Going back to the original “what I ate” style of KERF is something I think about all.the.time. If you’re new here, you might not know that for the first 5 years of this blog, I kept a dairy of nearly every meal I ate. I think I only missed a day here or there due to sickness or technical glitches. KERF was unique because when I started back in 2007, no one was logging their meals in real time. (There was also no Instagram or really any social media, so there’s that.) I loved blogging back in those days, and my days looked very different than they do now.
Then: Because I was writing about my life, I lived more life! Blogging never felt like “work,” even when I was up blogging at 10pm. Posts were super quick to write because I was literally recapping my last meal and few hours. I enjoyed writing commentary on my food choices, and I loved reading so many comments from you guys. There were no evergreen or sponsored posts – everything was written in real time. Thus, when I finished writing about my breakfast, I was done for the time being with nothing to work ahead on (except maybe a blog re-design or freelance project). However, there was never a true day off, even on vacation. But it had a very freeing feeling! Income was solely based on ads, freelance work, and some affiliate links.
Now: I spend my days writing posts to be published in the coming weeks. Posts take much longer to prepare, and sponsored posts can take days to create, especially when there is a lot of back and forth with a brand and influencer marketing agency. I sometimes feel stuck on what to write about, and I am torn between posting real meals that seem boring with the oversaturated social internet and delay and evergreen posts that also seem boring for the lack of personality infused. I spend a lot more time at the computer, but I am able to work ahead so that I can take full days off to spend with Mazen or travel. Income is based on a combo of ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate links.
The internet is always changing – as is my life. Part of the reason why I transitioned into more evergreen blogging is because, as a new mother in 2012, I could not keep up with the “every meal” schedule. And when I switched to once-a-day recaps, I had to write them at night when I was totally exhausted.
My brother-in-law, Matt, has a business degree from Duke, and while we were at the beach last month, we struck up a convo about the future of KERF and where I saw it headed. I shared some of my thoughts, hopes, and fears, and he shared some of his based on his experience working with larger corporations. He explained the concept of value proposition, which answers the question “How will you create value to the market?” Some ways this concept can be applied to blogging is evaluating dimensions like:
- Post frequency (infrequent vs. 3 x / day)
- Topic (broad vs. narrow) – Theory would suggest going narrow … playing up your strengths
- Audience (focused vs. applicable to all)
- Style (picture heavy, word heave, balanced… or short vs. long)
Because KERF has always been about my life, it’s funny to think about it in such an objective way. But his comments had my gears spinning.
I shared the above poll a few weeks ago on Instagram in hopes of figuring out what you guys want. Some of you say whatever shows up in your KERF RSS feed is what you will read and love, and others of you have very strong opinions on what you like best. You might say to me: “Write about what you want to write about,” but the problem is I don’t know! I feel that it has to be one way or the other, even though KERF today is about 50% prewritten and sponsored and 50% current lately/weekend/lifestyle posts. I sort of feel like to strengthen my brand, I need to go one way or the other and narrow my focus a bit, or at least make one the majority and one the minority. I don’t want to give up sponsored posts because they provide such a great source of my income and I enjoy the creativity of working on them, but I want to find a way to weave them in between real-time posts. I’m wondering if each day I could either publish a sponsored post OR 2 posts about real meals, distinguished between their titles somehow.
I’m also afraid that if I just start posting one picture of a meal and jotting some notes about my day that you guys will give up! Posts like this and this. I used to post 5-8 photos of the same meal. Some of you loved that and some of you hated it. I think that’s why I’m I am paralyzed by indecision – because you guys seem so divided! If my poll had yielded 90/10 results, I would have a clear answer. But 60/40 is not exactly a slam dunk in one direction.
I also have no idea what life will be like with a newborn again. Part of me knows I won’t be able to sit and write longer-form posts on topics, so that’s one reason why I’m leaning towards a few pictures of meals (and baby) and some life commentary to go with them. But part of me remembers that I had to give up real-time blogging when Mazen was born, so does that make me insane to attempt it again?
All this is to say that I need more feedback! Tell me the pros and cons. What do you want to see and why?
Please, and thank you!
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog says
I would actually be interested to see you return to what you were blogging about in the beginning! I’m a relatively new reader and have missed most of those contents, but reading about the personal lives of bloggers always sounds a lot more interesting to me. There’s too much generic information on the internet anyway! 🙂
Charmaine Ng | Architecture & Lifestyle Blog
http://charmainenyw.com
Lisa says
I rarely ever read sponsored posts. They just don’t interest me. Same goes for other blogs, not just yours. I find them off putting and fake.
Denise Vermillion says
I completely agree Lisa! I know they generate income, but I don’t want to read an advertisement.
Nikki says
Agreed, eventually I stop reading blogs all together if they feel to fake and solely looking for to make money.
Jenna says
I think blogs are a dying platform. Many readers have migrated to Instagram and find IG stories the most interesting. And I don’t mean this to sound snarky, but photos of the same versions of daily meals (eggs, toast, and fruit for breakfast; a salad for lunch) just aren’t very riveting so I can’t see how returning to posting three meals a day will increase engagement.
KathEats says
Dying seems like an extreme description ; changing for sure. You might like reading this article:
http://collectivelyinc.com/blog/industry-insights/the-importance-of-blogs-in-todays-instagram-dominated-world
Jenna says
That’s an interesting article. Do you find that the numbers of your readers and comments have gone up consistently? It seems like all of the people commenting here with “I only read three blogs” point to people reading fewer blogs. I know I barely read any blogs these days and I don’t click on affiliate links, but I’ll also admit to never swiping up on links in IG stories. Guess I’m just a rubbernecker. LOL
Shana says
I personally love your longer topic posts but whole heartedly believe you should do whatever works for your family. Even if that means you take maternity leave or keep the blog content flexible based on what works for you. I think it’s great when blogs evolve or ebb and flow with the bloggers life. That’s what makes it real!!
Emily says
I completely understand why sponsored posts are necessary, but the “in the moment” posts have always been my favorite to read! They feel more personal, and are a breath of fresh air in comparison to most of the other blogs I read nowadays. I’ll read either way, though (and have been for almost 7 years!).
elle says
I didn’t see the poll, since it was on insta stories which I don’t use. So, taking a poll about the blog there might not have yielded the most accurate results.
I don’t use RSS feeds anymore, I just go and visit a couple of blogs each morning and read the last post. So if there were a couple of meal posts, I’d probably just read the one on top.
I like your posts, and LOVE your travel posts, even just the weekends at an Inn, or restaurant reviews. I think because they give me ideas of things I can go do in my own life. And you live in a different part of the country than I do so it’s interesting to see things down there.
Whatever you do, I will keep reading!
Nikki says
I’m fine with sponsored posts if you do it similarly to how Hungry Runner Girl does it. Make it flow and relevant and offer your readers a good discount too. I read all my favorite blogs around this time every morning so whether you post once or three times a day I’ll be reading it all every day once a day.
Jen says
Hi Kath! I’m also team once a day. I’m a mom to a 5 year old and can only read in the mornings. What’s your target audience? Predominantly mothers, I would think, based on your current station in life? I don’t have the Google analytics, but that would be my guess. If so, I’d stick with once a day, but maybe live blog style-ish? Like WIAW posted Wednesday night.
As for sponsored posts, I think you do well incorporating them into your writing. I am sick to death of Blue Apron though, have to say. But that service has no draw for me personally, so maybe that’s just me.
KathEats says
Haha – I’ve been working with BA for a long time. Sure the concept might be getting old, but I think their recipes are getting better and better so focus on the recipe instead of the message 🙂
And I like your idea of posting once a night, recapping the day (which could be written at 1pm). Maybe posting every afternoon? The once-a-day-ers would see it when they check in, even if that’s 8am the next day. It would still feel like it was published at 8. Hmm….
Becca says
Yes! As a long time reader and now working Mom of two – I think this sounds like a great plan! And congratulations on baby B on the way!
Katie D. says
I used to read TONS of blogs. Much in my life has changed since that time (now I’m a mom of 2, I have a different career, I’m older, social media) but your blog an Tina’s Carrots n Cake are the two that have stood the test of time. Honestly, I’m not sure why – something just resonates with me, even though we are fairly different. I enjoy reading your almost daily and look forward to see what is going on in your life and what products you are using/recommending/eating/not liking. I do feel like sponsored posts can feel a bit forced.
I am active on Instagram and I like seeing your posts there too – they aren’t too frequent, so I’m still driven to your blog. I used to read A Healthy Slice of Life but I feel like I can “keep up” with her via Instagram and haven’t been to her blog in months. I also enjoy Lean Green Bean on Instagram and often “swipe up” to see a post or check out a recipe. But honestly, you and Tina are the only two blogs that I type into my browser daily.
KathEats says
I feel very much as you do in terms of life has changed and my time to read blogs as shrunk and add in Instagram and I just can’t keep up! So many online peeps (I hate the word influencer but I guess that’s the best term these days) diversified so much that I feel like you miss content if you aren’t on all the platforms (Insta + Stories being two different ones). I wonder if we focused back on just one platform if that would be a good thing?
Liz says
I read you and Tina regularly as well and have for many years. I usually skip the sponsered posts.
