How I increased my affiliate revenue from $1,000 a month to over $5,000 a month

I remember starting out as a new blogger, binge-reading income reports like they were the Gossip Girl of the blogging world. The idea that someone could make real, grown-up money from affiliate links and blog posts? Mind. Blown 🤯

I quickly implemented all the strategies I learned online, but soon found myself stuck at $1,000 a month. It was more than I ever imagined I’d make, but not enough to survive on 🙁

I loved traveling, but I was too old for grungy hostels, bunk beds, surviving on acai bowls, and blind optimism. My back said “hotel,” not hammock.

I also wanted to quit my other projects and focus solely on blogging, but I couldn’t afford to!

I set a target of $5,000/month in affiliate income

At that point, I promised myself I’d stop pretending to freelance and actually become a “real blogger.”

I took courses, spoke to experts, and implemented all the strategies, and lo and behold, after a number of tweaks, it happened! 

But what were the tweaks, and what strategies did I implement on my blog?

I’ll share them with you below. 

Before I go into more detail, and in case you are wondering who the heck I am, allow me to introduce myself. 

I am Aisha Preece, founder and owner of the nomad/side hustle website OutandBeyond.com and three other travel blogs: Womenwanderingbeyond.com, Travel-by-maya.com, and Anirishrover.com.

I have a real passion for travel blogs, mostly because I love to travel, but also because they are easy to scale in terms of traffic and monetization.

I have a tiny but mighty Instagram community on @aishapreece, where you can get all my best blogging tips and see the antics of my grumpy cat, Supervisor Sandy.

Now, let’s move on to tweak number 1.

1. I targeted buyer keywords in MY niche. 

If there’s one thing that changed the affiliate game for me, it was this: I stopped writing for daydreamers and started writing for people who were basically yelling, “Take my money!”

A buyer keyword is a search term that screams, “I’m about to spend.” These aren’t the people casually Googling “pretty sunsets in Santorini.”

They’re the ones typing things like:

• “Buy DSLR camera online”
• “Best hotels in Tokyo”
• “AirPods Pro vs AirPods 3”
• “Affordable business class flights to Paris”
  

These magical unicorn keywords often include words like:

• Buy
• Best
• Review / Compare
• Cheap / Affordable / Discount
• Specific product names

If the phrase sounds like someone is holding a credit card in one hand and typing with the other, it’s a winner.

Let’s compare:

• Someone Googling “Best Instagrammable spots in Rome” is looking for a vibe.
• Someone Googling “Best food tours in Rome” is looking for a booking button.

The effort to write both posts is the same. But one makes you affiliate income, and the other just gets you Pinterest saves.

This narrowed down the focus and competition so that I could rank on page 1 of Google for the buyer keyword. 

Sad story: I wrote a 3,000-word masterpiece on Rome’s cutest cafes. It ranked on page 7. I cried, and my cat got pissed at me. Then I keyword-optimized by adding a qualifier, and finally paid for my cat’s kibbles.

Some examples of qualifiers that worked for me : 

• Best hotel with a jacuzzi 
• Best hotel for smokers
• Best hotels with a pool
• Best hotel with an ocean view
• Best hotel near the airport
• Best hotel for honeymoon couples
• Best hotel with free breakfast
• Best hotel with a private balcony
• Best hotel for families with kids
• Best pet-friendly hotels
• Best hotel with spa services
• Best hotel with free parking
• Best hotel with late check-out
• Best hotel for digital nomads
• Best hotel with a kitchenette
• Best hotel with a rooftop bar

To summarise, buyer keywords in the travel niche are :

Hotels & Stays

• Best hotels in [City]
• Best budget hotels in [City]
  Best hotel with pool/jacuzzi / balcony
• Best hotel for families/couples / solo travelers
• [City] hotels near airport/city center / beach
• Top-rated boutique hotels in [City]
• Cheap hotels in [City] with free breakfast
• [City] Airbnb vs hotel
  

 Flights & Transportation

• Cheapest flights to [Destination]
• Best time to book flights to [Destination]
• Best airline to fly to [Country]
• [Airline] vs [Airline] comparison
• Best travel insurance for international travel
  

