For those who don’t know, I was laughably bad at blogging for the first five years of my so-called “career.”
(And I’m currently laughing at the word “career” because… yeah. 😅)

But eventually, through a lot of trial, error, and iterations, I figured it out, and turned blogging into a seriously successful business.

And it all started when I got my blog into an ad network.

When I hit the threshold to apply for Mediavine, I was so excited because, at the time, I thought ads were the only way to make real money with my blog.

And don’t get me wrong… when I started earning money just from people visiting my blog, it felt like magic.

But here’s what I wish I had known sooner:

• Ads are NOT the only way to make money blogging
• And they’re not even the highest-paying way

So today, I'm going to tell you about other common ways to make money from your blog AND the final verdict..

.. should you *actually* put ads on your blog?

Other High-Value Ways to Make Money from Your Blog

Affiliate Marketing

• Earn commissions by recommending hotels, tours, travel gear, travel services, and just about anything else.
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  Approximately 81% of medium-large sized businesses have affiliate programs set up already making it easy for you.​

Travel Itinerary Planning (NOT the same as being a travel agent, but if you are one, that can work too!)

• Create custom itineraries and charge a premium for your expertise. Then maximize it by having your clients use your affiliate links when booking.

Your Own Products & Services (Digital or Physical)

• The opportunities here are endless.
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  I’ve seen bloggers sell everything from digital travel itineraries (like my friends Katie & Ben at TwoWanderingSoles) to physical travel-themed calendars, and everything in between.
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  Some have created e-books and guides on topics like travel hacking and credit card travel points, moving abroad, or road-tripping through specific regions.
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  Others have built online courses or memberships teaching travel photography, language learning, and so much more.

Travel Consulting

• What I would have given to hire someone when I was flying with a baby for the first time! People will pay for personalized travel advice, especially if you're an expert.

Tours & Experiences

• Work with tour companies, offer your own walking tours or retreats, or partner with local businesses.

Sponsorships

• Brands will pay YOU to promote their products, especially if you have an engaged audience.
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  And yes, companies absolutely work with bloggers. While we may not have the same social media presence as influencers, we have something even more valuable --> evergreen content that attracts readers for years, not just for a fleeting moment on a feed.
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  That long-term visibility is exactly why brands want to work with bloggers.

So, Should You Put Ads on Your Blog?

I know some people think ads are the worst. And honestly, I get it.

They can be intrusive. Sometimes they promote things you don’t like (though most ad networks let you block certain types of ads). And sure, maybe you personally find them annoying.

But at the same time… they pay the bills.

I know bloggers making $100,000+ per MONTH (yes, per month) just from ads on their site. Meanwhile, their readers are getting free content (full disclosure: Is $100,000+ per month common? No, but it's doable).

So, should you put ads on your blog?

Um… yeah. Probably.

But NOT Google AdSense.

AdSense pays pennies, and the hit to your site speed isn’t worth it; slower sites mean less traffic, which means even fewer pennies.

If you’re going to run ads, make sure you go with a premium ad network. Here are some to consider:

• Raptive
• Rise
• Mediavine
• Monumetric
• Journey
• SheMedia

Ads are passive income. Take advantage of it when you can!

Scale Your Travel Blog is our #1-rated course, coaching, and community program. Here's what's happening in our neck of the woods:

• Facebook Live Q&A: Ask Me Any Blogging Questions (March 6th)
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• Traffic & Income Growth Strategy Call: What’s Working Right Now (March 18th)
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  ​→ A deep dive into a blog that’s absolutely crushing it; see exactly what they’re doing and how you can apply it to your own blog.
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• Q&A Session (March 27th)​
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  → Get hands-on help with your blog, ask your biggest questions, and walk away with actionable advice.
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• Group Coaching Call (March 31st)

Recent Student Wins:

Want to get your product/service in front of 25,000+ engaged bloggers and content creators?

My newsletter reaches bloggers actively looking for tools, services, and opportunities to grow their online businesses. If your brand helps bloggers, digital entrepreneurs, or content creators, this is the perfect place to showcase it.

Let’s chat! Reply to this email to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

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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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