So, we’re all at home (mostly). We’re all bored. And bloggers across the globe are wondering what to do in terms of content. Some people are posting as normal, trying to provide a distraction. Others are taking some time off, assuming no one cares about what they’re posting right now. I feel like I’m somewhere in the middle. Mentally, I want to carry on as usual. Practically, I don’t know if that’s what my audience wants right now.
Some recent thoughts
‘People are bulk buying pasta. They’re not experimenting with new free from recipes.’
I mean…this is accurate. There’s been a drop in search engine views on just about all of the recipes that consistently do well and I can only assume that’s because people are trying to stick with the basics and make sure they have enough essentials to keep them going.
Suggested Post: Simple Tomato Pasta Sauce Recipe
‘But people like to cook to take their mind off things’
Also true, but there are 300,000 people in the Ocado queue and 75 people fighting over the last bag of quinoa in Tesco. If they want to cook, it’s still going to have to be simple.
‘What about all of the pre-planned content?’
Ah. Of course. Whether I decide that sharing recipes right now is all well and good or not, there’s still a lot of planning that could potentially go out of the window. Which only prompts more questions about how appropriate it is to share certain things.
The day after Boris Johnson made it clear we were all to stay inside (pre-lockdown), I was going to It hasn’t gone up yet because it didn’t feel appropriate to tell you how amazing it is and encourage you to go when you’re not supposed to be leaving the house at all. In terms of content decisions, that was relatively easy. But it gets more complicated.
Plant Sourced
For those of you who don’t know, Plant Sourced is a series that I started in 2020 dedicated to balanced vegan nutrition. Each month there’s a new vitamin or mineral as the focus and each week there’s a new recipe high in that vitamin or mineral.
Lockdown week one and that’s already gone out of the window. Plant Sourced got scrapped this week as I couldn’t get the things that I wanted to make up the calcium content in my trail mix. The recipe went up, but wasn’t the high calcium version I’d planned on sharing.
Ditching it?
I seriously considered scrapping this series for April. However, the plan for April was iron recipes. High iron vegan foods are typically things like beans and lentils (and dark chocolate). Given the current climate, making recipes with cupboard basics like that actually sounds like a good move as that could be helpful.
That trail mix recipe had a paragraph in it about food shortages and how the recipe could work if you didn’t have all of the ingredients. I thought people would skim through it, but it didn’t go unnoticed that I’d offered an alternative.
In April I’m going to try to do a ‘basic’ version of each recipe alongside the one I really want you to try when we’re in a better time. And I’ll be listing any swaps that can be made if you’re struggling to source one key ingredient.
Recipe A Day May
It seems crazy to say just how much time I’ve spent thinking about what the food situation is going to be like in May. It crosses my mind every 10-15 minutes, if anyone is wondering. Yes, supermarkets are struggling a lot right now. But they are all hiring and working on new strategies to try and keep us fed constantly. Ocado change their ordering policy every 2-3 days right now, and I’m sat here speculating on the potential situation in May? Ridiculous.
I treat this series like a literal baby. This year, my first May recipe was made in October. As I’m typing this in the final week of March, I’ve made 20 of the 31 dishes. Possibly more by the time you see this. Earlier in 2020, I set myself a little goal to have every single May recipe wrapped up before May starts. And I’m on track.
This series has to happen even if I’m the only one reading it by that point. I mean, I’d much prefer if you still read them and bookmark for later if there’s no improvement by then… but you see my point.
Previous Recipe A Day May posts.
Other thoughts?
‘What do you actually want to see?’
I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about the changes that need to be made to my April schedule and keep asking the same questions. Should I do some pantry only recipes? What about money – more budget friendly recipes? Nothing reflective of the times at all – would you rather browse and distract yourself with a recipes to try Pinterest board instead?
There’s obviously no right or wrong answer to those final questions. People will want some things, others something else. How your content consumption and needs vary at this time is likely going to differ from the person stood next to you. And that’s totally fine and normal.
