Even the most brilliant message can be misinterpreted if the writing is unclear or is not error-free. Writing requires practice for your work to reach perfection. Professional writers make some writing errors too. Common writing errors that most people make include grammar and spelling errors, punctuation and repetition. This article shares common mistakes and tips on how to avoid and deal with them. Many of these writing errors can be avoided using the right strategies. No matter how skilled or confident you are, you will end up making some common errors.
1. In-depth content errors
a) Grammar mistakes.
Incorrectly written sentences or those that are inaccurate may lead to writing errors. For example, writing the word “there” instead of “their” and writing “was” instead of ”wer”e. There are tools that will help you with grammar errors.
b) Spelling and punctuation errors.
Sometimes, you might have the right word to place in your message, but you don’t remember the correct spelling of the word. This error may break the flow of your writing. Some of the most commonly misspelled words include “there” and “their.” It’s important to note some words change their meaning when the apostrophe is present. For example, the words “it” and “it’s” have two different meanings.
C) Using vague language.
This is the use of unclear words or phrases that do not bring out the intended meaning of the message. You are required to use simple and clear language that your target audience will be able to understand and get the message.
d) Wordiness in your writing.
Most writers use words or phrases that are unnecessary in their writing, and this action may clutter your writing. Use words that are simple to convey your message instead of the more complicated ones to avoid these writing errors. Wordiness makes your work lengthy and less impactful. For example, you can use “because” instead of “due to the fact tha”t.
Apart from the content-based errors, there are some other freelance writing errors that freelancers make. As a beginner, you should be aware of these writing mistakes and know how to avoid them.
2. Not improving your skills and working for long hours
Writing, as said earlier, requires practice, and you will have to dig deep to find new skills. Reading new books, blogs, articles, etc., will help you broaden your skills and knowledge. This act will also help you build your vocabulary, learn different styles and formats of writing , and be able to see different ways in which you can structure your sentence to give it more value and meaning. Working for long hours may lead to a lack of proper rest, which leads to fatigue. Some may work for too many hours due to work pressure and the need to meet the client’s deadline, which may trigger stress and depression, leading to poor production and decreased efficiency.
3. Lack of proper flow and cohesion
The flow of your writing is key in writing. When ideas in your work do not flow steadily and connect logically, it gives the reader a hard time following the narrative. Organize your work in such a way that ideas naturally connect to each other.
4. Starting a freelance career without any clients and not having a specialised niche
Quitting your current job to venture out as a freelancer requires you to analyze the demand for freelancing properly. Doing research on the freelance market will help you know its demand and whether there is a lineup of jobs. You may opt to start writing for free to build your portfolio and prove that you can actually do this, and it may take some time to prove this point. Producing content for different markets enables you to gain more skills, knowledge, and style.
It also helps you to be flexible in terms of pay rates, and you gain more experience. Having two or more niches means that you will have to do more research on these niches, thus taking valuable time that could be used to perfect one niche. You will have to put more time into research , and this may lead to poor service delivery to your clients. Find topics that you enjoy writing about and put your focus on composing more of these articles.
5. Poor communication base with your client and undercharging your service
Communication is key in freelancing. Clients will work with a writer who is open, honest , flexible, and generally friendlier. You should be someone who is not hard to work with. Ask the client about the expectations and listen keenly to the instructions given and what they have to say. Communicate with them whenever you feel there is a problem or doubt that is work-related. Regularly update them on the progress of the assignment and be available and ready for calls.
Sometimes it may seem tempting to lower your rates in case of a financial crisis. However, it is important to note that lowering your rates decreases your value as a freelancer. Setting rates also educates the client on the general cost of expert work and that it may not be worth it to go for cheaper rates. When setting rates, consider expenses, time, and materials.
What is a common mistake new freelancers make when setting their rates?
Underpricing their work is the common mistake most new freelancers make. Other writing errors are,
- lack of confidence.
