Kathryn Donangelo Knows the Importance of Quality Content, Pinterest and a Beautiful Cheese Board
Hi Kathryn, so excited to feature you this week! Tell us about your blog.
On Kathryn’s Kitchen Blog I strive for simplicity, health inspired, and go-to-recipes that anyone can make. I want to help you fill your loved ones’ tummies with delicious food and bring memorable recipes to your family’s dinner table. I never want anyone to feel intimidated about cooking or baking!
How did you get started blogging?
I first started shortly after college by creating a health-inspired Instagram account and shared occasional recipes. A few years later I created a blog and posted a few recipes here and there with horrible photos I took on my iPad. Fast forward to 2017, I revamped and refreshed my blog. I started investing in my blog more and would wake up at 5am on most mornings before my full-time job and take various webinar courses, listen to blogging podcasts, I invested in a blogging coach, and I joined Food Blogger Pro which helped me get to where I am today.
Share with us a favorite quote!
“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” I love this because it is so true with blogging. Blogging takes so much time and effort and you truly have to work so hard to see results. It’ not easy but it’s always 100% worth it.
What’s the best blogging advice you’ve ever received?
Quality over quantity! It’s better to create 10 amazing blog posts instead of 100 posts that are just OK. I’ve learned SEO is everything and being true to your brand and readers. Never try to be anyone else but YOU….always keep it real.
What are some of the most popular recipes from your site?
Cheesecake Bites, Funfetti ‘Dunkaroo’ Dip, and Homemade Tuna Poke. I think it’s funny because the Cheesecake Bites and Poke were my husband’s idea- not mine. I had literally no idea they would be so popular!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B_C1uFLnV7W/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading https://www.instagram.com/p/CANhtBnnOB_/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading https://www.instagram.com/p/CAK0_2XneNI/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading
Does your family still own restaurants and what sort of influence did that have on your interest in becoming a food blogger?
Yes! My Dad still owns two Italian restaurants on Fisherman’s Wharf (Café Fina and Domencio’s). I grew up in the restaurant industry and the passion for food is in my family.
Who are some of your favorite food bloggers?
The Baker Mama – I love her boards! These other bloggers are my favorites because they inspire me! They started out with their blog being a hobby and turned it into their career: Sally’s Baking Addiction, Butternut Bakery, A Latte Food, The Toasted Pinenut, Real Balanced and Life in the Lofthouse.
What food trend would you like to see more of? Less of?
Less vegan food! More cheese and charcuterie boards! I think they are so fun and creative. Also, how can you not love a good-looking cheese board?
What is your favorite social media platform at the moment?
Pinterest! A huge contribution of my traffic is from Pinterest and I am very grateful for that.
Any tips you want to share with bloggers just starting out?
Reach out and ask questions to other food bloggers. I have reached out to numerous bloggers asking for advice/questions/opinions who started off blogging as a hobby and now blog full time. The blogging world is a super sweet community because we are all on the same boat and we all want to help each other. I also highly recommend joining Food Blogger Pro, take Pinterest courses, learn how to optimize your posts, master SEO, and take webinars. Knowledge is power and there are so many helpful resources out there!
What are your favorite and least favorite parts about blogging?
My favorite part is taking photos and editing photos. I’ve never taken a photography class so everything I’ve learned is from myself. I often look at food magazines for inspiration. Editing photos is exciting to me because it brings the photo to life!
My least favorite? Posting so much on social media – it’s so time consuming! I’ve never been a huge poster on social media but when it comes to my food blog I don’t have a choice. Social media is everything to the blogging world! It’s a lot to keep up with but luckily there are plenty of auto post tools that make it so much easier.
What do you focus on most when it comes to creating content?
Two things 1) SEO – I never realized how important SEO is in every single blog post until about a year ago 2) Researching – using certain tools for key word searches, Google Analytics, and Pinterest trends help me figure out my content calendar and it’s always good to know what people are searching for.
Where is your favorite place to travel?
Maui, Hawaii. My husband and I went there on our honeymoon last June 2019 and it was magical. I didn’t want to come back home!
What are some of your favorite cooking ingredients at the moment?
Any type of protein! I’ve been creating more recipes that are higher in protein and easy to make as a wholesome meal. For instance, my Turkey Chili and Skillet Chicken Pot Pie.
Share with us any goals you have for 2020.
My ultimate goal is to make KKB my career and blog full-time. Cooking and baking has always been a passion of mine. A long-term goal is to publish my own cookbook! I have been looking into publishing companies so I hope to get started soon!
Follow Kathryn on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest!
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