But I would be incredibly appreciative if you could tell me what you’re wanting to see from a food blog right now in the comments below. I’d like to keep things as business as usual as possible, but obviously need to consider the kind of content you’d like to see right now.
Fellow bloggers, have you been battling with a similar set of questions regarding your own content? Have you made any changes recently?
Until next time,
Sophie
I don’t know what the best answer is, I kind of want blogs to distract me from the virus situation, but also I can’t think about anything else so I’m sure my blog posts will be influenced a lot by it for the foreseeable future.
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with sharing recipes that we can’t make right now, and I know I’ll keep reading and enjoying your posts regardless. The simpler alternative is a good idea to include, and a really nice compromise, I think.
I don’t really post food related content but i have found that ive been googling “chicken dishes” or something for inspiration cause i just cant think what to cook! I’d love to see more budget friendly dishes, i think that’d be really helpful!
I think your on the right track with your offerings, while some things might be difficult to come by for recipes I think it’s great that you have thought about offering a simple pantry item type option as well!
It is a bit of a weird time at the moment and nobody knows what the right thing to do is, I would do what ever feels right for you. I think making certain recipes with things that everyone just has in their cupboard would be a good idea and simple foods with not too many ingredients! X
I think the best thing is to not stress too much about it – if you’re unable to do that series, then that’s totally fine! I wouldn’t get too hung up on it and maybe just save it for a later date. At the moment I’m just trying to use up what’s in my cupboard but it does mean having to eat boring things like sausage rolls and chips… None of which is too healthy! So I’d love to see some recipes (if you can) that are super basic but also tasty!
In regards to my own content… My pageviews have dropped dramatically. I have no idea why but I guess people are either trying to avoid the internet because they’re tired of seeing things about the pandemic, or they are just looking at things about the pandemic. It’s really tricky but I’m going to press on forward because people might read my posts at a later date!
I always enjoy seeing your recipes, they certainly give me a lot of ideas and inspiration! At the moment, I am having a lot of noodles, pasta dishes and soups for lunches as they are easy and convenient. I love your idea of giving a basic version alongside the normal recipe in April, that sounds really helpful. From a blogging perspective, personally I find the distraction a positive thing, although I’m just taking things a day at a time. Hope you are doing okay Sophie! <3 xx
Bexa | http://www.hellobexa.com
You’ve made some really interesting points my lovely. I can really relate to this post as I’m feeling the same about my website and social media pages to be honest. I’m sending you so much love. Stay strong, stay safe.
With love, Alisha Valerie x | http://www.alishavalerie.com
I think so many of us are struggling with our content at the moment. It seems like everyone’s plans have been put on hold and were all trying to figure out where to go next. Personally I love reading whatever recipes you post, as usually I’ll bookmark a recipe and try it at a later date anyway.
I’d say defo continue with the series because you’ve put so much time and effort into it! Pantry focused recipes would be a great extra as well X
https://www.femaleoriginal.com
I love that you are having these thoughtful considerations on how best to serve your audience. I’m a little saddened because typically in the spring we eat more fresh products. Something, I’d like to see are recipes made from staple items that are delicious and can be made with children ( bonus if they’ll eat then too). I’d also love to learn more about your Plant Sourced series because I’ve been considering moving to a plant based diet.
I like all your food post:)
Do whatever feels right for you Sophie! It’s such a weird time for us all right now and we should all do what’s best for us! I’m trying to find normality in my life right now as I’m stuck in for 12 weeks, it’s not easy but I’m getting by, which you will do too! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
I’m ok with whatever people post. If they feel the need to address what is going on, or they want to provide a nice distraction, it is all good with me. I am not a fan of the negative comments though haha. I love all of the different recipes you share. It is great since we want to start cooking at home more to avoid interactions with strangers. 🙂
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
The virus is impacting people in so many different ways, so I see how it is tough to find the ingredients you need to keep your amazing recipes and photos coming.
