Let's talk about Maria.

Maria stumbles across one of your blog posts. She’s thrilled because it’s a recipe she’s been wanting to make for so long.

She skims through the post, and your internal links catch her eye. She starts clicking through your other recipes, bookmarking them as she goes.

Cha-ching! Hello, ad revenue! 💰

Maria's SO excited that she checks out your About Me page. She reads about your story and resonates deeply. She thinks, “OMG, she's just like me!”

Boop! Your email opt-in pops up.

“Ooo, 5 secrets to getting weeknight dinners on the table faster? I NEED this!” Maria signs up immediately.

Yay, connection + a new email subscriber! 🤩

When she gets the first email in your 5-day lead magnet series, she replies right away... “I’m so glad I found your site. I grew up making these recipes with my grandma, and now I can make them for my family. Thank you! You’re a godsend.”

Omg! *cue tears*

Maria goes back to your site to finish reading the recipe. She scrolls to the recipe card, clicks your ‘Get Ingredients with Instacart’ button, buys everything she needs, and pins the recipe for later.

Cha-ching! Affiliate income! 🤑

While waiting for her grocery delivery to arrive, Maria keeps binging your content and pinning recipes.

Fast forward, Maria makes your recipe and her family LOVES it. She’s so impressed, she goes back to your site to leave a glowing 5-star review.

She then buys one of your eBooks and follows you on Instagram & Pinterest.

Cha-ching! More ad revenue + a digital product sale + a new follower! 🙌🏼

A month later...

Maria continues opening every email you send, often clicking to return to your site for more recipes. She even dragged your email to her primary folder so it never goes to spam! 😮

In one of your emails, you ask: “What are you struggling with in the kitchen? Reply & let me know.”

Maria replies with a thoughtful response, giving you valuable feedback that sparks ideas for future content. 🙌🏼

Cha-ching! Increased email open rates + increased CTRs + more ad revenue from return visits! 💰

Later that week...

Maria is at work when one of your weekly emails lands in her inbox.

In the email, you’re sharing a brand new recipe with an affiliate link for a skillet you recommend to make said recipe.

“OMG, I’ve been eyeing this skillet for months!” Maria buys it right away, with your link, and makes the recipe.

Cha-ching! More ad revenue + affiliate $$ 🤑

Maria loved the new recipe (and the skillet!). She takes a pic of the cooked recipe, shares it on Stories, and tags you in it.

She goes back to your site to give you another 5-star review on the recipe.

Do you know what this is, Reader? This is what it looks like when you build a brand, not just a blog.

You don’t just get clicks, traffic, and readers, you get SUPER FANS like Maria!

The best part of it all? Most of this is automated.

Yes, blogging requires a lot of upfront work and ongoing upkeep, but when your existing posts are written & optimized properly, they do a lot of the heavy lifting for you behind the scenes.

Pair that with a content workflow system + an email marketing system that keeps your readers engaged & coming back for more, and you’ve got a well-oiled machine working for your business.

Sure, Maria is a hypothetical person who goes on a hypothetical journey but let me tell you...

This is not just a dream scenario.

I’ve received several emails from readers who’ve shared stories just like Maria’s, and it’s proof that this kind of connection & engagement 100% exists!

And it exists for you too.

If you’re tired of feeling like your food blog keeps missing the mark to create superfans like Maria, I can help you!

Next week, I’ll be opening various spots for 1:1 mentorship as part of my Birthday Sale.

Together, we can build a living, breathing ecosystem similar to this for your food blog.

Imagine a space where readers come for one recipe and stick around for everything else you create. It’s so possible for you!

Stay tuned... my Birthday Sale starts on December 30th. 🎉

xo,
Jamie

P.S. Merry Christmas to you & yours, Reader! May your holiday week be filled with warmth, joy, and lots of delicious food (& page views lol)!🎄❤️🎅🏼

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