This is one of the best and most helpful articles I’ve ever published.
Why?
Because it’s a dead-simple, step-by-step guide explaining precisely how I’m generating well over $100,000 per month in profits with content sites without SEO traffic. In fact, it’s not just one domain that pays my mortgage. I’m now running three domains, all of which earn more than enough to pay mortgage and then some.
This blueprint is the result of over 18 months testing and figuring things out until I cracked the code and started scaling unlike never before.
Admittedly, there are some more moving parts with SEO traffic, but once everything is in place, the potential is way beyond anything SEO offered.
Let’s dive in.
Step 1: Build Your Content Empire
Everything starts with publishing killer content in your niche. Not mediocre blog posts that put people to sleep, but genuinely valuable stuff that makes people bookmark your site and come back for more.
Here’s my tech stack for content domination:
- Big Scoots hosting because it integrates seamlessly with Mediavine generating a higher ad RPM.
- Kadence theme for WordPress—clean, fast, and doesn’t get in your way. Astra works well too. Any theme really but these two are my go-to.
- Koala to dramatically speed up content production (but you still need to edit, people—don’t publish robot gibberish)
The content game isn’t about quantity over quality anymore. It’s about being the go-to resource in your space. When someone has a problem you solve, your site should be the first thing that pops into their head.
Step 2: Capture as Many Visitors as You Can
Here’s where most people fumble the bag. They get traffic, maybe even good traffic, and then watch 95% of those visitors disappear forever. That’s like opening a store and not bothering to get anyone’s contact information.
Set up an email newsletter immediately. Use Kit as your email service provider—they know what they’re doing, and their tools actually work. Most importantly, Kit integrates very nicely with Sparkloop (powerful monetization platform – more on that below). Every piece of content should have multiple opportunities for people to join your list. Lead magnets, content upgrades, simple subscription forms—whatever it takes.
Your email list is your insurance policy. Social media platforms can ban you tomorrow. Google can change their algorithm and tank your traffic. But your email list? That’s yours forever.
Step 3: Monetize Every Eyeball
Now we’re getting to the fun part. Time to turn all that traffic into cold, hard cash.
Display ads are your first revenue stream. Mediavine is hands down the best in the game for this. Once you hit their traffic requirements, you’re basically printing money. Every page view generates ad revenue, and it’s completely passive.
But display ads are just the appetizer. The main course is affiliate marketing, and Stay22 is the absolute best sitewide affiliate platform out there. Instead of managing dozens of different affiliate relationships, Stay22 handles everything and automatically optimizes for the highest payouts.
Your content becomes a revenue-generating machine. People read your articles, click on relevant affiliate links, and you earn commissions. All while providing genuine value.
Step 4: Turn Your Newsletter Into a Revenue Stream
Most people treat their email newsletter like an afterthought. Wrong move. Your daily newsletter should be generating serious revenue on its own.
Here’s the formula:
- SparkLoop offers for newsletter sponsorships and cross-promotions
- Links back to your website content (driving more ad and affiliate revenue)
- Email ads using Kit’s built-in advertising widget
Want to master this? Scott DeLong’s email newsletter course is the gold standard. The guy knows how to turn subscribers into revenue like nobody else.
Your newsletter becomes another loop in the flywheel. Subscribers get value, click back to your site, potentially join other newsletters through SparkLoop, and generate revenue at every touchpoint.
Step 5: Traffic Generation That Actually Works
Content and newsletters mean nothing without traffic. You need both free and paid traffic flowing to your site consistently.
For Pinterest traffic (which converts incredibly well), grab Pin Clicks. Pinterest isn’t just for recipes and wedding planning—it’s a search engine with massive commercial intent.
Facebook is still a traffic goldmine if you know what you’re doing. Join my email newsletter (form above) because I cover Facebook traffic here and there in regular emails.
The goal is simple: drive qualified traffic to your website where they see ads, click affiliate links, and most importantly, join your email list. Then the flywheel takes over.
Step 6: Grow Email Subscribers on Steroids
Here’s where things get really interesting. Instagram and Threads aren’t just for pretty pictures and hot takes—they’re subscriber acquisition machines when you know how to use them.
Manychat gives you the power to scoop up email subscribers via Instagram, Facebook, and Threads like absolute crazy. You can set up automated conversations that naturally lead people to your email list. It’s like having a 24/7 sales team working your social media.
The beauty is in the automation. Someone comments on your Instagram post, Manychat automatically starts a conversation, provides value, and captures their email. Rinse and repeat across all platforms.
Definitely get this course on Instagram and Threads for scooping up subscribers like crazy. I know Brian personally and there’s nobody who does it better than him.
The Flywheel Effect
Here’s what happens when all these pieces work together:
Traffic hits your website → sees display ads (revenue) → clicks affiliate links (revenue) → joins your email list → receives daily newsletter with more revenue opportunities → clicks back to website → sees more ads and affiliate offers → potentially joins other newsletters through SparkLoop → generates more revenue.
Meanwhile, your social media automation is constantly feeding new subscribers into the system. More subscribers mean more newsletter revenue, more website traffic, more ad impressions, more affiliate sales.
It’s a beautiful, self-reinforcing cycle that gets stronger over time. And the best part? Most of it runs on autopilot once you set it up properly.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
After 1.5 years developing, building and running this system, my domain generates consistent six-figure monthly net income. Not through some sketchy scheme or temporary trend, but through providing real value to real people who actually want to hear from me.
The same friends who laughed at my domain purchase are now asking if I can help them set up their own systems. Some are even offering to pay me to build it for them.
Don’t Stop Scaling
The biggest mistake you can make is getting comfortable. When you find something that works, you double down. You scale it. You optimize it. You make it bigger and better.
That first domain was just the beginning. Now I run multiple properties, each feeding into the others, creating a network effect that multiplies the revenue potential.
Your mortgage payment doesn’t have to come from your day job. It can come from that domain everyone thinks you’re crazy for buying. The question isn’t whether this works—I’m living proof that it does.
The question is: are you ready to stop talking and start building?
Jon Dykstra is a six figure niche site creator with 10+ years of experience. His willingness to openly share his wins and losses in the email newsletter he publishes has made him a go-to source of guidance and motivation for many. His popular “Niche site profits” course has helped thousands follow his footsteps in creating simple niche sites that earn big.