Paula says
Hi Kerf! 1st time comment but been subscribed for about three years.
I like the short frequent post of what you are eating. Your blog has helped me so much! I’m 52 and overweight. Your blog has helped me eat differently…better for sure!
Whatever you decide I am loyal. Thanks KERF!
KathEats says
Thanks for your first comment!!
Trang says
While I love reading about your life and commentary, I do enjoy pics more and recipes!! I say do what feels right for you at this moment. If something doesn’t work, than change it! The joys of being self employed! You could also use Instagram to post daily food pics and comments too! I’m on insta all the time! I still refer back to your content when you first started and still go back to berf from time to time to!! Thank you!
Sara says
I like that idea too. Maybe do more on Instagram. I’m an Insta newbie and so enjoy seeing people’s pics there! 🙂 Like another reader said too, yours is one of the few I still read. I read blogs a ton before I had my children and am now just circling back around to catch up on what I’ve missed! I still really miss Healthy Tipping Point 🙁 And Peas and Thank you. OK I’m done with my random rant. HA
Amy says
As someone who just had their second newborn, I think I definitely forgot how much time you have with a new baby. They sleep so much and so often. What really keeps you busy is when they start to be mobile and sleep less. I really don’t think timewise that much will be changing for you this fall as much as it might be a year or so from now when the baby hits the toddler phase.
Also, I’ve been reading your blog since probably 2007. So I’ve been here for the three times a day posts and the sponsored posts. I’m here for whatever!
Kayla says
I have been reading your blog for years and saw the transition between real time blogging and where you are today. While I love both styles, I truley enjoy your real time blogging, with a couple of sponsored posts weaved in. I will continue to read your blog no matter what choice you make though which, I know does not really help your decision, just my personal opinion. Your blog is my favorite and as a loyal reader, I cannot imagine people like me, who truly enjoy your blog, would stop reading with a slight change in content.
While the majority of people enjoy catching up on social media platforms, I know there are plenty of people who, like me, sit down and enjoy to read your blog in the morning, while having breakfast!
Claire says
Ok, so I have to confess, I have been binge reading your older posts while at work as my job is terribly dull (don’t tell my boss ) as I felt I had missed out on the olden days lol. I read from 2011 until I had caught up in 2014 (when I first found you) and I think I really miss hearing about what you have been up to, restaurants, day in the life and decorating projects etc. I think there was a lot more detail before about real life, Charlottesville and your thoughts. I don’t mind photo dumps or sponsored posts at all and I’m really interested in new finds etc. I found Paula’s Choice through this blog. Perhaps a mixture would be the way forward, no rules. I really enjoy reading your blog, but having a (tiny) blog of my own and 3 children, I know how hard it is to make the time.
Ruth Ann says
I missed the survey – so here’s my input. I have 3 blogs I check on a regular basis – yours being one of the 3! I don’t use an RSS feed. To be honest, I usually skim (or skip entirely) sponsored posts from any of the 3 bloggers. The posts I enjoy most are reflections on daily life. That’s just me, though. I think there are lots of different types of readers – others read more for content. Good luck with sorting out future plans!
Jennifer Valdes says
I’ve been reading your blog for years now. I like your idea of a few meal pics, baby, and a commentary about life. I think that’s a good balance. My favorite posts from you are about daily life and traveling. I do like the recipes here and there but they aren’t my first choice.
I do the same thing that another poster mentioned and just go to a couple of favorite blogs a day. I don’t use an RSS feed or Instagram.
I think you should do what you can do and put family first. Your devoted followers will always continue to support you. 🙂
Katie says
I have been reading for several years and overtime my life has changed too. Instagram and following swipe up links back to your blog is how I consume content these days as a busy working mom of three. I like the what you ate but unless I can link from Instagram I often forget to come to the blog. I would be curious how many of your followers are strictly blog followers and how many route to you via Instagram. I personally would like to see your Instagram stories with more frequency around what you ate for each meal versus having to read about.
KathEats says
It would be interesting to see what percentage is Instagram only v. blog only and what’s the crossover. My blog following is much larger than my Insta following based on stats alone, and I think that goes back to my roots of being a blogger long before social media became a mainstay. But I certainly do understand that seeing all of your Insta followers in one feed and swiping to go to blogs when something interests you is a very efficient way for readers to consume content.
Catherine says
I miss old KERF! They were always my favorite posts. I loved seeing how you managed your day staying true to eating healthy while making easy, quick meals. I started reading in my early 20s (almost 10 years ago), and I learned a lot about how to eat from you. You changed how I look at food and I still live by the squiggly line effect. I still read daily, but I found those to be most helpful. I am also from the cville area, so seeing how you spend your days/restaurants you try is also great! If people commenting or voting didn’t read KERF at that time, they may not realize how useful that form of blogging really is. I totally understand the need to do sponsored content to make a living, so I wonder if it is realistic to do 2 posts a day and throw an extra sponsored post in somewhere once a week? And I also enjoy your themed posts (like things your loving, baby posts, home neat none, etc), so you could do those every once in a while, especially if you are trying to take a few days off and can do those ahead of time.
Kimberly says
I’ve been reading your blog for years (since well before Mazen was born) and I much prefer personal posts, day in the life, travel, etc. I usually skip sponsored posts because the products generally don’t interest me and the few blogs I read all seem to be doing the same products. I have found myself purchasing things based on your recommendations (I know I bought an Athleta bathing suit I saw here) and when I visited Cville, I went to so many places you’ve recommended, but the sponsored posts always seem forced (nothing personal, I feel that way about them across all blogs).
Amanda says
As another long-time reader, I agree about enjoying the [one way] “friendship” of your personal posts and disliking sponsored posts (for all bloggers). Similar to other commenters, I only consistently read a handful of blogs these days. Two of them are ad-free; it’s just their hobby/habit/Internet journal. The other 3 (including you) have ads. In terms of frequency, only you and one other blog post daily (or almost-daily). The others post 2-5 times per week, and not at regular intervals, yet they still are genuine and authentic. I say do what works best for your lifestyle, and find how that preference syncs with your financial goals.
Mer says
Agree with this. I’ve been reading for about 6 years. I don’t mind sponsored content if it sounds authentic. I find that it’s rare to find a sponsored post that it truly believable. It is also jarring when all the bloggers I read/skim post the “same” post. I think if you can find a way to write in your own voice and really nail the content, it won’t quite matter if it’s one or two times per day. I think posting a picture of a meal on Instagram is a good way to share what would be a smallish blog post and spend your time in energy on life posts, or sponsored content that you truly believe in.
KathEats says
I wish brands would realize how much authenticity in sponsored posts affects how they come across to readers. I think they worry their message will get “lost” in the post and want it to be front, center, and salesy. Trust me that we bloggers hate doing that as much as you hate reading it. But sometimes, after contracts are signed and the post is underway, it’s that way or cancel the post. Some brands are totally cool with letting us have 100% control over how we present a product or service and there are little edits in the approval process (or no approval is even necessary!), but others are very picky and want to edit everything. It just depends, and I hope over time brands realize that giving us the control to naturally fit brands into our content is the best way for everyone.
Cat says
Longtime reader, first time commenter. This was an interesting view into blogging!
Are the companies changing the terms after you’ve signed the contract? That’s a big problem if so! It seems that your level of control would be ironed out in the negotiation phase. One of the things that seems attractive about blogging is that you can choose who to work with! I haven’t heard this complaint from many other bloggers so I wonder how widespread it is!
I’m a lawyer so a bit of a contract nerd. This is so fascinating!
KathEats says
No I wouldn’t say anyone is changing a contract but often the contract will say “We would like to approve/preview content” and then they come back with 50 changes. And sometimes there is no contract, so that makes it a bit unpredictable too. I don’t want it to seem like ALL brands are like this – it’s definitely the minority, but it does happen.
Renee says
I have to say I prefer a bit more ‘substance’ in posts, enjoy hearing about your outings, what you have been up to, ‘day in the life’ posts, restaurants, etc. Loved reading baby kerf so all ‘mummy blogger’ content welcome for me Haha. Basically I enjoy reading more from you as opposed to less! X
Maribeth says
I really enjoy your style right now – I didn’t vote in the insta poll. I feel much more connected to you in the last year or so (kind of weird to say, being that it’s a connection that only goes one way).
Sara says
I work in digital marketing so this is a very fun topic for me!
I see a lot of comments above mentioned not being able to “keep up” with other bloggers. That really struck me because I’ve recently gone through a wave of decluttering my digital life. Your blog is one of maybe 3 I always read. Who has time to follow everyone everywhere?! I say pick one (like Instagram) and do it well.
What I like most about your blog is that you’re mostly still “real.” Your blog is professional enough without it screaming that you’re simply trying to become a brand or that you’ve been bought out. I hate to dog on other bloggers, but this is such a good example. I used to LOVE Back to Her Roots. That was hands down my favorite blog for years. But she threw her whole life into trying to compete with major brands and I can’t even relate to her blog anymore. I am a real person – I’m not going to spend hours in the kitchen creating incredibly beautiful foods and highly detailed recipes. Her food is delicious and it’s impressive that she’s done all of that, but it’s not “real.” Most people don’t have that amount of time.
