Kate in the Kitchen
April 27, 2010 by Sara · 2 Comments
Writing and food are two of Kate Selner’s most treasured passions. Her Kate in the Kitchen blog is a natural expression of that. Kate doesn’t just share recipes, critique products, and review restaurants. When she writes a blog post, she likes to take a simple meal, a recipe or an ingredient, and tell a story about it. She lovingly gives the food she writes about a voice, a personality, and a life. By profession, Kate is a self-employed personal chef and a certified wine professional. Additionally, she offers nutritional consulting and one-on-one cooking lessons for people who wish to expand their cooking knowledge and understanding. For the next six months, she will also be working the cold food station at the White Bear Yacht Club.
What inspired you to write your first blog post for Kate in the Kitchen?
I needed something to manage the creative output coming from my love for writing. Match that with a passion for food, telling stories and sharing food memories and it seemed logical to chronicle it all somewhere. I started in 2006, and food blogs were fairly sparse then.
What is your biggest challenge for developing new content for your blog?
I like to post ideas that are fresh and different. I’m not a trend follower, and I like foods that are simple and nutritious, and often with a unique twist to them. Sometimes I’ve done searches for a recipe I’d like to talk about, just to see if others bloggers have already worn out it’s welcome. I know for myself that I tend not to linger on sites where a recipe is repeated, so I feel like it’s important to capture one’s attention with something you won’t find on a hundred other sites.
What do you hope readers take away from reading Kate in the Kitchen?
Cooking should be fun, it should be simple and true to who you are. We cook to feed ourselves, but also to express who we are and what the foods mean to us. Food tells us stories, brings out memories and settles into us, becoming part of our days. I like to think that readers of my blog learn to think differently about the foods in their lives, not only how to create them, but how to use food as a means of grounding and guiding us.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
Well, I confess that my blog reader is so chock full of amazing food blogs that I rarely get a chance to clear it out completely. I could list dozens, really but I recently have been enamored with Deliciously Organic with posts about fresh, delicious foods that are loaded with nutrition. Talk of Tomatoes is another favorite because she makes amazing foods that are so simple and pure. Other favorites right now are Bella Eats, The Simple Spatula, The Yummy Mummy and The Kitchen Sink Recipes and I love all of these due to how they weave life and food together in beautiful and delicious ways, not to mention gorgeous photos. I love Kitchen Bite for it’s simple sparse site and beautiful recipes and photos.
Local bloggers that have captured my food love are Cafe Cyan as she makes great vegetarian food, and Scate Bakes, Fork, Knife and Spoon, A Good Appetite and Fresh Tart as they all offer wonderful outlets for recipes, food talk and general food nerdery. I also just love how The Heavy Table highlights and showcases Minnesota food talents.
If you could narrow it down to one answer, what do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
One answer. That’s hard. But I honestly love how the food community is changing and challenging people to look closer at their choices and what they eat, as well as where they eat. I love how there are so many local options, small entrepreneurs who are taking aspects of food and making sure people know how wonderful and flavorful they can be. And there is such a great sense of community and camaraderie because of that. People want to share this knowledge, and get others to understand how good it can be too. It’s not about keeping these gems secret anymore. We shout from the rooftops when something is terrific, and I love that.
What is your biggest blog-related or food-related goal for 2010?
I want to just keep doing what I do, to write about the food that graces my life and plate and hope that it keeps people’s interest. I want to keep exploring foods that nurture us, I want to help people understand the simplicity of well-prepared foods, to continue to share and learn about the local food scene and as always, stretch my own boundaries about food, the understanding of it and the means to which it feeds all aspects of our lives.
Communications Conversations
April 20, 2010 by Sara · Leave a Comment
Arik Hanson, the blogger behind the Communications Conversations blog, is a savvy and seasoned communications professional. He is the principal of ACH Communications, a digital communications firm focused on serving as strategic thought partners to financial services, health care, not-for-profit and other organizations. Through integrated PR, communications and digital programs, Arik has been able to create tight-knit communities, build strong brand awareness and drive thought leadership for organizations across the country. Arik has played a lead role in many social projects and initiatives online – both locally and nationally – including the founding Help a PR Pro Out Day, founding the PR Reader’s Choice Blog Awards, and co-organizing the first-ever Journchat Live in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Arik is also long-time PRSA member, serving on the Minnesota PRSA board for the past three years and is a frequent speaker at local colleges and universities and industry events.
What inspired you to write first post for the Communications Conversations blog?
I had these rants and they had to come out. At the time, I was working in a position where I just didn’t have the best creative outlet. I took it upon myself to create an opportunity. And, Communications Conversations was born.
What is a mistake you’ve made with your blog? What did you learn from that mistake which other bloggers should know?
