Welcome Back To Side Hustle Weekly!

I’m excited to share with you another great side hustle you can start today! Today we will be discussing how you can start a food blog business.

Before We Get Started Here’s Your News Recap:

Business Activity Slows as Tariff Costs Mount
June’s flash PMI showed U.S. business activity easing slightly to 52.8, with input costs rising to their highest since July 2022 amid ongoing tariff disputes. Home sales touched a May low not seen since 2009, as elevated mortgage rates continue to pressure the housing sector.

🏦 Fed’s Bostic Flags Hold on Rate Cuts
Atlanta Fed President Raphael Bostic said the Fed should delay rate cuts, pacing cautiously until tariff-driven price increases materialize. He expects just one 25 bp cut by year-end, with inflation projected to return near 3%.

📈 Treasury Liquidity Resilient Despite Tariff Shocks
A new Fed report states that U.S. Treasury markets are functioning normally, but liquidity remains "responsive" to tariff developments—highlighting still-sensitive investor sentiment.

💵 Dollar Takes Hit as Ceasefire Eases Risk
The U.S. dollar dipped broadly after a ceasefire between Israel and Iran lifted risk appetite. The euro and yen led gains as renewed calm eased financial markets.

🏷️ Metal Tariffs Inflate Consumer Goods Prices
New 50% duties on steel and aluminum imports have inflated canning and packaging costs for producers like Pacific Coast Producers. Firms are struggling to balance supply chain disruptions and customer pricing debates.

🤝 Fed’s Bowman Open to July Rate Cut
Fed Governor Michelle Bowman hinted the central bank could be ready for a July rate cut, provided inflation doesn’t spike further and tariff uncertainties subside.

⛽ Crude oil briefly rallied on war risk but slipped with the ceasefire—energy markets remain jittery.

🏠 Housing outlook weakens as tariffs and glutted inventories continue to squeeze demand.

“Writing” for Money

Eat. Write. Get Paid.

Imagine getting paid to eat at your favorite local restaurants, rave about the ambiance, photograph mouthwatering dishes, and tell stories about the food culture in your city. That’s not just a dream—it’s a local food blog business model that can earn you $5K to $10K+ per month when scaled the right way.

Local food blogs aren't just hobbies anymore—they’re community-driven marketing platforms. Restaurants want exposure, local brands need visibility, and you become the bridge between hungry people and amazing places to eat.

Let’s dive into how you can start your own local food blog, build it into a trusted voice in your area, and turn it into a full-time, location-based income stream.

Step-by-Step: How to Start a Local Food Blog Business

Step 1: Choose a Niche & Name

While your blog is about food, define your unique angle. Will you focus on:

• Affordable eats?

• Hidden gems?

• Fine dining?

• Vegan or gluten-free options?

• Specific neighborhoods?

Pick a memorable name that reflects your theme. Examples: “Tampa Bites”, “ChiTown Eats”, or “VeganVibes NYC.”

Step 2: Set Up Your Blog & Social Media

You’ll need a clean, mobile-friendly website and connected social channels.

Tools to get started:

• Website: Use WordPress + Elementor or Wix

• Domain & Hosting: Namecheap, Bluehost, or SiteGround

• Socials: Focus on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook

📸 Pro Tip: Use Canva to design your logo and blog graphics.

Step 3: Start Blogging & Spotlighting Restaurants

Start with 3–5 strong blog posts reviewing or spotlighting local restaurants. Make each post:

• Well-written and SEO-friendly

• Filled with high-quality photos

• Authentic and useful (not just fluff)

Structure each post like:

• Introduction of the restaurant

• Best dishes to try

• Ambiance and decor

• Staff & service experience

• Final thoughts + rating

Then share snippets on Instagram or TikTok, tagging the restaurants.

Step 4: Build Your Audience Fast

To monetize, you need visibility. Grow quickly by:

• Following and engaging with local foodies

• Posting daily Instagram Reels or TikToks

• Running giveaways (ex: "Win a free dinner at ___")

• Getting reposted by the restaurants you review

Use hashtags like #YourCityEats, #YourCityFoodie, and tag local pages.

Step 5: Monetize with Sponsored Posts and Ad Placements

Once you have around 2,000–5,000 monthly readers or 3,000+ followers, start monetizing.

Revenue ideas:

• Sponsored blog features ($200–$1,000 per post)

• Instagram paid shoutouts

• Restaurant photography services

• Ad placement on your website (local businesses pay $100–$500/month)

• Affiliate links for reservations, delivery apps, or food tours

📞 Pro Tip: Cold email local businesses and say, “I spotlight top restaurants and attract [#] local readers weekly. Would you be interested in a sponsored feature?”

Step 6: Scale It Like a Media Business

You’re not just a blogger—you’re a local media brand.

Here’s how to scale:

• Hire a writer or VA to handle content while you focus on sales

• Build a media kit with traffic and audience stats

• Offer monthly spotlight packages for restaurants

• Reach out to local tourism boards and magazines for partnerships

• Launch a newsletter and sell ad slots in it ($250+/slot)

By treating it like a real business, you can grow beyond blogging and become the go-to platform for food in your city.

Estimated Monthly Income Potential

💰 Total Potential: $5,000 – $10,000+/month

Pros and Cons

✅ Pros:

• Eat great food, meet amazing people

• Build a strong local presence

• Scalable with multiple income streams

• Flexible schedule and fully remote

• Opportunity to expand into media/PR

❌ Cons:

• Takes time to grow traffic/following

• Consistent content creation required

• You may need to front restaurant costs early on

• Sales outreach is needed to monetize

Requirements to Start

• Basic writing & photography skills

• Website + blog platform (WordPress or Wix)

• Active Instagram and/or TikTok account

• DSLR or good smartphone camera

• Canva Pro (for graphics and thumbnails)

• Email marketing tool (like MailerLite or ConvertKit)

• SEO plugin (like Rank Math or Yoast)

Optional Tools & Products to Maximize Results

• Tripod & phone ring light for content creation

• Portable mic for voiceover or reviews

• Notion or Trello for scheduling content & outreach

• Google Analytics to track blog traffic

• Email list pop-up tool like Sumo or OptinMonster

Summary: Build a Blog, Feed Your City, Fund Your Lifestyle

Starting a local food blog isn't just a fun way to eat for free—it’s a legitimate business model. With consistent content, strategic outreach, and a little hustle, you can turn reviews into revenue and blog posts into brand deals.

To grow fast:

• Stay consistent with content

• Build an engaged foodie community

• Create multiple monetization layers

• Automate content or hire help as it scales

Soon, you won’t just be writing about restaurants—you’ll be building the go-to food platform in your city.

And getting paid handsomely to do it.

That’s A Wrap

I hope you enjoyed today’s post and if you have any questions about the post, upcoming posts, how to advertise, or anything else, feel free to reply. See you next time with another money-making post, helping you boost your income!

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational and educational purposes only and reflects the opinions of its editors and contributors. The content provided, including but not limited to real estate tips, stock market insights, business marketing strategies, and startup advice, is shared for general guidance and does not constitute financial, investment, real estate, legal, or business advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information provided. Past performance is not indicative of future results. All investment, real estate, and business decisions involve inherent risks, and readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence and consult with qualified professionals before taking any action. This newsletter does not establish a fiduciary, advisory, or professional relationship between the publishers and readers.