Conversely, the appeal of your blog is that your food looks good, tastes good and feels good, but it’s not out of touch to the average person. You make healthy eating seem like it’s not going to break the bank or take 3 hours of kitchen time every day. I can’t even recall the last time I saw one of your recipes that was complicated or so detailed that I had to keep checking back on the list of ingredients. I’m a good cook myself, so you mostly give me great ideas that I just go do myself without having to refer to a tedious recipe.
So as far as what posts to do, I really don’t think it matters between real time or recap – as long as you stick to what matters to readers, which I truly think is that you come across as real whereas most don’t because they’ve tried to professionalize to the point where they’re not being themselves anymore. Showing readers that you live a real life with real food you’ve put together that fits into a healthy lifestyle. I don’t think you even need to bother with quite so many photos of meals. A couple of good pictures and an anecdote and call it a day. 🙂
PS: I, like other bloggers, absolutely dread Blue Apron posts and I’m so, so sick of seeing bloggers talk about them!! I understand you have to make money, so I’m not really sure what the answer is but Blue Apron marketing on the internet is just so annoying.
KathEats says
“I’m a good cook myself, so you mostly give me great ideas that I just go do myself without having to refer to a tedious recipe.” <-- This is exactly how I am too, so I'm glad to hear this. Thanks for your insight!
Sara says
I like what you are doing now vs. back in the day. I like checking in for the morning, I read your post, and I go about my day. I like that it isn’t always all about what you eat. I think whatever is easiest and best for you. With a baby, maybe a recap post of your last day will work. Write it when you can, about like the previous 24 hours? I really like how your blog has evolved! I think of all the blogs I used to read and love, yours is one of the last ones still standing! And since you live in Virginia and I do too, I feel a weird connection, ha ha. So thanks for what you do! I also love review posts about what you are using or doing (skincare, makeup, tools in the kitchen, etc.)
Ellen says
I agree with this. I prefer the posts about certain meals or the day-in-the-life type of posts to sponsored posts. But I actually think that after some phases of hitting the sponsored posts too hard, you have a good blend and rhythm right now. I don’t think most of your readers would check in three times a day, and I think that would put way too much pressure on you as you tend to a newborn and a new kindergartener. I liked hearing Matt’s business advice, but I think you have a good thing going, and I don’t think I’d tinker too much.
Kimberly says
I don’t think my first comment went through…just wanted to say that I prefer day in the life posts over sponsored! Long time reader here.
Peyton says
I love seeing what you eat. How and when doesn’t matter, just show me the food dude! I know you want a this or that answer but our random responses is what we want…random. I love a long post about food but I also love a short post where you break down what’s in your salad. I love personal stories mixed in with food. Like how you came to choose a restaurant, why you are in a certain location, what you do over the weekend and how that dictates you food choices…like when you’re grocery shopping so you eat at Whole Foods and here’s what you chose from their options. I look forward to your post each morning, no matter the length! You Inspire my good food choices!
Kolya says
So how about a mix? I agree that the sponsored posts are a bit frustrating sometimes for the reader but I know it’s part of the deal.
Some of the other bloggers I read really stick to theme days which might help you with direction.
Those days when you’re stuck….maybe pick one “crazy, interesting, funny, random” short post with a few thoughts or fun tips you just came across.
Maybe a few interviews with family, friends….keep it casual and simple and ask questions like what is your favourite ____ or what are you thinking right now or what is the first word that pops in your head when I say — and why?
Remember you’re about to be a mom to two so it can all change very quickly!
I pretty much only read RSS blogs though so I don’t want that to disappear ):
Ashley says
I remember when your blog was the 3-a-day format. I loved reading your blog, but the meals were background noise to what was really fun: Getting a detailed view of the ins and outs of someone’s daily life. Really, blogging offered the first opportunity to see that, ever. And it’s fun to see how other fairly regular women operated with the “mundanity” of the daily, weekly, and yearly tasks we’re all faced with. I think your blog stood out then because you seem to manage daily life well, keeping it fun and organized with interesting explanations and rationales for your choices. I’d argue that’s why most people keep coming back to your blog even if they don’t realize it. So, keep that up! In whichever format you choose. Also, sponsored posts that seem forced on your daily life stick out like a sore thumb and are insulting to readers. You’re not too bad about writing posts about Febreeze or whatever, but I’d be careful about sponsored stuff.
Holly Watson says
The reason I love your blog more than most is because it varies so much! Your life isn’t the same every day and neither is mine, so I like seeing recipes, day in the life posts, exercise posts, random thoughts, food posts, etc. because they are all applicable to me (some obviously more than others). It gives variety and thats the spice of life! I dont like blogs that focus only on food, only on exercise, etc because they are redundant and can be covered in life style posts (I feel). Im also pregnant with my 2nd boy, who is due in November so i like your posts on pregnancy that others may be cant relate to, but really at the end of the day you have to post with what feels right to you. And who says because you make a decision now that you have to stick with it forever?? You can try something and if it doesnt work, you can change it! and keep doing that until you find your sweet spot with your current season of life, which will constantly be changing anyway! Long story short: My vote is to do what feels right to you right now and if that changes in a few months thats ok, and you can chnage it again and again. I’ll still be here reading your blog at 7:30AM M-F 🙂
KathEats says
I agree on variety! I like to write about all those different things that pertain to healthy lifestyles, and I also don’t love blogs that are so niche that it’s just one topic all the time (recipes, fitness, etc)
Anna says
Yours is the only blog I read anymore, and I used to follow a ton of blogs. It’s just tedious now compared to instagram, I love insta stories and pics. I love the organic posts, not so much the sponsored ones. Although if you just recommend projects, I’m more likely to try them out. Your meals mostly inspire me to eat healthy and I love the quick easy ideas. I never follow recipes, or if I do, I Google search for the best one but in general, it’s nice to have easy meals ideas to inspire my meals that get in a rut. Also I’ve been reading almost since the beginning so I feel like I know you and it’s just fun to keep up with your life. 🙂 The home decor/organization posts are super fun to read as well. I like the simple layout – your blog is the easiest to read, not too much text or ads/links, so that’s also why I probably keep up with it.
Carol Maurer says
I would not be interested in a meals only approach. I enjoy following your life…family …photography is beautiful
Kate says
I started following you years ago…maybe 10, if I had to guess. I loved your posts back then, but I also enjoy reading now. Like others have commented, I religiously follow only a couple of blogs…yours being one of them. I, too, tend to skip the sponsored content because I’m generally not interested in BA or Quaker. I totally get why you make those posts though and I’ve never been one to scoff at sponsored content just because it is sponsored. I enjoy seeing your travels, eats, baby posts (I also followed along on Baby KERF when you wrote it and then read your weekly posts as I moved though my own pregnancy), home neat home, etc. I don’t use RSS feeds, but come to your site directly. I also follow on Insta! Whatever you choose, I’ll still read 🙂
Kori says
I don’t know if this is very helpful, but I just want you to know how much positive influence you have had on me! From the time I started reading, you have opened my eyes to many things in not only the field of dietetics but also decor, lifestyle, ‘squiggly line effect’ and you were the first blog I ever started to follow. You are the greatest reason I chose to start blogging in the first place! While mine is not for income, I have found that my favorite posts to write and read of others is a weekend/trip/daily recap. I also have enjoyed incorporating ‘Friday Favorites’, and those along with your ‘Lately’ posts are so fun. I’m not discouraged by sponsored posts, and I will always read regardless of your style. Lastly, blogging is not “dying”. [eye roll] Kaci, her/our sister-in-law, and one of Kaci and my best friend all JUST started blogs. They aren’t going away anytime soon! Yes, social media adds a new layer of difficulty, but you are one of the pioneers. KERF love always.
KathEats says
<3
KC says
I don’t comment much but a long time blog reader. ( Just a few months after you started – and you’re right- there were no food blogs then!) I can’t speak for others but my experience has been this: I loved reading the first 5 years and checked your blog everyday. When you transitioned to a different style I didn’t find the content as interesting and I started only visiting the blog here an there maybe once or twice a month, skimming the posts to see if I missed anything interesting (Usually about your real life!) However, these pasts few years I have become more of a regular reader again! Now I completely understand that you are not going to blog three times a day again, and I admit that as a blog reader my reading habits have changed as well, but I thought I should take the time to let you know my thoughts. Thanks for all the content you have created over the years!
Nicole says
Hi Kath, I’ve been enjoying the blog the way it is currently – centred around your life and not just your meals. I personally don’t enjoy sponsored posts and usually skip them. I’ve been reading for probably 7 or 8 years and will continue to! I truly enjoy reading every day so thank you 🙂
Jamey says
Hi Kath! I think your readers are loyal enough that they’ll stick around no matter how you decide to blog! Un/Fortunately, they always let you know if they like it or not! Go with what’s best for you and the blog, what makes you feel authentic, and what you’re capable of doing/works best once Baby B arrives. I personally feel that the way you blog right now is a great balance. I think fondly back on the 3-posts a day days of blogging, but with the ways blogs and the internet have evolved, I’m not sure if it’d be the same. But again, do what is best for you!
