When Mahy Elamin studied pharmacy at college, received her diploma, and began working within the discipline, she was actually sad. Her true ardour was meals.
Unable to remain away, she enrolled in lessons to study extra about meals science, recipe improvement, and meals pictures. She began out as a contract culinary instructor however rapidly realized that she might attain extra folks if she took her experience on-line, so she created Two Purple Figs.
Right now her meals weblog receives thousands and thousands of pageviews and brings in 6 figures per 12 months. She has no regrets about abandoning that pharmacy diploma to observe her coronary heart.
Preserve studying to seek out out:
- Why she pursued a level in pharmacy
- How she received into the meals business
- Why she created her meals weblog
- Her method to model development on social media
- How a lot she’s incomes
- Her high advertising and marketing methods
- Her ideas on search engine optimization
- Her key phrase analysis and hyperlink constructing methods
- Her content material creation course of
- Her favourite sources and instruments
- Her best problem
- Her largest accomplishment
- Her worst mistake
- The recommendation she provides different entrepreneurs
Meet Mahy Elamin
I grew up in 10 completely different nations due to my father’s diplomatic job, and that uncovered me to so many various cultures, folks, and meals! I grew up loving meals and making an attempt new flavors and experimenting with the fusion of spices and cooking methods.
Discovering a profession within the meals business wasn’t an possibility in my household tradition, as lecturers had been the highest precedence, so I went on to check pharmacy at college and labored for just a few years within the pharmaceutical discipline.
I then realized that I couldn’t proceed a profession away from meals, so I studied meals science (that’s the place my pharmacy background got here in helpful), recipe improvement, meals pictures, and meals styling.
I began to show cooking and baking lessons at completely different cooking colleges as a contract culinary teacher as I grew a ardour for instructing about meals. At that time, I used to be instructing 60 folks in individual and considered having an internet site to draw extra folks to my cooking lessons.
After creating my web site with detailed info, high quality meals pictures, and distinctive meals styling, I noticed that I used to be reaching an increasing number of folks on-line than on the cooking college.
That’s once I determined to develop my web site, make it a enterprise, and proceed doing what I like!
Why She Created Two Purple Figs
I created Two Purple Figs initially to be a web-based portfolio for my cooking lessons so that folks might learn extra about me, see my meals, and join my freelance cooking lessons.
I quickly realized that I might develop my site visitors on-line and attain an increasing number of folks than ever in individual! I instantly knew I needed to give attention to rising my work on-line which included studying search engine optimization and social media.
When it comes to site visitors and web site development, there’s little doubt that search engine optimization is probably the most precious instrument that I realized and I’m nonetheless studying! I’ve gone by way of just a few audits, re-writing many aged posts, fastidiously deciding on the content material I create, and updating movies on almost each put up on my web site to make the recipes simpler for everybody to strive.
Making use of what I realized has made a huge effect on my site visitors, on subscribers to my electronic mail checklist, and my web site rankings.
Mahy Dives into Social Media
Social media was very overwhelming to me as I tackled all platforms without delay, so I made a decision to give attention to one by one, which was the perfect determination I made!
Instagram was the platform I selected to begin with and I grew it with a number of sweat! It challenged me to enhance my pictures and to begin to study videography and reels, to point out up on Tales, and rather more!
It took years of labor and consistency, having the ability to change my technique because the algorithms change continuously, and being actually linked on a private stage to my viewers.
Facebook adopted, and studying/testing the best way to market my work on FB was one other instrument that helped me develop tremendously.
Pinterest is one other nice platform that I began on just a little late, however it’s completely value it and I’m progressively engaged on TikTok as properly.
After 3 to 4 years of working completely alone, day and evening, between creating content material, the web site, and social media work, I made the choice to rent a workforce.
It was the perfect determination for my enterprise, because it allowed me to develop and give attention to methods and study extra. Right now I’ve 9 folks on my workforce and we every contribute in another way to the enterprise.
