Calling all Writers…have you checked out Helium.com?
If you love to write, I hope by now that you have heard of Helium.com. No? Well, let me tell you all about it. Helium is a phenomenal website based on the premises of citizen journalism. Writers are encouraged to write on a plethora of different topics, ranging from how to care for your lawn to the ‘08 Presidential race. Articles can be written and published on hundreds of topics and the Helium writing community then judges each one of the articles in order to determine the best. Best of all, writing for Helium is free, and not only does it garner you more writing experience to add to your portfolio, BUT it pays its writers as well. Now I’m not saying you should quit your day job, but this could earn you some serious side cash.
So how does it all work? Known as “revolutionizing freelancing,” Helium’s Marketplace is full of thousands of titles that publishers need. The free membership includes recognition for your knowledge and creativity, more than a million audience members, opportunities to compete for freelance assignments, feedback from a global audience, earnings and publishing possibilities.
Writing members are paid for the simple fact that “it’s the right thing to do.” Everyone who signs up for and participates is considered a stakeholder of Helium.com, meaning that Helium provides the publishing platform and the marketing investment to attract writers, readers, and advertisers, while you the community write, rate, and moderate the site. For these efforts, you are rewarded with a share in the percentage of Helium’s revenue. Helium members are paid based on the value of each article, which consists of factors such as article quality, amount of traffic, and advertiser interest. Click here to learn more about earning money with Helium.
To learn more, check out www.helium.com, and start turning your passion for writing into some serious side money!
Thanks for the rundown on Helium. I’ll check it out to learn more. What are your thoughts on Associated Content? I’ve seen ads to write for them with a similar pay scale.
I think I read about Helium elsewhere recently, in a magazine or something. Thanks for reminding us.
Hi Christine, I will have more info for you on Associated Content tomorrow. Please be on the lookout!
You’re welcome Harold!
I currently write on Helium and have been doing so for quite some time. Just to let you know that in order to really make money on Helium be prepared to write, write, and write more! You have to write a tremendous amount in order to make any real money. However, by going into the Marketplace or writing for the contests (posted every Wednesday for 1 week) you can make more money there, but chances are you will have to spend some of your time doing a little research and be sure to write more than just one article in the contest topic section. Basically if you love to write you will enjoy this website.
Kelley,
With all the writing you’ll have to do to make any real money, do you find that you have much time to do anything else? Like work a full-time job?
Thanks Kelley for the valuable feedback on your experience with Helium!
Steve,
That’s actually a tough question to answer since it all depends on one’s knowledge of many different subjects. Basically in order to not waste so much time writing for a few cents an article I check the weekly contests (every Wednesday) and I’ll check the Marketplace as well. Both of these post specific topics they want you to write about and if I already know the subject I’ll write about it. I normally will not write about a subject if I have to spend hours researching it. These 2 places pay out better money too, but keep in mind that there’s many others writing and your article has to rank in the top 5 and sometimes it can be 5 out of 300. But, again if you enjoy writing you will have fun with this site and you can actually gain a lot of knowledge since you’ll also be rating other articles. Also, keep in mind that once you post they own that article/information and you can’t use it for anything else. So, if you’re ever planning on writing a book about a certain subject don’t write about it on Helium. Hope this helps and good luck to all. Steve, HAVE A WONDERFUL VACATION!
No problem Karissa! Thanks
Thanks for taking the time to respond, Kelley. I’m not sure if I should begin by spending the time submitting to publications (using something like Writer’s Market to find publications I don’t already know about) or by spending time writing for sites like Helium and Associated Press. I’ve already been writing for quite some time through blogs and I’ll keep writing no matter what, but I’m considering the best way to balance my time. Everyone has their own way; I may be wasting too much time self-publishing online (through blogs) when perhaps I should be working exclusively on my offline writing. I don’t know, but thanks for your feedback.
Yeah, Helium, sounds like a good idea, but they are paying as if you’re in a third world. For instance, I think the most you can be paid is $20 for a decent article. So, if you’re a ‘professional’ writer this is not the site for you. However, if you’re just writing for fun and do not have a professional command of the language maybe this is the site for you.
Thanks for sharing, Kevin. What’s an alternative for a writer wtih professional command of the language who hasn’t published in a while? I’m the one who asked about Associated Content a while back . Is there anything else out there short of About.com … not that I claim to be an expert on much
Helium is a lot of work for very little pay. Expect to write an incredible amount of varied topics and only get pennies for each article.
Not really the way to go.
I have been writing at Helium for some years, and am an experienced member who enjoys the site tremendously and who offers help to those members who are struggling and who want to earn more from their work.
Often members get discouraged in the early days, not really understanding the concept of Helium earnings, and by maximising their efforts, are able to go on to earning great rates for articles, and to draw their money on a regular basis.
Contact me. Always glad to help a fellow writer.
My profile
Oh, goodness — sounds like I’d be better off doing what I’ve already a mind to do: submit directly to publications. At 37, I don’t have time to write content for a website that’s paying pennies…I’d be better off placing AdSense ads on my blog! Neither are a way to make a living, though.