Although Kayla Burton has an intensive background in STEM, a interest let her down a unique path. She was on the lookout for a light-weight interest to take her thoughts off work, and since she had all the time had a ardour for baking, she created her web site, Broken Oven Baking.
Though Kayla did not learn about search engine optimization and key phrase analysis when she began, she rapidly discovered the ropes.
By sharing her creations on Instagram, she was capable of develop it rapidly. Then she grew her weblog, began touchdown model offers, and was nicely on her solution to constructing a really worthwhile enterprise.
In the present day, Kayla earns round $8k per 30 days, and whereas she grows her web site, she additionally coaches different meals bloggers.
Maintain studying to search out out:
- What her unique discipline was earlier than running a blog
- Why she began her weblog
- How her weblog received its title and why the title is difficult
- How she grew her following on social media
- Why she determined to get into teaching
- The place her revenue comes from
- How a lot site visitors she’s getting
- Her major advertising technique
- Her ideas on search engine optimization
- Her method to key phrase analysis and hyperlink constructing
- How she creates content material
- How she grows her e-mail lists
- The sources and instruments she makes use of
- Her major problem
- Her largest mistake
- Her recommendation for different entrepreneurs
Meet Kayla Burton
Hey, I’m Kayla!
I grew up in small-town Wisconsin and graduated from UW-Madison as a biology main in 2016. After a number of company jobs, I made an sudden profession transition from a analysis coordinator to a content material creator!
I didn’t have any prior expertise as a content material creator; my background was utterly in STEM.
I began my weblog whereas working as a scientific analysis coordinator.
Now I reside in Chicago with my associate, Chris Pieta, and our cavapoo, Archie. It’s been a enjoyable and wild journey and I’m so grateful for the place I’m at present!
Why She Created Her Web site
I created Broken Oven Baking in 2020 whereas working as a scientific analysis coordinator in oncology. I needed a interest to take my thoughts off of labor, and I’d all the time loved baking.
So, I began baking a ton and sharing my creations with coworkers and pals. I even hosted a number of cookie-decorating events and fundraisers!
Chris was beginning his product pictures firm on the time, so he took photographs of my bakes and I shared them on Instagram. After posting persistently for a number of months, I hit 1k followers and related with some superior, supportive meals bloggers!
I’d by no means actually learn blogs earlier than, however I loved taking part in round with internet design and emblem creation as a teen. That, mixed with my love for baking, led to the launch of my baking weblog!
I had no concept what I used to be doing to start with, however I used to be stuffed with pleasure for this new journey and intrigued by the chances!
Regardless of the title, I don’t even have a damaged oven (anymore)! After I began my weblog, I used to be residing in a 100+ year-old Chicago studio condominium with a really small gasoline oven that had a complete thoughts of its personal.
Because of an oven thermometer and persistence, I used to be nonetheless capable of efficiently bake every part from cookies to macarons!
I needed my weblog’s title to pay homage to the way it all started. I didn’t assume an excessive amount of about how folks with damaged ovens may bump into my weblog or how folks may anticipate no-bake recipes (which I do have a few of)!
At first, I spent my mornings, breaks, evenings, and weekends studying and implementing as a lot as I may. After a number of months, I purchased my very own digicam and took over picture duties.
In 2021, I hit 10k IG followers. I’d largely credit score consistency for my development to start with, however I did additionally use hashtags, interact with the neighborhood on IG, and bounce on reels within the early days!
After that I established my LLC, landed my first few model offers, received featured on Good Morning America, and stated goodbye to my 9-5!
A few 12 months after going full-time, I certified for Mediavine and began incomes advert revenue. This was an enormous milestone that I used to be tremendous pleased with!
I went all in on search engine optimization and key phrase analysis and diversified site visitors from social media, recipe sharing websites, and Google internet tales.
Any time I’d see a spike in site visitors, I’d do something I may to maintain it going! I even tried boosting posts on Fb a number of occasions.
As time went on, I spotted that I benefit from the tech/enterprise facet of running a blog and connecting with the neighborhood greater than recipe creation.