Last summer, I organized the Top 20 Minnesota Social Media Innovator list. It was designed to be a community-based list–the local social media community was responsible for nominating and voting. After the results were in, I found my name on the list. My community voted me in. While I was honored by the nominations and votes, in hindsight I should have taken my name out of consideration as the organizer of the list. I caught some grief for it, admitted my mistake and moved on. All you can do.
What is one Social Media technique or tip that you would suggest to bloggers to increase their traffic or reader loyalty?
Don’t be afraid to get personal. The more passionate you are about a topic or subject, the better chance it will evoke a response from readers–or attract new ones. Also, give video a try. I’ve found it to be a great way to connect with existing readers and meet new ones. Video allows your readers to get to know you a little better.
What do you hope readers take away from reading the Communications Conversations blog?
From a reader perspective, I guess my only goal is to make people think. If I can get your wheels turning, I’ve done my job.
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
Nationally I love Dave Fleet’s blog, David Griner, Jay Baer, and Todd Defren. All four share different perspectives on PR and social media and aren’t afraid to go against the grain. Locally, I really like Adam Singer’s blog. Such a smart guy.
If you could narrow it down to one answer, what do you love the most about the Twin Cities / Minnesota? Why?
Summer. I hate winters (and hate may not be a strong enough word). But the 5-6 months that make up spring/summer in Minnesota are the absolute reason I love living here. Take a ride around Lake Nokomis. Go see a concert at the Lake Harriet bandshell. Check out a Twins game at new Target Field. Lawn bowling at Brit’s. And, as a huge golfer, there is no better place to live than Minnesota–so many great courses across the state. So much to do in the summer and so little time. But, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
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The Marketing Mama
Missy Berggren, also known as The Marketing Mama, is a 30-something, newly single, working-mom from Minnesota. She has two children, four-year old son Alex and two-year old daughter Avery. During the day, she is the marketing and communications manager for a hospital. In the evening she resumes her most important job as mommy. She has been blogging since May 2007, reflecting on life as a mother and marketing expert. There is a healthy mix of “mama” and “marketing” at the Marketing Mama. She covers topics from cool new products to easy and delicious recipes. She has been honored to be a guest on the Fox 9 morning news and a guest author for the Star Tribune’s parenting blog, Cribsheet.
What inspired you to write first post at The Marketing Mama blog?
I was inspired to start a blog when I discovered I was pregnant with my second child, allowing me to chronicle the pregnancy and share our lives in a new way with family and friends. I never expected my blog to become what it is today! It has evolved from a family journal of sorts to a platform where I feature parenting resources, helpful products and information from various experts, alongside my personal experiences, such as becoming a newly single mom and trying to lose the baby weight.
What was one of your biggest challenges when you first started blogging? How have you tackled that challenge?
Back then (three years ago), I approached my blog as an old friend who didn’t mind if I walked away for a few weeks and wrote when I felt like it. I was trying to find my blog voice and knew I wanted to move from journaling to something bigger – providing content that could help others. My first big “a ha” moment was when I jumped in and participated in a “blog carnival.” I wrote Breastfeeding: How to pump successfully at work — a topic I had become quite the expert on after breastfeeding and pumping for both my children. I approached it like an article and a year later it is my most popular post via search engines and links. I also get lots of e-mails about it. This experience gave me confidence to write even more “how-to” posts and share more boldly about my experiences, knowing they might help other moms. It definitely helped me find my voice.
Name one thing about your lifestyle that blogging has changed or impacted?
There are so many ways that blogging has changed my life, it’s amazing. Primarily this is because of the connections I’ve made, and relationships I’ve formed. Not only have I become friends with a number of my readers, blogging has also introduced me to hundreds of other bloggers whom I’ve come to learn from and love as well. For example, in January I coordinated the first Minnesota Blogger Volunteer Event, which brought together 40 bloggers from across the state to network and volunteer together. It was a powerful experience and I am now close friends with many of these bloggers. Now we are passing the baton between Minnesota bloggers to host these events quarterly. I’m also working to plan a blogging conference with Arik Hanson and I look forward to making even more connections!
What other blogs do you enjoy reading and why? Who are your favorite local Twin Cities bloggers?
So many! Everyone on this Minnesota blogger list. I would also recommend Random Thoughts of a Lutheran Geek, Prior Fat Girl, The Recovering Procrastinator, Anti-Supermom, Life in Fast Forward, Pink Vanilla Cupcakes, and I am Mommy
If you could narrow it down to one answer, what do you love the most about the Twin Cities? Why?
There is always something to do! Even before having children, I was impressed with the amazing restaurant choices in town, theatre, music and other activities. Now that I’m a mom, I am NEVER at a loss for where to take my kids to get out of the house. The options are endless. In comparison, I went to college in Des Moines, Iowa, and, it was very, um, different. 
What summer activity in Minnesota are you most looking forward to?
Since my kiddos are still so little (two and four) they LOVE going swimming in the outdoor pools, so we do that a lot. We also spend as much time as we can outside, frequenting the regional park by us for the big playground and walking trails.