I love your positivity about people saving posts for later, but I think that continuing to do what you can is a great way to move forward. I get sick of seeing pandemic posts and actually come to the blogging group for some refreshing, normal content.
Maybe try doing simpler recipes with ingredients we can still (hopefully) buy, or spins on recipes with boxed food, like rice and pasta?
Much love, and stay safe!
Some very interesting thoughts dear! Stay home and stay safe honey!
Nice Post! Have a great day!
Rampdiary
Allurerage
“People like to cook” is so true, and I’m personally trying to learn how to bake cookies this time!
I love the recipes you share, you’ve put so much effort in them!
i personally am loving the posts that are about non virus topics – esp. the light positive ones. But really anything that isn’t too serious or a downer is apprciated – really what you mentioned above sounds like a good variety
I’m quite ok with what people prefer to post as long it is not a negative thing. I love to see both recipes and also things to do look for when we are finally able to be out again
Hope you stay healthy and safe
xoxo
style frontier
These are some serious points and we totally get it. We have been outing off posting our holiday post with all the happening but I know from personal preference we use social media as an escape from “real life” so do what you think is best! In terms of food, we don’t have an pre-planned posts, so we’re making do with what we can get so we haven’t been effected in that sense just yet! Good luck and don’t stress too much about it!
Jessica & James | http://www.foodandbaker.co.uk
I hope you won’t stop blogging for the time being. I’m firmly on Team Distraction here, and I think a food blog can be of great help. Maybe right now, people aren’t all that interested in more complicated recipes, but I think that’ll change. I’ve been in a lockdown-situation for a week longer than the UK and I’ve noticed that people now actually spend more time thinking about their meals and trying to make something special.
x Envy
https://verdwaaldinvertaling.blogspot.com
I always love your food posts, Sophie. Just because I’m not vegan or vegetarian doesn’t diminish my enjoyment. I think you should just carry on as normal – if you can post alternatives as well then great, but I don’t see why you need to change your content. You’re really good at what you do so why not keep going x
The basic version of recipes is a good idea. Its so hard to known what to do as a blogger during this weird time. Stay safe!
I love the idea of offering a ‘basics’ version as well as the full recipe. Right now, people are trying to find ways to cook with the options that we have available to us, and that’s not always what we WANT to cook with. Being able to access easy to follow recipes could be a huge source of stress relief for many.
I had the same issue ! i wasn’t really sure about what to post and then i just decide to be myself and try to spread joy and love ! i am writing and posting about how to take advantage of this situation, while home !
I say keep doing what you were planning on doing. I always love seeing your recipes and I am definitely loving cooking and baking right now to keep my mind off of things. I know the supermarkets are a little iffy right now, but I went yesterday and gotta say they had way more then than they have had for the past few weeks so that’s promising! I hope it continues to improve!
I always enjoying seeing your recipes. In these uncertain times, it can be nice for some sense of normalcy. I’m not sure what the answer is, though I’m sure you’ll find a solution that works best for you. xx
I think your recipes will offer up inspiration during this time. If we can’t get hold of the ingredients now, there will be a chance we can in the near future (hopefully). Also in terms of using Pinterest, recipes have such a long life, that if you don’t get the views now on them, Pinterest will help revigorate them later down the line. We all need a good distraction of what is going on right now too!
Aimsy xoxo
Aimsy’s Antics
I think you should continue posting recipes as normal but offer alternatives for ingredients that might be scarce? This is a great time for people to experiment with their cooking so even if you don’t have all the ingredients in your fridge, you may want to try the recipe anyway with what you’ve got, you know?
Francisca
I can imagine you’re in quite a predicament right now which is completely understandable! For me I’d still like to save and have recipes for when things return to normal (so kinda a distraction). But then I like your idea about store cupboard recipes too! Keep up the good work anyway <3