How to Become a Food Content Creator

Are you a foodie with a passion for creating mouthwatering content? Do you love sharing your culinary creations with the world?

As a food content creator of 13+ years, I have so many angles on this topic that I am excited to explore together with you.

Now, contrary to popular belief, being an influencer isn’t the only path to success in the world of food content creation. There are many other routes you can take, including starting a blog or vlog, self-publishing a cookbook, or selling content to other creators.

No matter which path you choose, we’ll also discuss how to monetize your content and turn your passion for food into a lucrative career. But before we get into that, let’s answer some fundamental questions:

What is a Food Content Creator?

How do you become a food content creator?

Let’s explore the exciting world of food content creation together!

What is a Food Content Creator?

In a nutshell, a food content creator is someone who creates and shares content related to food. This is a vast topic with almost no boundaries to what you can do!

Food content creators can be cookbook writers, food journalists, Youtubers, social media influencers, food bloggers and the list goes on!

Being a food content creator is a deliciously versatile job! Personally, I love crafting food-related content for social media and blogs, but I also get to flex my culinary creativity by selling my mouth-watering creations to other content creators, freeing up their time for even more delicious pursuits!

Wondering what you might spend your time creating? Check out this mouth-watering list of just some of the types of content you might find yourself whipping up:

Recipes (including original recipes, recipe roundups, or adaptations of existing recipes)
Cookbooks
Food photography and styling
Videos showcasing cooking techniques, recipe tutorials, or food-related travel
Blog posts about food-related topics, such as cooking tips, restaurant reviews, or personal stories related to food
Social media posts featuring food-related content, including photos, videos, or short-form content like Instagram Reels or TikTok videos
E-books or digital downloads featuring recipes, cooking guides, or meal plans
Printable products
Online cooking classes or workshops
Sponsored content or brand partnerships

The Most Popular Channels to Start Out On:

Curious about where the most successful food content creators got their start? ConvertKit surveyed 2,704 creators to find out which channels were most popular when they first launched their careers. Here are the top three channels that rose to the top of the list:

Instagram 25%

Blog 23%

Facebook 20%

But what’s even more fascinating is how these findings stack up against those of full-time food content creators. Their number one way to grow their audience is emails or newsletters!

Email/Newletter ~60%

Instagram ~60%

Facebook ~47%

Blog ~37%

YouTube ~34%

Just goes to show that what they say about the money being in the list is true!

Speaking of lists and money, you DON’T need a gigantic email audience to earn some decent revenue. Most email lists, according to ConvertKit, are under 1000 subscribers with 645 being the average list size.

Revenue of Food Content Creators

While building a career as a content creator can be challenging, it’s important to note that many creators are able to turn their passion into a sustainable income. According to recent surveys, 44% of content creators make $10,000 annually, while 22% earn $50,000 to $150,000 per year. With the right strategy, dedication, and creativity, it’s possible to make a living doing what you love as a content creator!

How To Become A Food Content Creator?

Starting from scratch? Don’t worry if you don’t have any experience in this field, I started from scratch too. In this section, I’ll share my personal experience and tips on how to become a successful food content creator. We’ll cover everything from finding your niche to refining your skills, and all the steps in between. So let’s get started!

Niching to Stand Out From the Crowd

When it comes to defining your niche as a food content creator, it’s important to think about what sets you apart from the thousands of others out there. What’s your unique angle?

Perhaps you have a deep knowledge of vegan cooking, or maybe you specialize in creating visually stunning desserts. Whatever it is, focus on what you’re passionate about and what you have expertise in.

Defining your niche will not only help you stand out in a crowded market, but it will also help you create content that’s authentic and true to your brand.

Plus, when you have a clear niche, it becomes much easier to target your audience and build a community around your content. Trust me on this one, your life will be MUCH easier with a defined audience.

When I first started as a food content creator, my content strayed from my niche. I created content about other food-related topics. But as I started building my audience, I realized the importance of having a focused niche. It wasn’t until I started getting feedback from my audience that I realized I needed to narrow down my content. It can be tough to know what to write about and who your audience is when you don’t have a solid niche.

Sending out emails, selling products, or creating courses become difficult without knowing what your audience wants. It’s important to take the time to define your niche and stick to it. Otherwise, you risk confusing your audience and losing their interest.

And guess what happens if you send irrelevant content to your audience?

It’s what you dread – they start unsubscribing, unfollowing or leaving your groups.

