I disagree with you there
One thing I've learnt about recently with blogging is that passion sells. Of course, it does take a little more hard work rooting out advertisers/money making schemes than in the more traditional make money online/tech niches, but there's less competition, and to become authoratitive takes a lot less work.
The issue is we - as blog/tech/mmo bloggers on the whole aren't aware of it, but one of my friends told me that he had quit his job to become a full time blogger (he blogs about Liverpool FC - Thisisanfield.com if you're interested). Sure, you've never heard of the guy, because he's in a different circle, but he is doing well and is passionate about Liverpool FC, so much so that it translates into a successful blog.
So passion does become profitable
My five tips are
1. Have a passion/something to talk about
2. Don't spellcheck (it humanizes you. The example I give is this: what is The Fonz's catchphrase in Happy Days? Is it eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeyyy or hey?)
3. RSS + Explain how to use RSS
4. Get your own template, as in design one. Not only will it make you unique but it'll also be a valuable learning experience.
5. Don't worry horrendously about SEO. Social Media is your friend.