How to Start a Food Blog and Make ₦200K in 3 Months — From a Foodie Who Cooks with Heart
Hello, fellow food lovers! If you’re reading this, you probably think about food the way I do every aroma sparks a memory, and every plate tells a story. I’m a foodie first: I taste, test, adjust, and obsess over the little details that make a meal unforgettable the balance of heat and sweetness, the right texture, the hush of nostalgia when a dish tastes exactly like home.
Why readers should trust you (the foodie voice)
Before the how-to, let me be clear: readers follow people they believe love the thing they write about. So your opening must communicate that you are not just sharing recipes you live them.
Use personal details: the first time you learned to cook egusi, the aunt who taught you to fry plantain without burning it, that small secret seasoning you add on Sundays.
Two quick examples you can adapt for the top of your post:
"I grew up in a kitchen where every meal was an event the sizzle of peppers, the slow steam of fresh yams, and the way my mum tasted her food twice before calling everyone to eat. I write because I want that memory for everyone."
"Food is how I measure love. I test a recipe until it makes my eyes close with happy surprise. If I’m sharing it, you’ll taste that attention to detail in every step."
Step 1: Pick a focused niche (Week 1)
You cannot be everything to everyone. Pick a niche that fits your strengths and local advantage. Examples that work well in Nigeria:
- Traditional Nigerian dishes with modern twists (e.g., Jollof with smoked fish)
- Quick Lagos lunches for busy workers
- Healthy Naija recipes (low oil, balanced carbs)
- Budget recipes for students
Actionable: Decide your niche and write a 1-line blog mission (e.g., "Simple, authentic Nigerian recipes for busy Lagosians"). Put that mission in your About section.
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Step 2: Set up the blog (fast, Days 2–5)
Since you use Blogger, let’s keep this simple and fast:
1. Create or log into your Blogger account.
2. Choose a clean, responsive theme. (Pro Blogger Templates users: apply your theme’s recommended layout.)
3. Add essential pages: About, Contact, Privacy Policy, and a Recipes index.
4. Add your logo or just a clean site title.
5. Paste this shortcode under the header or sidebar for a branded CTA: [pro_blogger_cta name="Subscribe to Recipes" button_text="Get Free Recipes"].
Pro tip (Nigerian tone): Use familiar, friendly language e.g., "Welcome to NaijaKitchen your weekend jollof guide." Nigerians love warmth and directness.
Step 3: Content plan & first posts (Week 1–4)
Your goal in the first month:
Publish 12 high-quality pieces that’s roughly 3 per week. Mix formats:
6 full recipes (step-by-step with tips)
3 short videos or recipe reels (vertical format for TikTok/IG/YouTube Shorts)
3 list or guide posts (e.g., "5 Affordable Street Snacks in Surulere")
Each recipe post structure (Blogger-ready):
[pro_blogger_gallery]
<h2>Recipe Name</h2>
<p>Intro: 2–3 short sentences (personal, foodie voice)</p>
<ul>
<li><strong>Ingredients</strong></li>
<li>Step-by-step instructions numbered (use <ol> or numbered list)</li>
<li>Serving tips + small variations</li>
</ul>
[pro_blogger_relatedposts]
Actionable: Write each recipe with the sensory details you live for smell, texture, sound. This builds trust that you know taste.
Step 4: Visuals: phone photography & short videos (ongoing)
Good visuals = authority. You don’t need a pro camera. Use your phone, natural light, and these quick rules:
Shoot near a window; avoid harsh overhead light.
Use three angles: top-down, 45°, and a close-up of texture.
Show a human element — a hand stirring, a spoon lifting rice.
Create short 20–40 second recipe videos for TikTok & Reels. Paste this shortcode where you want a featured video in the post: [pro_blogger_video id="featured-recipe-1"].
Step 5: SEO & discoverability (Week 2 onwards)
You want search traffic fast. Do this for every post:
- Title with keywords: "How to Make Jollof Rice (Easy Naija Recipe)".
- Use the keyword in the first 100 words and in headings.
- Add alt text to every image: "egusi-soup-recipe-naija".
- Use internal links (link to other recipes in your post).
Actionable Checklist:
Add a short meta description (use the YAML at top of this document).