Allison says
Hello! I’ve been reading your blog since just before you went back to RD school. If I had to guess, I probably stumbled upon it looking for recipes, but honestly I never read those anymore and don’t look at the sponsored posts (though I get those are vital to your blogging career). I just like seeing what you do . . . I don’t know anyone personally that lives the kind of life you do. It’s privileged (not a knock) and I just like being a little fly on the wall. It’s like a fancy girl reality show, but in written form.
I don’t use RSS feeds and I don’t do insta, just come to the site directly to read about your adventures.
Melissa says
As a business owner I can see how you would feel as though your identity is undefined. However, as a “consumer” of your business I don’t feel that way! I feel like you post with regularity in both realms of sponsored posts & lifestyle posts, that is part of the reason I like your blog, I can usually predict what type of post I’ll see each day & I like the variety.
I understand the business side of sponsored posts but they do not interest me like the posts about your family, life, & meals do. I still read them because your photography is beautiful but I don’t enjoy the content as much as the other posts.
I know I didn’t provide any real direction on what to do but that’s because at the end of the day the joy of owning your own business is that you get to decide! It goes without saying that no matter what direction you choose, you will lose some readers but I’m also quite sure you’ll gain new readers! Do what feels best for you & your family & feel confident knowing we will support you 100%!
Andrea says
I think I’m in the group of I’ve always enjoyed everything! Even sponsored posts give me good ideas (e.g. products to think about, or meal inspiration). The Blue Apron ones I enjoy as well because you share the recipe so that always provides visual inspiration!
I also love the around the house, organizing and finance posts – it reminds me to think about these things in my life and stay organized and on top of things.
Sam says
Hi Kath! Another long time reader over here and I, too, only follow maybe 3 blogs anymore, yours being one of them. I like that you haven’t hyper-focused your blog to one thing. That perhaps, makes it feel so real and relatable. While I know a lot of bloggers are trying to narrow their content so as to not overwhelm themselves, I have personally stopped reading a bunch of them because they no longer applied to my life and they seem boring because it’s the same thing redone over and over again. Or as another commenter mentioned, their recipes are so long and complex and I could never recreate it with my hectic schedule. I like that you sprinkle in food, lifestyle, clothing, family, travel, Cville, etc. I tend to only read blogs in the morning, so it doesn’t much matter to me when you post or how often you post — I’ll just read everything in the morning. If you’re feeling stuck on what to write, you can always do a survey on what your readers want to hear and instead of doing a huge Q&A dump, you can craft those into individual posts, if time allows, of course. And as other commenters said, whatever format you choose, I’ll still read it!
Christin J Slyngman says
Hi Kath, I’ve been reading your blog on and off, pretty much since the beginning (or maybe 2008?). I loved watching your journey to become an RD, and I think that was most of the appeal for me, reading your meal posts…I was trying to make healthy choices, and I saw you as a kind of friend/guide that I have never met lol but still felt like I could count on. And you were still learning as well, so it made you very approachable! Moreover, I don’t feel like I was the only one doing that. Maybe there’s a way to take the idea behind sharing your daily meals, and and focus on the heart of WHY you were doing it, and then taking that idea to a new level. We want to connect with your journey, not just the meals. It’s the heart of what is behind your meals that appeals so much.
Maybe the answer is something along the lines of once or twice a week, breaking down your meal choices and providing recipes, pictures, explanations, videos, etc so that us readers can better understand the WHY? I’m not sure, it;s just what comes to mind as something I would like to see. In a sea of so many healthy eating gurus going Paleo, or Keto, or whatever the latest trend, you have stayed fast to your training. THAT is part of your blogging superpowers, so to speak.
You’ve also become a mom who has to get their kid to eat healthy. I followed your pregnancy posts and read back during my own first pregnancy, watching for tips and tricks for how to stay healthy. And now I watch with interest as you guide Mazen. My daughter is less than a year younger than he is, but it gives me a glimpse of what I can expect. 🙂
Kath, my take is that people love the humanity, heart, and journey behind your posts…they feel authenticity of it, and they want to share in your overcoming obstacle because they feel they can relate to you. But at the same time, they look to you for answers because you ARE an RD and a mama who has some good tools and a steady head. For what it’s worth, those are the strengths I see that you have. Do what you will with this feedback, and hope it helps you decide what to do!
Sending hugs,
Christin
KathEats says
Thank you!
Jocelyn says
Hey I have been reading since 2008 dang!! I have always loved your stuff and watching your journey. I still miss the GH days, it was fun to watch you guys get a business going. I am now a mom of two much different than ten years ago and only read your blog in the morning, three times a day would feel like a lot to catch up on. I like what you have been up to but I get wanting a bit more of a focus. One thing I do miss is your dietitian stuff, the tips and tricks.
KathEats says
Dang is right!! 🙂
Katie Pellegrin says
What is your insta name? I can never find you
KathEats says
@Katheats!!
Katie Pellegrin says
It says user not found for me every single time
KathEats says
Maybe you are blocked for some reason? What’s your name?
Tosha says
I read the blog every morning but tend to scroll through IG. I think either way works, it’s the content that makes me read. Your posts seem very relatable, love seeing the day to day and travel posts.
Kerri says
Hello. I have only been reading your blog for about a year and honestly, the only reason I continue to read it is because you post so frequently about your day to day stuff. That is what makes it different from other blogs. Your sponsored posts are fine but honestly, no different than what else is out there. However, I can totally understand that posting like that is hard to maintain. Whatever you decide to do is fine!
Amanda says
I did enjoy your real time posts because it gave me something to look forward to throughout the day especially if I was having a difficult day at work. I liked the feeling of being able to follow along during the day.
Kelly says
I did that, too!
Jen says
I also typically check in with Feedly once per day and I’m not sure I’d read more frequently than that. But if you had shared three posts in the past 24 hours, I’d probably at least scroll through them all when I do check in.
I think of all the original bigger bloggers, Eat Live Run seems to have made a great transition into how she’s blogging now. She shares mostly on Instagram (stories and posts) and blogs less frequently. But when she blogs, it’s something she’s really passionate about or an interesting recipe she worked hard to create. I feel like she went through some transition to get to this point (maybe she’d disagree with that, but from an outsider’s perspective that’s how it seems/feels) but now she seems so very genuine and interesting. She loves her kids and good food and shares that with her audience. Sponsored posts are fine sometimes, but they can lack feeling genuine and I think readers and audience members have evolved to sorting through the sponsored B.S. and desire more genuine and personal content.
Sophie says
I agree! ELR has done a great job, though her journey has been a little different. I followed her on Instagram after she shut her blog down for a while and now primarily see her there. Her Instagram Stories are fun, in the moment and very down to earth. She inspired me to pick up bread making again via Stories.
Denise says
I rarely read sponsored posts to the end just as I fast forward through commercials on tv. If bloggers are going to do sponsored posts they should also follow up to whether they continue to use this product/item and why/why not.
I also do not like posts that have a ton of pictures. If you are making a meal, show us pics of the ingredients, a beginning, a middle, and an end result. We are adults, we do not need step by step on what a chopped onion or other vegetable looks like. Yes, there are novice cooks out there but they can use the internet to look up a picture of a diced carrot.
I, personally, prefer posts that are not sugar coated and are relatable. As the years have gone by in the blog world, I feel that bloggers have entered their niche BUT that’s all it is. I miss the days that someone was having a crummy day or their kid was up in their grill and they wrote about that. NOT how they ran 8 miles, counted their macros, and received a box of General Foods items today. A previous commenter mentioned instagram stories. I enjoy the short bursts and enjoy them out in the real world with a stain on their shirt eating a doughnut.
Obviously, write about what you enjoy writing about. If it gets to point where you are just “over the blog” then I’d say move on. I’d think it would be easier to throw in the towel then see my followers dwindle day by day.
KathEats says
I’m laughing at “stain on your shirt” because I almost posted a picture of my pregnant boobs leaking milk through my shirt on the internet and decided that was just too gross! LOL! Maybe that would have been most authentic!?
Linds says
I think your mixed poll results show that you have a mixed audience and you successfully cater to both! I personally like the old style of blogging, it’s what brought me here all those years ago. That being said, I’ll read regardless.
Kelly says
I’ve been reading your blog since 2008. I really miss the honesty and openness of those older posts — just letting us know what you were up to that day. This was back when you were at Winthrop, so throwing a lara bar in your bag on your way to a chem exam! The blog felt more real, less aspirational. It felt like you posted more when you had time & posted less when you were busy, and that was super relatable. Nowadays it seems a little more show-offy… fewer everyday “here’s what today looks like” glimpses and more heavily produced recipes, trips with girlfriends, etc. Sponsored posts that coincide with ten other bloggers showcasing the same product. Yawn. I like it wen you didn’t try so hard; then the blog let your charm and quirkiness and sense of humor come through more.
Leigh says
I could give you a substantial list of the blogs that I have stopped reading because of the proliferation of sponsored posts. I see those as advertisements and a little bit less authentic because I know you’re working with the brand to get their message across — in your voice, but it’s clear what the brand wants you to touch on. Anyway, when blogs start running too many sponsored posts, I’m out. I realize it’s a nice cash flow for you, but I think there has to be a balance there if you want to retain readers. Here’s a thought — I think this issue is common to other blogs and their readers. Why not be a game-changer by working with one of your sponsors and thinking of how to meet their needs, your needs, and the desires of your readers better? In a different way? Is there a better way to deliver a sponsored post that “feels better” to the reader? Your sponsors want your readers to read the sponsored posts, you want to retain readers — could be a win-win to change the game. Just like people leave the room or zip through advertisements on TV, I’m pretty sure that there is a similar behavior to sponsored posts — they get ignored by a large portion of your audience.
