I recently had the opportunity to attend a session by food blogger Clotilde Dusoulier entitled Eating Words: The Art of Food Blogging, which was held at George Brown College in Toronto. For those unfamiliar with Clotilde she runs the very popular food blog Chocolate & Zucchini which she started back in 2003. I’ve been reading C&Z on off for a large part of that time. I don’t remember when I first found her blog (likely through an article somewhere else) but it is definitely a good one. I mean it blends my love for food and Paris into one well-written blog, what’s not to love? The internet and blogosphere was a very different place back in 2003 and as a result Clotilde was one of few bloggers at the time and has managed to turn her blog into a career.
A former software engineer, Clotilde was able to quit her day job a mere two years after starting her blog and receiving a book deal. Not bad. Clotilde now spends her days as a freelance writer and book author. Pretty cool. The world today is a much tougher place with many more blogs and many more people hoping to forge a path similar to Clotilde’s. Alas her story is the exception and not the rule.
Clotilde lives in Paris but was spending time in Stratford at The Stratford Chefs School as their writer in residence. She also popped into Toronto for an event at Nota Bene.
During the workshop Clotilde gave her top ten rules of food blogs and I thought I’d share them with you.
Clotilde’s Ten Rules of Food Blog
1. Choose your focus – choose your blogging niche and stick to it.
2. Look at what others are doing – get an understanding of the blogging landscape but don’t copy others.
3. Set yourself apart – now that you understand the landscape try to differentiate yourself.
4. Be genuine – have a voice. Have an opinion. Keep it real.
5. Focus on great content – self-explanatory.
6. Keep learning – stay actively learning whether it is about blogging or your area of focus.
7. Give credit where credit is due – if you’ve been inspired by someone else’s work give them credit.
8. Connect – don’t blog in a bubble. Respond to comments. Comment on blogs. Engage in social media.
9. Keep at it – Be consistent and don’t disappear too often.
10. Have fun!
These are some great tips for newbie bloggers, not just food bloggers. I’ve been blogging (in various capacities) for the better part of 12 years (eek!) so much of this wasn’t new news for me but for someone who has just opened up their first WordPress.com account there is some good material here.
Thanks to Sizzling Communications for the invite.
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here’s my food ‘blogging’ rule:
Don’t just eat-brag. Some recipes and pictures are TOO appetizing and it sends me into a hungry murder-rage. I’m looking at YOU, the cookbook store blog and your super expensive restaurant going.
LOL! Sorry!
These are great rules. I wish I had known about this event and other events related to Food Blogging…hmmm I’ll have to be on the look out
are you in Toronto?