Different meals bloggers began reaching out with questions on WordPress, search engine optimization, working with manufacturers, and so on. and I used to be desirous to share my data!
In 2023, I launched my coaching services, which now embrace weblog audits, 1-on-1s, and group teaching.
It’s been tremendous fulfilling and I’m excited to construct it out and assist extra folks develop their running a blog companies!
How A lot She’s Making
I went full-time with my enterprise in Could 2021, and in 2023 it pulled in about $95k. This was virtually double what I made the 12 months earlier than, and greater than I ever made at any of my company jobs.
Whereas I used to be aiming for a 6-figure 12 months, I’m pleased with this accomplishment!
I at the moment have 3 major revenue streams. The tough estimates for 2023 are:
1) content material creation/sponsored work for meals manufacturers – 50%
2) advert income from my baking weblog – 25%, and
3) teaching companies for different meals bloggers 25%
I’ve not too long ago began promoting digital products as nicely. I’ve traffic and income reports for every quarter of 2023 on my weblog if you happen to’d wish to dig in there.
In 2023, my weblog got here near 1 million periods (959k), and this January I had 100k periods!
General 2023 periods:
General 2023 site visitors sources:
January 2024 vs 2023 periods:
I normally spend about 8-12 hours engaged on my enterprise each weekday.
This 12 months I’m making extra of an effort to take breaks over the weekend, however I’ll normally nonetheless put in a number of hours of sunshine work on Saturday and/or Sunday.
Kayla’s Important Advertising and marketing Methods
My major methods for my baking weblog are search engine optimization and social media advertising.
I all the time do key phrase analysis and competitor evaluation to get my recipes to rank on Google, and I create engaging photographs and movies to share throughout social media platforms.
Just lately, ManyChat has been a sport changer for growing engagement and driving Instagram site visitors to my weblog!
ManyChat is a chatbot platform that permits me to robotically ship my recipe hyperlinks to Instagram customers once they remark a selected key phrase on a submit.
For instance, throughout the vacation season I posted a reel for my Raspberry Crumble Cookies. I used ManyChat to arrange an automation in order that when somebody commented “recipe,” they instantly acquired a DM with the recipe hyperlink.
The reel ended up getting 2.7m views on IG and over 13k folks commented to get the recipe by way of ManyChat.
As for weblog teaching, my major technique is targeted on neighborhood.
This comes naturally and is extra fulfilling to me! Since I like serving to bloggers and giving again to the neighborhood, I share free ideas and sources by way of a weekly email newsletter and Instagram content material @foodblogcoach.
Those that need to be taught and excel quicker spend money on my paid coaching services.
Her Ideas on search engine optimization
Round 47% of my weblog periods have been from Google natural site visitors in 2023, so I’d say search engine optimization is vital for my enterprise. In truth, it’s so vital that I invested in an search engine optimization audit with Casey Markee in 2022!
My social site visitors is usually from Pinterest, however I’m additionally energetic on Instagram, Fb, TikTok, and YouTube (shorts) and get a little bit of site visitors from these, as nicely.
My present course of is formulating candy recipes with key phrases that I can rank for. The primary instruments I exploit are Google, KeySearch, SEOquake, and not too long ago I’ve added Semrush into the combination.
Key phrase Analysis
Whereas there’s extra that goes into it, I sometimes shoot for a major goal key phrase of a minimum of 1000 month-to-month search quantity and <50 issue in KeySearch.
I additionally return and replace posts once in a while to attempt to bump them up within the SERPs.
Hyperlink Constructing
I feel hyperlink constructing is vital to assist drive site visitors and enhance authority.
My major methods for gaining backlinks have been sharing recipes in Fb roundup teams and getting featured in podcasts, on-line information/magazines, and so on.
I attempted HARO some time in the past however I used to be so overwhelmed that I didn’t keep it up.
Her Content material Creation Course of
My weblog has a bit of over 200 posts in the mean time.
I’m at the moment specializing in updating outdated posts, however to summarize my new recipe creation course of: first I provide you with recipe concepts that match within my area of interest and I feel my viewers would love.
Then I conduct analysis to search out key phrases to rank for and ensure my posts match consumer intent.
