A full house in a Helium contest!

Spain
June 3, 2010 4:05am CST
It's never happened to me before - often, I find the contest titles just don't float my boat. However, I've written to every single title in the current 'Staying Fit' contest. Health and fitness is probably my favourite channel, as I find I learn so much while I'm writing. What did surprise me, though, was that some of the empty titles I wrote to when the contest started a week ago still sit there with my solitary article. Now, that goes against the trend, as often, when I've written to an empty title - especially in the diet and fitness topics - by the time my article is ready to roll, someone's beaten me to the bonus. Perhaps people are a bit more reticent about writing to competitions, or maybe they think the empty title bonuses and upfront payments don't apply to contests. (They do!) What do you think? And have you ever written to every one of the 20 titles in a contest? I never thought I'd do it, and it probably won't happen again, but it was great fun, and it meant I didn't have to search for empties and under 5's for a few days, as they were all there for me to work at. Only 3 of the titles had more than 5 articles, and all of them are earning well already, so even if I don't win a prize, it's been a profitable exercise for me.
3 people like this
7 responses
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
8 Jun 10
Sandra, as you already know the first writer to the title gets a bonus but some people take longer to write and others just don't always have time. (I missed out on Dads and Grads because I saw it late and didn't have enough time to devote) I looked at one contest recently and the numbers were low the first week (always are) but by the following week they always seem to multiply significantly. The only way I can do all 20 is if I put everything else on hold for a few days and then you have to worry about leapfrogging at the 11th hour to stay on top. The area I'd do best at is probably crafts but I can't compete in my own channel. I have been trying to build up my blogs so I haven't been able to do much else but I have contributed enough articles to get to payout already so I guess that's something. P. S. I like the new picture!
2 people like this
• United States
12 Jun 10
Happy Birthday to both of you. I like the new photo of Sandra too. All the Spanish sun must be working for you!
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
12 Jun 10
Happy Birthday! I should have known you were a gemini! (Mine is Monday)
1 person likes this
• Spain
8 Jun 10
Hello, Canellita. That's a shame that you can't compete in crafts, as I know you're passionate about it, and we all do our best writing about the things we love. I didn't set out to write to all 20 - it just happened. There's been weird stuff going on over the past few days. On Saturday, I started off at the top of the leader board, then fell off altogether by the end of the day. Since then, I've been bobbing up and down like a cork in the ocean. The articles are all earning well, though, and almost all of them qualified for upfronts and empty title bonuses, so I've done quite well out of it. Glad you like the picture. Although I say it myself, I'm not too bad for a grandma who's 58 tomorrow, am I?
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
3 Jun 10
Hi Sandra, I guess it is a strategic decision for new writers not to join the contest. Joining the contest is not a good idea unless the writers do not have to worry about the writing score. I think those writers with one or two stars will suffer terribly when they join the contest. The high fluctuation in writing score is terrifying to those who are clinging to the stars.
2 people like this
• Spain
3 Jun 10
Hello, Scheng. Yes, you're probably right, because the rating for the contests seems to be all over the place for some reason. I must say it's only recently I've took much interest in the contests, and I am doing pretty well with this one, but then I don't need to worry about my writing stars.
1 person likes this
• United States
6 Jun 10
Hi Scheng! Those writing contests are not good for those of us with big nerves either. The contests used to drive me crazy, all the fluctuation. One time I won, which was great; the other time I came in 4th, which meant essentially going through all that anxiety for nothing. Although I don't have to worry about stars, I've avoiding doing a contest again. You have to be a very carefree person to take these contests on.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
12 Jun 10
I tried the contest early on with only two or three stars and I regretted it. The first time I did not understand that I needed to write to several titles in one category so I entered more than one contest! The second time my articles were rated low during the contest (except one) and then magically rose to the top when the contest was over. That drove me nuts. Recently there was a contest where I thought I would do well but I found out too late and I was too busy with life away from the computer. Hopefully I can get that bonus 5th star soon and I can try the contests again once my monthly earnings are more secure. (Passive income was over $20 this past month!)
