It's not difficult, the thing you have to understand is that you need to generate content, not copy and paste, and also have an optimal ad placement. The CTR should not be below 5%. Then what you really need at the end of the day is trafic. For this, you need to create content which answers the needs of the masses, it means identifying the most popular topics, and I'll tell you in advance that those are DUMB topics, don't be surprised. Avoid topics dedicated to an internet savvy audience, because they tend to click way less than plain people.
1) You need a good niche 2) You need content that you can rank with 3) You need targeted website visitors This is how you make money with Adsense. If you conversions are below 2% AND your visitors are targeted + your content it optimized then Adsense is probably not the best fit for that site and I'd suggest monetizing with something else. Dean
Everyone tries to give you the advice, the point is who you take it from. According to me there if an effort needed in the right direction and you have to find the correct direction from yourself. May be the advice written here will help you but you should at least try your best.