Today marks a truly exhilarating moment, and I am incredibly eager to share this comprehensive business update with all of you. Since Lee and I officially launched The Blogger Project in January, discussions around blogging, particularly its intricacies as a business, have largely shifted away from this space. We understand that most of you primarily visit The Healthy Maven for our delicious healthy recipes and valuable wellness insights, so delving into the mechanics of blog management often felt a little out of place here. However, just because that in-depth content now resides on The Blogger Project doesn’t mean we should remain silent about our journey and growth.
Every single member of this community has played a crucial and instrumental role in The Healthy Maven’s remarkable growth, helping me transform a personal passion from a mere hobby into a thriving, full-fledged business. For that, I am profoundly grateful and absolutely thrilled to include you in this transparent and exciting business update.
It’s not only inspiring to reflect on how far THM has come, but also incredibly insightful to observe Lee’s impressive journey with Fit Foodie Finds. Her success provides invaluable perspective on the potential future trajectory for my own venture. As many of you know, Lee recently celebrated Fit Foodie Finds’ fifth anniversary, and I am constantly in awe of the incredible business empire she has meticulously built from the ground up. I highly encourage you to visit Fit Foodie Finds to read her own business update; it offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at a blog that has grown to double my current size!
As both Lee and I share our respective business updates, we decided to adopt a similar format. This approach allows those of you embarking on your own blogging adventures to gain a clear understanding of where we both stand in our entrepreneurial paths. It’s vital to remember that everyone’s journey is unique. Therefore, I urge you to resist the urge to compare your progress directly with ours or anyone else’s. Instead, let’s celebrate each other’s achievements, learn constructively from shared mistakes, and most importantly, always remain authentic to yourselves. Genuineness and authenticity will always far outweigh any numerical metrics or superficial comparisons.
Remarkable Blog Growth & Engagement
The past year has been nothing short of extraordinary in terms of The Healthy Maven’s organic growth. In 2015, we witnessed our monthly page views and unique visitors more than double, a testament to the engaging content and growing community. This year alone, over 330,000 unique individuals have gazed upon THM’s content each month, collectively generating more than 2.7 million page views. These figures truly blow my mind and fill me with immense pride.
While there has undoubtedly been a strategic approach behind THM’s consistent growth (which we will delve into further below), what I cherish most about these impressive numbers is their 100% organic nature. I have never resorted to purchasing views, nor do I actively participate in those often-annoying Facebook promotional groups (save for perhaps two instances this year when a particular post genuinely didn’t receive the attention it deserved). No one visited The Healthy Maven because they were promised something in return or were paid to be here. Instead, they arrived because they genuinely discovered something they liked, something that resonated with them, and for that authentic connection, I am incredibly proud.
Observing the analytics closely, I’ve noted a few interesting trends in 2015: while my bounce rate experienced a slight increase, the number of page views per visit simultaneously improved. This indicates that while more individuals might be visiting THM and then immediately departing, those who choose to stay are actively exploring a greater number of posts during their visit.
My interpretation of this data is quite straightforward: in an ideal world, every single person who visited The Healthy Maven would become a lifelong reader. Of course, this isn’t a realistic possibility in the vast digital landscape. However, I am genuinely pleased that a significant portion of visitors are choosing to stay and delve deeper into the content. As a blog’s overall traffic numbers expand, it is a common and often expected phenomenon to see the bounce rate increase. Building an intensely engaged brand, where every visitor wants to consume every piece of content ever shared, is an immense challenge. The reality is that a considerable number of people discover THM through specific searches on Google or through visually appealing pins on Pinterest, often lured by a single recipe or wellness tip. Once they’ve found what they were looking for, they might move on. They aren’t necessarily interested in exploring my entire archives, and honestly, that’s perfectly fine. It means my content is effectively serving its purpose for their immediate needs, which is a positive outcome.
Dynamic Social Media Growth & Community Building
The growth observed across our social media platforms has been even more exponential than the blog analytics themselves. However, because we are dealing with a comparatively smaller scale in terms of raw numbers, this rapid expansion might not appear as immediately noticeable or substantial at first glance.
December 2014: 3,450 followers
December 2015: 9,500 followers
Ah, Facebook! My relationship with this platform is a curious one. I absolutely adore the level of engagement I receive from my followers here, especially when the algorithm allows my content to be seen. My Facebook community truly consists of some of the most dedicated and supportive individuals, who have often provided invaluable wisdom and feedback. However, due to Facebook’s ever-changing algorithm, only a small fraction, typically around 5%, of my followers actually see my posts in their feed. Consequently, I don’t rely on Facebook as a primary driver of blog traffic, and as such, I’m not overly concerned with its numerical growth alone. There’s a common misconception among bloggers that a high Facebook following directly correlates with massive traffic and an abundance of brand opportunities, but this is increasingly untrue. Unless you possess an extraordinarily large following, the traffic generated from Facebook is often not hugely substantial (I typically see around 100-300 views a day). Furthermore, brands are becoming much more savvy, understanding that a large Facebook following no longer holds the same weight it once did. It’s a bit disheartening, but it’s simply the reality of the platform today.
