Is Helium a Legit Paying Site?

@eihdra (3115)
Philippines
May 22, 2008 9:59am CST
I recently joined helium and I want to know if anybody here is already a long time member, who has already been paid. I kinda don't wanna waste sending my work if eventually they wont pay..So, if you're a member, please respond..thanks
4 people like this
16 responses
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
22 May 08
There was the reward-a-thon earlier in the year but you needed to have stars in order to be paid. 3 rating stars and at least 1 writing star and it was deteremined in value. I did that and got paid but for regular articles, I'm earning pennies here and there. Sometimes even your Helium may get purchased as it happened with 1 article. As far as Marketplace, I've not been successful there but then again it comes down to your interests. If you wish to be a major Hardcore writer and if you have great skills at promoting, it can turn into a major source of income. I believe it can.
1 person likes this
@tthom64 (535)
• United States
23 May 08
Babostwick, are you saying that one of the articles you just wrote and submitted to helium got picked up and purchased later? I was wondering about this because I have a few articles on there but didn't know if only the ones for marketplace get purchased or if publishers can purchase what's already there? May I ask how much they paid you?
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
23 May 08
thanks..hope you'll be approved for the marketplace next time..goodluck...
1 person likes this
• United States
24 May 08
Yeah it happened. It was $10. It was one of their partners that purchased it. In fact, I'll show you the one that got purchased. http://www.helium.com/items/993517-perhaps-darkest-video-gaming That's the one that got purchased. I guess it can happen at any time. You just never really know. I got an email notice saying it was purchased but I retain the rights as it's non-exclusive. I hope that answers the question.
1 person likes this
• United States
26 May 08
I haven't written in many weeks. I have written for both Helium and Associated Content and despite not writing for awhile, I have received performance payouts from AC almost every month. My articles continue to receive views, which I suppose is due to AC's bookmarking feature. Helium's rating concept has baffled me and it seems like the site is somewhat clique-ish, but I have read of many myLot members getting paid by Helium. It's certainly not a scam site, but I do prefer AC over Helium.
• United States
27 May 08
No, not really, but I do try (and promote my articles to get views...AC has a great bookmarking tool that allows you to link your article to Digg, Facebook, Squidoo, etc and that helps build up page views, especially if you have newsworthy articles!) Take care!
1 person likes this
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
27 May 08
you must be a very good writer then...thanks for the info..
1 person likes this
• Malaysia
30 May 08
Hi eihdra, thank you for coming with a nice topic. Actually I'd been so long to find the info about helium. i just want to know how it works and how much they will pay. Well, by reading your discussion all my questions been answered. Thanks again!
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
11 Jun 08
well, thanks for posting!!
• United States
4 Jun 08
I joined Helium awhile back and have already made $10. I am nowhere near payout though. It's just one of the many things that I do. I do lots of blogging and that pays well. Some people do blog reviews online and that pays good, if you can get a gig. I haven't tried that yet, but I hear that it works out for some. I do lots of MyLot too. And, that is paying good. So, overall, Helium is just one of the things that I do. I don't try to spend too much time on it. Best of luck. I'm sure you'll do well.
1 person likes this
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
11 Jun 08
wow! That's a lot already..thanks BQ
• United States
22 May 08
I recently joined Helium too. Everything I have read says it is a legitimate site. However, the ranking system frustrates me. First off, I feel like I spend more time ranking than writing. Also, I think it creates unnecessary competition. For the contests, you have to submit your work, and then, the sponsor makes a decision. If you are looking to write online, I would suggest triond or associated content over helium. Just my thoughts! Hannah
1 person likes this
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
23 May 08
I also joined AC..thanks for the suggestions, hannah..
1 person likes this
• United States
30 May 08
I have not had any luck with triond. I wrote an article and have had over 70 views to my article with 11 comments left and have only made .26 cents.
1 person likes this
• United States
3 Jun 08
I've been a member for a couple months but I haven't made enough money yet to get a payout. I've wriiten about 20 articles. I like the site and I know you have to write really good articles to earn the most mone. I think I have like .54 cent but I ain't worried about it. I feel like the more articles you write the more pennys you get. I think the most money I made off one artical is 18 cent. The more popular the artical title is the more views it'll get and the more money you'll make for your artical.
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
11 Jun 08
thanks for the info, bertman..
• United States
27 May 08
I haven't checked the site at all but was curious what your answers were to this question. Looks like it's decent. I might check them out!
