Zone Guidelines

Since Zones are a relatively new concept to Helium, we've created a check list that members can look through before requesting approval for their first Zone. The list below is comprised of popular mistakes, omissions, and Zone "sins" we've noticed creators committing.

• Does your Zone's title match its content?
• Is your Zone a quality and comprehensive informational site on the topic?
• If you've included many of your own works, is your name or your company's name included in the title? All Zones which carry more than one piece of content by you must have your name or your company's name in the title.
• Please make sure there is no gambling or adult content.
• Your Zone must be finished before you ask for approval.

Example Zones

Need some inspiration before you jump in a Zone? Check out these Zones and see what you can do:

• A  Writer Portfolio is a great way to showcase all your work in one place. If you've been looking for a way to contribute a series to Helium or just want to be sure your articles get seen in a certain context, here's the place to do it. And you can include work from any site you have contributed to on the web. It's your Zone.
• Passionate about a particular subject? The Grandparents Zone shows how a Zone can pull together all types of articles and content in one spot.
• If you own a business, try a Company Zone to promote yourself on the web. Add product pictures, service descriptions and whatever else you think will draw customers. 

More Examples: 

Successful Interviewing

Pregnancy and Childbirth

First Aid: Life-saving emergency action

The Nashville Guide

Your Money: A Financial Survival Guide

French Toast Recipes

Soaring to Glory (Non-profit Zone)

What's with those ads?

You may have already noticed that two ads appear in every Zone. "Why?" you ask.

Helium is allowing you to build your own content, establish or bolster your presence on the web and network with millions of people worldwide. Helium provides constant support, editorial and advisory staff, those brilliant tech guys who make it all happen, and a massive messaging system to help you find all the answers you need.

Helium does all of this without charging you a membership fee. "How?" you ask.

Those two little ads pay the bills at Helium.

Let's keep the lights on at Helium: Make sure the ads appear on your Zone without having to scroll down.

Where do I put my ads?

You can place your own ads from Google Adsense or Amazon.com on your Zones by adding a block in Edit Mode. Easy-to-follow instructions accompany each block. How do you get them to pay off for you?

• Less is more. 

Any screen should not show more than two ads. Use the Page Down key to see each screen separately. Zones need more content than ads.

• Avoid "ad blocks."

Placing a row of ads across the screen or at the bottom of the page means less revenue. A reader looking for content will scroll right past the ads.

• Mix it up.

The ad blocks offer lots of combinations and choices. Try a mixture of images and text ads. Add titles to your text ad blocks to draw attention to them.

• Don't forget about Helium's ads.

Remember, Helium is bringing you Zones at no cost.