Choosing a Platform

Alright, let’s talk about choosing a platform for your food content. There are so many options out there, it can be overwhelming!

My advice is to start by thinking about your audience and where they like to hang out. Are they primarily on Instagram or Facebook? Do they prefer watching videos on YouTube or TikTok?

Maybe they’re more into reading blogs or listening to podcasts. Once you have an idea of where your audience is, you can start to explore those platforms and see what kind of content is popular there.

But don’t forget to also consider your own strengths and interests. Maybe you love taking gorgeous food photos, in which case Instagram might be the perfect fit for you.

Or perhaps you’re a natural on camera and love creating video content, in which case YouTube or TikTok could be your jam. The key is to choose a platform that aligns with your niche and your strengths, so that you can create content that you’re passionate about and that resonates with your audience.

It’s also worth noting that different platforms have different rules and algorithms, so it’s important to do your research and figure out the best practices for each platform.

For example, Instagram rewards high-quality photos and engagement, while TikTok values short-form, entertaining videos that use popular music and trends. By understanding the nuances of each platform, you can optimize your content for maximum reach and engagement.

Start Creating and Publishing

Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of creating and publishing content! The key here is to start as soon as possible, even if you don’t have a solid brand or niche yet. The important thing is to be consistent so that you can start growing your audience.

I remember when I first started out, I was so worried about making everything perfect that I didn’t publish anything for weeks. Big mistake! You don’t have to have everything figured out from the get-go. In fact, it’s better to start posting and learn as you go.

Another thing to keep in mind is that building an audience takes time. You’re not going to blow up overnight, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. One thing that helped me when I was starting out was to focus on creating content that I enjoyed making. That way, even if I wasn’t getting a ton of engagement, I was still having fun and learning what worked and what didn’t. Plus, if you’re not enjoying what you’re doing, your audience will be able to tell. So, have fun with it!

Lastly, consistency is key. You don’t have to publish every day, but you should have a schedule that works for you and stick to it. This will help you build trust with your audience and let them know when to expect new content.

For example, for my food blog I publish a minimum of 1 blog post, 1 webstory, 1 newsletter email, 5-7 social media posts, and 1-3 reels or stories. My audience knows to expect it and looks forward to it every week.

So, find a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Trust me, your audience will thank you!

Refine Your Skills

So now that you’ve got the basics down and you’re creating content like a boss, it’s time to up your game! Let’s talk about the skills you need to develop to make your food content stand out.

First up, photography! You want your food to look so good that people can practically taste it through the screen. Trust me, shooting some great angles with some basic photo editing skills will take your content to the next level. I remember when I first started, I had no idea what I was doing, but with practice, I got better and so can you.

Next, videography. I know, I know, it can be intimidating to get in front of the camera, but video is a great way to connect with your audience and show off your personality. And you don;t always have to get in front of the camera. You can get creative with recipe tutorials and other fun content.

Lead magnet freebies are another way to level up your food content game. These are basically free resources that you offer your audience in exchange for their email address. It’s a win-win situation: your audience gets something valuable and you get to grow your email list.

Digital products are another area to consider. You can create digital cookbooks, meal plans, and other resources to sell to your audience. This is a great way to monetize your content and provide even more value to your audience.

Social media is a crucial skill for any content creator, but especially for foodies. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and other platforms can help you grow your audience and engage with your followers. And let’s not forget about Pinterest – it can be a great source of traffic for content creators!

Overall, there are many skills to develop as a food content creator, but don’t let that intimidate you. Just take it one step at a time and keep practicing. You’ll be a pro in no time!

Create Your Brand

When it comes to creating a brand, it’s important to keep it consistent across all your platforms. Your audience should be able to recognize your content from a mile away!

That’s where Canva comes in handy. You can use it to define your brand look, create templates for your graphics, and ensure that everything you put out looks polished and professional.

Your brand style should also reflect the type of content you’re creating and the audience you’re targeting. For example, if you’re creating content for a health-conscious audience, you might want to go for a minimalist and clean aesthetic. But if you’re creating content for a foodie audience, you might want to incorporate more vibrant colors and playful fonts.

When developing your brand, think about the message you want to convey and how you want to make your audience feel. Are you all about comfort food and indulgence, or are you more focused on healthy eating and balance? Your brand should be a reflection of your values and personality, and it should resonate with your audience.

Build an Audience

Building an audience is like building a house – it takes time, effort, and a solid foundation. You need to put in the work to build your audience and keep them engaged. One of the best ways to build your audience is to be consistent with your content.

