There’s a certain kind of frustration that comes from having a delicious apple streusel cheesecake recipe, and yet no audience to appreciate it. If you’re tired of your recipes not getting the recognition they deserve, here are a few tips for garnishing your virtual plate.
Photo Credit to lindsay.dee.bunny on Flickr
Find A Niche
Before you do anything else, decide how you’re going to sell yourself. What will be your specialty? How will other people define you in their links and directories? Think about specific cuisines (Italian, German) or specific meals (breakfast, desserts) or even specific foods (casseroles, vegetarian plates, low-calorie options, et cetera). Find something you excel at and make it your own.
Create An Excellent Website
If you want people to find your recipes, make sure you have them all gathered in one place! Build yourself a nice, neat website with an easy-to-use filing system for all your recipes. Don’t just toss them online and call it a day; sort them into types, arrange them by prep times, categorize them by difficulty level, or number of ingredients required. Make it easy for your readers to browse.
Build Your Platform With Other Websites
If you don’t have the time to do your own website, tap into community websites like Untrained Housewife that will handle all the technical issues for you. Just make yummy food, take pretty pictures, and share your creations with the world while we do the work. Even if you have your own food blog, being a guest contributor can help you increase your overall platform and reach. Email angela@UntrainedHousewife.com if you want to share your favorite recipes online!
Become A Brand
Which sounds better: I just love this new chicken dish from Mama June’s or Yay, they’ve added a new recipe at RecipeLand6003? Give yourself a proper name and purpose if you want to stand out from hundreds of other cooking websites. Sites like www.domo.com can help you establish a brand identity and learn how to market it effectively.
Embrace The Competition
Instead of seeing other recipe sites as your rivals, use them as friends and resources and opportunities for free advertising. Link to one another; cross-promote any contests or giveaways; try each other’s recipes, and then review them. If you build a community that’s as warm and welcoming as winter’s hot cocoa, you’ll enjoy a much wider readership than you would as a cold and aloof webmistress.
Pictures, Pictures, Pictures
Pictures can make or break a recipe website. Think about it; when do you get inspired to cook something? Is it when you’re reading the details of ingredients and serving sizes, or is it when you reach the end, and see the mouth-watering pictures of the final product? Treat all your recipes like your daughter’s first day at kindergarten. Pick up your camera and immortalize everything.
Cooking is a joy best shared. Follow these tips and you’re sure to increase your profile, and build a large, loyal following of fellow recipe fans. All you need is some planning and good food. Strike while the oven is hot!
