How We Made Our First $100 from Food Blogging

Learn how to earn your first $100 from food blogging with proven strategies like ads, affiliate marketing, and sponsored content. Start monetizing today!

Earning your first $100 from food blogging is a significant milestone. It’s a testament to your hard work, creativity, and persistence in a competitive digital landscape. Whether you’re a new blogger or someone looking to monetize an existing food blog, this guide provides actionable strategies, real-world insights, and practical tips to help you reach that first $100 and beyond. Drawing from the experiences of the Food Blogger Pro community and industry experts, we’ll explore the most effective monetization methods, including display ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product sales, while addressing the challenges and opportunities unique to food blogging.

Why the First $100 Matters

The first $100 is more than just a number—it’s a proof of concept. It shows that your blog can generate income, validating your efforts and motivating you to keep going. Food blogging is a unique niche that blends culinary passion with digital entrepreneurship. However, every blogger’s journey is different. Some balance full-time jobs, family responsibilities, or limited resources, while others can dedicate more time to content creation. These variables make it impossible to compare one blog’s growth to another’s, but they also highlight the universal truth: persistence pays off.

This article breaks down the most common ways food bloggers earn their first $100, supported by data from the Food Blogger Pro community and real-world examples. We’ll also provide a step-by-step roadmap to help you implement these strategies, along with tools, tips, and resources to maximize your success.

The Most Popular Ways to Earn Your First $100

The Food Blogger Pro community recently shared insights on how its members earned their first $100 from food blogging. The results, summarized in the chart below, reveal the most effective monetization methods.

1. Display Ads: The Passive Income Powerhouse

Display ads are the most popular way food bloggers earn their first $100, accounting for 40% of responses in the Food Blogger Pro survey. Ads are a relatively passive income stream, meaning you can earn money from content you’ve already created. When readers view or click on ads displayed on your blog, you generate revenue through ad networks like Google AdSense, Mediavine, or Journey by Mediavine.

How It Works

• Sign Up for an Ad Network: Popular options include Google AdSense (beginner-friendly, lower traffic requirements) and Mediavine (requires at least 50,000 monthly sessions for full membership, but Journey by Mediavine is more accessible for smaller blogs).
• Place Ads Strategically: Use plugins or ad network tools to place ads in high-visibility areas like sidebars, within blog posts, or below recipe cards.
• Optimize for Performance: Monitor ad performance using analytics tools provided by the ad network. Adjust ad placements to maximize clicks without compromising user experience.

Real-World Example

One blogger, thewholesomespoon, earned their first $0.31 through Chicory, a platform that integrates shoppable recipe ads. While the amount was small, it was a stepping stone to larger payouts. After 2.5 months of blogging, they were approved for Journey by Mediavine, which offers higher revenue potential. Their story highlights the importance of starting small and scaling up as traffic grows.

Tips for Success

• Focus on Traffic: Most ad networks require a minimum number of monthly page views (e.g., 10,000 for Journey by Mediavine). Prioritize SEO to drive organic traffic through Google.
• Avoid Overloading Ads: Too many ads can slow your site or frustrate readers. Aim for a balance between revenue and user experience.
• Invest in Site Speed: Use a reliable hosting provider (e.g., SiteGround, starting at $3.99/month, or WP Engine, starting at $20/month) to ensure fast load times, which ad networks favor.

Costs Involved

2. Affiliate Marketing: Promoting Products You Love

Affiliate marketing, chosen by 30% of Food Blogger Pro members, is another powerful way to earn your first $100. It involves promoting products or services through unique affiliate links, earning a commission when readers make purchases.

How It Works

• Join Affiliate Programs: Popular programs for food bloggers include Amazon Associates (1–10% commission per sale), ShareASale, and Impact. Food Blogger Pro also offers an affiliate program.
• Create Relevant Content: Write blog posts, gift guides, or social media posts featuring products you use (e.g., kitchen gadgets, cookware). Include your affiliate links.
• Leverage High-Traffic Seasons: The fourth quarter (October–December) is ideal for affiliate marketing due to holiday shopping. Publish gift guides or product roundups to capitalize on “buying mode.”

