In our fourth and final spotlight, StepUP is proud to feature Jackie Brown of Mom on a Mission. When we first saw the title of her blog we wondered what type of mission she was on, but the minute we clicked into her cyber kitchen, our question was answered.
If you want to follow along as we share the things that Jackie does so effectively, click on her blog, www.momonamission.me.
Niche
Have you noticed that every one of our featured blogs has had a specific niche? That is because this aspect of what we do is an important part of creating a blog that readers will visit and revisit. Jackie has a definite niche with her food focus. She covers a lot of territory as is evident by scrolling through the "Cook N' Freeze" contents located on the far right-hand side of her main page.
You name it, or need it, in the kitchen, and Jackie addresses it: travel food, freezer cooking, weekly menus, casseroles, and play ideas. She has it all!
Format
Immediately upon entering her website, readers step into her colorful kitchen. We may wonder what "mom's mission" is before arriving, but the collage of food-oriented images greeting visitors says it all . . . we are here to talk food. The alarm clock nestled among the edible items caught my attention because I (Shona) want to get in and out of the kitchen quickly. The clock hooked me because it subtly indicated that saving time is part of this blogging mom's mission.
One thing Jackie does that we don't advocate for most blog formats is the oversized photos that accompany each post. Large images usually overwhelm the page. However, because of the nature of her blog, the large food-oriented photos make readers feel like they thumbing through the pages of an actual cookbook. Plus, the images she enhance the desirability of the food, kitchen tool, or topic she promotes.
Subtle Treasures
There is one element of Jackie's post that could seem out of place as one scans through her table on contents on the right-hand side of the screen . . . an unusual pinch of faith and missions that add a unique flavor to her cyber kitchen.
- Faith and Encouragement - it doesn't take much of this ingredient sprinkled around to enhance the fellowship flavor of meals and snacks. Just as we need to nourish our bodies with physical sustenance, we need the spiritual as well. Jackie effective adds this splendid flavor to her blog.
- Mission Opportunies - this section spices up and introduces opportunities to share with others via couponing, preparing food for large groups, and exchanging opportunities: the more the merrier and you don't even have to fit a large group of people in your own kitchen!
If you are not a cook, you'll love the ideas Jackie shares. If you are a cook, you'll love the fun and effective topics she discusses. There are wonderful recipes and kitchen strategies that will enhance reader's kitchen experiences as each of us learn to provide "food for her family while she opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy" (Proverbs 31:15,20).
©2011 Shona Neff
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