We were lucky to catch up with Emily Ponczek recently and have shared our conversation below.
Emily, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
I started food blogging during the COVID-19 pandemic as a creative outlet. As my follower count grew and I started securing brand deals, I invested in better equipment like a portable light and tripod to help me film. Networking with other food bloggers provided invaluable insights, helping me improve my content. To speed up my learning, I could have taken formal photography and social media courses, engaged with the food blogging community earlier, and experimented more with editing tools from the start.
Some skills I would say were essential for food blogging and content creation are
1. Photography and videography for high-quality content.
2. Editing skills to enhance visuals.
3. Social media knowledge to grow and engage my audience.
4. Flexibility and a willingness to learn new trends.
5. Time management to balance my full-time job with blogging.
Balancing my full-time pharmaceutical job with blogging was challenging. Time constraints and getting editing done in a timely manner were some obstacles I faced. To manage, I use a calendar to stay organized and avoid overbooking myself.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
For those who haven’t heard of me before, my name is Emily Ponczek and I am behind the account EatsWithEmm on Instagram! I am a food blogger and content creator who started this journey about 5 years ago! With a love for dining out and capturing food photos, I turned a hobby that I was passionate about into a blog that has grown significantly over time. As my content gained traction and followers, restaurants began inviting me, which motivated me to elevate my work. I create high-quality food content, including photos, videos, and reviews, that showcase the best dining experiences. I also collaborate with restaurants to promote their offerings, providing them with engaging content to attract more customers. For my followers, I offer reliable recommendations and insights into the best dining spots. What sets me apart is my style of blogging. I like to mix it up and do some full dining experience videos and then do some single dish videos. I personally like to see a mix of both, but most people do one or the other. I’m proud of the community I’ve built and the relationships I’ve formed with both my followers and restaurants I work with. Seeing my content help local businesses thrive and knowing that my recommendations bring excitement to my audience is incredibly rewarding.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
I prioritize genuine interactions with my followers. By responding to comments and messages, engaging in conversations, and showing appreciation for my community has helped build trust and loyalty. Also, investing in professional tools and continuously improving my photography and videography skills has ensured that my content stands out. High-quality visuals and honest reviews attract both followers and potential restaurant partners. Connecting with other food bloggers, content creators, and industry professionals has also definitely opened doors to collaborations and new opportunities. Learning from others and sharing insights has been invaluable in expanding my reach.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Building my audience on social media has been a journey to say the least. Over the past 5 years I have learned so much and have grown tremendously. I would say a good piece of advice to people looking to build a social media presence is be consistent! Post regularly to keep your audience engaged and attract new followers. Consistency helps you stay top-of-mind for your audience and signals to algorithms that your content is relevant. Interact with your followers genuinely. Respond to comments, ask questions, and show appreciation for their support. Also, try to stay updated with trends and be willing to experiment with new types of content. Continuous learning and adaptability are essential for growth.
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