Thank you, Helium - and my MyLot friends!
@Sandra1952 (6047)
Spain
March 2, 2010 4:23am CST
I got my upfronts from Helium this morning. Together with the page views, I earned $50 for February. Now that may be small beer to many of you, but if I tell you I only earned about $150 in the last 2 years, you can see why I'm so delighted this morning.
As I didn't earn any stars and so didn't write for upfronts until the latter half of the month, I'm delighted with that, and I can see big improvements to come in my Helium earnings.
I feel like a proper writer now! When did you first realise that you may be able to earn a reasonable amount from your writing?
8 people like this
37 responses
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
2 Mar 10
Hi Sandra! I knew you could do it. I am glad to hear you made so much money! That's awesome. I was happy with my payout as well. I just need to rate some articles. I think I may lose that star if I'm not careful. I still have my three writing stars. My score keeps going up and down like a yo-yo, but at least I am getting money from them. LOL Congratulations.
2 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
5 Mar 10
So MommaJ, what are you working toward this month? I am trying to meet weekly goals; I tried to write it all out last Sunday, and so far I am about half way through...but I think I should be farther along. As usual, always running behind. I had a good month in Feb, but January was better for me. So, I clearly have work to do this month!
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
2 Mar 10
I'm not very good at getting my mind set to rate. In fact, I just rated five articles and I am glad I am done with that. LOL A lot of the articles are too close to judge and then others that are compared have such a twist on the same subject I don't know which one to rate as better. I like them both! I am trying to write, but so far today I have not had much luck. I am going to try to not only keep my rating stars but to get five. Maybe this month. It's a new month!
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Mommaj. I find that if I rate for 10 minutes a day, it maintains my 5 rating stars. At the moment, I'm going to town on empty titles and under 5s, so I just rate 5 pairs of articles after each submission. Actually, if you aim for 10 minutes rating a day now, you'll probably have 5 rating stars by the end of March, so you'll get the $3 rating bonus as well.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
2 Mar 10
That's fantastic Sandra. I have never fathomed out how Helium works. Don't you have to write something from a list of suggested topics (for example holidaying in Helmand Province) and then submit it to the admins to see if the piece is good enough etc etc. I am a member, but so far the only thing that I have written is my name on the application form thingy.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Pikey. Like holidaying in Hemand - I always tell my best friend when she makes noises about coming to see us that we've sold our apartment and we're just about to complete on a duplex in Helmand Province, so we're both on the same weird wavelength, it seems.
Writing on Helium is published immediately, but you also have to rate articles, as unless you have at least one rating star, you cannot earn for page views. It takes a day of serious rating or a few days of 10 minutes a day to get the first star, and then the others follow fairly quickly, as long as you rate a little each day.
Once you start to get writing stars, you can write for upfront payments as well, which is how I did so well last month. It's definitely worth fathoming out. I'd say go back and read the help pages, and also look at other discussions under the Helium interest here.
By my reckoning, I've already earned $20 towards the March payout, so I think Helium could be a good source of income for you, and there are several MyLot members over there to show you the ropes and help you get started.
1 person likes this
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
2 Mar 10
My problem is that I want to write what I want to write Sandra. I did have a look at the UK page. It was all about Manchester! I did once work there for three weeks 30 years ago. But haven't really been since. I suppose that it makes a change from London but it does seem very limited if everyone in the UK can only write about one city! There isn't even a link for Afghanistan!!
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Pikey. You obviously didn't look in the right places. In the Travel channel, there are pages of article titles for the UK. At the moment, I'm writing to empty titles under camping, and again, there are lots of titles for UK writers. Then there's the writing channel, and relationships and family and health and fitness, where a lot of the stuff is appropriate to anyone, wherever they live.
If you want to write to your own titles, Bukisa and Triond are better options, but the pay isn't as good as Helium. As I said, give me a shout if you decide to give it a go.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Dawn, and thanks for that. You're a proper writer now - I love to read your posts.
2 people like this
@UmiNoor (4522)
• Malaysia
3 Mar 10
Hello Sandra,
That is really good to hear. I wish I can earn as much a month. I'm still very new at Helium and with online writing.
