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Helium writing contests are attractive more for the competition and the bylines than for the money. If you write for a hobby, then Helium writing contests are great ways to keep writing on a regular basis. The more you write, the better your writing gets. But for professional writers, Helium writing contests can get a little frustrating. It can be hard to keep going with a contest once you start.

However, even for the professional writer, Helium writing contests can be helpful and fun. You often get to write about topics you want to write about not necessarily those that your clients pay you to write. For example, this writer mostly has to write about topics such as colon cleansing, insurance and wedding planning. Personally, I couldn't care less about any of those topics.

In three Helium Channel Champion writing contests I've entered so far, I got to write reviews of cable networks, evolution and UFOs. These are topics that I enjoy researching, reading and writing about. Getting to spend some time per week working on a Helium Channel contest can help me look forward to writing as a profession and make me more excited about going back to work.

To stay motivated for a Channel Champion contest, do three things. First, pick a topic you have interest in. If you can write some articles just off the top of your head without doing a lot of research, so much the better. Secondly, although there are 25 article titles in each Channel contest, you don't need to write all 25. In my last contest, I came in third place on the strength of a mere ten articles.

The other kind of writing contest at Helium is usually some sort of marathon (or write-a-thon). You basically get paid a small amount for each article you write. The more you write, the more you get paid. However, you get paid just as much for your article which came from your blood, sweat and tears as much as someone who clearly is writing for quantity rather than quality.

If you are not having fun, than don't do it. And you don't need to enter every Helium writing contest that comes along just do the ones you feel good about. That way, even if you don't win any money, you can at least use the articles to build up your portfolio.

Learn more about this author, Rena Sherwood.
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