As soon as I’m set on a recipe, I’ll take a look at it, write it up with the submit, and shoot photographs and movies for it. I at the moment have contractors serving to me write weblog posts, handle Pinterest, and edit photographs and movies. Lastly, I’ll publish and promote!
As I give attention to updates and weblog teaching this 12 months, I’m solely publishing 1-2 new posts per 30 days.
Nevertheless, I used to be persistently posting 2 recipes per week for fairly a while. I’ve a number of contractors serving to me out: a Pinterest supervisor, a weblog author, a photograph editor, and a video editor.
Her E-mail Checklist
I’ve 2 separate e-mail newsletters.
Each different week I ship out recipe and life updates to my baking weblog viewers. I develop this one by way of IG story promotion, a baking ideas freebie, and the ConvertKit Creator Community.
I additionally ship ideas and sources to my weblog teaching viewers as soon as per week. I develop this listing by way of free and paid sources, like my LrC Picture Export Information, Analytics Dashboard, and extra!
I’ve discovered a ton about meals running a blog from the Meals Blogger Professional podcast, Eat Weblog Speak, and TopHatRank webinars.
For all issues enterprise and mindset, I’d advocate Alex and Leila Hormozi’s content material and books. I’ve additionally actually loved Ali Abdaal’s new ebook, Really feel Good Productiveness!
As for instruments, I’d be misplaced with out my calendar, and I exploit Asana for each day planning and undertaking administration.
A instrument that’s been serving to me focus these days is mind.fm.
Her Largest Problem
I feel the most important problem I wrestle with is overcoming imposter syndrome. I’ve all the time had excessive requirements for myself and it’s arduous for me to guage how I’m doing as a brand new entrepreneur.
Irrespective of what number of nice critiques I get on recipes or testimonials from teaching shoppers, I nonetheless really feel like I’m not doing sufficient. To fight this, I attempt to have a look at the proof of what I’ve achieved up to now few years and simply hold going regardless of my emotions of insecurity.
I inform myself it’s regular to really feel this fashion if you’re fairly new to one thing and issues will really feel higher the extra you do it.
I additionally attempt to have a look at it in a optimistic method. It is good that I care and need to do superb work and proceed enhancing!
I requested my present group teaching members one thing like this throughout our first name collectively and one among their solutions was “not giving up.”
I wholeheartedly agree with this. I’m pleased with my willingness to attempt new issues, potential to resolve issues, and resilience general!
What She Needs She Knew When She Began
Meals running a blog is far more than simply making recipes and taking photographs.
I had completely no concept what search engine optimization or key phrase analysis was once I began out. Having that and web site data would’ve saved me a lot money and time to start with.
To be taught these expertise, I watched the entire free TopHatRank search engine optimization for Bloggers webinars, listened to podcasts like Meals Blogger Professional and Eat Weblog Speak, and bought the Cooking With Key phrases course.
I additionally invested in an search engine optimization audit with Casey Markee after listening to each interview of his I may discover!
Her Largest Mistake
I don’t dwell on errors so nothing actually stands out as important.
I view every part as a studying expertise and rapidly transfer on to the subsequent take a look at.
After I launched my weblog, I used to be on wordpress.com with a poorly optimized theme and low cost host. These have been errors that I needed to appropriate, however I discovered a lot from them (together with that I ought to spend money on myself to keep away from future errors)!
Her Recommendation for Different Entrepreneurs
Love the core of what you do and don’t anticipate issues to be simple or fixed. Expertise is advancing so rapidly proper now that issues are all the time altering!
Your methods and objectives will in all probability look a bit of completely different in a number of years, and that’s okay. I’ve solely been running a blog for about 4 years now and issues already look so completely different from once I began!
Maintain an open thoughts and hold executing. The extra you do, the extra you’ll find out about your self, the trade, and what route you need to transfer in.
Say no to issues that don’t align together with your imaginative and prescient or values. If you happen to’re on this for the long term, assume long-term when making massive choices.
Don’t be afraid to ask for assist! Outsource duties that drain you, spend money on teaching, and so on.
Be your genuine self! Construct your private model and set up a neighborhood.
