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In this week’s episode of the Niche Pursuits Podcast, Lana Sitler and I discuss how she transitioned from being a mechanical engineer to building a thriving travel blog at Adventures by Lana. What started as a passion project has grown into a full-time business, earning her consistent five-figure months, even amid Google’s ever-changing algorithm.
Lana brings a fresh, relatable perspective to travel blogging: she’s not chasing influencer status or six-figure months, she’s building a brand that lets her explore the world and share her experiences with others.
Let’s dive into the key topics we covered, including how Lana creates personal, high-ranking content, her monetization strategies, and why she believes travel blogging is far from dead.
Watch the Full Episode
From Theme Parks to Travel Posts: Lana’s Unique Background
Before she ever published a blog post, Lana was working her dream job as an animation engineer at Universal Studios. But as the pandemic hit and her hours were cut, she started exploring travel blogging more seriously.
- Grew up traveling extensively with her family
- Launched her site in early 2022 after dabbling in Instagram content
- Quickly realized she preferred long-form blogging to visual-first social media
- Quit her engineering job in March 2025 after hitting a $12,000 blog income month
Despite initial success, Lana has had to navigate traffic dips due to Google’s updates. Still, her blog remains profitable and sustainable, thanks to the strong foundation she’s built.
A Content Strategy Built on Depth, Not Breadth
One of Lana’s most effective strategies has been her “area-by-area” approach to blogging. Rather than write a few scattered posts about many destinations, she fully covers one region before moving on.
- Published over 30 blog posts on the Florida Keys before expanding
- Next up was Hawaii, followed by broader U.S. and international destinations
- Focused on one blog post per week, while working full-time, during her early growth
- Consistently updates older content to maintain relevancy
This approach builds topical authority, which has helped Lana’s content rank and stay ranked even through multiple algorithm updates.
Writing for Google and Humans at the Same Time
A core theme in our conversation was how Lana balances keyword targeting with deeply personal storytelling. Her blog posts aren’t just lists, they’re filled with stories, honest opinions, and firsthand tips.
She personalizes content by:
- Sharing what she loved (or didn’t) about an activity or hotel
- Including “what I wish I knew before” advice
- Prioritizing useful photos over perfectly curated ones
- Writing content that reflects how real people plan trips, not just what keywords they search
Keyword research still plays a role, but it doesn’t dictate what she writes. She now uses it to refine topics she already plans to cover, rather than select them entirely based on volume or difficulty.
Monetization That Feels Organic
Lana’s blog earns through a mix of ads, affiliates, and some sponsorships. Her goal has always been to keep things passive enough that she can enjoy traveling without being glued to a screen the whole time.
Her monetization mix includes:
- About 40% affiliate revenue (primarily tours and hotels)
- Around 30% ad revenue
- Occasional Instagram and blog sponsorships
- A small but growing line of digital products
She’s particularly passionate about affiliate marketing, and over the past year has increased her earnings significantly, even as her traffic declined. How?
- Focused on tour and hotel roundups based on her real travel experience
- Linked internally from high-traffic posts to high-converting ones
- Added clear, compelling reasons to click affiliate links (urgency, trust, details)
- Tailored recommendations to her specific audience (bucket-list, mid-range travelers)
Beyond Google: Building a Brand That Lasts
With the volatility of search traffic, Lana has started building a more resilient brand through other channels.
Her efforts include:
- A growing email list, boosted by downloadable, printable itineraries
- A revived Instagram account focused on community, not just visibility
- Pinterest as a secondary traffic source
- Plans for YouTube (mainly for her second, Florida-focused blog)
She’s also learning to balance content creation with her love for travel, avoiding burnout and resisting the pressure to turn every trip into a work project.
What’s Next for Adventures by Lana?
Lana’s looking ahead with a focus on sustainability, both financially and personally. Her goals over the next year include:
- Diversifying traffic sources beyond Google
- Continuing to build out her Florida blog as a second income stream
- Delegating more tasks to a VA to preserve her creative energy
- Publishing a backlog of content from Japan, Switzerland, New England, and more
While she still writes most of her content herself, she’s streamlining systems and ramping up help to make room for growth without losing her sanity — or love of travel.
Final Thoughts
Lana Sitler’s story is a great reminder that travel blogging is still alive and well — if you approach it with intention. By creating authentic, helpful content and avoiding the trap of chasing every trend, she’s carved out a unique space in a crowded niche.
You can follow Lana’s work at adventuresbylana.com. Whether you’re new to blogging or trying to stay motivated in a shifting digital landscape, Lana’s journey offers both inspiration and practical strategies for long-term success.
Links & Resources
- Learn More About Adventures by Lana
- Check out her Affiliate Income Course
- Launch Your Blog
- Get Your Free Blogging Guide
- Lana’s Instagram Account
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