I discovered most of them on-line by way of Fb advertisements or on Instagram. A few them I do know personally and requested them to work with me.
Mahy’s Social Media Suggestions
At first, I received misplaced with so many platforms and algorithms, so many do’s and don’ts for every platform, so I made a decision to work on one platform at a time to grasp it. I began with Instagram as I loved scrolling by way of it.
I began by following associates and folks in the identical business as myself, adopted my favourite manufacturers within the meals business, after which I adopted a few of their followers as a result of I figured they might be occupied with my content material as properly.
Fortunate for me, they did in actual fact observe me again. I then began tagging manufacturers I genuinely use every time I share a recipe that makes use of their merchandise. I grew to become seen to many massive manufacturers in my business and, finally, my work was acknowledged.
A few of these massive manufacturers requested to work with me and a few re-shared my work with their followers, bringing a number of new folks to my account.
I continued to work round algorithm adjustments when movies began changing into well-liked, so I made the change to video, then Reels took over, and I went alongside as properly. I test my insights and spot which days and occasions of the week my followers are most active, and I share throughout these occasions solely.
Most significantly, I used to be very constant. It is a enormous issue for fulfillment on social media. I confirmed up day-after-day, even when I wasn’t within the temper or had private points happening–I might present up even with a cup of espresso and say good morning, and that’s it.
I answered my DMs and I shared private tales, travels, failures, successes, and every thing with authenticity.
When it got here to manufacturers, I refused many provides from manufacturers that didn’t really feel genuine to me. I by no means pushed gross sales or did commission-based work. That’s why you’ll discover once I share a sure model, there’s a way of belief between my viewers and myself, and that’s why my natural posts and sponsored posts carry out simply as properly on social media.
As an enormous thanks, I all the time run giveaways on my web page. I ask my favourite manufacturers to present away a precious product in alternate for social media promotion. Typically I buy reward playing cards myself and provide them as a giveaway.
Both manner, I all the time discover methods to say thanks. I additionally discover that my viewers more and more likes to share the giveaways I provide with their family and friends, so I find yourself with a few thousand new followers every time.
How A lot Mahy is Making
My enterprise is presently making six figures, which has been a dream for me! I watched it develop during the last 7 years, and I’m excited for extra development.
My earnings is damaged down by way of completely different income channels, primarily web site earnings and social media earnings.
The web site earnings comes primarily from advert corporations that run advertisements on my web site and I’m paid for each customer that clicks on my web site to learn a recipe. This accounts for almost 50% of my earnings.
Social media earnings is from manufacturers that need me to create content material for his or her merchandise and share that on my social platforms. This helps the model attain my focused viewers, helps them develop and promote their merchandise, and will increase model consciousness or gross sales, or each.
Different earnings sources embody corporations that require unique copyrights to high quality pictures and movies made for his or her merchandise and for his or her web site and social channels. This improves their look on-line, creates interesting social media channels for corporations, and likewise will increase their gross sales.
Her High Advertising Methods
My primary technique each for my web site and social media is selecting my content material fastidiously, deciding on manufacturers to work with that I genuinely love, and persistently exhibiting up as who I’m.
Having an actual connection to my viewers and gaining their belief is among the most dear property to my enterprise.
Other than that, I pay for on-line advertisements and provide precious content material and superb giveaways to my viewers, which helps me attain their viewers as properly, and this might be my second-best advertising and marketing technique.
With regard to the paid advertisements, I’m referring to Fb Adverts. I create advertisements utilizing my movies/reels/content material with a hyperlink again to my web site.
I write compelling sentences to excite the reader to strive my recipe, after which I goal a demographic that may certainly wish to learn extra in regards to the recipe.
So if it’s a simple dinner recipe, I might goal busy professionals of their mid-20s to mid-40s, largely girls, mothers included, and goal the placement as US with an curiosity in fast, straightforward, 30-minute meals.
If it’s a baking recipe, I might goal an older era or a teen era whose pursuits embody meals, baking, recipes, and so forth.