I feel quite overwhelmed at Helium actually as I'm always afraid of losing my stars so I'm a little wary about submitting my articles to competitive titles as that might cause my writing score to plunge. I've only got one precious writing star, you see.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
3 Mar 10
Hello, UmiNoor. One star is only the start - I'm sure you'll soon get more. It takes a while to get the hang of things on Helium, but once you do, it's possible to earn well, as other people have said. Have you put a link to your Helium page on your profile page? It helps with page views, and it means other MyLot members can find you over there.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
11 Mar 10
UmiNoor you are doing just fine at Helium. Just keep adding articles and you will not have to worry about your stars. You only need for 25% of your articles to be competitive so you can write a lot of articles for empty titles and get bonuses.
How did you make the Helium banner for your profile?
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
2 Mar 10
I am not with Helium myself but am aware of what it's all about.
Well done Sandra! I think $50 is brilliant, actually, I really do. Keep up the good work, I'm sure you will.
Don't get addicted (yeh, right) lol.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
3 Mar 10
Hello, Janey, and thanks. Too late for the warning about addicted - I've been addicted to writing for years - just never got paid very much for it until now.
1 person likes this
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
3 Mar 10
Well good for you! It can only increase your confidence to write even more.
1 person likes this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
2 Mar 10
LOL I wish.
Well done on your writing.
My own earnings are much more meager.
I do write on another site and that is fairly regular earnings but quite small tricklings.
I have tried Helium but it feels too regional for me. I find I cant really get into it.
2 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
3 Mar 10
PandaEyes: I think that Helium is like MyLot. When I first came on here, I couldn't figure out this site. The questions seemed so boring to me. It took me awhile to realize that by following groups with topics I am interested in, I could really enjoy this place.
Helium is the same. You need to find the right channel for the topics you like to write about. Once you do that, you will enjoy the site more. I love to write about travel, and that (along with art and books) are what I write about most. No matter what topic you like, Helium is likely to fill that interest. Try searching by what you like, then write to that topic.
Good luck!
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Pandaeyes. You need to know where to look. There's some good stuff in the health and fitness channels, and relationships and family. And there's a whole section on the UK under travel. I'm just doing some camping articles, and there's a new section about camping in the UK.
There are several of us from MyLot writing on Helium, and we're all doing quite well, as we help each other out over there. Actually, the others have done better than me, but I'm happy, and I know now that it's worth putting the time in. If you decide to try again, I'm Sandra Piddock on Helium - give me a shout. Or go across to my profle. There's a link to my Helium page, and you'll see that I find plenty to write about.
2 people like this
@pandaeyes (2065)
•
3 Mar 10
Thank you for the encouragement.
I will take another look at it sometime.
At the moment it looks like I might be getting some freelance work in another direction, more akin to my original work with photographs so I am keeping the time free until I know for sure.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
2 Mar 10
Congratulations Sandra! Anybody would be thrilled to receive that amount as it a recognition of a job well done. You have what it takes to be a good writer from what I gather from all your posts here. My writing is still at the kinder level and I won't dare to try my hands on some serious writing sites. But when I tried to do reviews in one music site I am compensated quite well.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello Zandi, and thank you. Don't play yourself down - you write some great posts, and if you've earned from your music reviews, other people appreciate your writing as well. I'm full of enthusiasm for my writing at the moment, and knowing I can earn a respectable sum for doing something I love is wonderful.
2 people like this
@zed_k4 (17589)
• Singapore
2 Mar 10
Congratulations, I think you and Thea will go far and gain more in Helium. It's awesome to be getting $50 just for the month of February, it's definitely an achievement in terms of online earnings. Hope that you will achieve more in time to come. Keep on writing..
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Zed, and thanks for that. I think we've found our niche in Helium, and it's great to be paid for doing what we enjoy. Keep on writing? I'll write until I die - it's something I just have to do.
1 person likes this
@dorothy09 (1520)
• Philippines
2 Mar 10
hi there sandra, congrats how I wish I could also earn that amount..
I am still learning on how to write well, as much as I wanted to write
but want to make sure, I have a perfect grammar and Now I am reviewing..
I have wrote and reviewed but I am not still satisfied. Now I am learning..
anyhow, I thank mylot because I earn and I have lot of friends here..
Happy mylotting and have a nice day
@dorothy09 (1520)
• Philippines
3 Mar 10
hi sandra, thanks for the information, I will check helium in a while.
the challenging part in writing is what to write, if that the case of Helium.
I would definitely love it..
thanks again and happy mylotting.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Dorothy. It's taken me a while to get there, but I'm really enjoying it now. Helium is easy to write for, as they give you titles to write to, and you can request a mentor to help you improve your writing. They pay up on time as well, which is nice.
