by Barbara Whitlock

Created on: January 24, 2007   Last Updated: March 29, 2009

You've blogged for years and joined countless Internet chats: How hard is it to start earning for your hours of writing on line? It all depends on how much you shed some bad blog and chatroom habits, and step up to the world of magazine-style web writing. This article will help you along.

At Helium, we want writers to avoid impulsive posts and take care to write articles which will be treasured for years to come. The "write now" button is more than just a green light to share your thoughts of the day; it provides a wide pathway reaching extensively toward the future. As one Helium writer commented: "Write something that you'd be proud of."

In transitioning from post and comment forums, here are some steps to guide new Helium writers:

1. Never use online shorthand. "You" must be written as such, not as "u." The list of such shorthand devices, acronyms, and abbreviations is lengthy. Use whole words as your guide.

2. Keep your article focused on a topic, to which other writers can contribute. Do not throw the kitchen sink list of comments into an article. Stick to a clear focus per article. If you have a lot to say, just write more articles; but focus each individual article on a distinct topic.

3. Use personal experience in a way that invites others in; don't make it so specific to your life that no other articles can join your article under that title. When recounting personal experiences, make sure you frame these in a broader topic. This enables others to add articles to the same title group and it enables raters to compare the pieces.

4. Avoid excessive emotionalism in your articles, whether overly introspective or excessively aggressive toward contrary points of view. Articles that show a balanced assessment of all the issues involved in a focused topic help from an article thread in a way that invites more thoughtful articles. Rants and slams tend to invite more rants and slams. Raise the discussion to a higher ground.

5. While writing styles vary widely, the tone of Helium articles should aim toward something more formal than mere casual chat. That doesn't mean your style has to be stiff and stuffy! But use full sentences. Do your best to use proper pronunciation, grammar, and spaces. We don't expect perfectionism; but we ask you to write with careful attention. You're creating a gem for the treasury; don't just throw in a bunch of scrappy pebbles.
6. Consider a wider reference point than just "getting something off your chest." Think about the reader approaching your work. What meaningful information and/or insights do you have to share? What experiences would inform others? What research might you have to contribute to a larger discussion? What pearls of wisdom can you string together into a meaningful whole?

7. Have fun with Helium. But have fun in a thoughtful, not impulsive way. Think before you write. Pay attention to what you write. Consider the wider global community with whom you are sharing your knowledge.

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