December 2014: 3,100 followers
December 2015: 15,100 followers
Instagram has experienced truly phenomenal and exponential growth over the past year, becoming a powerful visual storytelling platform for THM. However, during this period, I’ve also keenly observed a significant shift in how people utilize the platform. The days of casually sharing unpolished, behind-the-scenes photos are largely gone. Crafting and curating a meticulously aesthetic Instagram account has evolved into a demanding job in itself—a task I am not particularly eager to fully immerse myself in. While I deeply value the ability to motivate and inspire people through visual content on Instagram, I genuinely don’t want everything to appear perfectly polished and unattainable all the time. My philosophy is to showcase a more authentic, relatable perspective. While this might not be the most strategically sound decision if rapid numerical growth is the sole objective, I hold onto the belief that those who choose to join my community appreciate this honest approach. Time will tell if this philosophy continues to resonate widely.
December 2014: 3,350 followers
December 2015: 17,200 followers
WOAH. That’s truly all I can say about the incredible surge in my Pinterest growth this past year. Pinterest quite literally exploded for me in 2015, and I am certainly not complaining about this amazing development! I attribute a significant portion of this remarkable growth to two key factors: consistently maintaining a super active presence on the platform, and undoubtedly, a touch of good fortune. I strongly believe that by actively pinning, participating in relevant group boards, and optimizing my images for search, I managed to tap into Pinterest’s powerful visual search engine capabilities. I really should dedicate more time to thoroughly digging into my Pinterest analytics one day soon to fully understand the intricate details behind this success, but for now, I’m simply thrilled with the results.
December 2014: 2,100 followers
December 2015: 3,400 followers
Twitter, schmitter. Can I be completely transparent with all of you? I honestly don’t invest a tremendous amount of effort into my Twitter presence. The truth is, I just don’t quite “get” the platform in the same way I understand others. My primary content revolves around visuals – delicious food photography, compelling lifestyle images, and inspiring wellness tips. Twitter, in its essence, isn’t truly designed to highlight this type of visual-based content effectively. While I’m grateful that many of you choose to follow me there, I sincerely apologize if you discover that I’m not particularly active on the platform. Perhaps 2016 will be the year I finally crack the code and unlock Twitter’s full potential for The Healthy Maven?
Snapchat: A New Favorite for Authenticity
I only embraced Snapchat for The Healthy Maven this year, so unfortunately, I don’t have any comparative numbers from previous periods. However, I have absolutely fallen in love with its raw, unfiltered nature. It has become my favorite platform in 2015 for sharing genuine, unedited behind-the-scenes glimpses into my daily life and the workings of THM. Equally rewarding is seeing you all share your own behind-the-scenes moments with me. Snapchat offers a level of authentic connection that feels unique and refreshing. P.S. Don’t forget to follow me there – you can find me at TheHealthyMaven!
Exponential Income Growth & Entrepreneurial Ventures
As is naturally to be anticipated, with the significant growth experienced across both the blog and its accompanying social media channels, it was a natural progression to witness a corresponding increase in our income. Beyond the direct correlation of increased traffic leading to higher ad revenue, a larger and more engaged readership also naturally generates greater interest from potential brand sponsors and collaborators.
By the close of 2014, I had begun to land some truly exciting and cool opportunities. However, as 2015 dawned, I made it my personal mission to proactively organize and solidify my business approach. The shift in mindset was profound: it was no longer about passively hoping for work to come my way, but instead about actively seeking out and securing collaborations for myself. This proactive stance involved several strategies. Sometimes, it meant confidently pitching myself and my brand to companies I genuinely admired and wanted to partner with. At other times, it was about effectively demonstrating to brands the long-term value and mutual benefits of establishing enduring partnerships rather than one-off campaigns. Regardless of the approach, it undeniably worked. In 2015, I was thrilled to see my income nearly double what I was earning as a research assistant in 2013 – a truly remarkable and incredibly cool milestone!
More than the financial gains, I’ve had the immense privilege of exploring a diverse range of projects that have continually pushed my skills, fostering both personal growth and significant business development. While I’ve certainly grappled with the complexities of managing taxes, setting up dedicated business accounts, navigating HST numbers, and other administrative hurdles, I deeply value every single lesson learned throughout the challenging yet rewarding process of building a business from the ground up. I’ve also had the incredible opportunity to collaborate on some insanely cool projects alongside many of my favorite brands, including esteemed partners like Avocados from Mexico, Simply Organic Spices, and Aura Cacia, among others. Together, we’ve successfully pursued shared goals and created impactful campaigns. I truly couldn’t ask for better partners or more wonderful people to work with in this exciting journey.