1 person likes this
@Naisan (215)
• Philippines
4 Jun 10
hello sandra, i checked out helium before and its not available in my country..hope you win anyway..
2 people like this
• Spain
4 Jun 10
Hello, Naisan. Yes, unfortunately, Helium is not available everywhere. It's a pity, because it's a great site to belong to, and you can earn some good money there. Thanks for your good wishes.
1 person likes this
@BarBaraPrz (45223)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
3 Jun 10
I was about to ask, "What contest is this?" but re-read your title and realized it had to do with the site Helium... (At first, I thought the title indicated that everyone in your household were seeing who sounded the weirdest/funniest after sucking on a helium-filled balloon. At least now we know what's been keeping you away from the 'lot. Nice to see you here again.
2 people like this
• Spain
3 Jun 10
Hello,Barbara. Good idea - we're having a party next week - that would make a good game! I do get over here most days, but I find the writing takes most of my time, I really enjoy it, and of course, it pays well.
2 people like this
• India
6 Jun 10
Hello i had checked this site almost 2 years ago, if i remember right, it said it was not available to members from my country, after that i didnot try.. Thanks for sharing. Welcome always. Cheers. Prof
2 people like this
• Spain
6 Jun 10
Hello, Prof. That's a shame, as it means a lot of good writers are being denied the chance to air their talents and earn money. I don't know what the thinking is behind that, but it doesn't seem fair.
1 person likes this
@Arioch (190)
3 Jun 10
I have written around 200 articles on Helium and many of those are titles I have suggested my self so earning that empty title bonus it helps if you find a emptyish niche about a subject you have a lot of knowledge in. I have never been tempted yet by the contests that they run but I suppose at some point I might give them I try if there is a theme I find appealing. I agree it seems odd sometimes the titles that remain empty or only have one article on them. I guess some people think it may pull there star rating down if some "super" writer adds articles to the contest. I hope you do well in the contest, good luck.
• Spain
3 Jun 10
Hello, Arioch. I think it is probably worry about stars that keep people away from the contests. I can't understand why titles remain empty either. Thanks for your good wishes.
1 person likes this
@AnythngArt (3302)
• United States
6 Jun 10
I haven't written to a Helium contest in a long time. I've never been able to find the time to write to every single title while the contest was running. That is an accomplishment in itself. I am surprised that so few had competing articles, however. There seem to be those people who write articles for the contest, then swoop in at the last second and post them, however. Not sure about the effectiveness of that strategy, but I have seen them win more than once, so there must be something to it. I will have to go over and check the contests out; it has been quite a long time since I've even looked at that page. I usually like the travel themes. Good luck in winning. I think most times (after the fact), those articles tend to help the bottom line. It's the nerve-shaking part of the ups and downs of contest life that I don't like. I care too much.
• United States
7 Jun 10
I agree, Scheng, they should include a warning like when you go to the theme park, and it says "no one under 42" or people with heart conditions or pregnant." If you don't care at all, I think you can probably make a lot of money from the contests. It always seemed to me that the same people won when I was participating. Maybe they have pacemakers?!
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
7 Jun 10
Hi Art, I tried once, and I never dare to return to contest again. I submitted a single article quite early during the contest period. And it sank to the bottom. I could not even leapfrog that stupid article. My writing score was quite badly affected. I resorted to the strategy of writing to a few very competitive titles to bring it up. I think Helium should post a warning "Contest is not for the faint hearted. Do not participate if you have heart problem."
2 people like this
• Spain
6 Jun 10
Hello, Art. Yes, that would explain it. It's a bit annoying, as the single titles are pretty good, and I think they'd fare well in competition. It was a really strange day yesterday. I started the day at the top of the leader board, then dropped right off! Today I'm back in the running again. The articles are earning well, though, but I don't think my nerves can take much more.
1 person likes this