About a month into ghostwriting, I began to think I was getting the hang of it. I thought I was ready to take on new clients. I mean, I knew how to write; I loved it and had a passion for it, so what else could I have needed, right? (ha!) I ended up being contacted by 2 potential clients (I'm playing it fast and loose with the term "potential"). They both asked me for a trial post just to see if we'd be a good fit (as I had very few samples to draw from, being so new). So, I submitted my posts, and although I didn’t know it at the time, I can safely say they were straight-up trash. One of the women paid me, then completely ghosted me (rightly so). The other one impacted me in ways I carry with me. She took the time to edit my work, paragraph by paragraph, and explain to me what I was doing wrong, what changes needed to be made, and why. As a busy blogger and business owner, she didn’t owe me her time and energy, but her kindness and generosity got the better of her. Being kind, offering time and energy to people who appreciate it, lifting someone, and helping them along the way are the things I want to emulate as I continue to run my business. Sometimes it might be providing time and energy to help someone figure something out, or maybe it’s as simple as returning a phone call or email. Every interaction, no matter how big or small, can leave a lasting impression, and now and again I am reminded of exactly the kind of impression I want to leave. Or not leave. And that's what I hope this community represents!

Almost 7 years ago, I said yes to ghostwriting for a food blogger. I had no idea what a food writer wrote about; I barely knew what a food blogger was, and now, all these years later, I have a thriving freelance business as an experienced food writer, but it's been so much more than that. I've also learned all the SEO ins and outs; learned various platforms; been forced to learn about social media (as much as I never wanted to, but I'm very grateful to have been pushed out of my comfort zone); and learned so much about what goes on behind the scenes of building a blogging business. I have also learned about email marketing (weekly broadcast newsletters) and copy editing, both of which are services I now provide. It's neat how saying yes to one thing can be a stepping stone to a whole new world of learning. And a whole new world of services to offer! Ghostwriting is just one of many services you can provide to your clients :)

So, you know when you run out of ideas for dinner because you didn’t realize that you would have to make dinner every day for the rest of your life? Or have to decide what to make dinner forever and ever and ever? Well, when you decide to Google “easy chicken recipes that take under 30 minutes” or “what can I make with ground beef, bell peppers, and taco seasoning?” the results that show up on Google, are typically recipes produced by food bloggers! If you were to click on one of those links, it would lead you directly to the recipe, which is part of a bigger collection of recipes from that particular food blogger. You may already follow your favourites on social media, maybe on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok, but it’s the food blog recipe we need for step-by-step instructions, maybe some ingredients substitutions, recipe success tips, frequently asked questions, or even storage and freezer tips. And that’s what we write. A food blogger is someone who creates, and publishes recipes that they want to share with their audience, in a way that makes it easy for the reader to follow along. And the writer is the one who writes about the recipe. Their blog sites, their recipes, and everything in between, is a labour of love. It’s a passion, project, and much of the time, it’s a an entire business. Their livelihood. So as ghostwriters, it’s always a pleasure supporting our clients in the best way we can. Because, when we run a successful business, we are helping others become successful too.

One of the biggest myths in food writing is that you need to cook every dish before you can write about it. You don't! The client gives you the recipe, any particular notes and keywords they want added to the post, and then, of course, the directions. Now, what you do need is the ability to think like a cook, and that's a skill you can learn. You also need to read through the recipe, think of the steps in your head, and consider how you would want them written if you were the one making it. Then lean on the senses. What does the kitchen smell like at step three? What does "golden brown" actually look and sound like in a hot pan? Research similar recipes, watch a few videos, and read the comment sections. Real cooks leave real clues there. Finally, find the why behind the dish. Is it a weeknight lifesaver? A nostalgic Sunday ritual? A dish that looks impressive but comes together in 20 minutes? Anchor your writing in feeling and context, and readers will trust you, whether you've made it or not. Your job isn't to be the chef. It's to be the bridge between the recipe and the person who wants to make it!

Before you invest time and energy into building any new career, it’s worth asking one honest question: is this actually a good fit for me? Food blog ghostwriting is a genuinely wonderful career for the right person. But it’s not for everyone, nor is working from home! And that’s okay. This self-assessment is designed to help you figure out which side of that line you’re on, without any fluff or pressure. Grab a coffee. Let’s talk it through. First, A Quick Reality Check. Food blog ghostwriting is a real career that can generate a real full-time income. I know this because I’ve lived it. But it’s also work. It requires consistency, the willingness to write in other people’s voices rather than your own, and the patience to build something from the ground up. If you go in with realistic expectations, you’ll be set up to succeed. If you’re looking for overnight income with zero effort, this isn’t that. With that said, let’s get into it. 1. Do you genuinely enjoy writing? Not “Do you think you could tolerate writing for money?” Do you actually like it? Does sitting down to write a well-crafted paragraph feel satisfying? Do you find yourself composing sentences in your head when you’re in the shower? This matters more than any other question on this list. You will be writing a lot. If writing feels like a chore to you at baseline, ghostwriting will eventually feel like a grind. If writing feels like a natural expression of how you think, you’re already halfway there. I have always said, I write so that I know what I’m thinking…is this you too? Green light if: Writing is something you genuinely look forward to, or at least something you find deeply satisfying once you’re in it. 2. Can you write in someone else’s voice? This is the defining skill of a ghostwriter, and it’s different from just being a good writer. It means reading someone’s existing content, identifying their patterns, quirks, and personality, and then producing writing that sounds like them, not like you.