The Significance of search engine optimization
search engine optimization is extraordinarily necessary for my web site as a result of it’s my instrument for rating on search engines like google and yahoo and reaching new folks. I’ve realized it by way of many programs and audits, and I’m nonetheless studying because it evolves in a short time, however it’s all the time my precedence for rising my enterprise.
I realized quite a bit from Jeff Hawley (creator of Hashtag Jeff). He has an intensive course on search engine optimization, a group of individuals, and he provides one-on-one teaching, audits and extra.
Key phrase Analysis
My keyword search technique is predicated on many elements.
To start out off, I test my search engine rankings day by day. I construct an ecosystem of key phrases round my top-ranking key phrases and matters to develop on the subject and canopy as a lot of it as doable.
If I’m beginning with a brand new subject totally, I collect as many key phrases and associated recipes to that subject. Then I estimate how a lot time I’ll have to cowl as lots of the matters as doable. I normally all the time have key phrases that complement one another and construct on each other.
One other technique is I cowl my area of interest matters very properly. I put up about 70% of my area of interest matters, whereas the remaining 30% are normally tendencies or entertaining or seasonal matters.
As soon as I do know the key phrase I’m concentrating on, I begin testing out many recipes and variations utilizing that key phrase. I choose my most profitable one, ideally if seasonal after which I begin writing all I do know in regards to the subject. I ensure to reply any associated questions in regards to the subject and to supply ideas, make-ahead choices, storage choices, and extra
The ecosystem is predicated on my Google Search Console and Semrush. I observe my month-to-month search and which phrases are escalating, so I reinforce them by creating posts with associated matters.
For instance, I began to rank for “mussels,” so I created posts about mussels marinara, inexperienced mussels, seafood garlic sauce, the best way to cook dinner mussels, and so forth.
All of those bolstered the preliminary put up and every put up individually ranked properly on their very own as properly. I ultimately grew to become acknowledged for seafood recipes, so I continued with different matters, choosing one massive key phrase after which constructing an ecosystem of key phrases round it.
Hyperlink Constructing
Hyperlink constructing is totally necessary for my web site to achieve authority. It’s a sign of success and helps my rank tremendously.
Listed below are just a few methods that I’ve performed for hyperlink constructing:
– Networking: Sharing different food blogger’s work, and having them share mine has been a fantastic technique that advantages each of us.
– Fb teams: They’re a fantastic place to seek out web site house owners, meals writers, editors, and contributors in search of high quality recipes to put up as a part of rounds-ups, seasonal matters, entertaining, the best way to’s, ideas, and extra!
Normally, many bloggers will share hyperlinks to the associated matters and the editor/author will select from these hyperlinks. Should you provide high quality articles with high quality pictures and video, chances are high your hyperlink might be chosen.
– Recognition: Whereas it is a very respected manner of constructing hyperlinks, it is positively the toughest and the one which requires probably the most time. That is when a good web site acknowledges your work and decides to share it.
– PR businesses, manufacturers, sponsored work: Should you’ve labored with any PR or model that appreciates your work and decides to share it on their web site linking again to yours, you then’ve received one other manner of high quality hyperlink constructing.
What positively hasn’t labored for me is accepting hyperlinks from random websites for a price. You’ll discover a number of on-line websites asking for a paid hyperlink in your web site or asking you for a price to insert your article hyperlink on their web site.
Both manner, that is the worst factor you are able to do in your web site, as finally these websites don’t final too lengthy and find yourself being spammy or deserted websites. Web sites that depend on paid hyperlinks don’t have a manner of constant and this finally ends up hurting your web site finally in the event you’re in any manner linked to them.
Mahy’s Content material Creation Course of
My content material creation technique is normally closely based mostly on my search engine optimization search and key phrase search. I’ll typically give attention to tendencies and put a twist on them to make them distinctive to me and my viewers.
Different occasions I’ll simply create seasonal recipes and luxuriate in all of them season lengthy, or entertaining recipes if we’re having particular events.
