Happy October, fellow bloggers and food enthusiasts! As we step into a new month, it’s time to reflect on the remarkable journey of This Gal Cooks during September 2013. This period was nothing short of transformative, marked by unprecedented growth in both audience engagement and financial success. Join me as we delve into the comprehensive details of our Blogging Traffic and Income Report for September 2013, offering transparent insights into the strategies that fueled this expansion.
September stands out as an absolutely fantastic month for This Gal Cooks. We celebrated a significant milestone: hitting the coveted 100,000 page views mark within a single month! This achievement represents a substantial increase of approximately 30,000 page views compared to August. Although I didn’t publish a dedicated report for August, let me quickly summarize its performance to provide context for this extraordinary leap.
August 2013: A Brief Overview
Before diving into September’s phenomenal results, it’s worth noting August’s steady performance:
- Page Views: 77,715
- Income: $950.00
These figures set a solid foundation, making September’s surge even more impressive. The rapid acceleration in traffic caught me by surprise, underscoring the dynamic nature of blogging and the impact of focused strategies.
September 2013: Breaking Down Traffic and Blogging Income
Analyzing Our Traffic Explosion
As the visual representation clearly illustrates, September witnessed an almost 30,000 page view increase. Witnessing these numbers unfold was genuinely astounding. Such a significant jump in traffic was unprecedented for This Gal Cooks, prompting me to meticulously analyze the factors behind this growth. What exactly contributed to this remarkable acceleration during September?
Several key elements converged to create this perfect storm of traffic. Primarily, the strategic leveraging of Pinterest proved incredibly effective. Coupled with robust performance from search engines and consistent direct traffic, our content also garnered significant attention through shares on various prominent platforms. Throughout September, This Gal Cooks was featured on Recipe Lion, Foodgawker (which I actively contributed to), Delish, Huff Post Taste, and Good Housekeeping. While the initial days of these features brought the highest traffic spikes, the continuous exposure on these high-authority sites has ensured a steady stream of sustained referral traffic to my blog.
The Unparalleled Power of Pinterest for Food Blogs
Pinterest emerged as an absolute game-changer. My Pinterest traffic more than doubled compared to August. This exponential growth can be attributed to a deliberate shift in strategy: increased engagement with group boards. I dedicated more time to pinning content to collaborative boards, and critically, a few influential bloggers with exceptionally large group boards generously shared some of my posts. This demonstrated the immense power of community and collaboration on Pinterest. For any blogger seeking to significantly boost their reach, I wholeheartedly recommend actively joining and contributing to relevant group boards. They offer a fantastic avenue to tap into broader audiences who are already interested in your niche, making them a cornerstone of any effective Pinterest marketing strategy.
Optimizing for Search Engines with Yoast SEO and Ziplist
Beyond social media, my blog began to consistently rank higher on search engine results pages, particularly Google. This improvement is a direct result of implementing the Yoast SEO plugin over the past few months. Yoast SEO has been instrumental in refining my on-page optimization, guiding me through keyword integration, meta description creation, and readability enhancements. The continuous effort in improving my SEO implementation has clearly paid off. Furthermore, I utilize a specialized recipe plugin called Ziplist. This powerful tool allows me to upload a high-quality photo that appears directly alongside my recipe link in Google search results. This visual element creates highly engaging “rich snippets” that significantly enhance click-through rates. Here’s a compelling example: when I searched for “Twenty Minute Easy Tortellini Bake,” not only did my recipe appear first in the Google Search results, but a captivating picture of the dish was displayed right next to it, making it irresistible to users.
This visual advantage is crucial in today’s competitive search landscape, helping my content stand out and attract more organic traffic.
Evolving Content Strategy: Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity
Interestingly, I’ve significantly scaled back my participation in blog link parties. While they can be beneficial, I simply haven’t had the time to commit to them extensively. I still link up to a select few each week, typically under five, focusing on those that consistently deliver value. A more impactful shift involved adjusting my weekly posting frequency. Instead of striving for daily posts, I now aim for approximately four posts per week, usually comprising two to three new recipe posts alongside Sunday’s Marvelous Mondays feature. This decision stemmed from an insightful article (whose link, regrettably, I can no longer locate) that argued against the necessity of posting daily to generate traffic. The core message resonated with me: readers, myself included, don’t always have the time to engage with new blog content every single day. By reducing the frequency, I’ve been able to dedicate more time to creating higher-quality, more valuable content, which ultimately benefits both my readers and my search engine rankings.
