Photo Credit: Flickr user: langalex

I’m not sure if I chose to write about this because I skipped breakfast and I’m hungry or if it’s because it’s almost time for the Summer Fancy Food Show. Either way, I’m going to be heading to lunch early today after reviewing some of my favorite food sites to seek out anything other than the lame sandwich I packed for lunch.

If you’re in the food industry, you’ve heard of the Summer Fancy Food Show that attracts established and aspiring specialty food companies. And the word ‘companies’ is used loosely because the show is known for attracting food entrepreneurs who make or bake in their own kitchens and are looking to become the next rags to riches story. Yes, the dreams of many will come true this year at the show. Hundreds of never-heard-of-them-before brands will be represented.

Do these small brands, who are big on passion but short on cash, have any chance of making it big against long-time food giants like Nabisco, Kellogg’s, Kraft and Heinz? Yes, some of them do thanks to the internet, social media and consumers growing appetite for the niche brands they discover and share.

What can these small start-up specialty food brands do to find success online?

Based on what’s worked for some of the specialty food brands we’ve worked with such as Robert Rothschild Farm, Just Pop In, Adelphia Seafood, and others, here are the five things you need to be successful online. (more…)