by Kimberly A. Smith

Created on: February 08, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2010

Writing web content for sites like Helium requires a different style than blogging or internet forums use. It can take time to transition your writing style. However, this is time worth spending because improving your article writing skills will ultimately improve your writing score and your Helium income.

Grammar and Spelling

The first step when you are transitioning from internet chat to Helium is to start writing in full sentences and avoid abbreviations. Chat shorthand is not appropriate for article writing. Make sure to check your punctuation and grammar before submitting your writing to Helium. Not only will your work appear more professional, but you will find yourself including additional keywords that can bring more ad revenue.

Skip the First Person

While there are many titles on Helium that are open for reflections and testimonials, in the other categories it is wise to avoid the first person. Writing in second person for "how to" style articles and third person for informative articles gives your writing a more professional quality. Use your own experiences sparingly.

Formatting for Success

When writing web content, formatting is almost as important as content. It is crucial that your readers can skim the article for the information they need. Try using subheadings or bulleted lists in your article. Also, make sure that you insert a blank line between each paragraph. The additional white space will make your article easier to read on a computer screen.

Inform and Educate

While many blog postings are written to entertain or to catch people up on your life, a Helium article should be informative. Most of the traffic to your articles will be coming from Google and other search engines. People are looking for specific information. "How to" type articles are one of the most popular and lucrative types of articles on Helium for just this reason.

Introductions and Conclusions

No matter what type of article you are writing, adding an introduction and conclusion will make your article stronger. Your readers will often have short attention spans, so you need to catch their eye immediately with a good opening paragraph. Let the reader know what questions you will be answering in your article. Conclusions can be the most difficult part of an article to write, but they are still important to the flow of the piece.

Keep it Professional

At the core, the largest difference between blogs and Helium is the formal, magazine style articles that Helium aspires to. While blogging, it can be acceptable to discuss many topics or meander into personal areas. When you are writing a Helium article, focus on a single topic and keep your writing professional.

Above all, do not forget to have fun with your writing. Almost any topic can be appropriate for Helium articles, so you are sure to find something you love. Keep practicing and you will find that your writing skills improve quickly.

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