5 Tips to Overcome Seasonal Blog Traffic Drops

ByLaura Peters Posted on Updated on

• Originally broadcast November 26, 2024 via email •

Let’s talk about one of the toughest times for bloggers: the seasonal traffic slump.

It’s that sinking feeling when your traffic (and inevitably your income) takes a nosedive because of seasonal shifts.

The most obvious example? Right after summer, when kids head back to school, and parents stop planning trips.

That lull can feel so overwhelming it might make you question why you’re doing this at all.

But here’s the good news: with the right strategies, you can not only survive those slow seasons, you can thrive, just like we do.

Here are a few examples of our monthly earnings from our seasonal posts:

So let’s jump into 5 tips that will help you do the same!

5 Tips to Overcome Seasonal Traffic Drops

1. Work 3-4 Months Ahead of Schedule

This strategy is especially important for seasonal content.

If you’re writing about Christmas markets or summer road trips, you need to plan far enough ahead so your content has time to rank on Google and gain traction on Pinterest.

For example, if you want to target summer travel, your posts should ideally be completed by March or April. That way, people can find them when they are in the early stages of planning.

This doesn’t mean all your content needs to be seasonal. Evergreen content is still king.

I repeat… Evergreen content is still king!

But adding in timely posts can help you capture extra traffic, especially during those slower seasons (if you experience a winter traffic slump, raise your hand! 🙋‍♀️ <— this is me).

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    2. Update the Year in Your Blog Posts

    If you include the year in your titles or headings, November/December is when you should give your content a look to make sure it’s up-to-date, and then change the date to 2025.

    For example, if I have a post called, “11 Best Winter Destinations in Europe 2024,” I would want to update the title to 2025 as the new year approaches.

    But again, don’t stop there…make sure the content is actually updated (more on this in #3)!

    This helps you provide the most valuable insights to your readers and keeps the post competitive in search results.

    NOTE: If you did not make any major changes to your post, you should not update the published date. This can remain the same. But you should update the year in your titles and headings.

    3. Audit and Refresh Old Seasonal Content

    Seasonal posts often perform well year after year, but they need love and attention from you to stay relevant on search engines like Google and Pinterest.

    Go back to your archives and review old content related to upcoming seasons.

    Here are a few things to consider:

    • Are there new affiliate opportunities to add? (Example: Have I started to use a new travel insurance company that I love? Did I get a new suitcase that works really well for international flights?)
      ​
    • Have I created new pins to promote on Pinterest for this content?
      ​
    • Are the links and recommendations still accurate?

    Refreshing older content is much faster than starting from scratch, and it can give you a huge traffic boost with minimal effort.

    Add a new intro, swap out outdated information, and reshare the post on your favorite platforms (and of course, in your email newsletters).

    4. Diversify Your Approach to Seasonality

    When it comes to seasonality, it’s easy to think about the holidays. But seasonality is more than that.

    Think about other recurring cycles in your niche:

    • Budget seasons: January often brings traffic for budgeting, saving, or planning content.
      ​
    • Travel planning windows: Many people plan summer vacations in February or March, while holiday travel planning peaks in October.
      ​
    • Health and wellness cycles: New Year’s resolutions in January, back-to-school routines in August, etc.

    Think about the key cycles that align with your niche, and use them to influence the way you create content.

    5. Repurpose Seasonal Content Across Platforms

    Once you’ve created or updated a seasonal blog post, you NEED to repurpose it.

    Here are some ideas for repurposing:

    • Pinterest pins with seasonal keywords
      ​
    • Email newsletters to highlight your latest seasonal content
      ​
    • (OPTIONAL) YouTube videos, reels, or TikToks if you want to show your audience how to experience that season firsthand
      ​
      ​^^ Personally, I don’t spend almost any time on social media, so you can also skip this last one if you’d like!

    I’ve turned into quite the repurposing queen over here ever since I had a baby and I’m loving how I can put minimal effort into something and maximize my ROI (return on time investment).

    I get asked about seasonal content all the time, so I hope these tips give you a solid starting point.

    But what if you could fast-track your blogging success?

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    Imagine starting 2025 knowing you’ve got every tool, every strategy, and all the support to turn your blog into a real income-generating business.

    You’ve dreamed about this, so let’s make it happen together. Join Scale Your Travel Blog today and take the first step toward the blog (and life) you’ve been working for!

    Coming Up Next…

    🚨 Pinterest Posts vs. Google/Bing Posts: The Difference + Which Will Make You More Money in 2024/2025

    Keep an eye on your inbox for this email update!

    Have a great week!
    Laura

    P.S. Here are my top recommended blogging resources.

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    Laura Peters

    Laura Peters is the owner and author of Mike & Laura Travel, a blog that helps travelers find unique destinations and travel experiences on a budget. She is also the CEO of Scale Your Travel Blog, a coaching program that helps travel bloggers start, grow, and scale their travel blog income. When she isn't writing blog posts about her favorite travel destinations, she is serving her audience through Scale Your Travel Blog and her live/virtual events, Travel Blogging Summit.