Today we’d like to introduce you to Pam and Sara Brand.
Pam and Sara, please share your story with us.
Biscuits & Burlap is a Southern food blog. We began in 2014 looking for a way to document and share how much butter we REALLY used in that recipe or how we decorated the mantle last Christmas. Originally, we didn’t see it as something the world would be interested in, but only our close friends and family. During this time, we really had no niche or direction. As the mood struck us, we posted a recipe here, a DIY project there, and so on. The following year, as we talked about where we wanted to go with the blog, we discussed the content’s relevance to people outside our family. We talked about young adults today and how dependent many have become on others to cook their food or decorate their houses. We saw a need for information out there and decided to expand our reach. During the quest to build our content and develop our online presence, we realized how much DIY and decor posts felt like “real work,” we decided to narrow our focus into our true passion: food. Specifically, recipes from our beloved South. Today, we are food photographers, recipe developers, content writers, and digital marketers who share our love of Southern food with the world.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Beginning without a specific niche was really a struggle for us. Once we narrowed it down into something we were both passionate about, the possibilities really grew. For anyone out there wanting to become food bloggers, the most important thing is finding your niche.
After that, photography! We have content from early on that, though the recipes are something to be proud of, the posts have camera-phone photography that makes us shudder. Of course, you have to start somewhere, but with the majority of social media being so visual, the best way to drive traffic to any site is with beautiful photography. We don’t consider ourselves experts by any means, but as our photography improves, our audience grows. Focus on improving your photography, and that will draw people toward your content.
Lastly, don’t let the haters get you down. Whatever your niche is, you can’t please everyone. Do what makes you happy, follow your passion, and focus on those people who are on board with it.
what should we know about Biscuits & Burlap? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Southern food is our passion. Some of our recipes are old classics like mac and cheese, fried chicken, or gumbo. Our favorite thing to do, though, is taking those classics and give them a twist. We are firm believers that a dash of hot sauce or a splash of bourbon never hurt anything and when you let yourself get creative with your food, that’s when the real magic happens. My favorite magic at Biscuits & Burlap is recipes like bacon-jalapeno deviled eggs, bacon bourbon jam, and hot fudge pudding cake made in a cast-iron skillet.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
Don’t be afraid to change directions. Sometimes, as you start moving in one direction, you realize you’d rather move in another. Don’t be afraid to stop, reevaluate, and change it up.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.biscuitsandburlap.com
- Email: info@biscuitsandburlap.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/biscuitsandburlap/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BiscuitsAndBurlap/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Biscuits_Burlap
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/biscuitsandburl/
Image Credit:
Biscuits & Burlap, Tabitha Maegan Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
