As a struggling artist I'm always on the look-out for new ways to make money. (That's Paul and Stan of the Housemartins singing for their supper in 1984, from an Australian fan's site.)

Once I had a Web site and made it run, made it race against time. That was in the 1990s. Since the new millenium dawned, I've been in buddy-can-you-spare-a-dime mode.

I can laugh about it since my sainted spouse has a good job and shows no signs of leaving (she likes my cooking). But it would be good for the old ego to be something other than a kept man, y'know? (Not that there's anything wrong with that.)

I've tried many things. I was a highly-respected market analyst for a time but the firm turned out the be a scam that took a year of my pay off to Chapter 7 of the bankruptcy code, opening again under a new name. I've done some columns, I've had some freelance gigs, and Corante has gotten me some scratch working for ZDNet.

For most bloggers the choices are stark. They can get a few quid from Google AdSense, they can try BlogAds, they can stick Amazon affiliate links everywhere of put out a begging bowl. It's all busking.

You want to know the latest? I'm gonna make you click for it.

It's called BlogKits. Basically it's an electronic agent that will match your blog with advertisers wishing to sponsor you.

Joining is as easy as filling out a form. But these guys are new, they admit they don't have any money for you yet. They aren't even promising they won't encourage you to write nice things about your advertisers. (Have you tried Orb Networks by the way? Great stuff, that. Less filling and tastes great, too, without staining your teeth the way other networks can.)

OK, you won't get rich. But every little bit helps. If you love writing (or creating content of any sort) about something, blogging can be a wonderful lifestyle. (Just learn to cook, y'know?)