- Lack of clear terms of payment.
- Charging by the hour instead of value-based pricing.
- Charging different rates to clients without a clear structure.
- Forgetting to consider expenses.
- Not researching the market rates.
6. Ignoring SEO and keywords and not meeting deadlines
Optimized titles tend to attract more readers to go through your work. The title should be straightforward and attention-grabbing to your readers. Consider using simple language in your work instead of using complex words and phrases. These writing errors can be eliminated by learning and understanding SEO and its metrics.
Clients want a writer who will deliver their assignment on time. The work is required to be of high quality and have no errors. Having a proper time schedule and organizing your work in a proper way may help you when it comes to meeting deadlines. You may opt to start with the assignment closer to the delivery date to avoid unnecessary disappointments by the client. If a client’s assignment is not delivered on time, there are high chances of you losing the client. Time management is key as a freelancer.
7. Neglecting your portfolio and power of networking
Showcasing your work on your portfolio shows your client that you are an expert in what you do and have the skills needed to do the assignment. Building connections with other writers brings more opportunity and exchange of ideas and referrals. It also leads to professional mentorship and guidance. This helps you polish up your writing and identify the different ways in which you can convey your work.
8. Failing to understand your audience
As a writer, you should have a wide knowledge of the interests of the client/audience. Write content that will be helpful to your readers, and avoid using jargon and complicated words, which may cause some writing errors. It should always meet your clients’ expectations. Remember, content is king.
9. Poor time management and not using freelance platforms properly
Organizing your day-to-day activities is crucial when it comes to time management. Avoid procrastination and taking on too much work, which may lead to low-quality output. Use tools to help you track performance and help you manage deadlines to prevent time-related problems. Another problem might be that you are misunderstanding the rules and communication tools set aside by the platforms and failing to increase your visibility on the platforms. Build your reputation positively through reviews. This may make you land work.
10. Lack of a clear contract and not properly tracking finances
Start working on the assignment when you and your client are not in agreement on key things like payment time and platform, deadlines, and intellectual property; it might be a costly problem. This will help you avoid unpaid work, wastage of time, and unnecessary disputes. Proper tracking of expenses, income, and taxes may help when it comes to tax season and the general progress of your work.
11. What is the biggest challenge faced by some freelancers?
-
Finding clients.
Finding clients as a beginner in freelancing may become hectic, and this may take some time.
-
Increasing pay rates.
Some clients may find your pay rates high and assume you are overcharging them. It may become difficult to negotiate the fees for your services.
-
Maintaining productivity.
Staying focused and maintaining consistency in your work without proper office structure and necessary tools may be challenging.
-
Meeting unrealistic demands.
Sometimes dealing with clients who have impossible or hard expectations to be fulfilled within a limited time, budget, and scope with no writing errors may be a challenge to freelancers.
-
Getting paid on time.
Clients may fail to fulfill the end of their bargain by not making payments at the right time according to the agreed time.
-
Working alone.
This causes a lack of social interaction and an absence of collaboration and guidance, which may lead to demotivation and blurry work-life boundaries. Guidance and mentorship are crucial and come with working alongside professionals.
FAQ
What are the four common writing errors?
Missing commas, wrong words, incomplete documentation, and spelling.
What are the four main types of writing errors?
Grammar , spelling, punctuation and word choice.
What are the three writing errors in grammar?
- Sentence fragment.
- Comma splice sentence.
- Run-on sentence.
i) How do I get into consistent freelance work?
Being on good terms and maintaining a good business relationship with your clients will get you freelance work. Always be professional and meet the clients’ expectations, and avoid the common writing errors most writers make.
Conclusion
Having all these writing errors in mind, you should be able to avoid these freelance mistakes and believe in your writing and the rates you charge them with confidence. Avoid undervaluing your work. Cheap is not always the best. Put your priority in building your skills, networking, and making yourself professionally visible for possible freelance jobs and a prosperous online writing career.