1 person likes this
@sikat101 (149)
• Philippines
2 Mar 10
Congratulations! I have been trying to get back to writing. I have earning $50 with Helium when someone bought my marketplace article and I was a starred writer so I earn upfront payments, too. It was a great feeling that somebody liked what I wrote. Too bad, I haven't been writing much lately and my stars disappear. I will gain the stars back this month. Good luck to us!
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
3 Mar 10
Hello, Sikat, and welcome to MyLot. Nice to know I've inspired you to go back and have another try at Helium. $50 for a marketplace article is great. That's my next goal - and I'd like to get a place in a writing contest as well.
1 person likes this
@sblossom (2168)
•
2 Mar 10
I'm glad that you got your upfronts this morning. last month i submitted one article for which i suggested the title. however i didn't get my empty bonus and upfront for it. I don't know why. I was thinking to wait for a couple days. however after reading your post I decided to send them an email to ask.
I joined helium last september and so far I made above $100 for 45 articles. I feel glad too and wish I can work hard to get more.
happy mylotting and helium writing.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Sblossom. That's good going, and of course, your articles will continue to earn pae views. From what I've learned from other Helium writers, the bigger your portfolio, the more you earn from page views. I have nearly 300 articles there, and my page view earnings for February were over $20, so I guess they're right.
1 person likes this
@greatsasuke (472)
• United States
2 Mar 10
I write for other companies but have never tried Helium. I received upfront payments and performance payments from the get go I guess. I never knew Helium gave upfront payments. Can you tell me what is the average upfront payment they give out and on average what are their performance payments like? I might be interested in joining up.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Greatsasuke. Helium only started doing this last year. It depends on your writing stars, but for the first 5 articles in a title, you receive from 50 cents for one star to $2.50 for 5 stars, plus an empty title bonus of $1 if you write the first article to a title. Performance payments vary, because some topics get more page views than others. Travel, personal finance, internet and health and fitness all seem to do well.
1 person likes this
@sunnycool (12714)
• India
2 Mar 10
Congrats Sandra on your payment---good to hear that you earned $50 for the previous month.you seem to be a good writer sandra----dont you think $150 in last two years is too less for your work and efforts you put in to write articles.I'm no writer to suggest you but i have seen people making more that $200 from sites like squidoo and some others site---i do not have any idea as how they promote their articles though.
great day.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Sunny. It's entirely my own fault I did not earn more at Helium before. On Helium, as on here, reputation affects your earning power. I just did the odd article here and there, with no real plan of campaign. Thea joined Helium last month, and she very quickly got me organised and upping my writing score. Now it's all system's go, so next month's earnings will be even better.
1 person likes this
@sunnycool (12714)
• India
2 Mar 10
I havent seen her offlate so she is busy with writing articles---good to know that she is helping you out---hope you manage to earn all the money you missed out in the last two years
1 person likes this
@Gany15k (1673)
• India
2 Mar 10
Congrats to you.Really great.I have never seen 50$.I love to write articles but I don't know how to promote it.I also wrote a article in Review stream but they gave 10 cents.I took nearly 1 hr for writing.Then I got fed up with that.So I stopped writing.How about helium is that same like other review sites or good ? I just wonder how you made 50$.Hats off to you.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Gany. Helium is more of an article directory than a review site, although they do have product reviews among the other articles. Some of the money came from page views from articles that have been on Helium for a while, but most of it came from upfront payments for being one of the first to write to new titles. It's a bit complicated to work out how Helium operates, but it's definitely worth it.
1 person likes this
@nishdan01 (3051)
• Singapore
2 Mar 10
Good for you and congrats!Keep writing and keep earning more. Helium is a good place to be.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
It certainly is, and there are a lot of MyLot members writing on Helium as well. My friends - in particular one friend - have got me organised in the past few weeks, so I've come to regard Helium as an earning opportunity as opposed to just a site I write on occasionally.
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
2 Mar 10
back in the day when internet writing was still in its infancy, i was making $10- for 500 words for writing blogs on a variety of non fiction topics. it was good money and unfortunately, the company that was doing this stopped publishing the blogs, but i did write for quite a while for them.
2 people like this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Cher. That's good money, but obviously unsustainable for the company. I think once you build up a decent portfolio on Helium, and get the ratings to earn writing stars, you can make some good money. I shall certainly be spending more time over there.
1 person likes this
@jakill (835)
•
4 Mar 10
That is awesome. I checked out your portfolio at Helium and see you have submitted lots of great articles there and a good few stars. Well done indeed.
