Yes, traffic can help increase your affiliate earnings as it brings more eyes to your content; however, what matters more is your strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For a bit of background, I have three sites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- NYC Photo Journeys<\/a>, where I sell my own NYC photo tours and shoots, and also monetize through affiliate marketing and ads in my blog content.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Jessie on a Journey<\/a>, my solo female and adventure travel blog.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Epicure & Culture<\/a>, my sustainable tourism and culture travel blog.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Over the past six months, NYC Photo Journeys got more tour and experience conversions \u2013 despite having less traffic and fewer posts (about 35 in total) than my other two blogs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In my opinion, it\u2019s because the content on NYC Photo Journeys is very niche and has a big focus on special occasions (like birthdays, anniversaries, and bachelorette parties) that attract people actively planning and booking experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This content also helps me attract my ideal customer who would book my NYC photo tours and shoots \u2013 so I\u2019m making sales and boosting affiliate income at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/ru\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-12-986x1024.png\")
Sample NYC Photo Journeys post<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n This being said, Jessie on a Journey and Epicure & Culture convert better for hotel bookings through programs like Expedia and Booking.com. This makes sense, as one of my main content pillars on Epicure & Culture, for instance, is \u201cvegan hotels\u201d \u2013 like this post on the Best Vegan Hotels in Mexico<\/a> (a topic that is also likely to convert better than something like \u201cthings to do in Mexico\u201d or \u201cbest time to visit Mexico\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\u2019ll talk about why later on in the post!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My step-by-step affiliate marketing strategy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Okay, so how do you actually increase your affiliate earnings as a travel blogger? Here is the strategy that has worked for me:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 1: Apply to programs strategically<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
When I first got into affiliate marketing, I essentially said \u201cyes\u201d to every program invitation I received, whether it was a fit or not \u2013 which was a huge waste of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Interestingly, my affiliate income increased when I focused instead on the brands that would actually help my audience and fit into my content. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I recommend: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Choosing affiliates that align with the regular purchase actions you promote (or could promote) \u2013 like tours, hotels, car rentals, travel insurance, etc. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Don\u2019t just think about the commission rate, but also the average cart order value. 100% of $1 is still just $1, while $10% of $100 is $10. <\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
💡 Tip: <\/strong>Recurring commission programs can be tricky to find, but they can help you earn a steady income. For instance, NordVPN offers recurring commission and offers the opportunity to share about safe browsing on public WiFi while traveling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/ru\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-11-1024x684.png\")
Be strategic when applying for affiliate programs<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Step 2: Create an affiliate-optimized SEO content plan<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
To better optimize your content plan for Search Engine Optimization (SEO), avoid creating just one post on a topic. Instead, create a series of related, interlinked blog posts \u2013 called a topic cluster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While each article can include affiliate links, at least one of these articles should be optimized for buyer intent keywords<\/strong>. These are keywords people search for when they are looking to make a purchase. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
A few words that you\u2019ll typically find in a buyer-intent keyword include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- best\/top \u2192 \u201cBest boutique hotels in NYC\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- review \u2192 \u201cVisitorsCoverage travel insurance review\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- vs \/ comparison \u2192 \u201cSaily or Airalo: which eSIM is better for long-term travel?\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- cheap \/ affordable \u2192 \u201cAffordable wine tours in Tuscany\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- under [price] \u2192 \u201cBest carry-on luggage under $150\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- deal \/ discount \/ save \u2192 \u201cHow I saved 50% on Broadway show tickets\u201d<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- buy \/ book \/ order \u2192 \u201cHow to book a \u200b\u200bSeine River dinner cruise (without overpaying)\u201d<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
The Best Vegan Hotels in Mexico<\/a> post as well as this guide to the Best Brooklyn Walking Tours<\/a> are examples of this \u2013 and both posts bring me steady bookings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
💡 Tip:<\/strong> Another SEO concept that can help with affiliate conversions is E-E-A-T<\/a>; as in, weaving experience, expertise, and authoritativeness into your content to build trust with your audience (and search engines).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/ru\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-13-1024x681.png\")
Including photos of yourself actually staying at the hotels you recommend can help increase conversions<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Step 3: Be strategic with placements and CTAs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
One big mistake I used to make was burying affiliate links at the bottom of my post, or using vague \u201cClick here\u201d anchor text.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since then, I\u2019ve become more strategic with how and where I promote my affiliate links. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Going back to the guide to Mexico\u2019s best vegan resorts on Epicure & Culture, I try to make my affiliate links visible and relevant by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Including a \u201cQuick tips\u201d box under the intro with helpful information and affiliate links.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Using visual cues like comparison charts, bold text, background colors, or emojis.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Including strong calls to action like \u201c➡️Click here for full information and pricing\u201d under each hotel listing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
