How to be a superstar food blogger

Follow us on Twitter @y7lifestyle

It’s hard to believe that only a few years ago that we had to plunder cooking books or tune in to cooking shows on network TV.

Now, thanks to the rise of digital platforms and social media, an infinite number of recipes are available at the click of a mouse, and a whole generation of rising food stars are taking center stage.

Whether it’s trialing recipes, reviewing restaurants, exploring food industries, health fads, ingredient swaps, or bragging about hoovering a Michelin star meal, blogging and bloggers have gone from being a novelty to a credible, and highly regarded source of content seemingly overnight.

RELATED: Top women in food

But what is the difference between a food blog that gets an impressive following and one that sinks into online purgatory?

To find out, we spoke with the winner of Gourmet Garden's national Blog off/Cook off competition Laney Galligan from Crash Test Mummy .

RELATED: Top foodies to follow on Pinterest

Can you tell us a little bit about your blog Crash Test Mummy ?

My blog is about how I crash test my way to an easier, happier and healthier motherhood. I'm not an expert, I'm the experiment and I like to think if I can do it, my readers can do it too.

What are the posts that get the highest hits?

Definitely the personal ones and my journey through depression. People always appreciate someone telling it how it is, telling a story they can relate to. I also get a lot of hits on my recipes I've created to help me quit sugar. Quitting sugar and experimenting with paleo/primal eating attract a lot of interest, which is great because it means more people are leaning towards simplifying their eating for health.

What do you think is the biggest mistake most food bloggers make?

I'm not much of a food critic and I think anyone who is blogging about their passion and shares it with others deserves major kudos. However, the one thing that will turn me off delving further into a recipe is a terrible photo of the food. Food blogging is hard. It's not just about the recipe. It's also about how you present it. It's something I will be putting more effort into!

RELATED: Top food apps we love

What do you think makes a good blog?

If you land on a blog and can immediately see what it's all about, can see evidence of a community and you want to stick around, then it's a good blog!

Why do you think food blogging has taken off in such a big way in the last few years?

We all need to eat and now anyone can become an independent publisher and share their creations with the world. Perhaps they're inspired by the reality cooking shows? TV has brought into our living rooms normal people doing extraordinary things with food. I think we naturally turn to the internet for similar inspiration and now we're finding it with some amazing food blogs.

If someone was interested in getting started in food blogging, how do you recommend they get started?

I think definitely find a niche and stick to it. Perhaps your thing is desserts - how can you make that more interesting? What personal twist can you give your niche? As far as setting up a blog and starting, have a think about where you want it to take you. If you're interested in making money from your blogging there are a few decisions that are better made from the start regarding platforms, branding etc. If you just want to make it a hobby then get on Blogger and off you go!

Visit Laney's blog at crashtestmummy.com.au.

Have you ever thought about creating a food blog? Or are there already too many out there? Let us know by joining the conversation on Y7 Lifestyle Facebook page.

Learn how to make Laney's winning recipe Pancetta and Zucchini tartlet with herbed mushrooms and salsa