1 person likes this
• France
23 May 08
I am a long time members and the site is legit and pays plenty of money to good quality articles. It really is a good site, and I earn on a regular basis, and you get from the site what you put in. The first few months until you are established are dire, but after that, it's all uphill !
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
24 May 08
That's great! At least I have something to look forward to when Im finally earning on a regular basis..thanks..
1 person likes this
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
23 May 08
Hi eihdra. I joined Helium on August 1st of last year. So, I'm not a longtime member, but I have been paid (not every month). I currently have over 100 articles, hopefully earning cents for me. It is definitely a legitimate writing website and there are writers there who earn in the hundreds monthly, or so they say. I have sold at least 10 or 15 articles there in Marketplace, plus earned extra during the Rewardathon. I just recently got more serious about my AC writing because I have heard they pay more than Helium. I guess I'm going to try to see if that's so. Good luck with your writing, eihdra. PearlGrace
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
24 May 08
wow!! thanks for the inspiration.. Goodluck with AC..
1 person likes this
• United States
28 May 08
I have been a member on Helium since October of 2007. I have been paid twice there. To earn money on Helium one needs to participate in contests, try to be the top article (or chosen article) in marketplace and keep at it. It also doesn't hurt to submit submit submit. IT takes time but it will add up. Hang in there. I am also a member on Associated Content and triond and ehow. All pay differently but all do pay. Check out my profile page for more links and ideas for earning money.
1 person likes this
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
29 May 08
thanks, will check your profile later so I can at least have some good ideas...
1 person likes this
• United States
11 Jun 08
You don't make a lot of money from your writing if you don't work the contests and the marketplace. However, if you work your way up to having writing stars and at least one rating star then you will make a monthly bonus till October 2008. This site does pay, over time I have made over 1800 with them (since August 2007). All of it was paid into my PayPal account.
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
19 Jun 08
thanks for the tip...
@anawar (2404)
• United States
26 May 08
I think you've got all the answers you need. I'll also kick in that you have to work hard if you want to write for helium. The majority of articles they want are serious topics requiring research. There are many highly skilled authors on that site. helium standards are not to write an article, but to write an article only if you think you can compete with the best article already written. I joined several months ago. After months of trying to fit into their writing requirements, I've eased up. I'm working too hard and not enjoying writing for them. I keep my membership and check in every week, rather than everyday. The rating, ranking and star system is frustrating. Every day in their forum, someone is speaking out, asking for an explanation. I think the site works for a specific kind of author. A number of my articles were in the top five last time I checked, but the pay out is minimal. I did go on and on, considering you had all the advice you needed! Sorry I got carried away, I didn't know all those words and feelings were inside me!
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
26 May 08
yeah I do have to work real hard..Good thing I started this discussion or else you'll never know you have those pent up inside...thanks for the info..
1 person likes this
22 May 08
First of all... good thumbnail. Helium have thousands of users which have been sincerely paid because of their precise and useful articles. You have to be a hardcore writer to get to select for some company which Helium marketplace provides you. It ain't no for money.......
1 person likes this
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
23 May 08
Thanks, got that from the new discussion choices,lol..Thanks for the response..
1 person likes this
@fluffysue (1482)
• United States
22 May 08
I am not a long-time member, I joined about 2 months ago. I had fun writing a couple of testimonials and "fluff" articles, but it is really aimed more towards serious writers. (Not saying that you aren't because I don't know you, or your writing, but I know I am not.) So I made about .08 on my 3 articles, but as I said, I am not a serious writer. They do have opportunities to get articles published on sites, and also some contests, which would pay better. If you are already a writer, it may be worth looking into. But if you just want something casual or easy, maybe not.
1 person likes this
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
23 May 08
well, thanks for the tip. I'd keep that in mind..
1 person likes this
@ArsonCuff (3114)
• United States
10 Jun 08
It was...now they have changed the rules about pay out and unless you keep rating things they won't pay you, have to earn a star. I went to the site and legitimately rated and rated and still no star so i don;t get all the money I have earned.
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
11 Jun 08
someone said that about the star thingy also..anyway, thanks..
@morgandrake (2136)
• United States
6 Jun 08
I recieved my first payout from them a couple of months ago. Earnings can be slow there. But they do definitely pay. One thing to remember there is that you need to authorize (request) payout; it is not automatically sent. Happy writing.
@eihdra (3115)
• Philippines
11 Jun 08
thanks for the info..