The past 8 blogging lesson posts have been focusing on the lessons you can learn about blogging from the 7th Season of The Next Food Network Star. In the final episode – the payoff was huge for one contestant who kept his focus and his message tightly defined and on target.
From the very first episode, Jeff Mauro stuck with a single theme for his proposed Food Network Show. He proclaimed himself the “sandwich king” and promised to help viewers “make any meal a sandwich and make any sandwich a meal.”
Week after week – Jeff made sandwiches for various challenges. While fellow finalists Vic vacillated between “Vic Vegas” and Mama’s Boy – Jeff kept making great sandwiches. While Susie flipped from one theme to another throughout the contest – Jeff kept focusing on making meals out of sandwiches – and sandwiches out of meals.
Jeff’s focus and dedication to a tightly focused theme helped him to win Season 7 of the Next Food Network Star. However, he couldn’t have kept that focus if sandwiches were not his passion.
So what can bloggers learn from Jeff’s win on this series?
- Find your voice – and don’t be afraid to get personal
Jeff talks about his hometown – Chicago – and his son with whom he hopes to share a love of food and cooking with someday. Those stories help viewers make a connection with Jeff. - Presentation is everything.
From staying religiously focused on a central theme, to making his “message” match his “look” – Jeff did a great job of creating the “total package” which is what Food Network executives were seeking.
- Never give up – never surrender
While he’s the “winner” of this show – Jeff entered this competition as a “failed” comedian. However, he took the lessons he learned performing his comedy act and applied them to his passion – making sandwiches. Jeff’s not a professional chef – but he beat out several professional chefs to earn his own show on America’s hottest food channel.
Now – take these blogging lessons and apply them to your own blog.