If you’re going to be posting on Instagram, post regularly and interact with your followers. If you’re going to be writing a blog, make sure to publish new content on a consistent schedule.

Social media is an amazing way to build your audience. I mean, where else can you connect with people from all over the world, share your passions, and build a loyal following?

Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok are all great platforms for food content creators, but it’s important to remember that each platform has its own quirks and best practices. For example, on Instagram, using hashtags can help your content get discovered by new people, while on Pinterest, creating beautiful and informative pins is key.

Another way to build your audience is to collaborate with other creators. Partnering with other creators can help you reach a new audience and grow your own following. You can collaborate on a blog post, a recipe video, or even a social media giveaway. Plus, it’s always fun to work with other creators and learn from each other’s experiences.

And finally, engage with your audience! Respond to comments and messages, ask for feedback, and create content that your audience wants to see. At the end of the day, your audience is what makes your content worthwhile, so make sure to prioritize them and give them the love they deserve.

Monetizing Your Content

Monetizing your content is the ultimate goal, isn’t it? You want to turn your hobby or passion into a lucrative business. Well, luckily for you, there are multiple ways to do just that. First off, you can make some dough through affiliate marketing. Just partner up with a company and promote their products to your audience. If someone clicks on your link and buys something, you get a commission. Boom, easy money.

Another way to monetize your content is through ads. Now, I know ads can be annoying, but they pay the bills. Just be sure to find a balance between ads and content so that you don’t drive your audience away.

But, why stop there? You can also sell your own digital products, like ebooks or online courses. You have valuable knowledge and skills that others are willing to pay for. Don’t be shy, put yourself out there and offer your expertise.

And, if you really want to take it to the next level, consider selling your digital products to other creators. We’re all in this together, and supporting each other is key. Plus, you get to help others while making a profit. Win-win, am I right?

Staying on Trends

Staying up-to-date with the latest trends in the food content world is crucial to keeping your audience engaged and growing. Whether it’s trying out new recipes, testing out the latest kitchen gadgets or exploring new cuisines, staying on top of trends will help you stand out in a sea of content creators.

Don’t be afraid to take risks and try something new! For example, when a cooking method was trending, I decided to give it a shot and reported my take on it. It ended up being a very popular post with our newsletter subscribers! Keep your finger on the pulse of what’s going on in the food world and don’t be afraid to incorporate new trends into your content.

Here are some ways to stay on trend as a food content creator:

Follow food bloggers and chefs on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok
Attend food events and conferences to stay updated on the latest food trends
Try out new recipes and share them with your audience
Join food-related online communities and forums to learn about new trends and challenges
Keep an eye on popular food hashtags on social media and participate in trending challenges
Follow food publications and industry leaders to stay informed about the latest news and trends in the food industry.

Maintain and Stay Consistent

Once you’ve established your platforms and channels, it’s important to maintain them and stay consistent with your publishing. Think of it like taking care of a garden. You can’t just plant the seeds and forget about it, right? You have to water and tend to it regularly in order to see it grow and flourish.

For me, that means creating a content calendar and sticking to it. I try to plan out my content at least a week (up to months) in advance so that I have time to shoot and edit everything before it needs to go live. I also like to schedule my social media posts in advance so that I’m not scrambling at the last minute.

It’s also important to engage with your audience regularly. Respond to comments and messages, and ask for feedback on your content. This not only helps to build a relationship with your audience, but also gives you valuable insights into what they’re interested in seeing more of.

And let’s not forget about the ever-changing algorithms! It can be frustrating, but it’s important to stay on top of the latest updates and adjust your strategy accordingly. This might mean experimenting with different types of content or posting at different times of the day.

At the end of the day, consistency is key. Your audience is looking to you for regular content and engagement, so don’t let them down!

Final Thoughts

If you made it this far, congratulations! You’ve learned a lot about how to create and grow your own food content.

Remember, finding your niche, choosing the right platform, creating and posting content consistently, developing your skills, building an audience, monetizing your content, and staying up-to-date with trends are all important steps to take.

But, it’s also important to remember that creating content should be enjoyable and fun. Don’t forget to experiment, take risks, and try new things in the kitchen.

And most importantly, be yourself and let your unique voice shine through in your content. With dedication and a lot of hard work, you can build a successful food content brand that truly represents you and your passion for food.

How to Become a Food Content Creator

What is a Food Content Creator?

Popular Platforms Used by Food Content Creators