9 tips to make your food post interesting
Recently I’ve received an increasing number of requests to guest-post on my site, which makes me ecstatic, but it also sets me in a difficult position to evaluate what is interesting. Of the millions of food blogs out there, what makes yours interesting? It’s you. Your voice, your emotions and your own experience with the food can set your post miles above a recipe that I can find just 0.2 seconds after I google its name. I’m no professional blogger, but I’ve read a fair share of food blogs, and from the ones that I keep returning to, I’ve learned and formed my own set of guidelines on how to write a post (which I try to follow, sometimes more successful than others).
In general, recipe posts have more room for personal stories, and they also comprise the most common type of food blogs (small sample: of the top 50 food blogs on Delish, 43 are recipes), so these guidelines are more geared toward recipe blogging than reviews. I’m gonna skip the photos, although they’re important, they’re the varnish and the writing is the wood.
1. Write statements with specific details, geographically and historically. Let’s say you want to write about grilled catfish. You need an opening sentence. Your first thought is “When it comes to catfish, there are many American dishes. They are mouthwatering and delicious.” These two sentences sound choppy and unimpressive, so you can remodel them into “Our American cuisine has no shortage of mouth-watering dishes with catfish, such as Catfish Tuscany and Catfish Gumbo.” Then you give more background details to it: in which regions in America are these dishes most common, who usually like them; or give a more personal touch: do you have a childhood story related to one of these catfish dishes, how did you come to like catfish or fish in general, etc.
2. Be confident with your opinions, but respect your readers. You’re not trying to give a lecture, you’re just telling a story. Sometimes a confident statement may sound a little bit too direct and confrontational. For example, “you should eat catfish because it is healthy” sounds like an order, but softening it to “my mother always tells me to eat catfish because it is healthy” offers not only consideration but also a personal story and a third opinion (your mom’s), which gently boosts the credibility of your statement. The use of “you” should be minimal, unless you want to make it sound like a conversation, which you should.
3. Give reasons. Why is catfish good for health? Include scientific facts if possible. Include your grandmother’s experience is even better: 1. It’s personal; 2. It’s most likely universal, somehow all grandmothers think the same; 3. It’s proven with time.
4. Tell a story. How did you come up with this recipe? How is your recipe different from other recipes of grilled catfish? Basically, what makes your recipe unique? What have you discovered while making this recipe, using this product, or eating this dish? James Boo and his co-writers on The Eaten Path tell some of the best stories.
5. How flexible is your recipe? Can I use brown rice instead of basmati rice, pork bone instead of beef bone, or blueberries instead of raisins? For a review, how adaptable is the dish or the product? Can it be eaten any time of the day, any season of the year? What kind of beverage would it go well with? What changes can/should be made if I want to make it for my grandmother’s cousin who has dentures and is fond of duck tongue?
6. Tell us about the result. What do you think about your recipe after you eat it? Is it perfect? Did it give you a split second of enlightenment? Is there anything you should have done differently or is there anything you would like to experiment next time you make it? Will you make it again? Did your best invention give you the worst stomachache the following day? Did anyone beside you eat it, if so, what did they think? The answers to these questions add personality to your post and complete your story.
7. Google is your best friend. And like with your best human friend, you should prepare to spend a lot of time with Google. There are already a lot of information out there, simply reciting the first link you find is not going to make your post any better than that link. What the reader needs is all of that information in one place, so that they can quickly go back and look up for it as needed. I spent 2 days browsing through 50 pages of articles on the ash sticky rice dumpling (bánh ú tro), most are copies of one another, to get enough information for my post. The more inclusive your post is, the more useful it is for the reader. Your reader is spending their valuable time to read your post, so you have to invest your time to research before you write.
Also make sure to cite your sources. Citation doesn’t take away your expertise, it proves it.
8. Be funny. This point is always mentioned in every blogging to-do list, and it’s the hardest point to follow. How can you be funny? I try, but I don’t know if I’ve ever succeeded because nobody has ever told me that I’m funny. But here’s a trick I’ve learned from noodlepie: you can be funny by referencing funny things. Use the built-in links to your advantage. Those who bother to click on them, get the hidden jokes.
9. Be open about yourself. Be personal. If you don’t want the world to know about you, maybe you should set your blog private, or blog in your head. Besides, the world is not out to get you, unless you’re a serial killer on Interpol‘s wanted list who also enjoys seeking out the most authentic pad thai in the States, in which case you probably shouldn’t blog about where you just had lunch… (or maybe you should?)
