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Everyone comes to Helium for a different reason. Whether you are a novice writer or an established freelancer, there is something to learn from writing here. Learning to write for the web and for Helium can take practice. Keep these ten important tips in mind when you are crafting your next article.

DON'T forget about formatting. Writing for the internet is largely about how information is presented on the page. The first important formatting step is to make sure that there is a blank line between each paragraph. The white space makes your article easier to read. Using subheadings is another great way to help readers. Subheadings make your article easier to skin for information.

DON'T use instant messaging shorthand or other slang. Take the time to write in full sentences. Your articles will suffer in the ratings with this type of writing.

DON'T promote yourself or include your name in your articles. The Helium rating process is supposed to be anonymous, so it should never be obvious who you are. It is permissible to link to another of your own article; however the text of your article cannot specify that you wrote it.

DON'T post an article without running a spell check and proofreading your work. Proofreading ensures that you will not confuse "their" with "there" or miss other simple typos that a spell checker will not catch.

DON'T violate the user agreement. When you register for Helium, you agree to follow certain guidelines in your writing. This includes avoiding any use of profanity.

DON'T use "I" statements if you can avoid it. Strive for magazine-style articles that are based on facts instead of personal experiences, unless you are writing to a title specifically geared to that.

DON'T copy anyone else's work. If you research an article, cite your sources. Plagiarism is taken seriously at Helium. Your article will be removed from the website and your account can be disabled for violations.

DON'T skip the community resources. Helium's writer forums offer a critique section that offers help and guidance for writers at all stages of their careers. Post one of your low-ranking articles and a fellow writer may be able to help.

DON'T neglect rating. No matter how wonderful your articles are, if you do not maintain a writing score you will not be eligible for your share of the ad revenue.

DON'T write directly onto the website. Write your articles in a word processor first, making sure to save your progress. The internet is vulnerable to timing out or other errors. Many people have tried to write directly in the box, only to lose their work to a computer glitch. Protect your time and effort.

DON'T give up. Practice makes perfect and the more that you write, the better you will get. It takes time to adjust to writing for the internet. Have patience with your progress and leapfrog old submissions as you improve.

Writing for Helium is a fun and rewarding way to expand your portfolio and hone your literary skills. Enjoy the process and the financial rewards that can be gained.

Learn more about this author, K.A. Smith.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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