by Karon Brandt

Created on: August 17, 2010

Helium is a writing community, a co-op, with all members taking responsibility for its workings and sharing in the payouts.

Most of us love to see our articles rank Number 1, but some resent having to rate. Rating is the “engine” behind Helium, which makes it work the way it does. Members’ earnings are based on it; their blue writing stars and gold rating stars depend on it. It is a serious part of “Community service” and most members see its value once they understand Helium.

Newcomers who are not familiar with the rating system often see it as annoying and burdensome. Join the forum discussions and read members’ personal reactions. Some questions and my answers follow.  

1. Why should I need to rate other peoples’ work to get my pay share?

2. How does the “secretive” rating system work anyway?

3. I think the system is unfair and some raters play favorites. Is there a way to game the system?

4. Why am I doing Helium’s work for them instead of them hiring people to do this kind of work?

Whereas Helium didn’t used to require members to share in the rating system, now people must complete 30 rates in a 90-day rollover period to earn daily ad revenues and get paid. What’s up with that?

Once members understand Helium’s proprietary rating system that sets it apart from all other writing sites, they gain a bit of enthusiasm for it because they realize they are a very important part of the “writing community.”

1. Why should I rate other peoples’ works?

Helium’s philosophy is built on the idea that anyone in the world – ages 13 and older – could be the world’s next best writer. By warmly welcoming everyone who has knowledge to share and a bent towards writing, Helium has opened its doors to hundreds of thousands of potentially great writers.

Helium offers everyone help through the forums: feedback, writing critiques, general input, motivation, encouragement, and one-on-one help through the mentoring program, if one requests help at mentor@helium.com.

Once writers understand that all are treated fairly and the rating engine works to their benefit, they participate more eagerly. Understanding is everything.

2. How does the rating system work? Although the system is proprietary, there is no reason to believe it is unfair, unreliable, or underhanded. Many experienced members have learned many things about the system and have openly shared them in

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