You really need different monetization for different kinds of sites.
1) Low quality, high volume, low overhead: google ads.
2) High quality/high value, low volume, niche: subscription/services
3) Medium quality, low volume, niche: donation
The only form of advertising I'd ever want on my site, unless it is a very low quality, is direct sold by my own staff (i.e. me). I'd probably optimize for effort and just do a single "sponsor" for each month, or maybe ongoing. The low-touch way is probably to pick a relevant CPA program (say, Audible) and pitch that to your own audience.
1) Low quality, high volume, low overhead: google ads.
2) High quality/high value, low volume, niche: subscription/services
3) Medium quality, low volume, niche: donation
The only form of advertising I'd ever want on my site, unless it is a very low quality, is direct sold by my own staff (i.e. me). I'd probably optimize for effort and just do a single "sponsor" for each month, or maybe ongoing. The low-touch way is probably to pick a relevant CPA program (say, Audible) and pitch that to your own audience.