Advertisements are one of the biggest indicators of a magazine's readership. They are also excellent for generating ideas.

First, let's look at the readership.

Ads tell you:

• The age of the reader
• Family circumstances
• Disposable income

When was the last time you dissected an advertisement?

The age of the people in the ads is usually about the same as the readers. You wouldn't have a 20-year old female advertising a new make-up style in a publication targeted towards 45-year old males. Similarly, an advertisement for retirement villages wouldn't appear in a magazine for 18-year olds.

If the magazine is aimed at families, family groups will be in the ads.

Disposable income is easy. If the ads are for luxury items, leather travel goods, holidaying in the Bahamas, diamonds and jewellery, you won't be querying an article on how to save $20 when you shop at the supermarket.

Ads and Ideas If you're short of ideas, take a closer look at the ads. For example: An ad for exercise equipment. You could write articles about the individual pieces of equipment, exercise programs and other things to do with exercise. But if you think more laterally, other ideas with generate. The right diet for the exercise program, clothing, choosing the right footwear, making time, exercise increases endorphins.

Well, the list goes on.

Advertisements are a very important part of a Freelance Writer's arsenal and should never be overlooked.

Barb Clews is an award winning journalist with nearly 1,000 published articles to her credit. She has been a writer and editor for 15 years and is the author of "Article Writing for Freelancers" and "20 Tips to Increase Writing Skills" Visit http://www.bcabooks.com/ to subscribe to "Words that Work", Barb's monthly ezine packed with tips for writers.