 Gear & Packing

• Best luggage for international travel
• Top-rated backpacks for digital nomads
• Best travel shoes for Europe
• Must-have travel accessories on Amazon
• Travel essentials for long flights
  

Tours & Experiences

• Best food tours in [City]
• Best day trips from [City]
• Best guided tours of [Landmark]
• [City] itinerary 3 days
• Top attractions in [Destination] to book in advance
  

Misc. High-Intent Keywords

• Travel credit card with the best rewards
• Best travel apps for planning
• Travel SIM card vs eSIM
• Digital nomad visa for [Country]
  

2. I targeted higher-priced affiliates and created a cluster 

I stopped hustling pennies and started aiming for affiliate programs that actually paid my rent — not just my coffee habit; think luxury hotels, premium travel gear, or multi-day tours. Goodbye $0.14 commissions, hello luxury luggage and passive income dreams.

To drive consistent traffic, I built content clusters around these topics.

For example, you can create a pillar post targeting a high-intent keyword (like “Best Luxury Resorts in the Maldives”) supported by related articles (“What to Pack for a Luxury Beach Vacation,” “Top Travel Accessories for Premium Travelers,” etc.). 

This cluster strategy helped me build topical authority, keep my readers engaged longer, and earn more affiliate commissions from my content. I am going to show you a practical example.  

You see these two tours in Ireland below? Both are highly rated and likely sell out, which means they are popular. But which one are you going to earn more commission from? 

You could write a post about a traditional pub tour in Ireland or a private Guinness tour in Ireland. The effort to write the post is the same, but you will earn more from the second one! 

3. I avoided the word ‘FREE’

Following on from the above tip, I pivoted my content away from free options. Let me be blunt: “Free” doesn’t pay the bills. Sure, free options have their place (I have many posts on free options). I’m not anti-budget – I’m just pro-income. 

Once I stopped catering to window shoppers and started writing for people with actual spending intent, my affiliate earnings went up fast.

Let’s play a quick game:

 Which post is more likely to earn me commission?

• “Free walking tours in Seoul”
• “Best food tours in Seoul”
  

The first gets traffic from broke backpackers and curious browsers. The second? Travel spenders looking to book. So I made the pivot: I stopped writing just for Pinterest saves and started writing for people planning their trips with credit cards in hand.

My rule of thumb now?

If I’m focused on affiliate income, I skip the “freebies” and highlight paid experiences, tours, stays, and gear – the stuff people are already searching for and expecting to spend money on.

That shift alone made my content far more profitable, without needing more traffic. Just better traffic.

4. I used clear, clickable CTAs

If you’ve ever screamed “WHY AREN’T THEY CLICKING?!” into the void while checking your affiliate dashboard… you’re not alone.  We’ve all been there. Welcome to the club. 

At first, I used vague CTAs like ‘check it out’… which basically translated to ‘please ignore this link and go make toast.’” One thing that made a huge difference for me? 

 Instead of hiding affiliate links in the middle of a paragraph, I started using buttons, short “Book Now” or “Get the Gear” links, and even quick personal notes like “This is what I use.” 

The easier it is for someone to see what to do next, the more likely they’ll click — and that brings in the commissions. For example, here are some buttons on my blogs.

The easier you make it for someone to click and take action, the more affiliate $$ you’ll see roll in. I also love using widgets on my blog to make affiliate solutions pop out!

I use Travelpayouts widget tool to create widgets and buttons and all sorts of high-converting tools, such as:

Comparison widget 

Search form widget 

An interactive map (people LOVE clicking on shiny things)

Summary: Don’t just drop links—use buttons, tables, and call-to-actions. Add affiliate links to pictures, buttons, and use colored boxes .

5. I reduced options and gave a summary at the top 

At first, I gave people too many options, which overwhelmed them and caused them to have decision fatigue. So I switched it up: now I lead with my top recommendation right at the top of the post, with a quick summary of why it’s the best.

 No endless lists. Just “Here’s the one I’d book – and here’s why.” People appreciate clarity – we’re all decision-fatigued zombies just looking for someone to say, “Click this one, it’s the best.” Be that person.

Think about it, we are all SUPER busy. We don’t want to wade through pages of text and options to figure out what’s best. 

I used Travelpayouts Emerald tool to help me create simple summaries and recommendation blocks that I embed at the top of my blog posts.