You have remained authentic and interesting for so long, and like some of your other readers have mentioned, even though my life is quite different than yours, I still find your blog interesting, and your blog voice engaging. I start almost every day by reading your blog, and have done so for years. In these days of fickle followers, that says something!
KathEats says
I totally agree with you (see my response a few up about sponsored posts and some of the frustrations we encounter). I want nothing more than a brand to come to me and say “We’d like to work with you. How best can we do that?” Some of them do do this. Others are extremely picky about what can (and can’t) be included, the language, the order of the photos and text, etc. Some of these are legal issues that are understandable, but sometimes it’s just a pain. I have pushed back and said no a few times, but overall, you just don’t know what you’re going to get!
Sophie says
Kath, I have read your blog for ten years. I started reading as a college student, wanting to create a healthier lifestyle. Around that time, you went back for your master’s degree, so there was a kinship in creating meals as a student. Since the beginning (and still today), I read your blog via an RSS feed. While I have weeded out blogs that no longer serve my interests, KERF is one that I have kept up with fairly consistently.
Since I get a small preview of each blog post before clicking, I have intentionally not read every post the past few years – skipping a post if it is sponsored. I understand why these are necessary for your income, but I don’t feel that they are true to who you are (because you have to play by their rules).
While the several posts a day worked back then, I personally wouldn’t read every post (if multiple a day) now. Mediums have changed. As a digital marketer, I personally think Instagram (and specifically, Instagram Stories) is a way to share what you are doing in between the posts. You have over 10k followers, which means you have even more ways to bring people back to the blog via Stories.
I also encourage you to go back to to your original question about value propositions. Are blog posts the only value you can give your audience these days? Is that too much of a silo? Consider a master class, PDF tips and tricks, video cooking sessions. (Side note: I love videos that show the sped up process of cooking a recipe in 30 seconds-1 minute. I also stayed for your blog because your recipes in the beginning really helped spur my healthy eating. You could really convert some of your recipes into videos for new content. No need to create new recipes!) If you need someone to help motivate and give you a “roadmap” for Instagram, I highly recommend Tyler J. McCall (@tylerjmccall on Instagram). He has many free resources in addition to a consultation side.
Barbara says
I have read your blog for years, way before you were pregnant with Mazen. I have continued to read as your style has changed through the years. I distinctly remember being at lunch one day and checking in to see if you had gone into to labor and you had! I was so excited, I went back to work and let my coworkers know. They seemed a little bemused that I was so excited about someone I’d never met having a baby. Do what feels right for you and I’m sure I will continue to check in daily.
KathEats says
Haha awww love that story!
Kaci says
I LOVE your blog!!!! I am probably going to ramble but I’ll do my best make sense:
I *always* highly regard your opinions and LOVE your home posts. Be it organizing, cleaning or decorating sign me up! I also love hearing about your day-to-day activities, trips, and current eats: I guess you would consider that a lifestyle post? I am not in the same season (ie no kids and I might not have certain brands in my budget that you might, your descriptive reasoning behind why you bought x, y, or z is helpful and just fun to read because you always have the cutest things!) While the sponsored posts are not quite as much fun to read, I do enjoy them and totally understand their importance! I feel like you do a great balance of what you post and when. I feel like one post per day is a great frequency, especially with upcoming baby #2 but I think if you perhaps had a sponsored post drafted and had something in particular you wanted to share that is not sponsored, you could sprinkle a 2 post day in from time to time. You’ll grab both readers there, but it doesn’t have to be all the time.
I will say while I LOVE food, I love eating food more than I love making food. I find that I am drawn to lifestyle blogs that touch on day recaps, food, style, home inspiration, etc. I personally feel like you hit the mark on all of that, and I am a daily reader.
I will say that I love Instagram and do feel like it’s been a great platform for helping to advertise blog posts, but I for one do not think that it outshines blogging by any stretch of the imagination. Instagram is meant to be a short snipit of time, a quick story or a couple of photos with a caption. Blogging feels more like a connection: you have in depth dialogue and a following that is more than a quick scroll. It’s a choice for someone to visit a blog and read and then to comment so that to me is way more than Fb or Instagram.
Does this help? I hope so. As a blog newbie that at this point, I am just writing for fun about whatever topic feels important or fun to me, I know I am coming from a different place than you but feel like your blog is so inspirational and so fun.
KathEats says
I really agree with this part of your comment: “Instagram is meant to be a short snipit of time, a quick story or a couple of photos with a caption. Blogging feels more like a connection: you have in depth dialogue and a following that is more than a quick scroll.”
Rachel says
I have read your blog almost from the beginning and haven’t minded the evolution. Sponsored posts seem to be a necessary evil but that’s how all blogs are going. I love your round ups, shopping suggestions, every day posts and family posts best. My family has grown along with yours so you’ve always posted about things I can relate to and I think that will continue no matter what. I look forward to reading the next iteration, whatever you decide. I hope you keep doing the kinds of things you enjoy because otherwise I don’t think you’ll want to do it anymore and it will show. Good luck!
Emily J says
I know this may not help, but I do like the combination. Your sponsored posts are creative and unforced so I get stuff out of it and enjoy reading them. Life/event recaps are my favorite and food recaps are in third place. Thanks Kath!
Jamie says
What about doing a mix of both? I personally love the Day in the Life and more diary style type posts. I know you earn your income by appealing to readers and having them come back often to the site but what do you want to do? I know you listen to Jess Lively, so I would ask what does your intuition tell you to do?
Erin m. says
I’ve been reading your blog from the beginning and used to read many more blogs but have cut back in the last few years. I only check blogs once per day, so posting multiple times wouldn’t necessarily get more traffic from me. I don’t read most sponsored posts, as they don’t interest me like the normal day-to-day posts do. I like real content, as your blog provides. I do enjoy Instagram posts and feel that I am more likely to check that a couple of times per day than check a blog more than once per day. All this to say, I appreciate your work and will most likely continue reading until you stop writing. 🙂
Megan says
I wouldn’t try to make any decisions until you get used to having two kids. It’s a big change, but it’s not early as big a change as having the first. Give yourself some space and time to adapt – things are going to change in a way you can’t plan for .
For what it’s worth, I enjoyed the blog more when it was more honest – it’s getting very aspirational and lifestyle focused, which feels really unauthentic in a time when people are being separated from their kids and the general awful nature of the current political climate. As a fellow Cville resident, the lack of acknowledgement of the trauma our city has been through rings hollow.
Mary says
I think you should take a quality maternity leave and see how you feel with new kindergarten schedule and sweet newborn. Those are major transitions. The answers will come and they will probably be the right ones! It is hard feeling stuck or conflicted with work but it is normal.
shawnessy says
Hi Kath – I read about 7 blogs very regularly, yours included. I enjoy your posts, especially your “regular life” posts a lot, even though we are basically polar opposites. I eat terribly, barely exercise, live on the West Coast and am not preppy at all… he he. But I aspire to eat/live healthyfully and balanced one one day might get it together for myself; meanwhile I’m trying to give my kid (2 years old this weekend) a healthy attitude toward food and eating. Anyway, I will continue to enjoy your blog whatever the content – I strongly feel that bloggers should be able to write about whatever they want and not apologize for their viewpoints/content, even though yes, I undesrstand that they’re often trying to make a living from their words and therefore must be considerate. I must say, though, like so many commenters… OY enough, Blue Apron! It cracks me up to see the SAME sponsored post on 3-4/7 of my regular blogs every single time. Rambling comments over. Enjoy your weekend!
Irene says
I have been reading for a long time… sometimes I comment, but rarely. I honestly want to give you major props for sticking with it and keeping a blog going: you have gained and retained readers who come back day after day! I think your blog is no longer a food diary and it is totally OK. You have evolved, not one has time to read a food dairy x3 day. I would like to see fewer pictures of the same meal, more life stories. I like vacation and trip recaps, but you can’t be taking vacations every day 🙂 ! You rarely post any nutritional advice any more, and I think you really can do a lot of good there! I suggest bringing back interesting guest posts – it is a great way to find new bloggers and also give you a break. I personally would like to read more about how you deal with motherhood/work/daily activities. I love “day in a life” posts. Some of your most authentic and honest posts were those about relationships. I would like to see more of that (you don’t have to invite us in your bedroom, just the living room!!!). I would like to see more posts on friendships too. It would be interesting to see a virtual blogger reunion (remember the original 4 health bloggers…? ) I can deal with sponsored posts, and I now understand why some of them seem so “canned”, so no big deal! One more thing – this was almost a deal breaker for me – I feel very strongly that kids at 6 should not have a social media presence (i.e. insta or you tube channel) and I could not read about Mazen’s video and even Abercombie’s clothes… I feel that this is going too far. Why do it? This can be just me, but I feel that I would not be honest with you if I haven’t said this.
