I have to say it...

I'm a failure.

While everyone else had their Black Friday offers and emails ready weeks (or even months) ago, I’ve been dragging my feet.

Here’s the thing: I really don’t like Black Friday.

Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE a good deal (I just snagged some amazing blogging tools for half the price, and I’m thrilled!)

But when it comes to offering something to you, I believe in creating deals that truly feel right; not just throwing together discounts or BOGOs because it’s “what everyone does.”

Instead, my week was filled with family, food, and.. well.. Mario Party 😂

And honestly? If that makes me a Black Friday failure, I’ll wear that title proudly.

So, I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t flood your inbox last week.

As a blogger, your flow chart should always look something like this:

STEP #1: Promote Your Blog Posts​
(Traffic Sources = Google, Pinterest, Facebook)
↓
​STEP #2: Get Readers + Make Money From Your Website​
(Earn money through ads, affiliates, and/or sponsorships)
↓
​STEP #3: Convert Blog Readers Into Email List Subscribers​
(Own your audience, create consistent income opportunities)

I’ve been preaching the importance of Step #3 for a long time (and for good reason), but let’s take a step back to the foundation: Step #1.

While many new bloggers think Instagram is the key to success, here’s the truth: the bloggers making millions are focusing on Google, Bing, and Pinterest to drive traffic and income.

But, here’s a secret:

Google and Bing don’t want the same kind of blog posts as Pinterest.

So, what’s the difference? Where should you focus your efforts: creating posts for Pinterest or for Google/Bing?

Let’s break it down with a few tips:

Tip #1: You Can (And Should) Do Keyword Research For Both Types of Posts

Before writing a blog post, whether it’s for Google or Pinterest, start with keyword research.

Ask yourself: What are people actually searching for on these platforms?

Writing about topics no one is looking for means your content won’t get seen. By targeting the right keywords, you increase the chances of reaching your audience and driving traffic to your blog.

Remember, keyword research is your roadmap to creating content that people want to read.

For Google and Bing, I like to use several different tools for keyword research: Ahrefs, Keysearch, and the best (and completely free) tool Google Search Console.

Important: The only truly accurate keyword research tool is Google Search Console. Treat every other tool as an estimate to guide your strategy.

For Pinterest, I use PinClicks for keyword research. Hands down the best tool for this!

Tip #2: Headlines Matter, But They’re Different for Pinterest vs. Google

Your headline is your first (and sometimes only) chance to grab attention, but the approach differs depending on the platform.

• For Pinterest: Focus on bold, curiosity-driven headlines (overlay text) that spark emotion or intrigue. Think, “This Simple Trick Saved My Travel Budget” or “10 Hidden Gems You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner.”
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  The goal is to make people stop scrolling and click.
  ​
• For Google/Bing: Your headline needs to align with what people are actively searching. Keywords are key here.
  ​
  For example, a headline like “How to Save Money While Traveling in 2025” is optimized to match specific search queries, helping your post rank and attract targeted traffic.

Tailor your headlines to the platform to maximize clicks and engagement!

Tip #3: Pinterest Posts Tend to Be More Sensational and Entertaining, Google Tends To Answer Specific Questions

Along the same line as Tip #2...

Pinterest is a platform of curiosity and inspiration. Posts that perform well here are often sensational like “10 Hidden Gem Destinations You’ll Wish You Knew Sooner” or “This Travel Hack Changed My Life.”

They’re designed to spark intrigue and encourage clicks.

Google, on the other hand, is all about answering specific queries. Users are searching for solutions, so your titles should match that, like “Best Hidden Gems in Colorado” or “How to Find Unique Travel Destinations in 2025.”

When creating content, keep this in mind and create blog posts that align with the search platform you are targeting.

If you’re creating content for Pinterest, lean into creativity and curiosity. For Google, focus on providing clear, direct answers to questions your audience is searching for.

Pro Tip: You don’t have to choose just one! Repurpose your content to work for both platforms! We show you exactly how to do this (and so much more inside Scale Your Travel Blog)

Which makes more money: traffic from Pinterest or traffic from Google?

It depends!

We make money in two main ways: display ads on our website and affiliate marketing

For the people that come to our website from Pinterest, they’re often in the discovery phase.

They’re looking for inspiration, which means they’re more likely to click on visually appealing ideas and guides. This can result in higher page views (great for display ad revenue!) but sometimes lower affiliate sales if they’re not ready to buy just yet.

An important note: our RPMs (how much we earn per 1,000 views) are significantly higher for Pinterest traffic than for Google traffic. This makes Pinterest an incredible source for maximizing display ad revenue, even if affiliate sales aren’t as strong.

For Google traffic, visitors often arrive with a specific question or need, which means they’re further along in the decision-making process. This makes them more likely to click affiliate links and make purchases, which boosts affiliate revenue.

The key is to understand the intent behind each type of traffic and optimize your blog posts accordingly. Pinterest is great for driving volume and ad revenue, while Google traffic often converts better for affiliate marketing.

• ​How Are You, Really? - Jenna Kutcher
  ​
• ​Milk Road: From 0 to Acquisition in 10 months - Beehiiv

🚨 Pinterest, Pinterest, and more Pinterest: we'll be diving DEEP, so stay tuned!

Have a great week!

Laura

P.S. Here are my top recommended blogging resources.
​(Links in this email could be affiliate links, meaning that if you purchase through them, we will make a small percentage without ANY additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting our newsletter!)

✔️ #1 Travel Blogging Course + Coaching + Community: Scale Your Travel Blog​
✔️ #1 Travel Blogging Course + Community: Scale Your Travel Blog
​✔️ Join my next free live training: 3 Secrets To Exponentially Grow Your Travel Blog​
✔️ Start your blog with the right host: A2 Hosting​