It’s been almost a year since I started the write-from-home.com website. Since then, I’ve had a hundred or so folks write to me and ask whether or not I feel Helium.com is a worthwhile venture for writers. Most of the emails I get go like this:
I saw you have a profile on Helium and have posted some articles. Have you made any money? How much? Do you recommend it as a good way to make money, or is it a waste of time?
I’ve answered these emails privately. I’d like to now address the issue publicly.
I joined Helium purely as a personal experiment. At the time I joined, they advertised that they paid per page view, but they didn’t disclose how much they paid. I figured, I’ll post a few articles (ones I’d already written, so it wouldn’t be too much of a waste of my time) and see what exactly they do pay.
I posted less than 20 articles, most related to writing. I never promoted the articles or encouraged anyone to read my articles. The best I’ve been able to figure out, my articles earned 1 or 2 cents per page view. I’ve thus far been paid just over $50.
Was this worth the minimal effort I put into it? Probably not. Do I feel it’s a worthwhile venture I’d recommend to fellow writers? Absolutely not.
Not many months ago, Helium started something new. They now have a separate section where publishers (people who need articles written) can post their needs and post a price they’re willing to pay for the article. Helium writers can now write and submit their articles on these topics, and the publisher choses the one(s) he/she wants and pays for them. The other articles don’t receive any payment other than for the previously mentioned page view clicks. At least, this is my understanding.
Do I feel this new offer is a worthwhile endeavor for writers? No.
In general, I don’t even recommend freelance writers work on spec, let alone publicly post articles for which they have a really good chance of not being selected for payment. Everyone can see the posted articles, not just the requesting publisher. And (last I checked), Helium doesn’t allow writers to delete their articles from the site. This means that once an article is posted for consideration for these publishers, the article remains on Helium. Sure, you could try to sell the article as a reprint to someone else, but I can’t see very many editors jumping at the chance to purchase an article previously published by Helium.
I’m not saying that no one makes good money writing for Helium, or that writers shouldn’t do it. I’m only saying that there are no guarantees that you’ll make any real money writing for Helium, and that for a new writer looking to break into freelancing, there are probably better ways to spend your time.
What’s sparked me to write this post?
Lately I’ve been getting more and more of these “is Helium worthwhile” emails. I attribute this to the fact that Helium has started posting their publishers’ call for articles on Craigslist. For example, on Chicago’s Cragislist, I came across an ad in the gigs section titled Cycling Articles Needed. The ad goes like this:
Helium connects you with publishers that are paying for quality content. Join our publishing community for free and start earning.
Right now, Helium’s Marketplace needs cycling advice and stories. For each article selected, you can earn $15 - $40.
5 titles need articles, 500-600 words, by Tuesday, November 6th and
10 titles need articles, 500-600 words, by Wednesday, November 7th.Cycling titles that need content now are:
• Best bikes on the market
• Road trips
• Stretching tips
• Cyclists’ toolbox
• Zen cycling
• Biking workout routine
• Best rides out thereAnd many more…
Write Now: [link]
These ads are popping up all over Craigslist in various cities. Now, to me, this is unethical. I understand their need to advertise, and I understand that they blend right in because Craigslist is full of scams, non-paying offers and people unethically promoting affiliate programs. But this isn’t a gig. I define a gig as: someone hires a writer, writer does the work and writer gets paid. Not: publisher needs an article, dozens of writers submit articles and only the chosen one (or few) get paid. Maybe Helium qualifies as being a paying market (albeit an extremely low-paying one), but it doesn’t classify as a gig.
My advice to anyone who wants to make a real living as a freelance writer is to query some real markets, or seek out true freelance writing jobs. You can find a free list of paying markets at write-from-home.com. You can find a free daily list of freelance writing jobs at Telecommuting Writing Jobs.
P.S. If you’re a Digger, please click here to Digg this.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Very interesting, Amy. I’m so glad you decided to spill your heart on this topic and share your wise views. (Thanks bunches!)
I’m also glad I followed my “gut instinct” and decided not to try Helium. Instead, I’ve spent my time (like you suggested) querying and submitting to worthwhile markets (like write-from-home.com!)