As soon as I resolve on the subject, I begin the method of recipe testing. I’ll create at the very least 6 variations of every recipe, tweaking every model to mirror completely different flavors, methods, textures, and extra.
I check for all of the relatable Q&A on the subject, so I’ll check storing within the fridge or freezer, making prematurely, freezing forward of time, leftovers, reheating, and so forth.
And as soon as I’ve a favourite out of the 6 completely different recipes, I’ll make it as soon as once more and normally share it with associates, neighbors, or household to have their enter. At that time, the recipe is prepared and I’ve a very good feeling about its success, so I begin the method of filming.
There’s at the very least a day of grocery procuring and managing components, getting ready them for the photoshoot. Then my gear is ready up for photographs and video on the identical time, my studio is ready up as wanted, which incorporates the range, oven, home equipment, and so forth.
I begin getting ready the ultimate examined recipe with video working at completely different angles and completely different zoom ranges to have close-up and wider views. The digital camera is ready up too and I ensure to take step-by-step photographs for many who don’t watch the video.
Then I plate the ultimate recipe when it’s prepared and create knowledgeable food-styled structure that’s interesting and profitable for the reader to click on on that recipe!
After the content material is accomplished, it’s all despatched over to my modifying workforce, who begins engaged on getting these edits to maximise the attraction of the video and photographs. I begin writing the article with the assistance of my meals writers incorporating all applicable key phrases and Q&A.
As soon as the modifying and the writing are full, I add the article, photographs, and video to my web site, fastidiously putting photographs the place they belong within the article.
I full the method by writing the recipe card, calculating the dietary desk, and ending off any lingering particulars for the put up. It’s able to be revealed and I get so excited to click on that publish button!
Now it’s time to spice up the put up by way of social media! With my social media workforce, the recipe is shared on all platforms.
That is the method that goes behind each recipe you discover on my web site.
For every put up, together with my workforce, the method takes us a minimal of two days of full work. It’s greatest to say three days really! I ensure to add a brand new recipe each 5 days at most. I goal for each 4 days.
Her Electronic mail Record
I’ve about 10k subscribers to my electronic mail checklist, which I’ve grown over time. The best most evident method to develop your checklist is by creating high quality articles that can entice the reader to enroll and never miss a brand new put up.
One other manner is thru choices. I provide seasonal menus on sign-up reminiscent of: “Signal as much as obtain a full Thanksgiving menu that’s foolproof and scrumptious to make!” I ensure to ship over a superbly aesthetic menu that covers many recipes intimately with movies, step-by-step photographs, variations relying in your preferences, and rather more!
How Many Hours She Works on the Enterprise
My working hours are everywhere!
I normally attempt to maintain my hours to 40 hours per week, however they’re unfold out so in another way than most different jobs! There are occasions I work weekends, day and evening, and occasions once I’m off for just a few days with totally no work!
Additionally, there are weeks once I work 60+ hours, whereas different weeks could find yourself being 20 hours. It’s a really completely different manner of working, however I do attempt to maintain my common weekly of 40 hours simply to steadiness out the remaining points of my life.
Mahy’s Favourite Assets
There are such a lot of nice podcasts, reminiscent of Meals Blogger Professional, the place you’ll hear tales from actual bloggers who every have a novel success story. Meals Blogger Professional is also a group web site that has movies and step-by-step explanations on the best way to begin and run an internet site.
One other nice search engine optimization useful resource is Hashtag Jeff. He’s an search engine optimization professional with a group of bloggers, movies, audits, and so many different providers in your search engine optimization wants.
The Chew Shot YouTube channel is a good studying instrument for meals photographers of all ranges to observe!
And Semrush is a good membership web site for all of your key phrases, web site audits, writing instruments, and extra!
Her High 3 Instruments
Undoubtedly, my workforce is among the most dear instruments that I’ve!
Investing in myself has helped me acquire data and confidence, and allowed me to develop and develop in immeasurable methods.