Add tags/categories (e.g., jollof, egusi, street-food).
Step 6: Social distribution & Nigerian growth hacks (Week 2–12)
Traffic comes from sharing. Prioritize channels that move fast in Nigeria:
- WhatsApp & Telegram: share recipe cards to your status and relevant groups.
- Facebook groups & Pages: post in local food groups (be helpful, not spammy).
- Instagram & TikTok: post reels and link to your Blogger post in bio.
- Pinterest: pin every recipe with an attractive vertical image.
Nigerian-specific tip: Collaborate with small Lagos-based food vendors or caterers for cross-posts. Local collabs get local shares fast.
Step 7: Monetization strategy (start Month 2, scale Month 3)
To hit ₦200K in 3 months, combine multiple income streams. Here are realistic, practical ways and a sample earning breakdown:
Revenue streams:
Google AdSense (display ads)
Affiliate links (kitchen gadgets, seasoning blends)
Sponsored posts and local brand deals (snack brands, oil brands)
Paid eBook or recipe bundle
Direct services: cooking class or meal-prep consulting
Sample conservative plan to reach ₦200K:
1. eBook – "10 Secret Naija Recipes" — Price: ₦2,000. Sell 60 copies = ₦120,000.
2. Affiliate sales — 30 sales averaging ₦1,500 commission = ₦45,000.
3. Local sponsored post — 1 small brand collab = ₦35,000.
Total = ₦200,000.
Actionable: Start building the eBook in Week 4 from your best recipes. Offer an early-bird price to subscribers.
Step 8: Build an email list (Week 2 onwards)
Email converts better than social. Offer a freebie: a 5-recipe PDF or a cheat-sheet called "My Weekend Jollof Plan." Use this shortcode where you want the opt-in form: [pro_blogger_subscribe title="Get the Free 5-Recipe PDF"].
Aim for 500 subscribers by the end of Month 2. Even a 5–10% conversion on an eBook from that list will sell many copies.
Step 9: Sample 12-week schedule (what to publish and when)
Weeks 1–4: Setup + 12 posts (3/week). Build social profiles. Start sharing daily.
Weeks 5–8: Create the eBook; run a small giveaway to grow subscribers; pitch 5 local brands for collaborations.
Weeks 9–12: Launch eBook with email campaign; run 1 sponsored post; double down on top-performing recipes for more traffic.
Step 10: Convert readers to paying customers (simple funnel)
1. Reader finds a recipe via Google or social.
2. They love it → subscribe to get the freebie.
3. After 7 days on your list, send an eBook promo (early-bird price).
4. Follow up with one email offering a limited-time bundle (e.g., recipe + 1 mini cooking class).
Actionable: Use urgency (limited seats, limited price) in email subject lines.
Nigerian Tone, A paragraph to connect locally
Naija people love food stories that feel like home. Use local slang sparingly, call familiar places by name, and reference local ingredients (seasoning cubes, garri, suya spice). Tell your readers why the recipe works for our tastebuds for example, how a little palm oil transforms the aroma, or why toasting your crayfish matters.
Also, sprinkle in reassurance: "You don’t need a fancy oven this recipe works on local gas stoves and SUYA grills." That helps readers trust you and attempt the recipe.
Practical checklist to paste into your Blogger editor
[ ] Set blog title and About page
[ ] Add 12 posts (3/week for 4 weeks)
[ ] Create and insert shortcodes: [pro_blogger_cta], [pro_blogger_gallery], [pro_blogger_relatedposts], [pro_blogger_video], [pro_blogger_subscribe]
[ ] Build eBook draft (10–12 recipes)
[ ] Create 10 short videos and 20 pinned images for Pinterest
[ ] Create email sequence: Welcome → Value → Pitch
Final encouragement (foodie-to-foodie)
If you love food and can write like you’re telling a friend how to make it unforgettable, people will follow. Treat your blog like a menu you’re proud of test, adjust, and repeat. In 3 months, with consistent publishing, smart sharing, and a simple monetization plan (especially a priced eBook + a local brand sponsored post), ₦200K is absolutely reachable.
[pro_blogger_cta name="Start Cooking & Subscribe" button_text="Get Free Recipes Now"]
