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Question On Monetizing Travel Blog Traffic

by Krishna876
10 replies
I have a travel blog that gets a couple hundred visitors per day. The main keyword I'm going after is "things to do in Jamaica". I figure that if you're searching for things to do here, there's a good chance you're planning a trip.

What I'd like to do is monetize it by doing tours to the places that I blog about. Maybe even help with accommodations etc.

So what I want is some feedback on the best way to get some customers. I tried using an optin form that said I could be your personal tour guide, but that captured maybe 7 leads over 2 months. And I'm not sure if spam filters were getting in the way but no one responded to any of the emails I sent.

So how would you do it?
#blog #monetizing #question #traffic #travel
  • Profile picture of the author Logan Lee
    I'd suggest going with another approach to getting them to opt-in. Your audience may not be looking for a personal tour guide. Maybe they are just looking for flight deals, or discounts off accommodation. You could even offer them a special newsletter with exclusive content. Try something new to get them to opt-in, and make sure you are constantly testing to see what works and what doesn't.

    In terms of the layout, some factors could be the location you chose to place your opt-in form, the design of the form, or even the text inside it. Again, the key here is to test what works. Sometimes the smallest detail will yield a higher opt-in rate.
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    • Profile picture of the author Matt Morgan
      One option would be to place google adwords on your blog, which blend in with your content on the blog.

      but the capturing of optins is a great way as you can promote to this list of subscribers.

      We need to identify why you are getting very few optins, how is your optin form? are you using a squeeze page or just an optin form on the blog?

      Even if you get 100 visitors a day, and 30 subscriber for your free report, then that is 210 subscribers a week, and 840 subscribers a month !

      and when you have this list then you can promote accommodation offers, etc
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      • Profile picture of the author Krishna876
        I havent done a squeeze page just an optin form at the end of each post. The problem with the optins may be because I didnt give an incentive. I've been thinking of doing a pdf magazine with the latest posts to the site as an incentive but to me that doesnt sound like a sweet deal.

        Definitely want to use emails to follow up but whaat do you think would make a good free report for this market?

        Originally Posted by Matt Morgan View Post

        One option would be to place google adwords on your blog, which blend in with your content on the blog.

        but the capturing of optins is a great way as you can promote to this list of subscribers. We need to identify why you are getting little optins, how is your optin form? are you using a squeeze page or just an optin form on the blog?

        Even if you get 100 visitors a day, and 30 subscriber for your free report, then that is 210 subscribers a week, and 840 subscribers a month !
        Signature
        http://things-to-do-in-jamaica.com
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        • Profile picture of the author Matt Morgan
          Originally Posted by Krishna876 View Post

          I havent done a squeeze page just an optin form at the end of each post. The problem with the optins may be because I didnt give an incentive. I've been thinking of doing a pdf magazine with the latest posts to the site as an incentive but to me that doesnt sound like a sweet deal.

          Definitely want to use emails to follow up but whaat do you think would make a good free report for this market?
          Create a free report as an incentive. The thing with this niche is that many of these visitors might come to Jamaca just once in a while, but it can still work.

          Suggestions for Free reports? Lists work very well !

          The Top 5 Accommodation resorts in Jamaica - with reviews for each one
          [Click Here for your Free Report]

           7 Top tourist attractions in Jamaica, that you cannot miss!
          [Click Here for your Free Report]

           21 Reasons To Visit Jamaica
          [Click Here for your Free Report]
          3 Things To Avoid in Jamaica (certain areas?, foods, drinking tap water?)
          [Click Here for your Free Report]
          Get generating some ideas on a piece of paper, make a list of 5-10 report ideas, and get writing !

          oh and I like your blog.
          Signature
          -> [FREE WSO 1] Discover 77 FREE Ways To Generate Traffic!
          -> [FREE WSO 2] Discover 67 Killer Traffic Methods Which Will Crush Your Competition!
          -> [FREE WSO 3] Discover 77 Amazing Blogging Tips To Explode Your Profits!

          ...…..Now LISTEN CAREFULLY! ===> [WSO REPORTS 4, 5, 6 are >> Found Here]
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          • Profile picture of the author Krishna876
            Matt, those are excellent suggestions. Those really have my brain ticking. My problem now is choosing one.

            Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it...

            And whenever you're ready to make a trip down here, let me know...





            Originally Posted by Matt Morgan View Post

            Create a free report as an incentive. The thing with this niche is that many of these visitors might come to Jamaca just once in a while, but it can still work.

            Suggestions for Free reports? Lists work very well !

            The Top 5 Accommodation resorts in Jamaica - with reviews for each one
            [Click Here for your Free Report]

             7 Top tourist attractions in Jamaica, that you cannot miss!
            [Click Here for your Free Report]

             21 Reasons To Visit Jamaica
            [Click Here for your Free Report]
            3 Things To Avoid in Jamaica (certain areas?, foods, drinking tap water?)
            [Click Here for your Free Report]
            Get generating some ideas on a piece of paper, make a list of 5-10 report ideas, and get writing !

            oh and I like your blog.
            Signature
            http://things-to-do-in-jamaica.com
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  • Profile picture of the author MelanieandMiles
    With the system in our signature, you could give away discount travel vouchers... There are a couple all inclusive package deals for Jamaica that could work well.

    Another option would be to put together a '10 things you must see while in Jamaica report.' And offer services via the autoresponder.
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    • Profile picture of the author Krishna876
      Definitely like that idea on the 10 things you must see while in Jamaica. Thats a sweet one. Thanks...

      Originally Posted by MelanieandMiles View Post

      With the system in our signature, you could give away discount travel vouchers... There are a couple all inclusive package deals for Jamaica that could work well.

      Another option would be to put together a '10 things you must see while in Jamaica report.' And offer services via the autoresponder.
      Signature
      http://things-to-do-in-jamaica.com
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8073238].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author nicolas simpson
    Hello fellow Jamaican. Nice website there, i did not see your form.

    I see adsense, i don't think this is the best way to Monetize such website, you could be loosing valuable costumers via adsense.

    "I tried using an optin form that said I could be your personal tour guide" I like this idea however you only got 7 leads which is pretty low for the 2 months period. You maybe should try different type/styles of optin forms, Also traffic must have been not-targeted to be getting only 7 optins.

    You could put a forum in the side bar plus one at the end of each post.

    Anyways i wish you the best. Keep working on it.
    Signature
    Discover Reggae | Dancehall [Jamaica]
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    • Profile picture of the author Krishna876
      Nicolas, I took the form down a few weeks ago since it wasnt performing. I'll have it back up in a few days.

      I plan on taking down the adsense blocks once I put back up the optin form but for now, the little it generates is all the site makes.

      Glad to meet another Jamaican on the forum. Not many of us on here...

      Originally Posted by nicolas simpson View Post

      Hello fellow Jamaican. Nice website there, i did not see your form.

      I see adsense, i don't think this is the best way to Monetize such website, you could be loosing valuable costumers via adsense.

      "I tried using an optin form that said I could be your personal tour guide" I like this idea however you only got 7 leads which is pretty low for the 2 months period. You maybe should try different type/styles of optin forms, Also traffic must have been not-targeted to be getting only 7 optins.

      You could put a forum in the side bar plus one at the end of each post.

      Anyways i wish you the best. Keep working on it.
      Signature
      http://things-to-do-in-jamaica.com
      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[8073350].message }}
      • Profile picture of the author nicolas simpson
        Glad to meet another Jamaican on the forum. Not many of us on here...
        Yah it's good thing. Hope others get on to this as well.

        Looking for to seeing the updated site.
        Signature
        Discover Reggae | Dancehall [Jamaica]
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