Comments on: What is Helium.com?

By: Andy

Andy — Sat, 22 May 2010 12:00:38 +0000

I decided not to use Helium because attractive as it seemed you have to submit a title first for approval without an article. I did this and 48 hours later was informed it was rejected. This is damn silly… to judge a book by it’s cover. Their policy of judging titles without seeing articles smacks of dumbing down. I have a life and when I am inspired to write I will and let the title develop in my mind. The time to write, let along the inspiration, may not for days on end thus meaning that even if a title is accepted, I might not be in a position to produce the article until a point where it ceases to be topical or I am beyond motivation.

I have corresponded with them over this nonsense but it really is a waste of time. They will not let me submit a titled article subject to the title being approved or altered by them.

This makes Helium slower than the process of submitting an article to a publication by post.

If anyone knows of any oher such sites please let me know.

By: Marisa Wright

Marisa Wright — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:17:21 +0000

Well said, you have encapsulated the downsides of Helium very well in your article. I only wish I was as perceptive, before posting nearly 200 articles on Helium!

By: Barbara Whitlock

Barbara Whitlock — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:41:27 +0000

Thanks for your very thorough and informative piece on Helium.com. I’d like to add a few more important aspects of Helium:

1. Writers in credentialed professions and print journalists earn special recognition and earning opportunities through Helium’s Credentialed Professional Program.

2. Helium.com has an expansive (and growing) network of newspaper partners (including Hearst and NY Time syndicates), which helps connect local writers to more opportunities.

3. Helium is based on a coop principle, and scores of members volunteer in editorial and content oversight roles.

4. Helium has the largest — and many say most supportive — writing community in the world.

If you have any questions or would like more information, my inbox is always open: bwhitlock@helium.com.

Barbara Whitlock
New Member Outreach Manager
Helium.com

By: Barbara Whitlock

Barbara Whitlock — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 12:13:39 +0000

Great article, and thanks for sharing such thorough information. I’d add three more pieces:

1. Helium has a Credentialed professional program where certified professionals get recognition and special earning opportunities.

2. Helium is a writing coop where scores of members enjoy volunteering in editorial and channel-oversight roles.

3. Helium has the largest - and many consider most supportive - writing community in the world.

If anyone wants to ask questions or learn more about Helium my inbox is always open: bwhitlock@helium.com.

Barbara Whitlock
New Member Inreach Manager
Helium.com