Smiles,
Michele
P.S.
Almost forgot! I tagged Jenna for your “If I had an extra hour” meme. Here’s the link to hers.
http://jennaglatzer.blogspot.
com/2007/11/extra-hour-to-write.
html
She linked back to you since you started it. Thought you’d enjoy knowing :0)
Smiles,
Michele
Thanks Michele.
Yes, I do think your time is best spent on “real” markets.
Thanks for letting me know Jenna participated in the meme. I just read her response and really enjoyed it. She’s a great writer, and I’d respect her just for that, but she also seems to be a really great person.
I agree with you about Helium posting on Craigslist, and I will be sure to Dig this post just as soon as I leave my comment.
If you don’t mind, I’d like to mention that I too publish a free e-zine for writers (www.coffeebreakforwriters.com), and my e-zine lists paying markets that writers are more than welcome to check out. New issues are made available on the website on the 7th of every month, and back issues can also be found by clicking on “Back Issues” from the navigation menu at the top. Each issue lists markets that pay no less than $.10 per word or $25 flat fee. Just wanted to give writers another list of markets to check out as alternatives, but if you do not wish this to be placed here, then I apologize and you’re more than welcome to remove it.
Hi Misti,
Thanks for stopping by. I will do a separate post here about your ezine to make sure people see it. Quite a few people stop by who don’t always read the comments.
Thank you, Amy. I appreciate that very much! To return the favor, I will mention Write From Home on my blog as well. I read it often and do find it helpful, so I don’t mind returning the favor.
Thanks, Misti. That’s so nice of you! I will have to check out your blog also.
Amy,
I joined Helium at the very end of 2006, I have about 48 or 49 articles/poems posted to the site, and I’ve yet to receive any money, due to the $25 minimum required for payout. (I’m getting close, but it will probably be a few more months before I get there.)
This means it will likely have taken me a year or more to earn $25 in revenue share monies at Helium–which is definitely not a good return!
I have recommended Helium on my blog and elsewhere in the past; but, at this point, I would probably qualify that a bit by saying that only those who write as a hobby or simply to gain experience and aren’t really trying to make any real money from their endeavors should consider this site.
The one feature that is nice is the comparative rating system, which shows how your work ranks in comparison to other articles posted to the same “title.” This is a good way for newer writers in particular to see how their writing compares to that of others. (And I have to admit that even I enjoy seeing my article or poem ranked #1 or #2–or any other good ranking–against a whole slew of other pieces.)
But, as you say, Helium is really the one that benefits from all this, because they get to keep your work on their site indefinitely–whether or not you earn any money for it. (You’re right that they don’t allow you to delete it–though there is a chance that if you write and ask them to do so, they might. It’s worth a try if you no longer want your work posted to the site.)
Thanks for a great post!
Jeanne
Jeanne,
Thanks so much for sharing your own Helium experience.
I’ve found that the ratings system doesn’t really mean much.
I agree with you that it might be a worthwhile venture for those who write only as a hobby or just for fun. If they marketed themselves as catering to that market, I wouldn’t have a problem with them at all. But they’re targeting freelancers, people who want to make a living writing. To me, that’s a bit devious.
Anyhow, I really appreciate your input on this, so thanks again.
Helium sucks. So many of these things are being put up by amateurs at buying creative services. That is my kindest take on them. Another view might be cynical exploiters. We writers need paying contracts–not contests we can enter at our own risk, on spec. That is ridiculous. Why do we put up with it–some of us? For this and other reasons, Nancy McKeithen and I have started a writer’s satire and appreciation site, Writer’s Catablog. Come visit and meet our mascot Scribbles, the Writer’s Friend.
Sometimes only friend.
http://www.writerscatablog.com
Star Lawrence
Star,
Thanks for stopping by and adding your input. I’m looking forward to stopping by your new blog.
Ha. Ok, it’s not a blog. But it’s very funny. I love the dickshunairy.
Please do comment and discuss.
We love a good conversation!
Please use a name when commenting. Does not have to be your real name or full name. But responding to folks calling themselves "Make Money Writing Online" and such kinda sucks. Calling yourself keywords will likely get you thrown into my spam filter.