I am looking into using Blogspot, and possibly Wordpress, to gain some tangible writing/editing experience. I am hoping to get a job editing for a company online one day, and they often ask for links to see your work. Well, my school advisor said I should look into using Google Adsense to make a bit of money while I’m at it, and drive more traffic to my blogs. But, after reading the information, I’m still a bit confused. I have a few questions that I was hoping someone who has used this successfully can help with…I’m not looking to get rich quick. Rather, I am looking to hopefully earn a bit of extra cash here and there while I’m going to school, and since the economy stinks and I may be laid off soon, I thought this might help ease things a bit. Maybe not, but it’s worth a try, right?

Anyway…my questions:

1. Is there a difference between AdSense and AdWords?

2. Do I need a PayPal account, even though I thought I read that the checks are mailed directly to me?

3. Can I have more than one blog on an existing account, or do I need separate accounts for each, or is that even allowed? I have two blogs that I think are both relevant and useful to readers (and good for if I apply for editing in a journalistic field or in a research field), and one that would be great for editors looking for those with fiction experience. Would I be able to use all three, or would I only be allowed one?

Of course, editing also involves writing, so this is why companies want to see if you have what it takes to edit in a professional manner…and this will also help me gain exposure in my ultimate career goal, which is writing. I’m just not really sure how to go about this in an online manner. I blog, yes…but I’ve never thought of marketing my online writing until now. Can someone help? I know AdSense won’t make me rich, but I also know it’s not a scam…I am just a bit confused as to how the whole thing works.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, as the research I’ve done hasn’t answered those questions. Thanks!

Well.. Your teacher is right, and if you’re good at it, and get good exposure, you can even make quite some money of your blog with Adsense.
But, to answer your questions:
1. Yes, adwords is the advertisers end of the system. It is where you pay google to have your ad shown on the web.
Adsense is the publishers end of the system, it is where you get paid to show the ads (coming from adwords) on your website. Adsense is the part you are looking for.

2. No, you do not need a paypal account. In fact, Google isn’t too fond of paypal, since they have their own system which they try to push through, called "checkout". But, you don’t need an account there either. You do need a bankaccount for wired transfer, or a valid home address for the cheque if you prefer that.

3. Normally you should have at least one blog/website when you subscribe to adsense. They will check your website/blog, and approve/disapprove. Once your account is approved, you can put your adsense code on any website/blog you like/own, as long as it is conform the adsense TOS (no drugs, sex, violence, gambling, …)

4. As for writing experience, try ezinearticles.com, that’s an article-directory. You can submit some articles there, and this will give you incoming links and publicity for you as a writer, and for your blog. Besides that, they have heaps of great tips and info on how to write better articles.
And don’t forget: practice makes perfect!!!

For more info on adsense, and to see tips for tuning your adsense and stuff, go to http://www.icantinternet.com/category/adsense