One of the websites where writers can earn some money is helium.com. The by-line of Helium – “Where Knowledge Rules” explains what the site is all about – there are many channels ranging from arts to history, to ecology to recipes, and from current affairs to management, and a vast number of topics where contributors can write articles having a minimum length of 400 words.
The unique thing of Helium is that anyone can write on any topic, and the users rate the different contributions to a subject through their ranking system. Helium pays upfront payment for those who maintain writing and rating starts. While the methodology that goes behind rating stars are not disclosed by helium, writing starts depend on how good you write, or how other writers rate your contributions. Helium also pays based on page views. The minimum payout is $25, and payout is once a month. Helium does pay and it is not a scam site.
The fact that almost anyone can contribute, and also earn upfront payment provided they maintain a decent level of writing standards make helium a good option for writers who are starting out.
However, of late Helium has closed its door on writers from India and Philippines.