When most people talk about blog monetization and growth, they immediately jump to:

Growth =

• Google
• Pinterest
• Facebook

...and..

Monetization =

• Ads
• Affiliate links
• Selling your own stuff

But what if you've already done those things, or you're not seeing the results you thought you would?

Or what if you're thinking: “Okay cool, but how do I squeeze more out of what I’ve already built?” <-- because you should always be thinking this!

The truth is, most bloggers are sitting on 5–10 revenue or growth opportunities they’ve never even considered.

The content is there. The audience is there. They just haven’t set things up to make money or grow from more than one type of reader.

So instead of “write more” or “start a new blog,” here are 7 ways to grow and monetize your blog that are probably already within reach:

1) Create a freebie that acts like a sales funnel

For example, a 7-day downloadable Italy itinerary that includes affiliate links for hotels, flights, and travel insurance, plus a soft pitch for your planning services.

It’s helpful, it sells for you, and you’re growing your email list at the same time.

Quick Tip: Reach out to the companies you're already linking to and ask if they'd be open to a discount code just for your readers.

A lot of them say yes, and that little “exclusive 10% off” can make a huge difference in conversions.

2) Use your thank-you pages more strategically

Someone downloads your freebie… then what?

Most bloggers stop at “Thanks, check your inbox!” and leave it at that.

Instead, turn that page into a next step. Include:

• A short personal note + “here’s what to expect next”
  ​
• A few of your best posts (with affiliate links or services baked in)​
  ​
• A quick offer for your trip planning services or digital products
  ​
• Or even a one-time discount code if you sell anything of your own.

You’ve already got their attention, don’t waste the valuable real estate.

3) Use Pinterest to grow your email list, not just blog traffic

You can create pins that go straight to your freebie or lead magnet, no blog post required.

Not even a website, technically (though let’s be honest… if you don’t have a website, what are we even doing here? lol).

It works especially well for things like:
​
→ Downloadable itineraries
→ Budget spreadsheets
→ Packing checklists
→ Travel quizzes

Pinterest users are planners. They want to find and utilize helpful stuff, which makes it the perfect platform to grow your email list.

4) Build a trip calculator

Instead of slaving away writing blog post after blog post, create other pieces of content.

It doesn’t have to be a blog post that attracts readers. Your website can do way more than just host articles.

People can land on your site for a trip calculator, a travel budget tool, or anything else that helps them plan faster or smarter.

And before you think, “I’m not techy enough to build tools”... same.

But AI makes this ridiculously easy now. I use Claude to help me create simple travel tools my readers find helpful, then promote them on Pinterest, Flipboard, and beyond.

These tools are so quick to make I could pump out 10–20 a day if I really wanted to.

Quick Tip: Even the free version of Claude will do this for you!

5) Optimize your email P.S.

If you're a blogger, you should have an email list already and you should be sending them emails. Even if it's to 7 people.

It's silly (and very risky) not to.

Inside those emails, your P.S. section is prime real estate, and most people waste it.

Instead of signing off with “Cheers!” and calling it a day, use that space to do something useful like..

• Plug your favorite affiliate product
  ​
• Promote your own product/service (planning services, travel agent, downloadable itineraries, etc)
  ​
• Do a newsletter swap (promote another blogger’s freebie and have them share yours)
  ​
• Or even toss in a quick callout for sponsors. There are a ton of companies that would sponsor your newsletter… ask me how I know 😉

It’s low effort, shows up in every email, and over time, can bring in a surprising amount of traffic, clicks, and income.

6) Use SparkLoop

If you’ve got an email list, SparkLoop is hands-down the easiest ways to make passive income without selling anything.

Here’s how it works:

You recommend other newsletters your audience would genuinely like (travel deals, destination inspo, budget hacks, etc.)

If someone signs up to that other newsletter you're recommending, you get paid.

Some newsletters pay $1–$3 per subscriber. Some pay more.

Once it’s set up, it runs in the background and adds up!

If you're not using it yet, you're leaving easy money on the table.

>> Click here to sign up for SparkLoop!​

7) Don't offer services? Promote someone else's!

Let’s say you have a blog post that’s pulling in solid traffic; thousands of readers each month. You’re earning a bit of affiliate income, but you feel like you’re leaving money on the table.

Hint: you are.

Maybe you don’t offer travel planning services yourself, but plenty of other people do. And travel planning services convert very well.

Start reaching out to other bloggers or travel planners and see if they’d be open to an affiliate-style setup.

You recommend their services in your post. If a reader books with them, you get a cut.

It’s one of the easiest ways to monetize high-traffic posts without creating something new or offering your own services.

There are SO many more ideas where this came from, but this email is already getting too long. So I'll pick back up here in the next few weeks!

We’re closing enrollment for Scale Your Travel Blog at the end of July, and we won’t be opening up to enrollment again until 2026!

If you’ve been thinking about joining us, this is your window!

(We’ve got so many amazing coaching calls lined up for the rest of the year, and they’re packed with strategies that will really move the needle)

And because of this, we’re also bringing back our most popular package:

--> Scale Your Travel Blog Course + Coaching (no site audit)​

This offer will disappear when enrollment closes at the end of July.

Have questions? Just reply to this email; I’m happy to help you figure out if it’s the right fit!

• ​Making Money as a Travel Blogger with Laura Peters - Happy Subscribers (with Allea Grummert)

I had SO much fun chatting with my friend Allea from Happy Subscribers, so be sure to check out my episode above!

• ​Own The Inbox Summit 2025 with Beehiiv

I attended this summit live last week (online), and it was phenomenal, and completely free. You can check out the recording at the link above. HIGHLY recommend.

🚨 How To Turn Your Blogging Skills Into Income, No Matter What the Economy Looks Like

🚨 How To Monetize Your Blog With Less Than 10,000 Monthly Readers

Talk to you soon,

Laura

P.S. Here are my top recommended blogging resources.
​(Links anywhere in this post could be affiliate/sponsored links. If you make a purchase using our links, we may earn commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products or services that we genuinely recommend ourselves.)

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