Hi Tamara! What’s the name of your blog?
Where are you from?
Pembroke Pines, FL.
Tell us a little bit more about you and your blog, Razzle Dazzle Life.
I’m a proud wife, and mother of 4 amazing kiddos! What we thought would be our 3rd child, ended up being twins! So BAM- mom of 4! Razzle Dazzle Life was started out of pure passion to share my passion for cooking with the world. Even more, it’s become my mission to show everyday working moms that dinner can still be put on the table every night! Coming from Texas, my recipes are mainly southern comfort foods. We definitely don’t skim on the butter! It’s a goal of mine to help women and men feel more comfortable in the kitchen. It shakes my soul when I hear someone say “I can’t cook,” or “I don’t know how to cook!” I’m here to change that!
How many years have you been blogging at Razzle Dazzle Life?
1 (yes ONE year)!!
Give us your best tip to staying on top of the blog/work/life balance?
Create a schedule, always make it fun so the pressure isn’t on!
Fill in the blank. What people don’t realize about blogging is….
It’s definitely a full-time job, and has the potential to be extremely lucrative!
What’s your favorite WordPress plugin?
Create by Mediavine! Easy recipe builder, add affiliate products, nutrition card… and much more!
What are three things you wish you knew about blogging before you started?
- The technical side of it is very important. So being computer savvy is a must!
- That there is a lot of research and writing involved, not just taking pics and writing a recipe!
- The importance of networking within our niche.
What skills and qualities do you think are necessary for a successful and professional blogger?
Ability to network with others to help market and build your brand. Technical skills with creating and maintaining the site.
What has blogging taught you that no other career or job has before?
That there is a strong support system in this industry. Most people that blog know how important it is that we leverage one another to grow. We all have the common goal, deliver our expertise, and make money!
What’s one piece of advice you would give to someone just starting out in the blog world?
Be patient, keep at it, utilize your colleagues knowledge- and it only takes ONE post to skyrocket you into success!
What makes your brand, Razzle Dazzle Life, different than other bloggers?
My recipes are fool-proof. I keep it light and fun in the kitchen. Almost daily cooking videos in my IG stories help to keep my audience engaged!
What topic do you most enjoy writing about?
Recipes that are near and dear to our family. For instance, southern peach cobbler that’s been passed down from many generations.
What would your dream partnership look like?
My dream collaboration is to work with McCormick seasonings brand! Specifically Lawry’s!! I use their seasonings every single day, and have been for years.
A current blogging goal you are working on?
Cranking out 3 posts a week!
What does a typical workday for you look like?
Monday – recipe creation/testing and some photography. Tuesday – edit photos and upload. Begin keyword search. Wednesday – write post, update at least one old post. Thursday – schedule social media and begin posting Everyday: respond to emails, comments, and inquiries. I typically allow myself to work from about 9-3. The rest of the day is for family.
What’s your most recent WIN with your blog?
I hit 100k sessions and have been trending upward for the past few months!
What is one thing in the blogging industry that frustrates you that you wish you could change?
Well… quite frankly, black bloggers aren’t showcased as much as white bloggers are. When I see “Soul Food Collard Greens” being showcased by a white food blogger, it just perplexed me. Anyone who’s researched the history of soul food knows it’s origin!
What’s your guilty pleasure TV show?
Diners Drive-in and Dives.
What’s your Starbucks order?
Grande toffee nut americano w/ 1/2” cream.