💡 Tip:<\/strong> Use SubIDs to track where people are converting in your post. For instance, if the core of your SubID for the post is \u201cMexicoVeganResorts\u201d you might create \u201cMexicoVeganResorts_intro\u201d to track who converts via the Quick Tips intro box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/ru\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-9-1024x500.png\")
Sample info box underneath my introduction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Step 4: Use AI tools to scale without extra work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using the powers of AI can help you save time as a blogger, and that includes your affiliate workflow<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along with manually adding affiliate links, affiliate AI tools can run in the background to help increase conversions \u2013 even when you\u2019re away from your laptop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelpayouts specifically has several AI tools<\/a>, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Emerald<\/strong>, which scans your posts and inserts affiliate tools like info boxes and travel service previews where they\u2019ll perform best.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- LinkSwitcher<\/strong>, which updates old or third-party links automatically so you don\u2019t miss a commission (super helpful if you were kicked out of Booking.com\u2019s native affiliate program!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Content Analytics<\/strong>, which uses AI to pinpoint your best pages, funnels, and reader trends.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
In a recent Instagram Reel<\/a>, I shared a 3-step affiliate workflow that infuses these tools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/ru\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-14-1024x550.png\")
Screenshot of an Emerald-added info box with affiliate links placed automatically<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n 💡 Tip:<\/strong> These tools are also customizable. For instance, you can choose to exclude certain affiliate tools or pages from Emerald. With LinkSwitcher, you can pick which programs you want to switch over to Travelpayouts. Personally, I find having my programs all in one place makes tracking analytics much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 5: Track your progress monthly<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I set a recurring calendar reminder for the end of each month to review my affiliate performance to spot what\u2019s working and what\u2019s not, and where small changes can drive big results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Travelpayouts\u2019 Content Analytics has one of the more robust analytics dashboards I\u2019ve seen, so I mainly look there. If you use outside programs, you can use a spreadsheet to keep everything together. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking at the data, I ask myself three simple questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Which posts are top converters? Double down on what\u2019s working by:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Adding internal links to send more readers to the post.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Building related topic clusters to boost visibility and authority.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Which affiliate links get high clicks but no sales? The interest is there, but something\u2019s blocking conversions:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Check if links are broken or outdated.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Test a different program (e.g., Americans may be more familiar with Expedia or Booking.com than Agoda).<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Add trust-builders like personal stories, photos, or social proof.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Which posts have high traffic but low conversions? This is usually where my time is best spent when making updates:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Add missed affiliate links. For example, did you mention a hotel but not link it? Did you write a city guide and not include a \u201cWhere to stay\u201d section?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Fix broken or outdated links.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Strengthen CTAs with bold, clear boxes (e.g, \u201cCheck rates & book your stay here!\u201d).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
💡 Tip:<\/strong> If one affiliate program consistently drives bookings, use that data as leverage to request a commission increase or performance bonus \u2013 or a more creative partnership idea, like a co-hosted webinar<\/a>. In your pitch, include performance numbers like sales and conversion rates to show how well their brand resonates with your audience and the value you bring as a partner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/ru\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-10-1024x615.png\")
When editing my Tirana itinerary, I realized the post could benefit from a recommended tours section \u2013 with affiliate links<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n My blog audit strategy for quick wins and consistent growth<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Along with my monthly check-in, I also set aside time for a more in-depth \u201cspring cleaning\u201d audit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
These happen quarterly, biannually, or annually, depending on how much content you have. They go beyond small tweaks to systematically refresh, optimize, and re-monetize older posts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To do this, I first export my posts from Google Analytics. From there, I go through my top traffic posts and ask myself:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Are there missed opportunities to add affiliate links that match the reader\u2019s intent?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Can I test new placements?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Can I infuse E-E-A-T signals to build trust?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Can I strengthen CTAs?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Can I build out a topic cluster to boost SEO, keep people on my site longer, and funnel more traffic to this post?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Beyond affiliates, can I promote a relevant opt-in freebie to continuously grow my email list?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
⚠️ Note: <\/strong>Some people avoid editing posts ranking in the top positions in Google for fear of ranking drops. Personally, I do update them \u2013 but I make changes slowly and focus only on improvements that add real value for the reader (not just sprinkling in extra keywords).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
