Adsense is the most lame way to moneytize any website, unless your website is too big and moneytization via other means will mean alot of efforts. I have consulted some of the largest enterprises in Moneytization strategies back when Adsense used to be lucrative... but now Google may ban you anytime with / without a reason.

I think the best way to moneytize is the modes that you control. Peer to Peer ads contracts (CPM) or Affiliate promotions are I guess the way to go. Paid content services (say, paid reviews) is also one way to go.

You can concentrate on Affiliate ads along with blend of Adsense, while trying to phase out Adsense gradually as you gain momentum and approach the advertisers on blogs you look up to directly, offering them a deal on your website.