by Karon Brandt

Created on: August 15, 2010

Every writing site has its own guidelines and rules. All sites want quality works and quantity is what keeps them in business. How do you want to spend your writing time – for fun or money? Helium offers both.

What makes Helium different? The most noticeable difference about Helium is its rating system and the fact that any searcher will be led to five articles written to a title, not just one. The rating system produces article ranks; the highest ranked are seen the most and usually earn the most page views and ad shares.

As a writing “Community,” Helium rewards its writers in proportion to their efforts. Share the work; share the payouts. Writers can earn electronic credentials like stars and badges, peer recognition, and friendships with other writers, all while honing their writing skills, having fun, and earning merit pay.   

Helium recognizes its top writers with blue stars next to their bylines. Some channels (categories) pay out more because advertisers invest more into them. The logical questions are: (1) Which channels earn the most money and (2) How does one earn writing stars? ALL articles earn a portion of ad revenues, but some are worth more in terms of earning blue stars, upfront pay, and higher shares of ad revenues.

(1) Helium’s front page lists 27 channels from “Arts and Humanities” to “Travel.” The fact-based, often-researched, evergreen articles written to the knowledge channels earn the most. Some credentialed or degreed writers write to their areas of expertise, and they can earn some handsome side-income. People with life experience in a specific area – like Parenting, Gardening, or Pets – can also earn extra cash for sharing their knowledge.  

Creative Writing can be highly rewarding. You can write poetry, memoirs, reflections, and short stories, and you will, literally, earn pennies for your thoughts. CW writers will not earn upfront pay nor blue writing stars, but they are recognized with badges for writing some of their most emotionally fulfilling works.

Other exceptions to upfront pay - but these articles will earn blue stars and an ongoing share of ad revenues - are articles with short shelf lives (“Society and Lifestyle” and “Entertainment” articles) and articles that are often opinion-based (Politics, Religion, and Debates).

For those who would like to earn more than pennies, start writing to all of the other channels and earn blue

• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next Page >>