A lot of people are writing articles for blogs, websites and article machines with the goal of making money from Adsense clicks and affiliate accounts. These intrepid writers churn out articles hoping to tempt web-crawlers to read their work, then click a Google ad or buy something from Amazon or EBay. But writing can become a habit that leads you away from your ultimate goal.

The new article writer usually focuses their attention on familiar topics, topics that interest them personally about which they already own a wealth of information. Next, they segue into obtaining information on topics that interest them and produce articles featuring their own spin on the subject.

We all like to surf the web for information. In today's economy, many of us are searching for ways to save money. Think about it. someone who is looking to save money, to cut down on spending, is not going to click Google ads that depend on people who want to spend money. If your article suggests that people who love to read can save money by going to the library, those same people will not be buying books from your Amazon account.

Likewise, if you suggest that they go to the town dump in search of home goods, if you promote trash picking or dumpster diving, your readers are not going to be clicking ads that sell anything. You can't make money by attracting cheapskates, freegans, and freeloaders to articles you write about not spending money.

The writing bug can lead you down fascinating paths. But think about which path you choose.

History, for example, is a popular subject. History buffs buy books. they scan EBay for things like a tie once owned by Mark Twain or one of Eleanor Roosevelt's old teacups.

Gardeners buy gardening tools, gloves, books, seeds and mail order plants. But if you write an article on how to build a garden for free - you aren't going to attract the big spenders.

Cooks purchase cook books. specialized ingredients, pots, pans, utensils and obscure kitchen gadgetry. A lot of this stuff is available on line. but if you suggest that your readers mooch equipment off elderly relatives who now depend on Meals on Wheels, or hit boxes set in front of people's houses on trash day - once again, common sense tells you that those bums aren't going to help you earn revenue.

Now, you might check out my articles and say 'wait a minute, Dolores, plenty of your articles appeal to cheapskates and thrift-store freaks. So who are you to tell me how to earn money?'

I'm telling you what not to do because this is what I have been doing and now realize that, while entertaining myself, and hopefully others, maybe providing some useful information or warm fuzzies, maybe getting somebody riled up over a controversial topic - I am not making any money!

Okay, so you write those fascinating but obscure articles. It's great practice. I mean, you need to learn how to write in a manner that appeals to readers. Yo have to get yourself up to snuff by writing what you know. You learn to research a topic, and glean appropriate information from many sources. You learn where to look for information and how to think of interesting topics. It's a good learning process. Teaching yourself to write articles is great for your brain. Language development and the ability to articulate with the written word develops synapses in your brain and will allow you to function better int he world at large.

Okay, Dolores, so you've spent a lot of time whining about lousy bake sales and bitchig abut the threat of giant corporate machiines. It's time to move on.

Research what people are buying,not what they avoid buying.

People are spending money and buying products online every day! You need to find out what they are buying and research those subjects. Write up product reviews - investigate several products that have a broad appeal and point out the advantages and disadvantages of each one. You don't have to hawk a particular product because we all look for different qualities and variables in what we buy.

Health, for instance, is a popular topic. Lots of folks are looking for health related products - over the counter medications, natural remedies and the like. It may seem purient to prey on the sick but not every health concern is tragic - you don't have to sell swamp water that pretends to cure cancer.

Home goods, hardware, kitchen equipment, shoes, pet supllies, boooks, stationary, ointments, vitamins, arts and crafts supplies - the list is endless. Write articles that help people decide on which product is most useful to them. there is sometimes too much information out there. If you condense some of this stuff into simple articles you are actually helping people.

You can make money from AdSense and affiliates and still stick to your favorite topics. Just look at those topics and the titles of your articles and put a commercial spin on them. On Hubpages, of course, you can't be commercial but you can attract consumers while providing some really useful information.

Think up topics and come up with a title that will guide your research. I'll show you the original title for an article that will not tempt people to click on ads. Then I'll show you the exact same topic given a spin for folks who are interested in buying something related to that particular field of interest. Just send me $29.99 - only kidding. Read on.

Breast Feeding is Free - If a Monkey Can Do It So Can You

                                             or

Breast Feeding - the Best Breast Pump for You 

The first title will wind up on page 35,467 on Google and attract women who don't want to spend money. The second article is presented to people who want to breastfeed but are looking to purchase a breast pump.

Mooching Antiques and Valuable Collectibles From Elderly Relatives. You can take that same topic but make it more like Buying Antiques and Collectibles.

Instead of the Free Flower Garden (one I wrote for freeloaders), switch your appeal away from plant thieves to people who are interested in purchasing garden products online.

It's all starting to make sense. Just remember - you can't make money from freeloaders.