Additionally, 2015 marked a deeper dive into the world of affiliate links, specifically exploring what types of products truly resonated with and interested my audience. Initially, I experimented with a Parsel shop, but ultimately decided to close it down as it simply wasn’t generating meaningful engagement with you, my readers. This led me to pivot my focus more towards Amazon Affiliates. The truth is, I completely understand the preference. I personally use and trust Amazon for many of my purchases, and if you choose to support THM by buying through my links, I want you to have the same level of trust and ease with your chosen sources. While Amazon’s commission rates might not be the highest, the convenience and accessibility it offers seem to be greatly appreciated by my audience, and I am more than happy to oblige your preferences.
Strategic Brand Development & Identity
A significant differentiator in 2015 was the conscious decision to approach the year with a clearly defined brand strategy. Part of the inevitable growing pains inherent in the blogging journey involves meticulously figuring out your unique voice and ultimately, the core message you aim to convey. It took me a solid two years before I truly grasped what my overarching goals were for The Healthy Maven. I’ll be the first to openly admit that these goals are dynamic and can shift over time, but I knew I needed some fundamental, overarching principles firmly established to guide my direction.
Furthermore, I was determined for these foundational principles to visibly dictate the actual aesthetic and user experience of THM, making 2015 the year of our comprehensive website re-design. The process involved six months of intensive research, exploration, and thoughtful deliberation to pinpoint precisely what I envisioned for the brand. Eventually, I took the courageous leap, and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The Healthy Maven now more accurately reflects my personality, my values, and the precise message I strive to convey to my audience. Speaking of that message…
I dedicated considerable thought and effort, meticulously jotting down numerous ideas and concepts. Ultimately, I settled on three powerful guiding words that serve as the steadfast compass for both myself and the blog: Growth, Holistic, and Inspiring. These words are now the bedrock of our brand identity.
The intentional choice of THM’s bright, simplistic design, carefully selected fonts, and vibrant color palette was not accidental. My earnest hope is that visitors perceive a sense of youthfulness and vitality within the design, as I genuinely believe that youthfulness inherently signifies growth, a relentless pursuit of learning, and an open-minded approach to life. While I might be delving a little too deeply into philosophical territory, I truly value having these guiding principles. They provide invaluable clarity and direction whenever I find myself grappling with content decisions or evaluating potential brand collaboration opportunities, ensuring everything aligns with our core mission.
To further solidify the brand’s visual identity, I also collaborated with the insanely talented photographer, Bettina Bogar, to capture a series of authentic lifestyle images. My vision was to create visuals for this digital space that genuinely told a compelling story about what The Healthy Maven truly embodies – its spirit, its values, and its community. I wholeheartedly believe she captured that essence perfectly.
Investing thoughtfully in your brand is of paramount importance. For me, a clearer brand identity leads to a clearer mind, enabling me to make more informed and strategic choices. Perhaps this is just my personal experience, but a streamlined, well-defined brand simply makes navigating the entrepreneurial landscape far more effective.
Refined Content Strategy & Editorial Vision
With a robust brand strategy firmly in place, making discerning choices regarding my content strategy became considerably simpler and more intuitive. My decisions are now filtered through a series of guiding questions, ensuring every piece of content aligns with THM’s core values:
- Am I encompassing a truly holistic view of health and wellness?
- Does this post genuinely bring tangible value and inspiration to my dedicated readers?
- Does this content actively encourage growth and progress, rather than promoting an unattainable ideal of perfection?
Beyond these, there’s the equally vital question: Does this content inspire me?
The year 2015 was largely about meticulously finding a harmonious balance between producing content that profoundly inspires my readers and creating content that I genuinely felt compelled to share, irrespective of its potential performance metrics. Furthermore, there’s the continuous challenge of striking an optimal equilibrium between what we call “Evergreen content” (timeless, perpetually relevant material) and “EverRed content” (topical, trending material with a shorter shelf-life). For a deeper dive into this concept, I highly recommend reading the insightful post Lee wrote about this HERE on The Blogger Project.
To effectively address these multifaceted challenges, I quickly realized the imperative of becoming exceptionally organized and incredibly thoughtful about my content calendar. I genuinely feel like I managed to get my organizational ducks in a row this year, and for that accomplishment, I am quite proud of myself. Yes – a meticulously planned calendar that strategically manages all my content. To all my fellow bloggers out there, if you haven’t already, you absolutely need to jump on this bandwagon; it’s a game-changer for consistency and clarity.
