I am so happy!
By Canellita
@Canellita (12029)
United States
July 2, 2009 7:32am CST
Guess what everyone? I just checked my stats at helium and I almost missed it because I was looking at the writing score and competitive titles percentage and I had even closed the page until I realized there was something different and went back and sure enough, there it was!
I got my third writing star today! I am so happy about this. I have submitted (I think) three articles to empty titles so far and it is nice to know my upfronts have increased significantly, even though I am still trying to figure out what the upfronts are for since the empty title bonus is something separate.
It took a month to be able to start earning and two months of dedicated work to qualify for payout at helium. This is a really big deal for me because in that first month it didn't seem as though I would reach this juncture.
To everyone struggling at helium I say keep at it. If you put in the effort it does pay off, though you have to monitor the performance of your articles and write more articles on the topics that are earning you money, not just the ones you are interested in.
4 people like this
6 responses
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
3 Jul 09
haha Canellita, congra on your three writing stars.
When you get all the five writing stars, we have to ask Helium to add a few more writing stars. Do you think 20 writing stars are enough for you? You may have to write thirty thousands articles to get the 20 writing stars oh!
I wonder how those writers with 5 writing and rating stars stay motivated. Wonder how those Clout 10 writers in AC stay motivated. Some of them are eagerly waiting for AC to increase the Clout level.
3 people like this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
3 Jul 09
Hi Canellita, I would prefer the title to remain uncompetitive. Once the title becomes competitive, that means my writing score will drop, and I have to leapfrog the articles.
Guess what, there are some writers in Helium who wrote to an empty titles, not realizing that the empty titles are actually created for the Title Splitting campaign. When they wrote to the title, it was 1/1, after the other articles were shifted to the title, and placed in front, the article became the last.
Leapfrogging is necessary. Actually I think it's a waste of time. Hope Helium can close a title after ten articles or eight articles. In that case, Helium does not need to keep on shifting articles.
3 people like this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Oooh! I bet those writers are quite unhappy about this! I only have one article on the business channel and I doubt anything will happen with it anytime soon.
I think at some point the articles have to become competitve just because we have to keep that 10% competitive and the more we post to empty titles the more the competitive percentage changes.
I generally have my competitive articles under titles where I don't care if I am ranked as first like recipes. That is my current strategy at least.
3 people like this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I can tell you how I am going to stay motivated, lol! M-O-N-E-Y!
The more articles I post to empty titles the better my writing score! Trennasue suggested that we get together as a group and start working at making some of those 1 of 1 articles competitive by adding articles until there are 5 for a title. Since everyone would get the upfront payments it would be a win-win!
This evening I wrote to an education title she had done an article on about passive discipline. It was actually a good thing for me to do since it reminded me of some things and made me realize I had been using passive discipline more and more lately and it has been quite effective.
3 people like this
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
2 Jul 09
Congratulations again! I do wish I was more creative in writing, because if I was I would love to contribute to sites like those. I'm glad your contributing and earning more. A higher star means more money, does it not? Or am I thinking of another site? Or have I just lost my mind? Lol! Well Congratulations None the Less. Seems like you'll have no trouble at all paying for things whilst being unemployed.
2 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
3 Jul 09
SomeCowgirl, you should definitely give Helium a try. Although they have a creative writing section, most of the articles that appear are nonfiction titles. You can write about anything from book reviews to articles on raising children to business advice to hobbies. I love to write about art and travel.
Helium provides the titles, and you write the 400 word article. You can submit your own title suggestions if you can't find one for the topic you want to write about.
Good luck. From your responses here on Helium, you seem like you'd be a good writer!
@SomeCowgirl (32191)
• United States
3 Jul 09
That sounds like a very interesting site to be on. I wouldn't mind looking through and rating articles, half of my inspiration is from other things, so I'd have to be more creative and individual. I don't know that I'll join. It sounds so tempting though!
2 people like this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
4 Jul 09
You may have to join in order to rate articles but anytime you want to read for inspiration my articles are just sitting around waiting for page views, lol.
2 people like this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
3 Jul 09
Sounds like a great day for you on Helium. Your luck has been running pretty well over there lately. Keep up the great work! Today was a good one for me as well!
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I didn't even know about the $3 bonus for rating. I would have been working on that a long time ago. I pretty consistently have 4 stars for rating. I just need to work a little harder on that aspect for next month.
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
3 Jul 09
My goodness, Art, you write for Helium for such a long time, and doesn't even know about the rating bonus!!!
In my first month at Helium, I did not write much, just four articles in competitive titles to get my writing star, and a few articles in creative writings, but I know about the rating bonus.
I was able to read, and learned the writing style of different writers, and to learn why they are so good. It helped me to improve my writing skills, and the rating bonus is very welcome into my pocket2 people like this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I have been paying attention to my writing score and trying to rate more consistently. I didn't think I would get the rating bonus this time around but somehow I made it.
It's just great to have the opportunity to write and instantly publish. I have a lot to say and posting to helium has been great in helping me get my thoughts organized.
1 person likes this
@mrtimharry (1180)
•
2 Jul 09
Congratulations on your third star.
It just goes to who to everyone that hard work and perseverence does bring its rewards.
2 people like this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
3 Jul 09
It certainly does! Have a great weekend!
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
3 Jul 09
I am not sure what you mean by co-up. Could you please explain?
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
7 Jul 09
You could use a service that checks your writing or you could get another writer to help you. Helium has a mentor program and there are books as well.
@greeneyedlady (1439)
• Netherlands
9 Jul 09
Congratulations again to you Canellita! You are really a great spokesperson for Helium! You seem to be doing great in a short span of time and it is great to hear a success story instead of all of the scam stories you are always hearing about! 
What is your name on Helium? I would like to read some of your articles! 
What is your name on Helium? I would like to read some of your articles! @Canellita (12029)
• United States
10 Jul 09
I am really excited about the potential of this whole passive income thing with helium. If I can use the time off from school to get to 4 or 5 writing stars it will just be a question of maintenance afterward -- and there's the money!
1 person likes this
@greeneyedlady (1439)
• Netherlands
11 Jul 09
You really have thought this out very well Canellita, I love it when someone actually takes the time to sit down and think about what they are going to do so that they can come up with a viable plan. More often than not those are the plans that really work!
Even though you are off these next few weeks and it will be a struggle money wise, it may be a very positive thing and just what you need to get you where you eventually want to be!!
I hope so and good luck with your plan! 
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
14 Jul 09
The plan is starting to pay off. So far today I have earned 12 cents from page views. I accidentally cashed out last night by trying to intiate the process again so at least the money will be coming soon. I just noticed that my myLot balance has changed so I guess I will be seeing that money soon as well.
1 person likes this