I additionally love Semrush, because it retains observe of my key phrases, rankings, web site well being, and extra!
And eventually, having up-to-date high-tech gear is one thing that displays on my enterprise day by day! Having high quality cameras, gear, props, modifying software program, and functions is one thing that’s essential to my enterprise.
Her Largest Problem
There are two main challenges that I’ve confronted, one in all them is sort of apparent: the know-how.
Since this enterprise was comparatively new once I began, I confronted the problem of discovering info, understanding it, determining the best way to develop, and experimenting with so many various instruments.
My actual problem as soon as all the above was discovered was balancing work and life. As you’ll be able to think about earlier than having a workforce, doing all of this work alone can simply devour your entire day! It may be onerous to make time for your self, your loved ones, your youngsters, your social life, and extra!
Her Proudest Accomplishment
My largest accomplishment is unquestionably constructing a web-based group of like-minded individuals who belief me, worth my work, assist me, and proceed to make me develop.
On this new and uncooked on-line world of enterprise, there might be loads of gifted folks, nice alternatives, and cash to be made. Nevertheless, none of it’s doable by yourself.
Having a web-based group or tribe as some could name it, or viewers, is essential to any expertise’s success and essential for the chance and cash to return your manner!
It took 5 strong years of onerous work and dedication for me to lastly say, “I’ve a web-based group.”
My group is there for me each single day, ready for me to point out up and listening to what I’ve to say. I don’t take that as a right! I do know I can affect and encourage them, so I strive my greatest to be the perfect model of myself. I wish to encourage and affect one thing helpful. I perceive my viewers demographics, age teams, pursuits, and extra!
For that, manufacturers are keen to pay and work with me to affect my group into shopping for their merchandise and rising their model. I’m very choosy and selective with who I work with and what I promote as a result of I do know my viewers trusts me and I worth their belief greater than something.
After I wrote my first guide, I used to be so nervous nobody would purchase it. My viewers was my largest assist. They purchased, baked from the guide, and shared it everywhere in the web.
After I’m visiting a neighborhood farm selling the farming business, I share the journeys with my viewers, and their insights, questions, and curiosity within the business make my go to an enormous success!
After I’m ranting about an disagreeable scenario on my IG tales, I discover their assist immense they usually all have my again! In a scenario with an airline the place the airline misplaced my ticket and I ultimately missed my flight, I obtained an enormous apology and improve from the airline due to all of the complaints submitted in assist of me.
Initially, every individual got here to my on-line enterprise both by way of a Google search in search of a recipe, after which appreciated my content material and signed up. Or they got here by way of social media and adopted me.
Then most of them have led their family and friends to me. And we’re a rising group day-after-day!
In order an entrepreneur on-line, I discover that my viewers is my largest asset as they’re those who go to my web site, make my recipes, respect my work, assist the manufacturers that I work with, purchase my guide, and have unconditional belief in me.
What She Needs She Knew When She Began
Oh, so many issues!
Primarily, I want I knew that it takes time and persistence! It takes time to construct a strong web site, a robust group on-line, and a novel meals styling/meals pictures and meals videography identification.
Her Largest Mistake
My largest mistake was positively ready too lengthy earlier than hiring out among the work and doing it on their lonesome! Whereas I’m not a perfectionist, I nonetheless hesitated to rent pondering the ROI wouldn’t be worthy.
As quickly as I began hiring out among the work, I noticed an actual ROI for my enterprise and that’s once I began increasing. Not solely did I see worth in my enterprise, however I noticed worth in my private life!
I had a greater work-life steadiness and I had the time and area in my thoughts wanted to develop and develop.
Her Recommendation for Different Entrepreneurs
My greatest recommendation could be to all the time put money into your self, continue learning, and be versatile sufficient to vary methods as a result of the web world is ever-changing.
Rent assist as quickly as you’ll be able to as a result of this can help you have higher peace of thoughts and allow you to consider development slightly than finishing duties.
And eventually, keep in mind it takes time! So be affected person and provides it time to flourish.
