How to Monetize a Food Blog and Serve Up a Profit

Starting a food blog is exciting, but there’s a lot to figure out at first. You need to register your domain, install WordPress, and learn how to write and publish recipes. Once you have the basics down pat, it's time to explore how to monetize your food blog.

Honestly, this could be the most fun part of your blogging journey!

Whether you're just starting out or you’ve been cooking up content for a while, these monetization methods will help you turn your passion into profit. Let’s dive into each option!

1. Affiliate Marketing

Affiliate marketing is the best monetization method for food 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 Food Bloggers

If you’re diving into the food blogging scene, picking the right affiliate products is key. Here’s a list of different types of products you can recommend:

• Cookbooks: A great way to showcase unique recipes and culinary skills.
• Kitchen gadgets: Useful tools that make cooking easier and more enjoyable.
• Meal kits: They offer convenience and help your readers cook delicious meals at home.
• Food subscriptions: Monthly boxes filled with new ingredients and flavors keep the excitement alive.
• Cooking classes: Workshops or online courses to help readers sharpen their skills.
• Health supplements: Great for health-focused blogs, these can enhance recipes with nutritional benefits.

Why you should recommend these products:

• High demand: Many foodies are always on the lookout for new recipes and tools.
• Recurring purchases: Subscription services can lead to ongoing commissions.
• Brand loyalty: Encouraging durable, reputable brands builds trust with your audience.
• Diverse options: There’s a wide range for different tastes, cuisines, and dietary preferences.
• Content creation: Many products can inspire new blog posts or reviews.

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 food 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 food bloggers:

1. Instacart

   

   Commission Rate: $2 - $10 Per Lead

   Cookie Duration: 30 days

   Same-day grocery delivery and pickup service bringing you fresh groceries and everyday essentials. With the Instacart shopper program, customers shop online with their favorite local grocery store.

2. Drizly

   

   Commission Rate: 3% - 15% Per Sale

   Cookie Duration: 10 Days

   Drizly works with local stores so you can shop their shelves using your smartphone or computer to order beer, wine, and liquor at the touch of a button.

3. Grubhub

   

   Commission Rate: 5% Per New Customer Sale

   Cookie Duration: 30 Days

   Grubhub helps you find and order food from wherever you are. Find restaurants in your area that can deliver or offer pickup.

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 Food 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 food blog. If you’re ready to start making a serious affiliate income from your food site, sign up for Lasso today.

Affiliate Marketing Pros and Cons for Food Bloggers

Affiliate marketing can be a real game changer for food bloggers. By recommending products that align with your content, you can earn commissions on sales generated through your links. It’s straightforward and, when done right, can bring in a solid income stream without demanding much extra time.

On the flip side, there are some drawbacks. First, it requires trust from your audience. If you try to promote products that don't fit your niche or aren't high quality, you risk losing credibility. Also, depending on the program, commissions can be low, making it hard to see substantial earnings without lots of traffic.

Transparency is key in affiliate marketing. Always disclose your partnerships to your readers. This builds trust and keeps your audience informed. Plus, too many affiliate ads can clutter your blog and detract from the genuine love you have for food and cooking, which might annoy loyal followers.

Ultimately, weigh the pros and cons carefully. Focus on quality partnerships that enhance your content. If managed well, affiliate marketing can complement your passion for food while rewarding your efforts financially.

2. Display Ads

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

How to Monetize a Food Blog With Display Ads

Monetizing a food 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 Food Bloggers

Display ads can offer a quick way for food bloggers to monetize their content. They are visually engaging and can attract clicks. These ads often have high visibility, making it easier for brands to reach their target audience. However, this can clutter your blog layout, turning off readers who seek a clean viewing experience.

One major pro of display ads is the passive income they generate. Once set up, ads require little to no additional effort. You can earn money while focusing on creating great recipes or engaging posts. Conversely, not all ad networks pay well, and payouts can vary significantly. This unpredictability can affect your earnings in the long run.

Another advantage is that display ads can be highly targeted. Tools can show specific ads based on your audience's preferences. But be cautious; if the ads are not relevant to your audience, your readers might find them jarring or uninteresting. This can lead to high bounce rates and lower reader engagement.

In summary, display ads provide a mix of opportunity and challenge for food bloggers. While they can help monetize content effectively, they require careful management to maintain viewer satisfaction and keep your blog looking appealing.

3. Digital Products

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

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

Digital products to sell on your food blog:

• Cookbooks: Compile your best recipes into an eBook format. Make it easy for readers to follow your meals.
• Meal Plans: Create weekly or monthly meal plans with grocery lists. Help readers save time and eat healthier.
• Cooking Classes: Offer virtual cooking lessons. Use video tutorials to teach techniques and share tips.
• Printable Recipe Cards: Design beautiful, customizable recipe cards. Readers can print and keep their favorites handy.
• Microsites for Special Diets: Build niche sites focusing on specific diets (like vegan, keto). Share tailored recipes and resources.

