Once Coupled’s Interview with Kathy Patalsky of Finding Vegan

You’ve decided on your food blog’s niche, but you’re still not sure quite how to work it to your advantage. Never fear. Kathy Patalsky, who gained popularity at her food blog Healthy Happy Life and launched the community-based vegan website Finding Vegan, is here to share her insight into how food bloggers can capitalize on their niche and differentiate themselves from the competition.

With so many recipe-sharing websites already available to readers and bloggers, why did you decide to launch Finding Vegan?

I was a fan of those sites, and I found it frustrating to have to browse all the photos when all I wanted to see were the certified vegan recipes. I saw a niche audience here and went for it. I also really loved the idea of starting a community-based vegan website since my personal blog focuses on just my own content.

What are you looking for when you review posts submitted by bloggers?

High quality photography is number one. The recipes also must be vegan, which may sound obvious, but I actually have to delete a lot of submissions using animal products. I do allow honey because it is so easy to sub with a vegan sweetener.

What do the best food bloggers have in common?

Consistency! The more you post the better you get at recognizing what your audience and what the market wants. I have seen so many bloggers over the years start out with good posts and today they post amazing content with top tier photos. It’s cool to watch that growth.

The top bloggers also allow their personality to shine through their blog and social media. And that doesn’t have to mean using photos of yourself and talking about intimate details about your life (though that’s fun too!) but your personality can also mean your culinary and design style. You want to stand out from the crowd in some way, and the way to do that is to be your own unique self.

What’s the most common mistake that new food bloggers make?

Not focusing enough on photography. I think new bloggers are SO excited to share their awesome recipes they forget that the recipe internet eats with its eyes! (Does that make sense? Ha.) Visuals are SO important for getting traffic from social media. And photography takes time to learn! There are so many aspects, from food styling to props and lighting.

What sort of traffic boost do bloggers featured on Finding Vegan usually see?

It depends on the season and current traffic stance of FV, but I get a constant flow of emails from bloggers thanking me for sending them so much traffic. I can’t really give numbers because those are always changing, especially based on Facebook’s algorithm. With close to a million likes, I depend a lot of Facebook.

How can vegan bloggers differentiate themselves from one another?

As I said above, definitely don’t be afraid to be yourself. That takes practice and courage, but in the end that is truly what sets the great bloggers apart from the good bloggers.

What’s the most unique approach to vegan blogging that you’ve seen?

Gosh. I think every blogger is so unique. I think the bloggers that collaborate to think big and start innovative projects and cookbooks are some of my favorites. I love when vegan bloggers engage a mainstream audience and really create something that doesn’t sound too preachy or off-putting and rather accepting and open.

What advice would you give to food bloggers seeking to gain more exposure?

Reach out to other bloggers and ask to exchange posts. Join Facebook groups. Stay active on social. And have fun and stay positive about your business! Positive energy and beautiful content will attract followers.

What’s the takeaway?

The internet eats with its eyes! That’s both brilliant and true. Accompany your recipes with beautiful photography and with your own style in order to stand out and make a name in your niche.