Have you ever tried to win a Contest at Helium? Did you win?

United States
June 22, 2009 8:59pm CST
Ok, I have been working on one (and only one) of the latest contests at Helium. It ends tomorrow, so I don't know the results. The topic is Austin, Texas, and I have enjoyed writing articles about this topic. However, I can't handle the roller coaster ride. One day I am number one with all my articles, the next day, I am not even in the running. How come my articles are in such flux? Have you ever entered a Helium contest? What was your experience like? Did you win anything or was it a waste of time?
2 people like this
4 responses
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
23 Jun 09
Hi Art, articles in contest are subjected to rating too. Some writers have been ranting in the forum in Helium, that they wanted to leapfrog the articles, to correct grammar errors, however, the improved article was rejected. Good luck to your contest!
2 people like this
• United States
23 Jun 09
Hi Scheng! Some strange things happen with these contests...I have another story about what's been going on this past week just with the one I've been working on. Needless to say, I am glad that it will be over today, and then I will take a break from it and get back to normal. I've been letting the contest get to me, instead of just enjoying the process. I'm working on turning my attitude around. How is your writing going?
1 person likes this
@scheng1 (24650)
• Singapore
24 Jun 09
Hi Art, I try to beat the deadline of 25 June when Helium stops paying upfront for titles with more than five articles. Quite busy with writing. After 25 June, will not be able to write so many articles. Many titles with less than five articles are hard to write to.
1 person likes this
@nishdan01 (3051)
• Singapore
23 Jun 09
I have tried for the contest many times.I have won 2 contests in the recent past. But I know that ratings fluctuate towards the close of the contest. I do not know the details of how it works. I do not think that participating in contest is a waste of time though because those articles eaqrn in terms of page views. It helps to write articles under good headings.
• United States
23 Jun 09
Wow, you won twice! Very impressive. Do you try and do more than one topic at a time, or do you just focus on one thing? I think I am a slow writer, so I am not sure I could try more than one at a time in any case. As it is, I didn't start in time and ended up losing a lot of writing days in the 2-week period that they give you. What were the topics where you won? Congrats again! It's an achievement!
1 person likes this
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
23 Jun 09
I haven't written anything on Helium in over a year. As a matter of fact, I did not know they had such contests where you could write different articles just about one city. That sounds pretty interesting, and right up my alley. My experience with Helium does, however, include getting paid for one article that I wrote their. It was under the requested articles, I guess. I don't remember the exact name of it. The article was chosen, and purchased, but it took forever (it seemed) for me to get the money for the article. I think it took about 5 months because they had to wait for the vendor to pay them, before they would pay me. Good luck with the contest!
2 people like this
• United States
23 Jun 09
It sounds like you won a Marketplace Contest. Those are specific articles for outside vendors. The contest I am doing is for a group of articles. They put up new topics about every two weeks. Where do you write now, if you don't write for Helium?
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
23 Jun 09
Unfortunately I have not had the time, but maybe in a few weeks I will find something to write to once the summer program is over. Did you have to write more than one piece for the contest or were you referring to other articles?
1 person likes this
• United States
23 Jun 09
Yes, I did write more than one article. The topic I chose was Austin, Texas. They present about 12-15 topics about the city. I didn't write about them all because it takes me awhile to write an article. I can only do 1-2 day, but I have done as many as I can in the time frame. They give you 2 weeks, but I didn't see the contest until well into that time period; I lost several writing days. I think it's best if you can time it so that your writing begins when the contest begins. Otherwise, like me, you get into a time crunch. Good luck with your own writing!
1 person likes this
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
23 Jun 09
This is very interesting. I will have to start paying attention to these things. Good luck with the contest!
1 person likes this