techniques or specific cuisines. Perfect for those wanting interactive learning experiences.
• Printable Kitchen Worksheets: Provide planners, grocery lists, or recipe templates. Useful for readers who love to organize and track their cooking.
• Exclusive Membership Subscription: Offer a premium area with access to special recipes, tips, and community discussions. Great for loyal fans looking for more content.

A lot of people search for simple checklists and guides related to different topics. They’d happily pay you for them.

Pros and Cons of Selling Digital Products for Cooking Bloggers

Selling digital products can be a game-changer for cooking bloggers. One major pro is the low overhead cost. Unlike physical products, there's no need to worry about inventory or shipping. You create your recipes, meal plans, or e-books once, and you can sell them repeatedly, boosting your earnings without additional expenses.

On the flip side, the market can be saturated. Many cooking bloggers are creating digital products, which means you'll need to stand out. Quality content and effective marketing are crucial. If you focus on a niche and build a strong brand, you can carve out your space.

Another benefit is the potential for passive income. Once your digital products are set up, you can earn money while you sleep. However, building that initial audience takes time and effort. Without a solid following, sales might be slow at first.

Lastly, selling digital products allows for creative freedom. You can experiment with different formats, like video cooking classes or interactive meal planners. The downside? You have to continuously create new content to keep your audience engaged and coming back for more.

How To Monetize a Cooking Blog By Selling Digital Products

The first thing to do is create your digital product.

Look at which content your audience interacts with the most, and brainstorm digital products to help serve their search intent.

That’s what I did when I created our Ultimate Blogging Guide:

Then, create the product using whatever tools are at your disposal. For example, use Microsoft Word to create an ebook PDF, or Google Sheets to create interactive spreadsheets and checklists.

Next, you have to figure out how to distribute your product. The easiest way to distribute PDFs is by uploading them to your WordPress media library. Then you can give customers the link, and they can download the PDF from there.

Lastly, you’ll have to set up payment processing and order fulfillment. A plugin like Woocommerce can automate most of this, but you’ll have to tie it to a processor like Stripe or PayPal.

Woocommerce can even connect to an email tool like ConvertKit, so as soon as your customer finishes their checkout, they’ll get an email with a link to their download.

Barring any issues, you won’t have to do anything but watch your bank account grow.

4. Email Newsletter

One effective way to monetize a cooking blog is by creating an email newsletter. This method allows you to build a loyal audience and engage with your readers on a more personal level. Let's explore how to monetize a cooking blog with an email newsletter and the pros and cons of email marketing for cooking bloggers.

How to Monetize a Cooking Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a powerful tool for cooking bloggers. They connect you directly with your audience, allowing you to share recipes, cooking tips, and personal stories. As you build and segment your list, you can tailor content to engage specific groups, increasing your chances of conversions. This direct line of communication turns casual readers into loyal fans, and that loyalty can translate into income.

One of the best ways to monetize your cooking blog with an email newsletter is through affiliate marketing. You can recommend cooking tools, ingredients, or cookbooks that you genuinely enjoy. When your subscribers click on these links and make a purchase, you earn a commission. It's a trust-building strategy; your readers appreciate honest recommendations and are likely to make purchases based on your suggestions.

Another effective way to generate revenue is by offering exclusive content in your newsletter. You can create premium recipes, meal plans, or cooking classes that are only available to subscribers. Charging a subscription fee for this exclusive access not only creates a consistent income stream but also increases the perceived value of your content, making readers more likely to engage.

Don’t overlook advertising opportunities, either. Once your newsletter has a substantial following, you can partner with brands for sponsored content. Whether it’s a featured recipe using a specific product or sharing a brand's message, this can be a lucrative revenue source. Just be sure to choose partnerships that align with your blog’s values, so you maintain trust with your audience.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Cooking Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Engagement: You communicate directly with your audience, which fosters relationships and loyalty.
  • Tailored Content: You can segment your audience and customize messages to specific interests within cooking.
  • Long-Term Value: Email lists can grow and provide prolonged engagement, making them a solid investment over time.
• Cons:
  • Time Investment: Building a quality email list and creating engaging content takes time and consistent effort.
  • Technical Skills Needed: You may need some technical know-how to set up and manage your newsletter effectively.
  • Subscriber Churn: People may unsubscribe, so keeping content fresh and engaging is crucial to maintain your list.

5. Consulting and Coaching Services

Consulting or coaching is exchanging your expertise and time for a fee. Your customers need an expert, and you’ve proven yourself to be that expert.

