Contest Strategies...

I've learned not to bother. Last time I entered, I was the top scorer in the category for a whole week, then got knocked completely off the scoretable in the last hour or so. Buggered my writing stars up no end. Since then, I've stuck to just doing the odd article on there, but mostly publishing on AC anything original.

The best strategy I've found is to try to guarantee yourself at least a little income for your hard work. Keep in mind, this will only work for two week long contests. Step 1: Choose between 7 and 10 titles from your desired contest(s) Step 2: Write at least 400 words and write your absolute best (as always) within the first 3 days of the contest. Step 3: Submit to Associated Content immediately. By submitting within the first few days of the contest, this gives AC time to review the articles and make an offer. Step 4: Accept any offers, wait until the last day of the contest and submit all articles back to Helium. Step 5: With Helium's new writing bonus program, you will also earn between .50 and 2.50 for every article in certain categories. At the very least, whether you win or lose, you'll have at least 3.50 per article, possibly much more. This helps keep up your confidence, no matter how a contest turns out.

I only write on subjects I know and from experience I can tell you that other writers will try to copy you to tip your score, slam you in ratings because after awhile you recognise certain writers, and say you cheated by copying a source. I was kicking butt in a motorcycle contest when suddenly two of my articles got kicked out because they accused me of copying from a source. I have rode for more than 20 years but the guys didn't like get beat by a woman. I rite more on AC now and a few other sites. To date I have earned $120 at Helium and I personally don't care if I ever write there again cause I think they treat their writers pretty bad. I make my living at freelancing now so what does Helium.com know?

Writing a good article is simple. You just get th eknack of it and keep going. Get a simple course, learn it and follow it until you know enough to start innovating. How else can I say it ?

I don't know the secret to winning. I have only ever won second place in one contest. I think the more articles you write to titles in one contest, the more points you can get. I usually submit 4 titles, only to find that if 3 do well in the ratings, the fourth does not and it pulls down my score. If I ever see a contest with 6 or 7 titles that I can write to, I think I would have a better chance of gaining enough points to keep me in the top three. When I submit to contests I usually post my articles over the last few days before the closing date. Articles posted early do well and then sink, posted late also seem to sink, and then rise after the contest closes! If you submit early you can try to leapfrog low rating articles before the closing date.

Hello, Glad to see other writers out there! I write myself to sleep sometimes! I really bombed out in the marketplace lol. I tend to make more from articles that pretty much just came from my head. I earn the least on the ones I did a lot of research for, such as the legal articles I've written. Anyway, glad someone's making some money online! meow & ciao!

Thanks for posting this discussion. I often wonder myself about these things. I've gotten some money from contests (back when they would give you $5 to place). I've never been in the top 3, so I am not one to be offering advice at all. The problem with most of these contests is that there are a few people who know how to "work the system" (timing, copying others' material, pulling dirty tricks), and they aren't playing fair, so they end up winning a lot. I get unhappy and stressed when I encounter that type of behavior on Helium...or anywhere else on the web for that matter. So I have just learned to roll with the punches, write about what I am interested in, keep rating, and slowly but surely the money comes trickling in. Of course, the more articles you write and the longer you are on Helium, the better the results of this method. Good luck with your writing, both on Helium and elsewhere.

Well, I have won a few contests there, so I would have to say, the better your writing, the better your chances. Also, if you don't enter a minimum of six articles per contest, don't plan on taking home any of the cash. 6 to 10 articles will more than likely place you in the top three. Since Feb of "08 I have placed third-4 times, second-once, 1st-three times and sold 16 marketplace articles. Almost a thousand dollars there in less than a year. Helium has my vote. http://www.helium.com/users/389691