Katie Dawson says
I have read your blog for years and ALWAYS value your real time posts. Even if they are just a recap from your weekend. It’s so lovely to see you with your family, doing real things, and being a real human person! So often we see the beautifully curated life that we think belongs on blogs or Instagram or FB. It’s great to get a break from that and see what other humans are up to! Either option you choose, you won’t lose me as a reader. 🙂
Rebecca says
I have been reading your blog for at least 5 years and have always loved it. You’ve inspired me to be a more daring and nutritious eater! My favorite blog posts are definitely about what you ate, your favorite products, and your organizing/decorating projects.
Christy says
I read once a day, so I like the longer, daily posts.
Jennie says
Persorally I feel I would check in and read no matter what. I’m a long time reader, this is my daily fix. I do however love food posts. It is how I stumbled on your blog in the first place. I like to see what you guys are cooking, and I love to see what you are ordering out!
Marissa says
Honestly, my first thought is that I wouldn’t make any definite decisions until you get in a groove with your new baby! I’m Mom right now to a 1 & 2 year old, & my oh my…how life changes!!! I think your best bet is to wait it out & see what works with your new lifestyle when baby comes along!
Mama says
I like what you’re doing now!! A mix of everything, real-life activities, Mazen stuff, married life, food, organization tips, etc. Sort of lifestyle-ish!!
Laura says
I love the current structure of your blog! I have been reading for years and I think you have struck a good balance between nutrition/meal posts and every day life posts (my favorite). I also don’t mind the sponsored posts, as I know you only write about products you truly support (I just bought a pair of Rothy’s and love them). That is just my two cents 🙂
alan says
I am not in business, nor that familiar with strategies to grow business per se, but a few things are clear
1. People have NO shortage of opinions and have no qualms at sharing them (nice or not)
2. Blogs are changing over time and you have an opportunity to define that
3. In doing so, you have to define (a) who your audience IS and (b) who you WANT your audience to be.
a. (your split into Baby KERF 6 years ago from regular old school KERF was an example)
4. If you can successfully define who you want your audience to be (and it ought to include most of us loyal readers and commenters), you should include us as you continue to evolve. Unlike most service industries who meet their audience (think of your contractor husband), you really only know what we tell you or how many clicks we give you, just as we only know of you what you tell us.
5. One of the reasons I keep coming back is because it IS personal. I used to love the recipes, which I still do, but it’s following a “friend” who I still have not met but have learned to care about. (Is that weird? I don’t want it to be)
6. Ads are a necessary part of this, apparently, albeit unpopular from the consumer end. Is there a way around that? Probably not. And I respect that
Just my .02. Good luck with the future baby, with the future blog, and life choices. (And I am very old school–love my RSS reader tabs on Firefox–it is the easiest way to get the headlines of what’s happening on a huge number of sites, blogs, news, etc. Those who don’t use them are misisng out on one of the biggest shortcuts there is)
Pat says
Another long time reader here – you were in RD school when I first started reading. I like the growth your blog has gone through, and I read every morning (miss you on weekends, but I understand you need your life!). I prefer the non-sponsored posts, though I still read most. The makeup ones don’t interest. I know people have complained about Blue Apron, but it’s a product I can’t get where I live, so I’m interested in what they provide. I think you’ll have to see how it goes with 2 kids now and the expected loss of sleep with an infant.
I’ve had 3 of the other blogs I read faithfully close in the last year, so I’m glad you and 2 others are still around (though not on same topics). I haven’t done much but put a big toe into Instagram, but I guess I should look more. Just keep on, and I’ll keep reading!
Libby says
Your meal recaps/lately posts have always been my favorite thing about Kerf. It’s what makes your blog so unique. You are amazing at making healthy eating look easy and attainable. I also love that you eat real food and don’t eat collagen peptides and matcha powder. ? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked through your “lately” archives to get inspiration on every day healthy living. As far as sponsored posts are concerned, it’s totally fine. I think it’s a great source of income for bloggers and although they aren’t my favorite I don’t have any problems with seeing them.
Libby says
P.S. I’ve been dying for you to have baby #2 because I need to see how you swing it. I have a 5 and 2 year old and it’s so much harder to keep up with healthy eating and exercise. I’m doing it and will always push hard to incorporate both because healthy/fitness/wellness is so important to me. But man, it’s a lot harder with two!
Sarah says
I stick with my favorite blogs because you present a real life glimpse into your lives. There is more than enough generic informative content on the internet, and way more than enough faked-life content on Instagram, but I feel like it’s rare to get an honest, real-life story that we can connect to and find some commonality with. I don’t mind reading a sponsored post that includes cute quirky photos of your family; that feels more real to me. I know it is a sponsored post and supports the blog, so I’m ok with that. Although I really do prefer if the blog is heavier toward the personal daily life topics.
Tara says
Thanks for addressing this!
I find the multiple times a day posts too much to keep up with and a bit disappointing when I go to read a new post and it is super short.
I do, however, love day in the life posts that show a day in its entirety. Those are always fun to read. I have read blogs where sponsored posts or more evergreen content is incorporated into day in the life posts and that works for me anyway.
Hope this helps! Have a lovely weekend 🙂
ASHLEY says
I far prefer the real-life/real-time posts to the sponsored posts. I definitely understand that more revenue these days comes from sponsored posts than from ads, but I get really bored with sponsored posts. Let’s be real – I’d likely still be coming to your blog. But I skim and am on to the next thing very quickly. I tend to prefer if you slip the “sponsored” part into a real-life post (which you’ve done with success in the past – can’t think of a specific example, but I know I’ve seen you talk real life and then do a little sponsored shout-out and back to real life).
That’s my 2 cents. Real life, all the way!
Gemma says
Hi Kath, reader from the UK here. I’ve read for years but must admit that I don’t bother reading the sponsored posts because they don’t have any relevance outside of the US. I preferred it when the blog was more authentic and off the cuff. Hope that helps.
Katy says
I think the crux of the question comes down to authenticity – what style of blogging feels like it would be the most authentic way to express yourself? The problem with monetized blogging and social media is that it’s typically done really badly, and when it comes across as disingenuous no one believes the message because we know the opinion has been bought and paid for.
Authenticity and raw realness is what’s missing from blogging and social media now; most influencers/creators appear to spend all their time crafting content that is meant to be so generic it won’t offend anyone. When blogging and social media wasn’t a business like it is now, people were themselves, and that’s why I (and probably many others) kept reading. Now it’s just feels like creators are in it for the cash grab (affiliate links, ads, sponsored posts, etc.).
Amanda W. says
I’ve been reading since the beginning. I like what you are doing now as opposed to the mid-2000s. With social media there is no need to post meals 3x a day. It’s not original anymore.
I read because it’s fun to see how you “do life”. It’s fun to see what you eat nutritionally but also how that translates within your changing family dynamic.
polly says
hello kath! It’s Polly from indiana.
This is tricky thing because at the end of the day its gonna be what YOU really truly enjoy.
Sure I agree sponsored posts are kind of like commercials and I admit i skim those, not because they are not very well done or informative, but I always love your family posts and just real time, real life stuff best.
I think what I love, and have always loved, was just you and how you go about life. Like I actually love one pic of a simple meal and a funny story about mazen. or your life. or Thomas. or when grammie comes to visit and how mazen is doing something cute. That’s real life to me and heck it could be the same pic or a peanut butter sandwich daily and I would like it. 🙂
Kath does real life, is how I always have seen your blog and you. So just know your best asset is YOU. and your family. and how you get excited about bread and haven’t gone off the deep end with the latest and greatest fad diets of the day. Paleo, gluten free, dairy fee, vegan, whatever. you just do you in a world that is always telling us something different.
So that’s prob not gonna help you see how you do your blog but hopefully a reassurance that no matter how simple or whatever you do, it’s still gonna be you and that’s what matters. 🙂 XOXO
vicki says
Hi Kath, you’ve always been my go-to blog for health and nutrition. I love your posts sharing what you eat and how you exercise. Personally I would Love a return to real time or daily recaps.
x
Louise RD says
I’ve always assumed most of your readers were RD’s but looks like you have a variety of readers — which means you should probably just continue to vary your posts. My personal favorites are those about food & nutrition, lifestyle, travel, and any new products you’ve recently purchased that excite you:-). I don’t do Instagram. Keep doing what you’re doing, don’t change a thing!
Stephanie @ Seeking Stephanie Travel Blog says
I’ve been reading for 10 years (!). I enjoyed the 3 posts a day back then, but now quality over quantity for me, so once a day. You could consider choosing one day a week where you post all three meals in real time to appeal to the other side of your audience. Or, consider doing a more even split of food posts/tips/healthy eating ideas to also appeal to the audience looking for that type of thing.
Louise RD says
I’ve always assumed most of your readers were RD’s but looks like you have a variety of readers — which means you should probably just continue to vary your posts. My personal favorites are those about food & nutrition, lifestyle, travel, and any new products you’ve recently purchased that excite you:-). I don’t do Instagram. Keep doing what you’re doing, don’t change a thing!
Mary Roth says
I think your post are fine the way they are and I don’t mind your sponsor post because it gives me information about something I didn’t know about and would consider buying. A while back during early spring you shared a post about some earrings and necklaces that you purchased from someone local and gave their site as well as a discount and free shipping (I can’t remember the name of the site but it was her two daughters names.) I purchased a pair of white and purple floral earrings from it that I love so much.