Personally, I'm a bit choked that I lost a star just before the end of the month and my upfronts were reduced by half. This seems to happen often and I can't stop my mind from questioning it. But I suppose I don't submit often enough to get a good portfolio.
1 person likes this
@jakill (835)
•
28 Mar 10
I write about all kinds of things. Most of my Helium articles are those which I have already sold at Constant Content for non-exclusive rights. Once that happens I look for a relevant Helium title and adapt them for it. The top three in my Helium portfolio are 'Places Worth Seeing in Barcelona', 'Small Business Success Tips' and 'Self Motivation. The Way it Works'. How about you?
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
4 Mar 10
Hello, Jakill. Thanks for that. The tip I've received is that after 24th of the month, which is cut off day for upfronts, leapfrog any lowranking articles, and only write to non competitive titles (less than 3 articles). Apparently it works, so may be worth keeping that in mind.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
9 Mar 10
Congratulations Sandra! I really pushed this past month to get better upfronts and empty title bonuses and I did quite well (but I have 4 stars). Once teh page view income was added it was over $50 so I know exactly how you feel. It's an accomplishment as well as the extra pocket money!
Do you have any hobbies? If you can sew, knit or crochet you can earn more at helium. I can help you with your helium stars also. The trick to the stars is having the right amount of competitive articles in the right channels.
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
11 Mar 10
You could definitely still write about them and there is a crochet contest in progress right now! There are often titles that are simply addressing where to find free patterns. Sewing titles, crochet and knitting titles are a good choice. I have one article on making a purse that earns almost $2 consistently each month.
My education articles earn pretty well and articles on gift giving and seasonal topics even earn a bit in their off seasons. I have been trying to spread my writing around but I can tell you that Hobbies and Games is in the top 5 for total page views.
Unfortunately I only have direct access to stats for my own channel, but my suggestion is that you spread it around and talk to other writers about what has earned well for them. Even ten articles that consistently earn $0.10 per month can make a difference and when you can turn that into 100 articles it all adds up.
1 person likes this
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
13 Mar 10
Thanks for that, Canellita. I've just done some empties to Dogs, and they started to earn right away. I'll certainly look at the handicrafts titles. Surprisingly, my best earning article has never risen above 3 of 3, yet it earns more every month than anything else. That's in travel, and I do find they earn well.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
9 Mar 10
Hello, Canellita. Thanks, and well done to you, too. I don't do any handicrafts now, as my wrists and hands are quite badly affected with arthritis. I used to do a lot of knitting and crochet, but now I find that after a few minutes, my fingers go completely numb. About all I can manage now is a little bit of mending, but I suppose I could still write about them.
I would like to get my stars up to at least 4, as I would feel less vulnerable then. If you could give me a few pointers as to which channels to write to, I'd be grateful.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
2 Mar 10
Hello, Adhyz. Yes, Helium is definitely worth persevering with.
1 person likes this
@louisefrank (356)
•
3 Mar 10
I've been a member of Helium for quite some time but after a flurry when I first started, I let it lapse. But recently I have started writing again and my money is slowly building up. I think one the secrets is quantity (with some quality, of course) and as I work full time, I don't get very many hours in a week to write articles. Well done to you!
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
28 Mar 10
I have 158 articles and 4 writing stars. My writing score fluctuates in the low to mid 80s because people are always adding articles and it used to drive me crazy but the affect is only temporary.
I will take a look at your stuff Louise and see if I can make any suggestions.
@Sandra1952 (6047)
• Spain
3 Mar 10
Hello, Louise. Yes, the earnings build up with your articles. From what I've gathered, 300 is the magic figure for articles, then 500. When you get to 300, the percentage you need to keep your writing stars drops, so it's easier to hang onto them. By 500, most writers have 4 or 5 stars, so they're more likely to keep them.
What's your Helium name? If you don't want to disclose it here, my profile page links to my Helium page, so you can contact me that way. There are lots om MyLot members on Helium, and we're very supportive of each other. It's nice not to feel alone over there.
@louisefrank (356)
•
4 Mar 10
My Helium name is the same as here - Louise Frank. I'm way off the magic 300, about one-tenth of that as far as I remember. I have one writing star and have managed to keep that. I have four or five "leapfrog" credits too, so I keep a close eye on my percentage and intend to use them when I need them. There seems to be so much to take in on Helium - about what you do and don't get paid for, what channels aren't worth bothering with, writing to empty channels, what are the best strategies to add to your income. I'll have a look at what you've written too. Thank you for your support.