Help from Helium members please!!

Hello, Sue. I think I can help here. Under the new system, there is an upfront payment of between $2 and $15 in theory, but most upfronts are around $3 - $5. This payment goes to the top article, as decided by rating, editors and Helium staff. Up to 5 other writers will earn a transition credit. This varies, and is given in the 'assignment guidelines' for each article. The top article surrenders all rights to Helium, but will earn page views. The transition articles can still be posted elsewhere. Once the title closes on MP, anyone can write to it, but there are no upfronts or empty title bonuses. There has been some controversy this week, as top articles have been rejected due to Helium's decision that all articles must be written in 3rd POV only. Many 5 star writers have had articles rejected out of hand, and they have been very upset about it. Helium has listened to our concerns, and amended the assignment guidelines so articles written in 2nd or 3rd person POV are acceptable for consideration. Articles not rejected before this change will now be considered for acceptance. First person viewpoint is not accepted in MP, unless the title specifically calls for it. That's no bad thing, as it can look unprofessional in an informative article. People don't want to know how you did it - they want to know how everyone can do it, so 1st person is inappropriate. The bottom line is, earnings will probably take a hit for a week or two, until we get into the hang of the new guidelines. I was very concerned earlier in the week - particularly because volunteer editors were deciding who went forward for consideration. I'm hopeful that now those writers who did well on Helium before will continue to do so. Payments are credited within days of being accepted - we no longer have to wait for the 1st of the month to work out and receive our upfronts. Basically, the writing star system is obsolete with the new payment structure. The bad thing is, we can no longer predict our earnings, or write extra to make good a shortfall. Helium veterans have said each change means more money for the writers, after an initial 'bedding in' period. Let's hope they're right. Like many others, I've been looking at alternatives, and I have to say, Helium still seems the best bet at the moment, so I'd say hang on in there. Many of the MP titles are similar to what we've been used to, so I'm sure you'll find something. One improvement is that all channels are now eligible for upfront payments, so those who write to entertainment, for example, could see improved earnings. Sorry, I've gone on a bit, but it's a lot to get your head around.

OK. I have to ask. Apart from the obvious connotation with Carry On films and laughing, what is Helium?

This month any article submitted before the 6th will still qualify for the old upfront payments and empty title bonus. Any article submitted after that will not. And yes payment will go down you now only earn upfront fees for articles on the Market Place, so they are telling you the articles that they want and how to write them (in third person). One article earns the full amount posted and the others that are chosen earn a lower transition fee. I write a lot to the hobbys and games section now I will get a chance at $2 but most likely $1 writing to the titles they have on market place (which at the moment are far from great) as long as Helium accept them. You now also have to give them the copyright to your work meaning you cannot publish it elsewhere. You can still publish articles to any exsisting titles but there are no upfront payments for this. All articles will continue to earn from views (earnings this month). I hope this makes it a little more clearer for you, it has all been sudden and poorly explained by Helium.

I wish I knew what you were talking about Hun...whats Helium?...sorry for my ignorance...I hope you can get some clear answers soon.