To sum it up, a good blogging tone is confident, respectful and open. Content-wise, be informative. Ask yourself while writing: have I learned something new? If you don’t learn anything new while writing your post, that means you haven’t done enough research and your post is useless. Even if you think of the entire post all by yourself in one go, there are always numbers and statistics that you can add to bolster your arguments, or fun facts to make your baked potato not so trivial, or new words that you procure from thesaurus.com to avoid repeating yourself. If you learn something new while writing your post, chances are your readers will learn something new from your post, and that newly acquired knowledge will prompt them to think of your blog as a valuable source, and they will come back.
This post was written after an allnighter. Now the author has learned what her third alarm, which she always sleeps through, sounds like.
Great post, I conceive website owners should larn a lot from this website its rattling user genial.
1We’re a bunch of volunteers and opening a brand new scheme in our community. Your website offered us with useful info to work on. You’ve performed a formidable process and our whole neighborhood might be grateful to you.
2hello there and thank you for your info – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from right here. I did however expertise some technical points using this site, since I experienced to reload the web site a lot of times previous to I could get it to load properly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Not that I am complaining, but sluggish loading instances times will often affect your placement in google and could damage your quality score if advertising and marketing with Adwords. Anyway I am adding this RSS to my email and could look out for much more of your respective fascinating content. Ensure that you update this again very soon..
3Hello. excellent job. I did not imagine this. This is a impressive story. Thanks!
4Yesterday, while I was at work, my cousin stole my iPad and tested to see if it can survive a twenty five foot drop, just so she can be a youtube sensation. My iPad is now destroyed and she has 83 views. I know this is entirely off topic but I had to share it with someone!
5You have remarked very interesting details ! ps decent internet site.
6Hello! I could have sworn I’ve been to this blog before but after browsing through some of the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!
7you are truly a just right webmaster. The website loading pace is amazing. It sort of feels that you’re doing any distinctive trick. Moreover, The contents are masterpiece. you’ve done a magnificent job on this matter!
8I have been browsing on-line greater than 3 hours as of late, yet I by no means discovered any fascinating article like yours. It is pretty price enough for me. Personally, if all site owners and bloggers made good content as you did, the internet will be a lot more useful than ever before.
9It’s really a cool and helpful piece of info. I’m happy that you simply shared this helpful info with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.
10hi!,I really like your writing very much! percentage we keep up a correspondence more about your post on AOL? I require a specialist in this space to resolve my problem. May be that is you! Looking forward to look you.
11I want forgathering utile information , this post has got me even more info! .
12You are a very smart person!
13I am not sure where you are getting your info, but great topic. I must spend a while finding out much more or figuring out more. Thank you for fantastic information I was looking for this information for my mission.
14Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care
15Thanks a lot for sharing this with all people you actually understand what you are talking approximately! Bookmarked. Kindly also seek advice from my site =). We may have a hyperlink change arrangement between us!
16Thanks for another great article. Where else could anyone get that type of information in such a perfect way of writing? I have a presentation next week, and I am on the look for such information.
17I’m curious to find out what blog system you’re working with? I’m experiencing some minor security issues with my latest site and I’d like to find something more safeguarded. Do you have any solutions?
18Artikel yang hebat! Saya sangat menghargai cara Anda menjelaskan semuanya dengan sangat jelas. Teruskan kerja yang bagus!
19Hi, saya rasa situs Anda mungkin memiliki masalah kompatibilitas browser. Saat saya melihatnya di Safari terlihat baik-baik saja, tetapi di Internet Explorer tampilannya saling tumpang tindih. Saya hanya ingin memberi tahu Anda! Selain itu, blog yang fantastis!
20This web site is really a walk-through for all of the info you wanted about this and didn’t know who to ask. Glimpse here, and you’ll definitely discover it.
21An interesting discussion is worth comment. I think that you should write more on this topic, it might not be a taboo subject but generally people are not enough to speak on such topics. To the next. Cheers
22Hi my loved one! I want to say that this post is awesome, great written and come with almost all significant infos. I would like to look extra posts like this .
23Of course, what a great website and enlightening posts, I will bookmark your website.Best Regards!
24A formidable share, I just given this onto a colleague who was doing a little evaluation on this. And he in actual fact purchased me breakfast as a result of I discovered it for him.. smile. So let me reword that: Thnx for the treat! But yeah Thnkx for spending the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love studying more on this topic. If possible, as you develop into expertise, would you mind updating your weblog with more details? It is extremely helpful for me. Massive thumb up for this weblog post!
