How to be a C-list food blogger

So this is a few weeks late, but I'd like to officially celebrate Never Trust a Skinny Chef's second birthday! It seems like yesterday, but two years ago I was sitting at my computer writing my first (real) post about visiting my family for Easter. Here's my contribution to the Easter egg hunt this year. Happy Birthday NTSC!

So it seems like the cool thing to celebrate your anniversary by writing a post about your tips for budding food bloggers. The Amateur Gourmet (twice) and Delicious Days both did so recently, and they're both very cool.

The problem is that they're both giants in the food blogging world. They do an excellent job and are real role models for the rest of us, but the fact of the matter is that dozens of food blogs are created every day and not everyone reaches that level of fame or success. We need a primer for the rest of us.

So without further ado, here's my list of how to be a C-lister like me.

Step 1. Be realistic.

When I started I spent a lot of time reading tons of blogs trying to figure out how to get big. Hey, I'm a first born and I need the attention. After about 7 or 8 months, I got really bummed out. I realized I'd probably never take pictures like Keiko, cook like Clotilde, write like Molly, or have really wicked web design like Nicky.

And then a funny thing happened. I stopped caring. I just cooked for fun, took pictures because it was cool and worked on my writing because I went to college (out of state) for 5 years and should expect a little more for my parents' $65k. And my blog got better.

Step 2. Find your voice.

In the beginning I was trying really hard to be the next Food Network Star. I was all about being polished and professional, with insightful commentary and interesting historical research.

Then I woke up and realized that I was a total hack. I'm only a slightly above average cook, and my literary skills are more See Spot Run than War and Peace. I stopped trying to be Martha Stewart and just started writing like I was talking to my wife or my friends. Heck, I even cracked a joke or two. And my blog got better.

Step 3. Write whenever you feel like it.

The first thing you can do to get a lot of traffic is write everyday. If you're a working stiff like me, the worst thing you can do is write every day. I've tried doing 3-4 posts a week and my writing was total crap. My pictures were worse.

So once again I stopped trying so hard to please everyone all the time. I write when I'm inspired and when I'm not, I take a break. I may not have a ton of traffic, but I still love blogging and I think my blog got better.

Step 4. Make friends.

I write for myself, but I also write for my loyal readers and fellow bloggers who participate in this worldwide obsession with food. Getting to know other bloggers, like Jeff and Anne, has been really wonderful. If I ever get back to Beantown or make the trip to the Great White North I'll be sure to get you guys a drink or two. Biggles is the real deal (and a really great guy), and Alanna is the nicest person on the internet (and a real help when your soda bread goes really wrong).

Don't forget to participate in food events (I love "Does My Blog Look Good in This?"), and to answer the random meme or two.

Also, get your Mom and sister to read your blog. They'll comment on every post, and everyone knows how much bloggers love comments (yeah, I'm talking to you!). As for the wife, she puts up with enough in the name of blogging (cold food, constant picture taking, tons of dishes) so don't even bother.

In the end this all sounds terribly harsh, but it's actually quite liberating. Once you stop trying to be the next big thing you can sit down and concentrate on making delicious food and having a good time with it. And that's what blogging is all about, isn't it?

P.S. - I totally forgot. Also read every post in Food Blog S'cool. This is where the food blogging community meets to exchange ideas and get help. It's a must-read.