💡 Tip: <\/strong>If there is a topic that really resonates with your audience, consider if there is a relevant product you can create. From there, you can set up an automated sales funnel to increase your passive income through products! I share more about this in my free 5-day Digital Product Launch Challenge<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weaving affiliates into the rest of my business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind, creating affiliate-optimized blog content isn\u2019t the only way to grow your earnings. In fact, much of my affiliate income comes from other avenues too, like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- Email Marketing. <\/strong>For instance, where relevant and natural, I include affiliate links \u2013 and sometimes even write emails specifically aimed at promoting an affiliate partner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Digital Products. <\/strong>I include affiliate links directly in products \u2013 and I ask my affiliate program managers for discount codes I can share with customers. For example, in my Travel Blog Prosperity membership, I have a \u201cMember Bonuses & Discounts\u201d board that includes these types of deals, many of which aren\u2019t available elsewhere because I negotiated them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Podcasting\/YouTube. <\/strong>I like to share affiliate partners directly in episode show notes or video descriptions \u2013 as well as in text message marketing (podcasts) and QR codes (YouTube) to increase conversions. For instance, in my Profitable Travel Blogger Podcast episode on Instagram Reels<\/a>, I promoted my ManyChat affiliate link with a 30-day free Pro Plan trial.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Social Media. <\/strong>I personally don\u2019t do this as much, but you can absolutely create Reels and posts reviewing products and experiences your audience would love!<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Collaboration. <\/strong>For example, I co-hosted an Amplify Your Email List list-building challenge<\/a> with a popular email marketing platform. I created the content, and they provided an extended free trial for me to promote. To sweeten the deal, I included some bonuses for buyers too!<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
💡 Tip: <\/strong>Reminder that whether you\u2019re promoting affiliates on your website or elsewhere, it\u2019s important to include clear disclosures!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/ru\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/image-8-1024x306.png\")
Screenshot from my recent newsletter where I discussed my latest multi-day hiking trip and then recommended two essentials for remote adventures. The affiliate disclosure is at the top of the email<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n YOUR affiliate game plan<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
- \n
- \u200b\u200bTraffic isn\u2019t everything.<\/strong> Conversions come from strategy and buyer intent, not just pageviews. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Apply with purpose. <\/strong>Choose affiliates that fit your niche, align with reader needs, and have strong cart order values. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Build clusters. <\/strong>Create interlinked posts, with at least one targeting buyer-intent keywords (best, review, vs, book). <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Prioritize trust (E-E-A-T). <\/strong>Use personal stories, original photos, and expertise to build credibility and boost conversions. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Upgrade placements. <\/strong>Use intro boxes, comparison tables, and bold CTAs instead of buried \u201cclick here\u201d links. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Track and adapt. <\/strong>Review analytics monthly and audit quarterly \u2013 double down on what works, fix weak spots. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Go beyond the blog. <\/strong>Integrate affiliates into emails, digital products, podcasts, YouTube, and collaborations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
I know it\u2019s a lot of information, but don\u2019t feel like you need to implement it all at once. Take it step by step, and use a spreadsheet or digital planner to build out your strategy and track your process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even a few small adjustments can make a big difference!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Jessie Festa, travel blogger & NYC tour creator, shares her affiliate strategy to earn without waiting for big traffic.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":90,"featured_media":28681,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[7,610,611,527],"tags":[192,698,20],"class_list":["post-28680","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-advices","category-affiliate-marketing-101","category-how-it-works","category-stories","tag-affiliate-marketing","tag-affiliate-strategy","tag-travel-blog"],"acf":[],"amp_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28680","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/90"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28680"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28680\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":29265,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28680\/revisions\/29265"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/28681"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28680"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28680"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.travelpayouts.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28680"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
- Apply with purpose. <\/strong>Choose affiliates that fit your niche, align with reader needs, and have strong cart order values. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Digital Products. <\/strong>I include affiliate links directly in products \u2013 and I ask my affiliate program managers for discount codes I can share with customers. For example, in my Travel Blog Prosperity membership, I have a \u201cMember Bonuses & Discounts\u201d board that includes these types of deals, many of which aren\u2019t available elsewhere because I negotiated them.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Email Marketing. <\/strong>For instance, where relevant and natural, I include affiliate links \u2013 and sometimes even write emails specifically aimed at promoting an affiliate partner.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Which posts have high traffic but low conversions? This is usually where my time is best spent when making updates:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Which affiliate links get high clicks but no sales? The interest is there, but something\u2019s blocking conversions:<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- LinkSwitcher<\/strong>, which updates old or third-party links automatically so you don\u2019t miss a commission (super helpful if you were kicked out of Booking.com\u2019s native affiliate program!)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Emerald<\/strong>, which scans your posts and inserts affiliate tools like info boxes and travel service previews where they\u2019ll perform best.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Jessie on a Journey<\/a>, my solo female and adventure travel blog.<\/li>\n\n\n\n