get your
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Join us on Sept 15, 2023
- Virtual Tastemaker Conference 2023 takes place online and can be accessed anywhere across the world! The theme of this year’s conference is Monetizing your Business!
- Food content creation is exciting from a creative perspective. But what about making money? And doing it in a way that is lucrative, sustainable, and leads to financial freedom on your own terms? That’s what this VTC is all about! From revenue streams, passive income, to investing—we are covering it all!
- Whether you’re a beginner or a pro, this premier food blogger conference is for everyone—including YOU!
- All main sessions will be presented live, so you can ask questions and interact with speakers, attendees, and sponsors. Access to the giveaways and prizes requires live participation. On-demand content will be available through the virtual venue.
- It will be an all-day, live event. However, if you are not able to attend live for any reason, Virtual Tastemaker Conference is being recorded and will be available on-demand after the conference concludes.
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Valuable Education
- Virtual Tastemaker Conference is where food bloggers and content creators come together online for two days, to build community with fellow foodies and brands, learn from top industry experts in classes and online excursions, and experience the magic of Tastemaker.
- There are six classes and workshops as well as a keynote speaker.
- PLUS: 3 hours of bonus on-demand content, 1 live cooking class excursion, 1:1 live virtual networking with brands who want to work with food influencers, Live attendee networking hangouts, $500 in giveaways & virtual swag, Exclusive FB group for attendees to collab and connect.
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Networking
- Network and meet fellow content creators as well as our sponsors! Then at the end of the day, enjoy a networking opportunity with the team!
- A virtual exhibitor hall where you can network with our amazing brand sponsors who are looking to work with you and share their services to help you grow your business.
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Over $1,000 in Value
Whether you consider yourself kid chef level or a real pro, Tastemaker Conference is for all levels of experience to socialize with a community of makers, dreamers, and influencers in this impactful and memorable event. It’s time to invest in yourself, and level up your food blog and content creator business.
Purchase Tickets
Refund Policy: All tickets to any event, including the conference, workshops, and digital products, are NON-REFUNDABLE. Tickets may be transferred to another person up to 30 days before the event. All transfers must be made by the original ticket holder. Tastemaker Conference is not responsible for organizing the ticket transfer.
Each attendee will receive full playback of the conference, whether or not they are able to attend.
Apply for a Scholarship
September 15, 2023
10:00 AM ET Welcome
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Speaker:
Abbey Rodriguez (she/her)
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Speaker:
Chandice Probst (she/her)
Speaker: Abbey Rodriguez (she/her)
Speaker: Chandice Probst (she/her)
10:10 AM ET Opening Keynote: “Future-Proof Your Monetization”
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Speaker:
Jenny Guy (she/her)
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Sponsor: Mediavine
Level: Intermediate
We’ve said it before, but we really mean it this time: Third-party cookies are crumbling in Chrome in 2024. But what does that mean for independent publishers? We’re glad you asked. In this Virtual Tastemaker session, Jenny Guy, VP of Marketing and Communications at Mediavine, will walk attendees through the seismic shifts coming to the programmatic advertising industry and share strategies for how content creators can future-proof their monetization, increasing revenue now and in the future.
Speaker: Jenny Guy (she/her)
Sponsor: Mediavine
Level: Intermediate
We’ve said it before, but we really mean it this time: Third-party cookies are crumbling in Chrome in 2024. But what does that mean for independent publishers? We’re glad you asked. In this Virtual Tastemaker session, Jenny Guy, VP of Marketing and Communications at Mediavine, will walk attendees through the seismic shifts coming to the programmatic advertising industry and share strategies for how content creators can future-proof their monetization, increasing revenue now and in the future.
10:50 AM ET Break
11:00 AM ET How to Confidently Negotiate and Earn What you Deserve
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Speaker:
Candice Ward (she/her)
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Sponsor: ConvertKit
Level: Intermediate
Learn how to overcome the fear of negotiating and confidently get what you want while maintaining control of the closing process.
You will leave with:
- With an understanding of the Anatomy of a successful negotiation
- The 4 most common objections that we encounter during negotiations
- How to navigate the 4 most common objections
- 2 highly effective closing techniques to land paid work for the value that you deserve
This is for: Any creative business owner that wants to learn how to negotiate with confidence and work with brands that pay you what you are worth.
