Yes, comments on blogs make a difference.
Here’s why…and announcing my new Spring cooking challenge.
As a food blogger, I rely heavily on my readers making and reviewing my recipes to help me become a better recipe developer, but also to help boost the visibility of my recipes on ~ the internets ~. Recipe reviews help food bloggers like me:
Find out if I have missed or glossed over any steps, tricky techniques, or key info
Understand how different home cooks interpret and adapt recipes
Gain valuable feedback on ingredient substitutions and/or variations (also great for others making the recipe!)
Increase engagement, which helps more people discover recipes
Establish credibility as a reliable recipe developer and confidence for those who want to make the recipe
Encourage others to try the recipes based on real user experiences
Build a sense of community and trust for their reader
When you make a recipe and leave a comment on a food blog, it’s truly worth its weight in gold to us. Despite how much we appreciate it, so few people leave a written comment after making a recipe. I’d love to change that. Cue this PSA.
My friend Salima shared this idea to start a cooking challenge as a fun way to encourage readers to get cooking AND also invite more people to review a recipe to let me know what they thought. So here we are… I’m giving it a try and launching my first-ever Proportional Plate cooking challenge.
The perk for you: a way to entice you to make something outside of your regular go-to dishes.
The cherry on top for you: you have a chance to win something while doing it.
The perk for me: more people are encouraged to try my recipes and love it so much they come back for more.
The (hopeful) cherry on top for me: you love it so much you leave a rating and review on the blog.
I’ll choose one delicious recipe challenge, once every quarter (if successful, I might change it to monthly). You send me a picture of your creation, and you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card! The challenge will run from March 5 to March 31, 2025. You don’t need to leave a review as part of the challenge, but it would be greatly appreciated for the aforementioned reasons above.
The Spring challenge recipe? My easy, flavorful Grilled Chicken Skewers. The skewers are charred to perfection, all coated in a savory-sweet glaze. This dish inspired by Japanese flavors delivers a bold taste and tender chicken with minimal effort.
I’m excited to see your amazing recipe creations. As always, if you need a hand as you go along, drop me a note, and I’ll be happy to offer my advice and support.
Challenge Rules
Challenge Period
The challenge opens on March 5 and closes on March 31, 2025. All entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM PST on March 31st, 2025.
How to Enter
Make my recipe: Follow my recipe on the blog to make Grilled Chicken Skewers.
Submit your best photo: Email a photo of your completed dish to media@proportionalplate.com for one entry into the lottery. Be sure to include your first name and the email address where you want to be contacted if you win.
Your feedback means a lot to me. While not required for the challenge, I’d love for you to leave a star rating and written review on the blog post for Grilled Chicken Skewers.
The Prize
One winner will be randomly selected to receive one (1) $100 Amazon Gift Card. The winner will be notified by email within one week after the challenge closes. If the winner does not respond within 7 days, a new winner will be drawn.
Additional Rules
Participants must be at least 18 years old.
This challenge is open to residents of the United States. Void where prohibited.
By entering, participants grant permission to share their submitted photos on the blog and social media (with appropriate photo credit).
This challenge is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Amazon.