Writing for Helim Marketplace

I don't like the idea either and up until now it has been part of my hesitation for not submitting articles as well as the money amounts they offer. I don't like the idea of taking all that time with a "real" article only to have it be competitive.

I'm kind of under the impression that the only way for people to read your marketplace article was when they were rating it. There's this button "Praise and feedback for the writer" under the Rating box and I assume that's what they used. Helium does need to have some way to sieve out the horrible marketplace submissions, and I suspect it would be a huge drain on manpower for Helium if they were to vet all the submissions, so I don't think it's likely that Helium will do away with the "marketplace article being seen while being rated part"

I still think even if people rate them they could go back and write their article for the marketplace article. I think they could get their ideas from the rating articles they have read. I'm not sure how that could be considered unique except they reword the article.

Well at least there is some hope in that the publisher is making the choice based on their own criteria and not the way the rating goes. Sometimes the rating system completely frustrates me! It seems the best writers, those who are more established and have the most experience only rate articles late in the month which is not helpful if you enter a contest or are trying to move up to an additional writing star. It's good to know the marketplace is somewhat independent of all that. I guess it's also good that even when articles are not chosen by a publisher they still have a chance to earn something in page view income.

There is still a chance to sell your article even after it has transitioned. Sometimes publishers go through the articles and when they find something they like, they purchase it as "stock" content. It is not nearly as much as if the publisher originally bought it but it is always a surprise when it happens. You still own the copyrights on it. I have had one that was sold as "stock content." It made me $5 from Helium, which allowed me to cash out for that particular month.

I guess I just have to regain my momentum for helium. I decided to give the contests another try but then my computer problems interfered and my writing score started to drop. Not being abel to post and rate regularly put the nail in the coffin of my third writing star. My score is ridiculously low and up until now I have been unmotivated to write anything. It would be nice to have some content picked up for stock though I am not sure I am posting to any of the categories where I would be likely to have something chosen.

No, I have not submitted anything but I was curious. I really hate the whole rating system because I don't think enough of the right people participate. Participating in contests really messes up your writing score and if you have any kind of computer set back it can start dropping significantly from less activity as well.

Yes, ankle is better, cast off and getting around a lot better but I am still having a lot of pain with it now since the cold weather is coming. Unfortunately I was told it would be up to two years before it was completely healed!! If I had known that I wouldn't have broken it in the first place!! LOL

You are so funny! At least you can laugh about it! Maybe what you need is a pair of legwarmers?

Hi! Thanks for participating. How is your ankle? Are you getting around better now?

Hi Canellita, Janice Brand ever said that if you want to write to a marketplace title, but then the publisher restricted the participation from general public, you can submit a new title for it through "suggest title". In this case, you will write as Helium writer, and earn empty title bonus. I think it's a good idea. Some publishers are very specific about certain keywords, and you can write articles with those keywords too.

Hi scheng! Long time to type to. I am glad to know that the rating has no bearing on the publisher's decision. Sometimes when I have seen marketplace titles with special requirements for the writer's credentials I have considered contributing anyway but I feel it is time I could be using for something that I know is more of a sure thing. I may check the marketplace to see what new titles have been posted though.

That is a great idea! I may start doing that with the education titles in the contests!

"speed rate"! My goodness, how to speed rate? The only time I can speed rate is when one article is so bad that I can't even understand the first sentence! I think you have to suggest more titles and write to empty titles. At the same time, rate more articles to improve your rating score. And use the same rating criteria for consistency. It's sad to see that you can't write to marketplace anymore.

Hi Karen! How many marketplace articles have you submitted? Have most of them been selected? Did you feel like the pay was worth the work that you put in? I have passed on some marketplace titles because I felt they were not offering enough for the amount of work I would have had to do to get the article out. Deadlines are a little difficult for me these days as well.

Hi Canellita. I've sold six marketplace ariticles, $10 was the least I received, and $48 the most of those six. I followed the publisher's guidelines carefully and even won a prize along with payment for a real estate article I sold. The upfront payments cannot be beat, and so far, since I choose those subjects of which I'm already knowledgeable, I've never had to put more than 20 or 30 minutes into writing one. So absolutely, it was the best earning place for me. But...recently, Helium has changed the marketplace drastically, and they only allow premeir writers to participate in all but the game review articles. I never have kept a rating star long, and since I've sold over half of the marketplace articles I've submitted, it truly makes me question the validty of the rating system. I know the writing of a "pro" when I see it, and I also know full well when some of my articles meet that criteria, and yet are ranked far lower than amateur ones rated better. I've also heard of some who "speed rate." You cannot do justice using that method. And...I know I've seen too many articles that are not well enough written to be considered anywhere near professional. Again, it makes me doubt the validity of many who participate in the rating system. Since I am also an editor...it just doesn't all add up!! Karen

Very good suggestion! That's not to say there won't still be unethical people, but hopefully it would weed out a lot of the non-readers or those who just read the first paragraph and rate on that. Have you written any Marketplace articles for Helium?

I think the rating system needs to be revamped. I think that 4 and 5 star writers should be the ones to decide which articles are "more valuable." The rating system should be based on spelling, grammar, punctuation, content and so forth and not on if someone likes an article.

Canellita, I could not agree more that the rating system needs a far higher criteria met. As for marketplace articles, those should be rated by "professional" writers or editors, only. I've never been able to figure out how it is that I can sell to the marketplace numerous times, and yet NOT maintain even a single writing star. That makes absolutely no sense.