Speaker: Candice Ward (she/her)
Sponsor: ConvertKit
Level: Intermediate
Learn how to overcome the fear of negotiating and confidently get what you want while maintaining control of the closing process.
You will leave with:
- With an understanding of the Anatomy of a successful negotiation
- The 4 most common objections that we encounter during negotiations
- How to navigate the 4 most common objections
- 2 highly effective closing techniques to land paid work for the value that you deserve
This is for: Any creative business owner that wants to learn how to negotiate with confidence and work with brands that pay you what you are worth.
11:50 AM ET Break
12:00 PM ET How to Cultivate Long-Term Partnerships for Dependable Income
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Speaker:
Josh Lehenbauer (he/him)
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Sponsor: Flodesk
Level: Intermediate
Fostering loyalty with the brands you’re working with is incredibly important. In those times when the flowing river of gigs begins to dissipate, it’s the brands you’ve established deep roots with that will allow you to keep the ship afloat. I’ll walk you through my own journey with specific brands and why you should shift your mindset from “one-off” deals to longer-term partnerships for more consistent and dependable income.
You’ll Leave With:
- An understanding of why long-term partnerships should always be your goal.
- How to turn a one-off deal into a longer-term partnership.
- Ways to keep a relationship afloat when a brand’s budget changes (ideas to pitch them).
This is for those who are looking to take their brand partnerships to the next level or need help in creating more consistent income.
Speaker: Josh Lehenbauer (he/him)
Sponsor: Flodesk
Level: Intermediate
Fostering loyalty with the brands you’re working with is incredibly important. In those times when the flowing river of gigs begins to dissipate, it’s the brands you’ve established deep roots with that will allow you to keep the ship afloat. I’ll walk you through my own journey with specific brands and why you should shift your mindset from “one-off” deals to longer-term partnerships for more consistent and dependable income.
You’ll Leave With:
- An understanding of why long-term partnerships should always be your goal.
- How to turn a one-off deal into a longer-term partnership.
- Ways to keep a relationship afloat when a brand’s budget changes (ideas to pitch them).
This is for those who are looking to take their brand partnerships to the next level or need help in creating more consistent income.
12:50 – 1:20 PM ET Lunch Cooking Excursion
1:20 – 1:50 PM ET Network
1:50 PM ET Break
2:00 PM ET Monetization Strategies Using Data
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Speaker:
Julie Tran Deily (she/her)
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Sponsor: TopHatRank
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Sponsor: Chicory
Level: Intermediate
You’ll learn a new way of looking at your own data and mini audits you can do to make informed decisions about your business. We’ll also discuss why it’s important to have a growth mindset and ways you can lean into your own strengths as a monetization strategy. You’ll also leave with resources to dig deeper for self exploration and a template to implement one of those mini audits.
Speaker: Julie Tran Deily (she/her)
Sponsor: TopHatRank
Sponsor: Chicory
Level: Intermediate
You’ll learn a new way of looking at your own data and mini audits you can do to make informed decisions about your business. We’ll also discuss why it’s important to have a growth mindset and ways you can lean into your own strengths as a monetization strategy. You’ll also leave with resources to dig deeper for self exploration and a template to implement one of those mini audits.
2:50 PM ET Break
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Speaker:
Speaker:
3:00 PM ET How to Grow a Multi-Dimensional Culinary Business
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Speaker:
Cynthia Samanian (she/her)
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Sponsor: NerdPress
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Sponsor: Feast Design Co.
Level: Intermediate
Have you dabbled in ways to monetize your culinary skills beyond traditional food blogging? Perhaps you’ve explored selling online courses, starting a podcast, launching a YouTube channel or even writing a Substack newsletter?
If so, then you know that trying to do it all can lead to feeling confused, burnt out and overwhelmed. “Which ideas should I prioritize? How will I know if it’s working? How can I realistically do it all?” In this session, we’ll approach your culinary business holistically, putting the scattered puzzle pieces together to form a crystal clear picture of the various monetization opportunities in front of you.
You’ll leave this session with:
1. A clear understanding of your entire business model.
2. A menu of ideas to grow your culinary business online beyond blogging.
3. A guide to prioritize these monetization opportunities strategically.
4. An action plan with your specific next steps.
This session is for you if you want to go from a single revenue stream to a multi-dimensional culinary business.