Real-World Example

Leslie from The Baker’s Almanac earned her first $100 through Amazon affiliate links embedded in YouTube recipe videos. As her videos gained traction, her affiliate earnings grew, demonstrating the power of cross-platform promotion.

Tips for Success

• Choose Relevant Products: Promote items that align with your niche (e.g., high-powered blenders for smoothie recipes). Authenticity builds trust with your audience.
• Optimize Link Placement: Place affiliate links in recipe posts, product reviews, or resource pages. Use tools like Pretty Links ($59/year) to create branded, trackable links.
• Track Performance: Use affiliate dashboards to monitor clicks and conversions. Focus on high-performing products to maximize earnings.

Costs Involved

3. Sponsored Content: Partnering with Brands

Sponsored content, used by 15% of Food Blogger Pro members, involves collaborating with brands to create blog posts or social media content for a fee. This method requires building relationships and a modest audience but can be highly lucrative.

How It Works

• Build a Media Kit: Create a document showcasing your blog’s stats (traffic, social media followers, engagement) to pitch to brands.
• Reach Out to Brands: Engage with brands on social media (e.g., tag them in posts, use their hashtags) before pitching via email. Start with small, niche brands.
• Negotiate Terms: Agree on deliverables (e.g., blog post, Instagram post) and payment. Ensure contracts protect both parties.

Real-World Example

Alexa from Fooduzzi earned her first $100 through a sponsored blog post after building a relationship with a brand on Instagram. She tagged their products, used their hashtags, and eventually pitched a collaboration, securing a $100 contract.

Tips for Success

• Start Small: Target local or niche brands that align with your blog’s audience.
• Be Transparent: Disclose sponsored content to maintain trust with readers (e.g., use #ad or #sponsored).
• Invest in Photography: High-quality images attract brands. A basic setup (camera, lighting, props) costs ~$200–$500.

Costs Involved

4. Product Sales: Cookbooks and Beyond

Product sales, including cookbooks, accounted for 10% of Food Blogger Pro members’ first $100. This method involves creating and selling digital or physical products, such as eBooks, meal plans, or merchandise.

How It Works

• Create a Product: Write a cookbook, develop a meal plan, or design branded merchandise (e.g., aprons, recipe cards).
• Sell Through Your Blog: Use platforms like Gumroad ($10/month) or Shopify ($39/month) to handle sales and payments.
• Promote Aggressively: Market your product through blog posts, email newsletters, and social media.

Real-World Example

Katie from Well Vegan initially focused on meal plan subscriptions, earning her first $100 by offering curated vegan meal plans. While maintaining subscriptions was time-intensive, it provided a steady income stream.

Tips for Success

• Start with Digital Products: eBooks are cost-effective to produce (no printing costs) and easy to distribute.
• Use Email Marketing: Platforms like Mailchimp (free for up to 500 subscribers) help promote products to your audience.
• Test Pricing: Price eBooks between $5–$20 based on length and value. Offer discounts during launches to boost sales.

Costs Involved

The Reality: Not Everyone Monetizes Immediately

Despite the success stories, 31.25% of Food Blogger Pro members haven’t monetized their blogs yet. This is normal, especially for new bloggers. Building a blog takes time—typically 6–12 months to see significant traffic and revenue. The key is to experiment with multiple income streams and find what works for your audience and niche.

A Step-by-Step Roadmap to Your First $100

Here’s a practical, actionable plan to earn your first $100 from food blogging:

1. Set Up a Professional Blog (Cost: $50–$300/year)

• Choose a reliable hosting provider (e.g., SiteGround, $3.99/month).
• Use WordPress.org for full control (avoid WordPress.com for monetization).
• Invest in a food-focused theme like Foodie Pro ($59 one-time).

2. Create High-Quality Content (Time: 3–6 months)

• Publish 20–30 recipe posts optimized for SEO. Use tools like Yoast SEO ($99/year) to improve rankings.
• Focus on low-competition, high-volume keywords (e.g., “easy vegan dinner recipes”). Tools like Ahrefs ($99/month) or free alternatives like Google Keyword Planner can help.
• Include high-quality photos and recipe cards (use plugins like WP Recipe Maker, $49/year).