As you become an authority in the industry, people will reach out to you with questions about topics they consider you an expert in.

Now, you don’t have to charge for being helpful, but you should place a dollar value on your time.

As a cooking blogger, you extensive knowledge of the industry. If a reader reaches out to you asking for help, you should get paid for that effort.

How To Monetize A Cooking Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a cooking blog with consulting services is similar to selling sponsored posts.

Put a “Coaching” option in your nav bar that goes to a landing page outlining your consulting services and your hourly rate. This will help head off some of the people looking for free advice.

Then, wait for requests to come in, evaluate them, and propose your offer. If the customer accepts, send them an invoice using PayPal or another payment processor, and schedule the call.

Pros and Cons of Selling Consulting Services for Cooking Bloggers

Selling consulting services as a cooking blogger has its ups and downs. On the positive side, you tap into your expertise, which adds value for your audience. Your followers trust your cooking skills and are eager to learn more. This openness can easily translate into paid services, creating an additional income stream.

However, there are a few challenges to consider. You need to balance your time. Consulting requires a lot of personalized attention, which can take away from content creation. Plus, marketing your services can be time-consuming and competitive in a crowded space.

Another pro is that you can establish a more personal connection with your audience. Clients appreciate tailored advice and support. This builds loyalty and may lead to referrals, boosting your visibility. On the flip side, the pressure to constantly provide value can be overwhelming and might lead to burnout if not managed properly.

Overall, it’s about finding the right balance. If you love engaging with your audience and can set clear boundaries, consulting can be a rewarding path. Just keep in mind the potential hurdles along the way.

Cooking Blog Monetization FAQs

What Is The Best Way To Make Money From Cooking Blogging?

If you want to build a successful cooking blog, then affiliate marketing is the best way to monetize it. It’s the least intrusive way to make a lot of money from your site without much extra effort.

Can I Make A Full-Time Income From Cooking Blogging?

Absolutely! Some cooking blogs, like Delish and Epicurious get hundreds of thousands of monthly visitors. That’s enough for a full-time income for a small team of people.

How Do I Start a Cooking Blog?

Learning how to start a cooking blog is the first best way to use your expertise to start an online business.

You need to register a domain, install WordPress, and publish great content. It's a lot of work, but totally worth it!

How Do Cooking Bloggers Get Paid?

Most cooking bloggers make money through affiliate commissions and advertising fees. Both of these monetization methods pay out one or two months after the fees have been generated.

Some cooking bloggers also sell sponsored posts, consulting services, or their own products. In these cases, a payment processor like PayPal or Stripe is necessary.

Is Cooking Blogging Easy?

Nothing worth doing is truly easy, but that doesn’t mean cooking blogging isn’t fun.

As a cooking blogger, you’ll get to go places, try new things, and meet new people. And it will be part of your business! What could be cooler than that?

Is It Worth Starting A Cooking Blog?

It’s absolutely worth it to start a cooking blog. Not only can you make a living from it, but you can also build a community and control the conversation.

Once you’re an established authority, people in cooking-related industries will take you seriously.

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Cooking Blog

So there you have it! You’ve learned how to monetize your cooking blog in various ways.

Here’s one last tip: mix it up!

Diversifying your income streams is key. It keeps your business steady and secure.

If you use affiliate links, sell ads, and offer your own products, you won't be too badly affected by any changes in the market.

By taking a multi-pronged approach and putting in the effort, you’ll be well on your way to making great money with your blog.

Why You Should Trust Our Cooking Blogging Content

You may be thinking, "that's all great, but what does Lasso know about cooking blogging?"

Quite a lot, actually.

Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful cooking blog:

We've Built Wildly Successful Blogs

Lasso is built for affiliate marketers, by affiliate marketers. We're not gurus; we've walked the walk.

Our team members have built multiple blogs from the ground up, some of them earning over seven figures in revenue.

We put that experience into every guide we write, so you can trust we're giving you a process that works.

We Talk To Cooking Bloggers Every Day

Lasso's WordPress plugin is installed on over 8,000 websites, including a lot of cooking blogs.

Our team supports those bloggers every day as they create awesome content and earn lots of money.

These communications give us a bird's-eye view of what's new in the cooking industry. We take that information and use it to keep these guides as up-to-date and accurate as possible.

We're Super Nerds

We've put a lot of company focus into learning everything we can about blogging, affiliate marketing, SEO, and anything to do with online entrepreneurship.

We attend conferences, collect high-level contacts, read tons of books, and distill all of that information into our content. We pass information onto you that was previously only available to industry insiders.