Case Study: Sarah Hill
Sarah grew from 30K to 140K monthly sessions, built an email list of 3,800+ subscribers, and now earns $6K/month in ad revenue alone!
Meet Sarah
Sarah’s been blogging at Real Food with Sarah since 2021. She specializes in easy comfort food recipes, with a particular focus on pasta, chicken, and potato dishes.
In May 2023, Sarah became one of my first food blog coaching clients. She started with 1-on-1 coaching calls before joining my group coaching programs, and is now a part of our mastermind community!
The Challenge
Before we started working together in 2023, Sarah faced several key challenges:
- Stagnant Traffic Growth: Monthly sessions were stuck around 30,000-40,000 for months, making it difficult to qualify for premium ad networks like Mediavine or Raptive.
- Limited Email Marketing: Her email list consisted of only 200 subscribers with low engagement.
- Unclear Brand Identity: She struggled to define her target audience and overall blog direction.
The Solution
Sarah embarked on a comprehensive coaching journey that combined personalized guidance with community support:
1-on-1 Coaching (Q2 2023)
- Personalized strategy development for traffic growth
- Brand identity refinement
- Content planning and optimization
3-Month Coaching Program (Q3 2023)
- Advanced traffic growth strategies
- Email list-building techniques
- Peer learning and networking
6-Month Group Coaching Program (Q1-Q2 2024)
- Access to experienced guest speakers
- Email marketing foundations
- Regular group coaching calls
- Community support and accountability
- Resource library including:
- Analytics dashboard
- Content analyzer
- Checklists and templates
The coaching programs emphasized consistent action, strategic planning, and community support. Through these programs, Sarah gained strategies and confidence to scale her blog effectively.
The Results
Blog Traffic Growth
- Q2 2023: 30,000-40,000 sessions
- Q4 2023: Qualified for Mediavine (50K+ sessions)
- Q4 2024: 140,000 sessions
Email Newsletter Growth
- Q2 2023: ~200 (low open rate)
- Q1 2024: ~300
- Q4 2024: 3,888
- Improved engagement metrics:
- 33% average open rate
- 2.22% average click-through rate (CTR)
- Maintaining list hygiene by not sending to cold subscribers
Revenue Growth
- 2023: ~$40,000 total annual revenue (primarily from brand work)
- 2024: Added significant revenue stream ($6,000/month as of November 2024)
Please note that individual results may vary. Case study details shared with client permission. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
Personal Growth
Beyond the blog metrics, Sarah experienced significant personal development:
- Increased confidence in herself and her brand identity
- Better understanding of her blog’s direction
- Stronger decision-making abilities regarding business investments
- Valuable connections within the food blogging community
Sarah’s Key Takeaways
Sarah shared 3 major lessons from her coaching experiences:
- Consistency is Key: Success rarely happens overnight. Consistent effort and dedication lead to sustainable growth.
- Avoid Comparison: Every blog and business is unique. Focus on your own journey rather than comparing yourself to others.
- Community Matters: Having a supportive network of fellow food bloggers provides valuable resources, feedback, and encouragement.
“I feel like I know what my blog’s about now”
Is Group Coaching Right For You?
Sarah recommends the group coaching program for:
- Beginner to intermediate bloggers
- Those approaching qualification or recently joined a reputable ad network
- Food bloggers seeking community and structured growth
She emphasizes that while the investment might feel scary initially, the return on investment in terms of both business growth and community connection makes it worthwhile.
Sarah’s Coaching Testimonials
Watch Sarah’s Full Interview
Ready to grow & connect with food bloggers?
Join our group coaching program!