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 Food Bloggers

Selling digital products has its perks for food bloggers. First, it offers a chance to create an additional income stream. Things like eBooks, meal plans, or printables can be sold without the hassle of inventory. Once they’re created, they can be sold repeatedly without much effort.

On the downside, there’s the initial time investment. Crafting a quality product takes work. You’ll need to ensure it’s well-designed, informative, and valuable to your audience. Plus, there’s also the marketing side. Attracting buyers requires promoting your digital product through various channels, which can be a learning curve.

Another point to consider is competition. The digital product space can be crowded. Standing out may demand creativity and strategic marketing. However, if you know your niche well and can communicate your unique angle, you can certainly gain traction.

Lastly, pricing can be tricky. Set it too high, and you might scare off potential buyers. Too low, and it might seem undervalued. Balancing perceptions of quality and value is key to making those sales.

How To Monetize a Food 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 food 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 food blog with an email newsletter and the pros and cons of email marketing for food bloggers.

How to Monetize a Food Blog with an Email Newsletter

Email newsletters are a powerful tool for food bloggers looking to connect with their audience. They allow you to share your recipes, cooking tips, and personal stories directly with readers who are interested in what you have to offer. This direct line of communication can lead to increased loyalty and engagement, ultimately translating into revenue streams.

To get started with monetizing your food blog through an email newsletter, begin by building a solid subscriber list. Offer an enticing lead magnet, such as a free eBook featuring seasonal recipes or an exclusive video tutorial about cooking techniques. This value proposition will encourage your readers to sign up and stay engaged with your content.

Next, use your newsletter to promote products or services relevant to your audience. This could include affiliate links to kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, or meal planning services. By sharing honest reviews or favorite tools within your newsletter, you create trust and authenticity, which can translate into affiliate commissions. Remember, always disclose any affiliate partnerships to maintain transparency.

Finally, consider monetizing your newsletter with sponsored content. Partner with brands that align with your food blog's mission, like sustainable food companies or local food artisans. Create dedicated newsletter sections where you can highlight their products through recipes or cooking demonstrations. This not only provides you with an income source but also offers your audience valuable information and insights into relevant products.

Pros and Cons of Email Marketing for Food Bloggers

• Pros:
  • Direct Engagement: Email allows for direct interaction with your most loyal followers, leading to higher engagement rates.
  • Control Over Content: You determine what content goes out, allowing you to tailor messages to your audience's interests.
  • Potential for High ROI: Email marketing consistently yields high returns on investment, especially with personalized outreach.
• Cons:
  • Time-Consuming: Curating content and maintaining an email list requires regular effort and dedication.
  • Subscriber Management: Keeping subscribers engaged can be challenging, and you may face unsubscribes over time.
  • Spam Filters: Emails may end up in spam folders, reducing the effectiveness of your marketing efforts.

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 food 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 Food Blog With Consulting Services

Monetizing a food 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 Food Bloggers

One of the biggest pros of selling consulting services for food bloggers is the potential for steady income. When you leverage your expertise, clients can pay handsomely for guidance on content strategy, SEO, or social media. This can lead to consistent revenue streams that help stabilize your finances outside of just ad revenue or sponsorships.

Another advantage is the ability to build strong connections within the industry. By working with other bloggers or brands, you create networking opportunities that can open up doors for collaborations or joint ventures down the line, enhancing your reputation as an authority in the food blogging community.

However, selling consulting services isn’t all roses. One major con is the time commitment. Juggling consulting alongside your own blog can be challenging and may lead to burnout if not managed well. You must be careful to not let client work overshadow your own content creation.

Additionally, there’s the risk of underpricing yourself. Many beginners in consulting might not recognize their true worth, leading to undervalued services. This can create frustration and impact the perception of your brand as a professional in the field.

Food Blog Monetization FAQs

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

If you want to build a successful food 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 Food Blogging?

Absolutely! Some food 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 Food Blog?

Learning how to start a food 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 Food Bloggers Get Paid?

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

Is Food Blogging Easy?

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

As a food 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 Food Blog?

It’s absolutely worth it to start a food 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 food-related industries will take you seriously.

Final Thoughts on Monetizing a Food Blog

Congratulations! You've learned all the steps to monetize your food blog.

But here's a bonus tip for you:

Use different ways to make money!

Diversifying your income streams will help secure your business's future.

If you’re using affiliate offers, display ads, and selling your own products, you won’t be as vulnerable to any sudden changes, like Amazon cutting commission rates.

With this multi-pronged approach, along with hard work and smart planning, you’ll be well on your way to maximizing your blog's earning potential!

Why You Should Trust Our Food Blogging Content

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

Quite a lot, actually.

Here's why you can trust our process for building a successful food 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 Food Bloggers Every Day

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