I also like it when you share recipes.
Keep them coming. ?
Laura says
Loooong time KERF reader here! I will read anything you post, but my number one request is that you keep it personal! I feel like you’re one of my friends, and I just like seeing what you are up to and watching how you navigate the ups and downs of life. If I get a recipe or great product recommendation out of it that’s a bonus, but not really why I read.
Lynne says
I love the day in the life posts and posts about nutrition. I often skip sponsored posts. I read your blog daily (one of 3 I read) and don’t use Instagram.
Lindsey says
I’m another long time reader since 2008! I keep coming back to your blog because it’s a breath of fresh air. There’s a simplicity about your posts that’s unlike other blogs. You are not over the top about anything and keep things simple (unlike other bloggers who create elaborate origami with their avocados…I’m sorry but I just can’t). As for where to head next, I always loved reading your posts from the heart alongside the everyday real life food, Mazen, travel, fitness posts. They are easy to read and beautiful to look at.
I agree with everyone about sponsored posts – they feel inauthentic and it’s clear money is involved so I usually scroll through quickly. That’s not just you, it’s how I respond to any sponsored content. Rather than making money from sponsored posts, would you be open to doing nutrition coaching or some in-person or online service that is more aligned with your RD training? You have so much knowledge to offer people!
Poly M says
What drew me in and continues to be my main interest are your lately/weekend/lifestyle posts. It all started with me Googling a recipe for overnight oats and finding your page. Next thing you know, I was buying a Weck jar because they were so cute, durable and sealable. I find that we have a lot of interests and values in common, and love to see how they manifest in your life. I like to periodically visit the Cville area and have good memories there, so following your posts is also like living vicariously through you in town (and also when you go on trips!) I may not have as many cookouts or beach visits, but I feel like I experience them just reading the posts and looking at photos.
Food-wise, you give me ideas for how to use a little bit of this and that to assemble something tasty, as well as inspire me on meal ideas, portion sizes, and how to continue to eat healthy in challenging situations like travel. In the home, your taste for interior design and neatness has motivated me to regularly de-clutter and clean. Despite the sponsored posts also being informative and tempting, I feel like you have sold me equally or more on items you have bought out of your own interest, services you have signed up for and are happy with, dining/travel destinations you have chosen, and stores/markets that you have discovered and are a regular at. The last two times I visited town, I had a list of places to go (Juice Laundry, Splendora’s, Timbercreek, The Pie Chest, etc) and keep adding as I hear about new ones that interest me.
I feel like if you transitioned to more explicitly sponsored posts, then readership may become more transient – for example, I currently don’t want to miss a post, but if it becomes mostly product/service/venue reviews that were solicited instead of things you naturally happened upon, then I might come and go, depending on how applicable the item being reviewed is to my life. At that point, it would be up to Google searches to land on your page for the post more than regular readers following.
If you went the route of more lifestyle posts, one tricky part is, how could you get sponsorship on things you naturally found and like, fast enough for your posts? Such as the items you like and buy (or consider buying) at Target, kid’s clothes, Scout beach bag, Pottery Barn items, etc. Perhaps there is some larger company deal, where the income isn’t tied to the specific product being sponsored, but by the vendor selling it (like Target)? If you had an umbrella contract for that, then any future purchases made by readers directed from your site could credit you, and in the meantime you could continue blogging about the items that you connected with at Target, instead of pre-selected items that companies want to promote.
I’m not sure if this helps at all, but I’m pretty happy with the balance you have today between sponsored and natural posts. Though I do understand the needs for both making a living and balancing work with life. Good luck!
Candice says
Excited for you, congrats! I think it’s smart to take stock! You’ve got to do what’s going to make you happy. I think going real time is going to be too much stress. I don’t mind sponsored posts if they’re not gimmicky. In terms of course content – I’d suggest you go with Food! Plus House and Family/Activity. You’ve probably been feeling like your focus is a bit diffused. What do you care passionately about right now (aside from immediate family)? It makes fit be worth checking out carly the prepster and gal meets glam. I think you might be more along carly’s Style although you’re also kind of glam. Don’t stress too much though! You’re doing great!
Caroline says
I think the most important thing I gave gotten out of your site is this: an evolving, positive spirit and driving force around important questions regarding wellness, nutrition, fitness and parenting. To ge honest— s an educator the last bucket most interests me. How do we e solve as parents shepherding through digital natives —we want them to internalize all that is important to us regarding so many topics, but it is complicated.
Trust yourself. I also recommend Braving the Wilderness as a book you would probably find interesting and insightful.
Good luck. You are doing a GREAt job!!
Erin says
I’ve been reading your blog for 8+ years. Don’t know how it’s been that long. ? I used to read a lot of blogs pre-kids. And I initially loved the what you ate meal posts as I was trying to lose weight and really into clean eating but now that I’ve gotten older, I’ve cut back on blog reading just because there isn’t time for it. I still like seeing meal posts but really I think just once or twice a week is enough. Like others said, I usually skip the sponsored posts or skim quickly. My favorites are the day in the life posts, vacation, baby/kid, general ramblings about life. I think these are the most relatable for moms, which I assume is the majority of your readers now. Just my 2 cents ?
Ttrockwood says
I’m voting for the once a day meals recap, ie wed morning you can post a recap of Tuesday
I’ve been reading since forever, back when you did post 3xs a day- which i just read all at once every couple of days.
If i were you I wouldn’t invest a lot of time and energy into Instagram stories, I don’t think your core readership follows that closely to catch a fleeting thing.
It occurred to me I don’t think you have ever done a grocery shopping post, ie what you bought at the store, or even just a post with photos of the inside of the fridge and what you keep on hand.
Not a curated beautiful herbs in vases and baskets of untouched fruit thing but a real life half empty jar of jam and leftover dinner from two nights ago post.
I get that sponsored posts are how you make money, but i also think you’ll notice a lot of readers ignore them and certainly don’t comment/engage/or purchase said product.
Bojana says
Hi!
So I am a looong time reader (I am guessing at least ten years?), but not an avid commenter, since I don’t have much to say I guess 🙂 But I enjoy reading your blog almost daily and have for so long that I feel like I can provide some valuable feedback on this topic. I very much remember the early days of blogging and what got me into reading and following all the bloggers I follow still to this day is just enjoying the narrative of their day to day lives. I am European so I find many things from the lives of the US bloggers just plain interesting because it’s different from what I know from my everyday life. Hence I enjoy this kind of blogging most, even if it’s pretty much business as usual every day 🙂 It’s comfortable and it’s relatable and I love it – and for the sponsored posts, I do usually just scroll through them and take them as the necessary “evil” … (I mean it’s your job so who am I to complain?)
Hope this helps and I am looking forward to seeing the classic KERF shot of morning oats as I sip my morning coffee 🙂
Kathy W. says
One of the things I miss about the “old” blog are the posts about visits with family, holidays, etc. I realize there are privacy questions involved, but it would be fun to see a few pictures of Mazen with KK, for example. I loved seeing your parents’ 1800s house decorated for Christmas, the chairs your grandmother gave you & the different fabrics you were choosing from to reupholster them, posts about cleaning and organizing, rearranging furniture, etc.
I liked the 3 food posts a day because it was a fun break to check in to see breakfast/lunch/dinner, but I understand that would be pretty onerous for you.
And I see why you’d do sponsored posts vs. relying on ads/page views, but several postings a day will bring more visitors, I’d guess. But with a second kid, that might quickly become impossible!
Good luck in whatever you decide!
Elizabeth says
Two comments In one week from a long time reader who rarely comments! I wanted to say that my favorite posts are those related to baby and home organization! Followed by travel and other lifestyle. Meals are the least interesting to me. I’m probably very much in the minority here.
Jen says
I’m not exactly sure what you should do, I guess whatever genuinely feels the best for you. I’ve been reading you since 2008, but I’ll be honest that I read much, much less frequently now. Part of that is that in 2008 I was 28 and unmarried and childless, and I just felt more interested in food and cooking, or maybe had more time for it back then. I’ve cut way, way down on the amount of blogs I read since around 2014, when my daughter was born. These days I stop by really quickly to the handful of blogs I used to read (like Carrots N Cake, Fitnessista, etc.), and if the headline doesn’t immediately grab me, I usually move on. I’ll say that I don’t usually connect to sponsored content, and I do like more personal, relate-able content. Still, you should do what works for you.
Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) says
I think you should mix it up and do a bit of both, with no rules.
That’s what I do, and I’ve never felt lost or unsure of what to post. Some days I post a recap of the day, other days I post a recipe, other days I post about the prep for a dinner party, and then the next day post about the dinner party. It’s completely random and not forced, but I feel the readers are able to get to know me that way. I throw in travel, life, just a bit of everything with a strong food focus. My husband and I are constantly trying new recipes, planning themed dinner parties, etc., so that keeps us creative, and provides loads of content.