3. Drive Traffic (Time: 3–12 months)

• Share posts on social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram.
• Engage in food blogging communities on Reddit or Facebook to build backlinks.
• Optimize for Google Discover by creating timely, seasonal content (e.g., holiday recipes).

4. Monetize with Ads and Affiliates (Time: 2–6 months)

• Apply to Google AdSense or Journey by Mediavine once you reach 10,000 monthly page views.
• Join Amazon Associates and embed links in recipe posts.
• Create one gift guide or product roundup for the holiday season.

5. Pitch for Sponsored Content (Time: 6–12 months)

• Build a media kit showcasing 2,000–5,000 monthly page views and social media stats.
• Pitch 5–10 small brands via email or Instagram DMs.

6. Experiment with Products (Time: 6–12 months)

• Create a simple eBook with 10–15 recipes using Canva.
• Promote it through a free email newsletter (Mailchimp) and social media.

7. Challenges and How to Overcome Them

Food blogging is rewarding but challenging. Here are common obstacles and solutions:

• Low Traffic: Focus on SEO and social media promotion. Pinterest is particularly effective for food blogs, driving up to 80% of traffic for some bloggers.
• High Competition: Target niche keywords (e.g., “gluten-free vegan desserts”) to rank higher on Google.
• Time Constraints: Batch-create content (e.g., cook and photograph multiple recipes in one day) to save time.
• Burnout: Set realistic goals (e.g., 2–3 posts/week) and invest in tools like scheduling apps (Buffer, $6/month) to automate promotion.

Community Insights: Real Stories from Food Bloggers

The Food Blogger Pro team and community members shared their journeys to $100:

• Lindsay (Pinch of Yum): Combined display ads and affiliate marketing for blogging-related products. Her income reports detail her growth from $100 to six figures.
• Katie (Well Vegan): Focused on meal plan subscriptions before transitioning to other income streams.
• Alexa (Fooduzzi): Secured a $100 sponsored post by building a relationship with a brand on Instagram.
• thewholesomespoon: Earned $0.31 through Chicory’s shoppable ads after 3 months, celebrating it as a milestone. They now earn ~$4,000/month after 3 years.

On social platforms, new bloggers like Angels_Kitchen shared earning $0.05–$0.10/day with Google AdSense but chose to focus on traffic growth before monetizing further. Others, like MoltoRubato, earned $50 on their first day in the 1990s by mastering user engagement, though they note today’s competitive landscape requires more strategic effort.

Tools and Resources to Accelerate Your Journey

Here’s a curated list of tools to help you earn your first $100:

The Importance of Diversification

Relying on a single income stream is risky. Diversifying across ads, affiliates, sponsored content, and products ensures stability. For example, if ad revenue drops due to algorithm changes, affiliate income or product sales can offset losses. The Food Blogger Pro team emphasizes experimenting with multiple streams to find what resonates with your audience.

Celebrating Small Wins

As thewholesomespoon shared, earning $0.31 was cause for celebration. Small wins build momentum. Community feedback, like CreativeCulinary’s advice to avoid burnout by pacing content creation, underscores the importance of persistence and balance. Another blogger, hashtagtravelbug, likened their first earnings to a free coffee, highlighting that validation matters more than the amount early on.

Conclusion

Earning your first $100 from food blogging is achievable with the right strategies and mindset. Focus on building a professional blog, creating high-quality content, driving traffic, and experimenting with monetization methods like display ads, affiliate marketing, sponsored content, and product sales. While challenges like low traffic or time constraints are real, tools and community support can help you overcome them. Celebrate every milestone, no matter how small, and diversify your income streams to build a sustainable food blogging business.

If you’ve already earned your first $100, share your story in the comments! What worked for you, and what would you do differently? For those still working toward this goal, download our free eBook, 18 Ways to Monetize a Food Blog, for more inspiration and strategies.

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