Other Exciting Milestones & Developments!
Beyond the core business growth, several incredible things unfolded in 2015 that are absolutely worth highlighting:
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I had the immense pleasure of hiring the insanely talented Jess as my dedicated social media manager and, frankly, my woman extraordinaire. I honestly don’t know what I would do without her invaluable support. She handles my often-unpredictable “craziness” with incredible patience, injects so much fun and vibrancy into our THM cooking sessions, and has quickly become my go-to sounding board for practically everything related to the business and beyond. Bringing her on board was, without a shadow of a doubt, the single best decision I made this year for The Healthy Maven.
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I officially launched my YouTube channel! Venturing into video content is something I’ve contemplated ever since I first started The Healthy Maven, but I consistently lacked either the courage, the technical know-how, or both, to actually make it happen. However, once I decided to let go of these inhibitions, simply turned on the camera, and allowed myself to just be authentically ME, I realized how incredibly natural and liberating it felt. I’ve absolutely loved exploring this dynamic new medium and cannot wait to see where it takes The Healthy Maven in 2016. Here’s the latest video currently up on the channel:
And Now, For That Big Announcement… Actually, It’s TWO Big Announcements!
Get ready, because we have not one, but two incredibly exciting announcements that we’ve been eager to share!
#1. Exclusive Year-Long Mentorship Opportunities! Lee and I are profoundly grateful for the incredible support, invaluable guidance, and generous mentorship we have received from countless fellow bloggers throughout our journey. In return, we are absolutely thrilled to be able to provide a similar level of dedicated guidance and mentorship to our vibrant community. Over on The Blogger Project, we have been regularly hosting our popular Coffee Chats each month, where we’ve opened up four exclusive slots for our community members to enjoy a free, personalized 20-minute chat about all things blogging.
Building on the success and positive feedback from these chats, for 2016, we are thrilled to announce a significant expansion of this idea! We will be offering TWO highly coveted, year-long mentorship spots specifically to readers of THM, FFF, and TBP. Think of these as “spiked coffee chats” – a more intense, personalized, and sustained mentorship experience! One of these exclusive spots will be awarded to a reader who is passionately looking to start a new blog from scratch, and the other will go to an established blogger actively seeking mentorship to strategically grow and scale their existing blog. Lee and I will personally and collaboratively mentor both selected individuals throughout the entire year, providing tailored advice, support, and actionable strategies to help you achieve your ambitious blogging goals. All you need to do to seize this incredible opportunity is:
APPLY HERE!
#2. Launching Our Comprehensive Blog Growth E-Course! While we absolutely wish we could personally mentor every single one of you, due to the practical limitations of time, that simply wouldn’t be possible. Therefore, we’ve devised the next best thing – an incredibly valuable resource designed to empower every aspiring and established blogger in our community. As countless people set ambitious health and wellness goals for the new year, we thought, why not apply that same driven mindset to setting and achieving your blogging goals?
To help you kick off the new year on the absolute right track, we are excited to offer a month-long, intensive e-course and challenge hosted on The Blogger Project. This comprehensive course is entirely dedicated to the essential aspects of starting, significantly improving, and sustainably growing your blog. The course content is thoughtfully tailored to cater to both new bloggers (ranging from those who are just contemplating starting to those who have recently launched their blogs) and experienced bloggers looking to elevate their craft. You know all those grand blogging plans you have that often get pushed to the back burner? This course is specifically designed to inspire and equip you to finally tackle those significant goals with confidence and a clear roadmap. It’s packed with crucial information, covering everything from mastering photography and perfecting design aesthetics to understanding SEO fundamentals and everything pertinent in between. The absolute best part? If you successfully complete the entire challenge, you will receive an exclusive blogging kit, courtesy of TBP. This invaluable kit includes a professionally designed media kit template, a customizable pricing guide for brand collaborations, and a comprehensive ebook that walks you step-by-step through the process of growing your blog and effectively running it as a successful business.
All you have to do to join this transformative journey is:
SIGN-UP HERE!
By signing up, you’ll be added to the dedicated TBP email list specifically for the blog challenge. You’ll receive exclusive emails, actionable tips, and be automatically entered to win the comprehensive blogging kit upon successful completion of the challenge. The course officially kicks off on January 1st, 2016, so stay tuned for more exciting details!
Clearly, 2015 has been an incredibly exciting and transformative year for The Healthy Maven, but I am so, so, soooooo stoked to witness what 2016 has in store for THM and, crucially, for all of you! I’m getting wonderfully good vibes about this upcoming year being our absolute best one yet!
Questions, Comments, Suggestions! What else would you like to know about the business side of The Healthy Maven? Share your thoughts below!
[All images courtesy of Bettina Bogar Photography or The Healthy Maven]