Speaker: Cynthia Samanian (she/her)
Sponsor: NerdPress
Sponsor: Feast Design Co.
Level: Intermediate
Have you dabbled in ways to monetize your culinary skills beyond traditional food blogging? Perhaps you’ve explored selling online courses, starting a podcast, launching a YouTube channel or even writing a Substack newsletter?
If so, then you know that trying to do it all can lead to feeling confused, burnt out and overwhelmed. “Which ideas should I prioritize? How will I know if it’s working? How can I realistically do it all?” In this session, we’ll approach your culinary business holistically, putting the scattered puzzle pieces together to form a crystal clear picture of the various monetization opportunities in front of you.
You’ll leave this session with:
1. A clear understanding of your entire business model.
2. A menu of ideas to grow your culinary business online beyond blogging.
3. A guide to prioritize these monetization opportunities strategically.
4. An action plan with your specific next steps.
This session is for you if you want to go from a single revenue stream to a multi-dimensional culinary business.
3:50 PM ET Break
4:00 PM ET Are You Ready for a Influencer Talent Manager?
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Speaker:
Johanna Voss (she/her)
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Sponsor: Cultivate WP
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Sponsor: BigScoots
Level: Intermediate
Wondering if you’re ready for a talent manager? Wondering exactly what it is we do, how we work with our roster and influencer marketing agencies? I’ll break down what us managers look for when expanding our roster, how to know if you’re ready, what to do if you’re not there yet and questions to ask us when you’re ready.
Attendees will learn what managers look for when bringing on new talent. You will leave the session with a better understanding of what to expect from us when we work together. I’ll share questions to ask a talent manager when you’re interviewing for one (because you should definitely talk with more than one!), how to find talent managers and how to ensure it’s the best hire for you and your brand.
This is for: Influencers of all levels and sizes.
Speaker: Johanna Voss (she/her)
Sponsor: Cultivate WP
Sponsor: BigScoots
Level: Intermediate
Wondering if you’re ready for a talent manager? Wondering exactly what it is we do, how we work with our roster and influencer marketing agencies? I’ll break down what us managers look for when expanding our roster, how to know if you’re ready, what to do if you’re not there yet and questions to ask us when you’re ready.
Attendees will learn what managers look for when bringing on new talent. You will leave the session with a better understanding of what to expect from us when we work together. I’ll share questions to ask a talent manager when you’re interviewing for one (because you should definitely talk with more than one!), how to find talent managers and how to ensure it’s the best hire for you and your brand.
This is for: Influencers of all levels and sizes.
4:50 PM ET Break
5:00 PM ET Feeding Your Success: Create Profits by Converting Food Blog Followers into Loyal Paying Customers
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Speaker:
Eden Westbrook (she/her)
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Sponsor: Microsoft Clarity
Level: Intermediate
Learn how to turn your food blog audience into paying customers in this profitable webinar. Discover actionable strategies to engage followers, build brand loyalty, and find ways to monetize your culinary expertise. Unlock the keys to success in food blogging and savor the taste of turning passion into profit!
You’ll leave this session with…
- Understanding how to engage and retain your followers and readers to convert them into loyal consumers.
- New ideas on how to monetize your creative passions that will keep you from burning out.
- Learning three main ways to create passive and active income streams utilizing your readership.
Who is this for: For serious food bloggers who want to expand their revenue streams past brand collaborations and ad networks.
Speaker: Eden Westbrook (she/her)
Sponsor: Microsoft Clarity
Level: Intermediate
Learn how to turn your food blog audience into paying customers in this profitable webinar. Discover actionable strategies to engage followers, build brand loyalty, and find ways to monetize your culinary expertise. Unlock the keys to success in food blogging and savor the taste of turning passion into profit!
You’ll leave this session with…
- Understanding how to engage and retain your followers and readers to convert them into loyal consumers.
- New ideas on how to monetize your creative passions that will keep you from burning out.
- Learning three main ways to create passive and active income streams utilizing your readership.
Who is this for: For serious food bloggers who want to expand their revenue streams past brand collaborations and ad networks.