Furthermore, I’ve refined my email marketing approach. I discontinued the automated “Email to RSS” notifications and began crafting my own custom email newsletters. I now send out two to three curated emails per week. I believe sending an email every single time a new post goes live can overwhelm subscribers and lead to higher unsubscribe rates. This new strategy allows for more thoughtful communication, bundling content and offering a more engaging experience. It’s important to acknowledge that every blogger finds their unique rhythm, and what works for one may not work for another. The blogging world is diverse, and as the saying goes, “different strokes for different folks.” This flexibility and willingness to adapt are key to sustained growth.
September 2013: A Detailed Income Report
September was not only a triumph in terms of traffic but also marked a strong performance financially. Our total income for the month reached $812.34, with expenses totaling $37.79, resulting in a healthy net income of $774.55. This report provides complete transparency into the various revenue streams and necessary expenditures for the month.
Income Breakdown: Diversified Revenue Streams
A diverse income strategy is crucial for blog sustainability. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the income generated in September 2013:
- September 11: Wonderful Brands via Clever Girls Collective (for July 2013 efforts) – $125.00
This payment represents earnings from a sponsored content campaign facilitated by Clever Girls Collective, a prominent influencer marketing network connecting brands with bloggers. Engaging in sponsored posts allows for direct collaboration with brands and offers a significant revenue stream. - September 13: Nature Box campaign via Burst Media (for July 2013 efforts) – $250.00
Another successful sponsored campaign, this time with Nature Box, managed through Burst Media. Such partnerships are vital for creating high-quality, brand-aligned content that resonates with the audience while providing fair compensation for the blogger’s reach and influence. - September 17: Electrolux via Clever Girls Collective (for August 2013 efforts) – $125.00
Further illustrating the value of influencer networks, this payment from Electrolux via Clever Girls Collective highlights ongoing successful brand collaborations that contribute consistently to our income. - September 24: Google AdSense Revenue for July and August 2013 – $212.34
AdSense remains a cornerstone of passive income for many blogs, generating revenue through ads displayed on the site. The combined payment for July and August reflects the cumulative effect of increased page views and audience engagement, as more visitors mean more ad impressions and clicks. - September 30: Green Giant Veggie Chips via Clever Girls Collective – $100.00
Rounding out the month’s income, this payment from a campaign with Green Giant Veggie Chips, again through Clever Girls Collective, underscores the consistent opportunity for brand partnerships in the food blogging niche.
This diversified approach, combining direct advertising revenue with strategic sponsored content, provides financial stability and allows for continued investment in the blog’s growth and content quality.
Managing Blog Expenses: Investing in Growth
Running a blog also involves necessary investments. Our expenses for September were minimal but strategic:
- Giveaway participation – $10.00
Participating in giveaways is an effective way to engage the audience, reward loyal readers, and attract new followers. These small investments can yield significant returns in community building. - Vista Print Business Cards – $27.79
Professional business cards are essential for networking, especially at blogging conferences, food events, and in casual interactions. They serve as a tangible reminder of the blog and facilitate new connections.
These expenses are viewed not as costs but as investments that directly contribute to brand visibility, audience engagement, and long-term growth.
Key Takeaways and Future Outlook
September 2013 was a defining month for This Gal Cooks, demonstrating the profound impact of strategic SEO, active Pinterest marketing, influential media features, and a refined content approach. Hitting the 100,000 page view milestone and achieving robust income figures are testaments to consistent effort and a willingness to adapt strategies based on performance. The lessons learned, particularly regarding the power of visual search platforms like Pinterest, the critical role of SEO tools like Yoast and Ziplist, and the effectiveness of a quality-over-quantity content schedule, are invaluable.
For fellow bloggers, I hope this detailed report offers inspiration and practical insights. Continuous analysis of traffic sources, a proactive approach to SEO, and thoughtful content creation are pillars for sustained growth. Embrace experimentation, learn from your data, and always strive to deliver exceptional value to your audience.
If you have any questions regarding the strategies discussed, our income streams, or traffic generation methods, please feel free to leave a comment below. For those who prefer a more private conversation, you can reach out via email at thisgalcooks (at) gmail (dot) com. Your engagement and curiosity are always welcome!