Meet Amy, who loved baking more than anything.

She used to run a bakery called Amycakes with her family for over 10 years.

When they had to close it, Amy wasn't ready to stop baking.

So, she started something new, a baking blog.

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This blog was her way to keep sharing her love for baking with the world.

She filled it with all the secret recipes she used to keep close, from her famous chocolate cake to her grandma Hazel's special banana bread.

Amy wanted everyone who visited her blog to feel like they were part of her family, learning to bake with love.

Starting the blog was tough.

Amy had to learn a lot of new online business skills, similar to what we teach for free at Max Business School, like making a website that was easy for everyone to use and posting pictures and videos that made people want to bake, which we’ll talk about in the case study.

But she kept going because she knew that this was her way to keep her baking dream alive.

Her hard work paid off. Amy's blog started making money and it became a place where people who loved baking could find happiness and inspiration.

Amy showed that if you really love something and work hard, you can turn it into something great.

Let’s dive more into the details!

Case Study Analysis
(Available Free Until: 10/04/24)

What does this online business do? 🚀

Today, we're exploring an exciting space that blends a love for baking with a dash of business magic.

Picture a website filled with irresistible recipes, baking tips that feel like secrets shared among friends, and heartwarming stories from the kitchen.

It’s a community where every page smells like fresh cookies from the oven.

This baking blog has cooked up quite the success, making over $5,000 each month.

It shows us that baking isn't just about creating treats, but also about building a brand and connecting with others who share the same passion.

Join us as we go through the ingredients of its success, revealing how a simple love for baking can rise into a profitable adventure.

How does this online business make money? 💻

In our baking blog's recipe for success, they include a mix of classic strategies and a special twist.

At its core, this blog harnesses the power of ad networks and affiliate marketing, two strategies familiar to our avid readers.

These tried-and-true methods allow the blog to earn money every time someone clicks on an ad or buys a product through their recommended links.

But what sets this baking blog apart is its addition of sponsored social media posts.

The blogger doesn't just share delightful baking tips and stories, they also collaborate with brands, weaving product placements and endorsements into their posts.

And they make sure to choose brands that resonate with their audience, ensuring authenticity and trust remain at the heart of every post.

This strategy has proven to be the cherry on top, significantly sweetening the blog's overall income.

Together, these three ways help our favorite baking blog earn over $5,000 a month, showing us how sharing your passion for baking can also be your bread and butter.

What has this business done well?🔥

So, why is this baking blog rolling in dough? Well, there are a few key reasons:

First off, their website is comfy to explore.

It's like walking into your favorite bakery, where everything is exactly where you expect it to be.

The site is super easy to use, with clear and simple design, quick to load, and has those “call-to-action” (CTA) buttons that make you want to click on them, like "Get the Recipe" or "Learn More".

It makes finding the content you’re looking for as easy as it could be.

Then, there’s the good usage of social media.

They have a crowd of over 11k on Facebook, 9k on Instagram, 16k on TikTok, and 11.7k on Pinterest. And what’s even better, they're getting over 900k monthly views on Pinterest alone!

They've figured out just the right type of posts for each platform, from drool-worthy pics on Instagram to helpful baking tips on Pinterest, making sure they’re the go-to spot for bakers of all levels.

A clever twist in their strategy is the "Shop" page.

Here, they list all their favorite baking tools with links to buy them. What's smart is how they use affiliate links here.

This means if you buy something through their link, they get a little money from the sale.

While affiliate links are not uncommon, putting them in the form of a store is a smart move.

Lastly, organic traffic. With over 46k visitors coming just to check out their content, it’s clear they’re serving up some quality recipes and baking advice.

This high traffic without paying for ads shows people really love what they’re doing.

What this business could improve?🔥🔥🔥

Even with the sweet success our baking blog is enjoying, there are always opportunities for growth.

Here's where they could put in some effort:

First, let's talk about their emailing strategy.

Right now, they're using email marketing, which is great, but imagine if they started offering a special thing right when you sign up. Like a secret recipe or anything of value.

This immediate reward could make more people eager to subscribe, growing their community even faster.

Now, onto adding an additional income stream: digital products.

They've already got a community hanging on their every word, so why not offering more premium resources to them, like their very own baking course or an eBook?

It could be "The Ultimate Cake Decorating Guide" or a "Baking course for Beginners" or anything else.

This not only adds a new layer to their income cake but also gives their followers even more of what they love.

Plus, digital products mean they put in the effort to create It once, and sell it for as long as they like, with almost no need for maintenance.

The Takeaway, What We Learned 🎓

• Easy Website: Make sure your site is easy to use, just like walking into a welcoming bakery. Quick loading and clear directions help visitors find what they need.

• Use Social Media Wisely: Tailor content for each social platform. With the right posts, you can draw big crowds, like the 900k monthly views on Pinterest.

• Earn Through Recommendations: A "Shop" page with affiliate links can turn recommendations into revenue. It's a simple yet smart way to make money.

• Quality Content Attracts Visitors: Good content brings people to your site naturally, without spending on ads.

• Reward Email Subscribers: Offering a special gift for signing up can grow your email list fast.

• Create Digital Products: Selling your own eBooks or courses can open up a new income stream and give your followers even more value.

Amy's story is really inspiring. It shows us that even when things get tough, we can find new ways to follow our dreams.

If you ever want to feel inspired or need a great recipe, Amy's blog, AmyCakesBakes, is the place to go. It's a reminder that with passion and hard work, you can achieve anything.

Before You Go 👋

Thank you for reading.

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If you are ready to get started with your own business, one of the first steps is always a website. Click here for our exclusive hosting deal and click here for an invite to our Max Business School community where you’ll hang out with thousands of fellow ambitious business builders.

Remember to check out the classroom tab (top left corner) for all of our free courses teaching you all you need to succeed online.

Bye for now,

Scott Max