5:50 PM ET How to Create Content That People Actually Want to Read
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Speaker:
Priyanka Ved (she/her)
Level: Intermediate
In today’s digital age, content creators are facing increasing competition for attention. With so much information available online, it’s more important than ever to create content that is easy to read and understand. This talk will show you how behavioral analytics can help you understand how people are engaging with your content and what specific metrics you can use to measure its readability.
By the end of this talk, you will have a better understanding of how to use behavioral analytics to improve engagement on your content.
This talk is for anyone who creates content, whether you are a blogger, a journalist, a marketer, or other
Speaker: Priyanka Ved (she/her)
Level: Intermediate
In today’s digital age, content creators are facing increasing competition for attention. With so much information available online, it’s more important than ever to create content that is easy to read and understand. This talk will show you how behavioral analytics can help you understand how people are engaging with your content and what specific metrics you can use to measure its readability.
By the end of this talk, you will have a better understanding of how to use behavioral analytics to improve engagement on your content.
This talk is for anyone who creates content, whether you are a blogger, a journalist, a marketer, or other
Speakers
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Candice Ward (she/her)
Candice is a sales coach for creatives, food photographer, and online educator. She is the creator of EAT MORE CAKE, a blog dedicated to all things sweet. Candice spent over a decade in corporate sales at Fortune 500 Companies hitting massive quotas, translating that knowledge to help other food content creators monetize and scale their business with purpose. She has coached hundreds of entrepreneurs and founded The Confident Pitch Program, teaching food content creators to build a profitable and sustainable business. She is passionate about helping other creatives reach their full potential and turn their dreams into a thriving business. Her biggest loves are her two boys, husband and CAKE.
Website: www.eatmorecakebycandice.com
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Cynthia Samanian (she/her)
Cynthia Samanian helps culinary solopreneurs with strategy & operations so they can enjoy more flexibility while growing their multi-dimensional business online.
In addition to hosting her own podcast, Cynthia has appeared as a guest on Food Blogger Pro, Eat Blog Talk, Eat Capture Share and more.
Growing up as a first-generation American in an Iranian family, Cynthia is no stranger to the power of food to unite people across cultures. Cynthia is a graduate of Harvard Business School and currently lives in sunny Oakland, California with her partner and two toddlers.
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Eden Westbrook (she/her)
Meet Eden Westbrook, a culinary trailblazer and the creative force behind the renowned food blog “Sweet Tea + Thyme.” With a passion for celebrating culture and heritage through cooking, Eden has become a prominent tastemaker in the culinary world, captivating audiences with her unique fusion of Southern comfort and global flavors.
Eden resides in the serene and diverse countryside of Northern Virginia, where she draws inspiration from the rustic charm of her surroundings to infuse her culinary creations with an extra touch of magic. From heart-warming comfort food to innovative fusion dishes, Eden’s recipes reflect her commitment to preserving culinary heritage while embracing the contemporary world.
Beyond her celebrated blog, Eden’s expertise and influence extend to empowering other aspiring food bloggers. As an accomplished mentor, she teaches the art of successful food blogging, sharing invaluable insights and strategies for cultivating a strong online presence, creating multiple streams of income, and building a dedicated community.
Website: https://www.sweetteaandthyme.com/
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Jenny Guy (she/her)
Jenny Guy is the VP of Marketing and Communications at Mediavine and has been with the company for more than 6 years. She loves leveraging her past experience working in influencer and affiliate marketing for brands to lead the wonderful Mediavine MarComm team. After speaking at the first Tastemaker and attending for many years, she is thrilled to be the opening keynote speaker during this event.
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Johanna Voss (she/her)
Johanna B. Voss is a talent manager, trusted by social media influencers who want clarity on how to build their brands, grow their businesses, earn their worth and plan strategically for the future. On behalf of her clients, she’s closed over $4M dollars of brand deals, partnerships and speaking engagements. Her clients have partnered with brands such as Kroger, Walmart, AARP, Buchanan’s Whisky, KOA campgrounds and C&H Sugar. Negotiation is something she thoroughly enjoys be it for her clients, friends or with strangers. Entering her 13th year of working for herself, she understands all about the necessary pivots entrepreneurs take along their journey.
Prior to her work in the talent management space, Johanna worked on the Presidential campaigns of Hillary Clinton and John Kerry for more than 7 years. Johanna is a world traveler, lived in Spain three times, can often be found cycling Colorado’s mountain ranges, skate skiing or asking the question “What if you…?” Follow her on Instagram @johannavoss.