I’ve been reading your blog since the beginning, and I think the transitions just naturally happen, but I don’t think you need to worry much about it. Just do what feels good and the readers will be here 🙂
Fancy says
I so miss the way you used to blog. I loved seeing bits of your days and how you incorporated your healthy meals into them to create an overall healthy lifestyle. I’ll be honest…I hate sponsored posts and I also hate prewritten posts. The only prewritten posts I ever loved were Home Neat Home. You have been my favorite blogger since 2007 but honestly I don’t enjoy your blog now nearly as much as when you posted more frequently. You just seemed so much more open to sharing bits of your life back then and THAT’S what made your blog stand out. I don’t feel like I “know” you nearly as much now…please go back to the old way you used to blog! I loved seeing bits of each of your days in real time…healthy choices as well as your overall lifestyle.
Pamela Talley says
Been reading since 2008. I recently dropped social media as a hobby (and am LOVING IT, turns out I don’t really miss it except posting insta stories of my chickens ?) but I’ve never followed bloggers on social anyway. Social is where I follow my friends. So I don’t think the platform is the best place to see all of your readers. I still subscribe to RSS feeds of about 15 different blogs and read them every day. I prefer your longer posts because they are meatier. I guess I read blog as reading material over anything else. I would enjoy the shorter frequent posts less because there’s just less to read at that point. Just my two cents!
Erika says
I don’t follow bloggers on social media – echoing the commenter above. So your poll there might not be a great representation of who is reading your blog. I am sure they help income-wise, but I also skip over the obviously sponsored posts since they just don’t seem relevant. I don’t mind the Blue Apron or other whole meal posts, but some of the recipes feel forced and I’d only make them if I was stuck with X in my pantry. I hang around for your real life and real meal posts but don’t have a strong opinion about whether they’re frequent or longer, spaced out ones.
Not Stocky says
Being less of a selfish entitled asshole might do wonders for your brand.
KathEats says
And being kind would do amazing things for your unhappiness!
Sarah says
I have read your blog for over 5 years and preferred the old style of blogging. I understand affiliate posts are important but they get repetitive as all the bloggers seem to do the same brand each week/month. I’d like to see the blog return to more real time posts, short and full of pictures. This keeps me informed and gives you more time with your family instead of perfectly molded posts, which aren’t relatable and honestly sometimes too long to read. If you already have the followers to your blog I dont see how posting more frequently, but shorter posts, would do you harm. Goodluck figuring it out, I’d love to see the long posts ditched, at least majority of them.
Alison says
I’m a long time reader of KERF and what keeps me coming back is the variety and honestly of your posts! There are only three blogs that i visit regularly (KERF, Carrots N Cake, and Daily Garnish).
I love your lifestyle posts, vacation posts, daily eats, family, baby, recipes etc. I think that i would get bored if you just started blogging about your daily eats. I love reading about products you recommend (in fact, i recently purchased the beach umbrella that you recently blogged about and love it too!) I appreciate the quality of your content and would take quality over quantity for sure.
Kim from MN says
Hello! I rarely comment but I’ve been reading and enjoying your blog (and your journey) for years. Without going into heavy detail on my background, I remember when “evergreen posts” started to become encouraged at conferences, workshops, etc. I understand the purpose of them (i.e. it helps with batching, and in theory, when people come to visit, the post doesn’t age as much as others.) But what I know as a reader, is that I do not enjoy them. And as a reader, no matter how evergreen a post seems at first, it will still be dated somehow because we all know an article titled “5 ways to make the switch from vhs to dvd” will date itself just because of the time frame it was written in. What I’m saying is, there’s no REAL evergreen content. Evergreen is only evergreen for a year, max.
But nothing can replace a personality. There’s nothing that separates a blogger and their evergreen content from huge media giants like betterhomes and cooking.com. And that will not hold people. But a personality (ANY personal connection with the reader) is never old.
I guess what I’m saying is that your personality IS the evergreen content. I still enjoy your “what I ate” posts because I find them so so inspiring! And I keep coming back for YOU. Kath. Kath’s adventures. Kath’s travel. Kath’s thoughts. Your stories. Your journey through life. I enjoy reading your personal life stories because it’s like getting to interact with and know an online friend. I would rather read a rambling post about something in life that happened than a perfect, precise post about “how to make the perfect omelette” (which I would just google and pick the first thing that came up.) That said, I WILL read a “how to make the perfect omelette” post from a friend, who shares their life, if that makes sense.
Maybe in order to do those kinds of posts you’d have to share your life on a “delay timer”. Like, you might be talking about your weekend, but maybe it’s the weekend before the last, rather than the one that happened 2 days ago, if that makes sense. If you got to the point where you were on a “delay timer” with some of your life posts, you’d have a stock pile to take time off whenever you needed to.
Anyhow, I still support whatever you do with this blog! I still support all people doing what’s right for them! “You do you” is my motto.
KathEats says
This all makes total sense!! The push for evergreen has always been a head scratcher for me because it SEEMS like that’s what people want and what drives traffic, but I totally agree with you that if I post has no personality, I don’t connect with it at all. I don’t like writing those posts as much either – they take 10x longer to write and prepare perfect, staged photos, etc. I think the delay timer thing is something that I also struggle with, but I’ve gotten a lot better about in the past year! Thanks!
Kim from MN says
And I figure the reason you (and others) get into blogging is because of the kinds of posts you enjoy writing. So I say if the evergreen stuff is more strenuous to write, and readers have a harder time connecting to it, then go with the posts that you LIKE to write. I also think if it’s hard to document every meal of every day, it’s okay if you document some meals if you enjoy those posts, but don’t push yourself to get it all down to the last crumb if it’s stressful. My favorite posts will always be the ones about bloggers’ life stories. What they’re up to, activities they’re involved in, what they’re watching or reading, where they’re traveling, what they did over the weekend etc. As a reader, I think from a branding standpoint, lifestyle/daily-life of a nutritionist is how I would describe you. And I don’t think “daily-life of a nutritionist” pigeon-holes you into having to write through a nutritionist’s lens at every moment – to ME, it just means that you HAPPEN to have a background in nutrition, and that fact will poke through and show sometimes. Example: you had that post about how you’ve relaxed your way of eating (sometime within the last year I think). But you don’t go into that detail in every post.
I’ve enjoyed watching your life unfold over all these years, and I can’t even tell you how often I’ve referred to your posts to other people going through similar things. I think sharing, in a general sense, really helps people. So just being a daily-life/lifestyle blogger in and of itself really helps so many.
Bree says
I don’t have the time to read a lot of blog posts these days, so I check my feedly every few days and read the posts that spark my interest from the get go. I’m more likely to read the posts from the blogs that I don’t have to do a ton of catch up on (so 1x/day or 3x/week vs. multiple daily even if they’re short).
I have no issue with sponsored content, which I know wasn’t necessarily the point of your post, but thought it was worth mentioning since I’d seen other comments naysaying it as “inauthentic.”
Alycia says
I’m a bit behind on commenting on this, but I love the blog no matter what! This is one of the first blogs I’ve found and I love checking daily and often refer back to old posts. I know I will enjoy any mix you come up with. I am someone who used to enjoy being able to check a blog multiple times a day as a little break in my day so I wouldn’t be opposed to returning to that style. I’d also love the come back of Home Neat Home and NerdKerf style posts!
emily says
I would rather read more blogs (I follow about 10 regularly on my Feedly that aren’t sites with multiple contributors) than watch 30+ Instagram Stories from different people every day, but that’s just me. I feel that format is detrimental to my attention span, although it can be fun. I enjoy coming here and reading your posts. I pray you don’t go mostly sponsored because I come to read about your meals AND your life! Especially your parenting & kiddos. I miss your home organization posts and BERF was my favorite thing you’ve written.
Aimee says
I’ve been reading your blog since about 2012. I have enjoyed your blog the entire time, but I enjoy the real time blog. I read your blog like I’m catching up with a friend or like I’d read through a magazine. When I first started reading your blog I used it to encourage my healthy eating habits and working out. I also love the photographs, so I wouldnt mind pictures and a description. I love vacation posts, restaurant pics. I’m a 41 year old African-American, single, without kids. When I first started reading I was a middle school teacher, doing body pump workouts, starting to run. I’ve since become a RN (after thinking about being a RD and physical therapist). I have sore knees and a bum elbow now and work out much less. I could definitely use the healthy living encouragement. Again…love your photographs! I’ve enjoyed your blog and getting to “know” you.
Laura says
I found this post, and the discussion in the comments, fascinating. I’m a long time reader (10+ years), and a relatively new blogger myself. I have to say that now that I’m blogging, I have NO IDEA how you managed to blog 3x a day for so long. Blogging has changed considerably from what I fell in love with “back in the day”, and I think you’ve done a really good job of bridging that change.
In my opinion, I would stick with posting no more than once a day. I suspect a majority of your readers are in the same life stage as you and don’t have time to check in 3x a day anymore. Write evergreen content if it interests you, but I think the difference between you and many of the other bloggers out there is that you don’t have to. I’m guessing that most of your readers are here because they connect with you, not because they’re looking for a particular recipe or organization tip. Since you’ve been in the game for so long, and have such a loyal reader base, you don’t need to rely on Pinterest traffic or search traffic like the rest of us 🙂 That’s a great position to be in. And sponsored content doesn’t offend me at all – you have to make a living too!
Tam says
I vote 100% that you go back to posting all your meals—loved that format and miss it now!! Thank you for sharing your life with us for all these years!