At Helium.com, learning the don'ts is a very important first step that can save you a lot of leap frogging later. Writing for the web is a little different and learning how NOT to write for Helium can get you off to a running start. Here is a list of Helium don'ts:

1. Don't include any information in your article that might be considered self-promotion. Doing so can get you flagged. Adding a URL to your personal blog or website is considered self-promotion and is against the rules.

2. Don't forget to use proper web formatting when constructing your article using relatively short paragraphs and a double space between each paragraph. One large block of words is hard on the eyes and will get your article rated down.

3. Don't ramble. Get right to the point. While some people get pleasure from reading flowery descriptions in an interesting novel, people searching the Internet want up-front information. Get right to the subject of the article.

4. Don't overlook writing basics like capitalizing the first letter of a sentence and proper punctuation. Articles are supposed to read like a professional magazine article.

5. Don't insert cute little smiley/pout faces - :) ~ :( It's unprofessional.

6. Don't start an article that asks a question without elaborating on the question. If the title asks for instance: Is Capital Punishment wrong? Your article, had you taken the "yes " side, should not start with, "Yes I believe it is." Instead, it would be better as, "I believe capital punishment is wrong because-"

7. Don't take for granted that your spelling is right, even if you have a word processor. It only takes a few seconds to make sure. One misspelled word can get your article a bad rating.

8. Don't get on a soapbox and start ranting about something you are passionate about. It gets boring and also gets rated down.

9. Don't use all caps. It is against the rules and your article will get flagged.

10. Don't use profanity. It has nothing to do with freedom of speech. It is simply against the rules. Some words are accepted like words you might hear in a PG movie.

11. Don't write articles that are too short or too long. The recommended length of a Helium article is 400 to 1500 words, with the exception of things like poems and recipes.

Finally, the main thing to keep in mind is to write the best article you can with the skills that I'm sure you have as a writer. Throw your hook out there in the first paragraph and draw you reader in. Keep it tight and stay focused on the subject.

Learn more about this author, Pat Lunsford.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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