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Josh Lehenbauer (he/him)
Josh is a self-taught baker and food photographer residing in Cincinnati, Ohio with his husband and their little pup. He’s constantly tackling new bakes and sharing recipes along the way over on Instagram (@joshisbaking), anything from pastries and pie to cookies and scones. Having been featured on TV and even a few recipes published in a cookbook, he’s always looking to nourish and share his love of baking with others!
Website: https://joshisbaking.com/
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Julie Tran Deily (she/her)
Julie Tran Deily started her blog, The Little Kitchen, in 2009. She’s a former software engineer and a nerd at heart, she has been blogging and running her business full-time since 2012. She loves to share recipes that are easy to make and are accessible to home cooks looking to learn new tips and tricks.
She has spoken at various conferences over the years including Tastemaker Conference and Mediavine Conference as well as WITS and TBEX. She loves sharing her knowledge and actionable tips for content creators and small business owners on her other site. She lives in Central Florida with her husband and rescue pets.
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Priyanka Ved (she/her)
Priyanka Ved is a product manager with over 10 years of experience in the tech industry. She is the product lead for Microsoft Clarity, a tool that helps webmasters improve their website performance through behavioral analytics. Previously at Microsoft, she worked on Bing search experiences, building features across mobile, web and desktop. Priyanka is passionate about customer experiences and has dedicated her career to driving product innovation. In her free time, she likes to read, hike, and sketch.
What People are Saying
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“I LOVED the conference last year. In fact, because of the conference it launched me. When I came to Tastemaker I had less than 4,000 sessions a month and had been stuck in that for a long time. Thirty days after the conference, I applied for Mediavine, and have been growing since! Yeah me! I’m super excited to come back to Tastemaker!”
– Rebecca Johnston,
Devour Dinner -
“Tastemaker Conference was unforgettable and incredibly valuable. I got to meet a bunch of fellow bloggers that I am friends with on social media—I got to actually meet them in person!—and they understand the challenges and wins of being a food blogger and being in the industry.”
– Kat Higashiyama,
The Heirloom Pantry
Our 2023-24
Tastemaker Conference is the place to meet and make connections. We offer unique experiential marketing opportunities for food, tech, and houseware companies, who are looking to network and partner with influential food bloggers and content creators. Please fill out our contact form to inquire about Tastemaker Conference sponsorship.
Presented by
Title Sponsor
All Sponsors
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Who is the conference for?
Tastemaker Conference is for all food bloggers, content creators, and brands. Whether you are just starting out, or you are a seasoned pro, there is something for everyone at our events. The education ranges from introductory, general, and advanced. The networking opportunities benefit all attendees, because relationships are one of the most beneficial factors in business growth. Find a mentor, be a mentor, make a connection with an amazing brand—whatever it is that you are looking for, you can find it at Tastemaker Conference.
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When and Where is the event?
It’s being held on September 15, 2023. And can be accessed from anywhere in the world with internet access!
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What does the General Admission ticket include?
Full General Admission access to our one-day conference.
There are 6 classes and panels that focus on the topics of SEO + tech, a full-size product swag bag worth over $150, and access to our sponsor exhibitor hall.
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How many people will be attending the conference?
There will be 200+ like-minded food bloggers, influencers, and brands attending. A great place to network and make new foodie friends!
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How do I access the Conference?
All attendees will be sent links through the email they registered with. Make sure you confirm your subscription to our emails from abbey@tastemakerconference.com. If you aren’t receiving emails, please contact us.
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What is the return policy?
All tickets to any event, including the conference, workshops, and digital products, are NON-REFUNDABLE. Tickets may be transferred to another person up to 30 days before the event. All transfers must be made by the original ticket holder. Tastemaker Conference is not responsible for organizing the ticket transfer.
Each attendee will receive full playback of the conference, whether or not they are able to attend.
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I’d love to speak at the conference! Is there a speaker application?
Our submissions are limited, but we would love to hear your ideas! Please submit a speaker application.
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This event looks like an amazing sponsorship opportunity. Whom should I contact?
We would absolutely love to work with you and offer affordable and unique experiential influencer marketing opportunities. Please email chandice@tastemakerconference.com to receive our current sponsorship deck.