6. I increased my blog traffic 

There is no way around this fact: More traffic = more clicks = more affiliate income.

More traffic WILL = more affiliate income. 

You are increasing the opportunities for your affiliate recommendations to get clicked and purchased. 

This used to demotivate me as a new blogger, as I didn’t have much traffic. But then I told myself, if other  bloggers have figured out how to grow their traffic, then there is a formula I need to learn and follow

Some of the ways I improved my traffic : 

• I analyzed the top content getting traffic on my Google Search Console and made more similar content 
•  I analyzed the top content getting traffic on my Pinterest analytics and made more similar content 

Basically, I doubled down on clusters of traffic. 

• I also created clusters of highly searched buyer intent topics on Pinterest, like the ones below : 

Finally, I shared my blog content on all my platforms: newsletter, social media, you name it, I shared it! 

7. I wasn’t afraid to give a bad review and a better solution 

At first, I felt weird saying something wasn’t great, but when I started being honest about what didn’t work, my audience trusted me more. If a product, service, or experience isn’t worth it, I say so – and then I offer a better alternative. People appreciate real talk and honesty.

 And funny enough? Those honest comparisons often lead to more clicks on the better solution.

For example, I had a really bad experience with a motorbike tour company in Vietnam (they left me stranded in the middle of the countryside when their mortorbike broke down, grrrrr! O_O)

I shared this experience with my audience, then offered a better tour company. 

Bonus tip  – I used language that suited my audience 

I stopped writing like a robot and started using the same lingo my audience used, then things just clicked. So, if your readers are chill, be chill. If they’re adventurous foodies, get playful. Using the right tone, slang, and examples makes your content feel personal, like a friend giving a solid recommendation. 

And when people feel like you get them, they are more likely to trust your links. Some examples of audience-specific greetings and pronouns I used:

Using “You” (great for making it about the reader):

• You’re going to love this one
• If you’ve ever struggled with X…
• You don’t need a big budget for this
• Here’s what you need to know before booking
• You asked, I delivered
  

Using “I” (adds personal authority and relatability):

• I’ve tested this, so you don’t have to
• I wish I knew this sooner
• I only recommend what I actually use
• I wasted hours on this — here’s what worked instead.
• I’m obsessed with this one thing right now.
  

Inclusive / Friendly group feel (“we”, “let’s”, etc.):

• Let’s be honest — we all love a good deal
• We’ve all been there…
• Here’s what we found worked best
• Let’s simplify this
• We don’t gatekeep around here

Look at this practical example : 

An impersonal introduction 

Dublin’s food scene has evolved far beyond traditional pub fare. From artisan cheese shops and local seafood to contemporary takes on classic Irish dishes, the city offers a rich variety of culinary experiences. A guided food tour is one of the best ways to explore Dublin’s neighborhoods, learn about its food culture, and sample specialties from hidden gems to award-winning eateries—all in a single afternoon.

A more personalized, casual introduction that builds a connection: 

If you’re anything like me, exploring a new city starts with what’s on the plate – and Dublin totally delivered. From creamy Irish cheeses to fresh-baked soda bread and modern takes on pub classics, this food tour gave me a taste of the city I wouldn’t have found on my own. If you love discovering hidden gems (and eating your way through a city), this one’s for you.

You see the difference, one sounds like it’s from an old guidebook, another sounds like it’s from a friend. 

TL;DR:

• I grew my affiliate income from $1K to $5K/month by focusing on buyer keywords – search terms from people ready to spend – and avoiding “free” content that attracts window shoppers.
• I targeted higher-paying affiliate programs and created content clusters around them to boost topical authority and conversions.
• Clear, clickable CTAs and reducing decision fatigue by giving a top recommendation upfront helped increase clicks.
• I also grew traffic by analyzing what worked in Google Search Console and Pinterest Analytics, then doubling down on those topics.
• Being honest in reviews built trust and boosted affiliate sales.
• Lastly, I wrote in a relatable tone that matches my audience, making content feel personal and trustworthy.

I hope you found this post, useful! Don’t give up hope, it’s entirely possible to significantly boost your affiliate income if you focus and try some of these tweaks. Let me know how you get on. Thanks for reading!