As a freelance writer, I know it’s hard to find paying gigs. Helium is a writer’s community that gives writers opportunities to earn real cash. There are multiple ways to earn, including ad revenue, marketplace, and contests.
Helium will send the writer a portion of the ad revenue generated from the hits on an article’s page. It’s based entirely on the traffic that the article generates, so each article’s revenue is entirely unpredictable. The pay is less than peanuts (unless you manage to have several high traffic articles), but it’s better than having that beautiful collecting only dust in your file cabinet.
The marketplace on Helium is where small publishers–usually magazines, especially online magazines–request specific articles. Helium’s writers respond with their best efforts, and the best is chosen. Each article is worth a different amount, determined by the publisher. It’s a good way to earn a little spending money and increase your clippings collection.
Helium offers a handful of contests every week, occassionally offering broader reward-athons for weeks on end. Each of the weekly contests will have several titles that authors write for. The winner is determined by the ranking system. (Ranking system very simply put is where the writers review each other’s articles and pick the best.)
There are other ways to make a little money, for example: becoming Helium staff. Another way is to earn vicariously. I earn 5% of all the earnings of the writers I invited. Again, peanuts, but there’s nothing wrong with a little protein!
I do recommend Helium if you’re a writer, or would like to become one. It has forums and workshops that will help you improve your skills. And the best way to become a better writer is to start writing. Check out Helium. I think you’ll like it. But before you join, either use this link or let me know so I can invite you (and mooch off your earnings). 
[August 5 Update: Here's a YouTube video I found, thanks to Jim Bessey]