25늑대닷컴을 검색하며 궁금했던 웹툰 정보와 작품 찾는 방법을 정리했습니다. 연재·완결 구분, 무료 회차와 미리보기 차이, 주소 정보 확인 기준, 모바일 이용 팁과 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하세요.
26구미오피를 검색하며 구미 지역 일반 마사지·스파를 알아보는 분들을 위한 안내입니다. 프로그램 선택, 관리 시간과 비용, 시설·위생, 주차, 예약 전 확인사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 정리했습니다.
27구미오피를 검색하며 구미 지역 일반 마사지·스파를 알아보는 분들을 위한 안내입니다. 프로그램 선택, 관리 시간과 비용, 시설·위생, 주차, 예약 전 확인사항과 자주 묻는 질문을 정리했습니다.
28밤토끼가 어떤 사이트였는지, 과거 이력과 현재 검색 정보를 구분하는 방법을 정리했습니다. 예전에 보던 웹툰 찾기, 공식 연재처 확인, 무료 회차와 대여·소장 차이, 자주 묻는 질문까지 한 번에 확인하세요.
29밤토끼가 어떤 사이트였는지, 과거 이력과 현재 검색 정보를 구분하는 방법을 정리했습니다. 예전에 보던 웹툰 찾기, 공식 연재처 확인, 무료 회차와 대여·소장 차이, 자주 묻는 질문까지 한 번에 확인하세요.
30포항오피 검색어의 맥락과 온라인 정보 확인 기준을 정리했습니다. 광고성 표현과 후기의 출처, 게시물의 최신성, 개인정보 보호 방법, 포항 공공정보와 자주 묻는 질문을 확인하세요.
31Hello my loved one! I want to say that this post is awesome, great written and include almost all significant infos. I’d like to look more posts like this .
32This blog is definitely rather handy since I’m at the moment creating an internet floral website – although I am only starting out therefore it’s really fairly small, nothing like this site. Can link to a few of the posts here as they are quite. Thanks much. Zoey Olsen
33I’m still learning from you, as I’m improving myself. I certainly liked reading all that is posted on your site.Keep the information coming. I liked it!
34You have noted very interesting points! ps decent internet site. “‘Tis a sharp medicine, but it will cure all that ails you. — last words before his beheadding” by Sir Walter Raleigh.
35I reckon something genuinely special in this web site.
36I believe this web site holds very superb written content material content.
37Definitely consider that which you stated. Your favourite justification appeared to be on the net the easiest factor to take note of. I say to you, I certainly get annoyed whilst other people consider worries that they just don’t know about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and outlined out the whole thing with no need side effect , other folks can take a signal. Will probably be again to get more. Thank you
38I love it when people come together and share opinions, great blog, keep it up.
39I love forgathering useful information , this post has got me even more info! .
40I like this internet site because so much useful stuff on here :D.
41I was suggested this web site by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as nobody else know such detailed about my problem. You’re amazing! Thanks!
42소액결제현금화의 의미와 수수료 계산, 실제 부담액을 확인하세요. 휴대폰 결제 한도와 통신요금 청구, 관련 법령, 취소·환불 및 피해 대응까지 공식 자료를 바탕으로 정리했습니다.
43I really enjoy reading through on this internet site, it has got wonderful articles. “A short saying oft contains much wisdom.” by Sophocles.
44부산여성전용마사지 부산토닥이 드디어 부산 상륙 NO.1 부산 최대 규모 관리사들 항시 대기중 24시 연중무휴
45Neat blog! Is your theme custom made or did you download it from somewhere? A theme like yours with a few simple tweeks would really make my blog jump out. Please let me know where you got your theme. Appreciate it
46I enjoy you because of your own effort on this website. My mom really likes making time for investigations and it’s really easy to see why. My spouse and i learn all relating to the lively form you produce good tricks via your website and therefore strongly encourage contribution from some other people on this idea so my child is without question understanding so much. Take pleasure in the rest of the new year. You are carrying out a fantastic job.
47Regards for helping out, excellent info .
48I do not even know the way I stopped up here, however I assumed this put up used to be great. I do not realize who you’re but certainly you are going to a famous blogger in the event you are not already 😉 Cheers!
49Its fantastic as your other articles : D, thankyou for posting. “A gift in season is a double favor to the needy.” by Publilius Syrus.
50