I'm not a writer, and for that, I'm sorry I can't give you the advice you need, however I wanted to commend you for coming here and asking others for help so that you get it right first time.

PS $3 per article is a great price (looking at your sig), I would be more than happy to take a look at your work.. if you have a decent portfolio, please PM me some work you have done (pref in the money making niche)

Daniel

The worst pitfall: Devalue yourself and undercharge for your services to "Internet marketers" who believe they should call the shots and pay you peanuts.

These "Internet marketers" can always "only afford to pay" this and that, and they believe most writers are so desperate that you'll go along with what they dictate. Build value in regard to yourself and convince them they're getting a lot for what they pay.

The worst thing a writer can do is just rewrite junk that is already on the Internet. Quality research, quality writing, and on time delivery are all you need to become a successful writer

The worst thing a writer can do is
make deadline promises and not keep
them.

The second worst thing is not to keep
communications line open with your client.

The above assumes that the writer is a
professional and creates unique content.

Worst thing... plagiarize.

Wow, this is really good
stuff. This is going to
help a bunch of us get
off on the right foot.

I agree with Dee and Jenn. Plagiarizing is obviously illegal and will get you nowhere. And just rewriting content is pretty uninteresting.

I am a writer and doing very well at it with a contract in the four figures monthly and a nice residual income. Instead of sharing the worst you can do, I am sharing what you absolutely should do......

Provide original content
Keep all of your client's information totally confidential
Charge a rate that is fair to both you and the client
Provide your client with top quality work
Be totally accurate in the information you write about
Accept only assignments that you feel you can do an excellent job with
Turn around articles in a timely fashion
Guarantee your clients happiness


If you do this...you will be providing your clients great quality and value and you will get a lot of repeat business.

I have a site for writers, if you want the link pm me. I also have a select group of writers that write for me (clients know this) and all of them sign NDA's and provide top quality work.

Not writing

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Lying? You could apply that to anything.

Writing for yourself? You could apply that to anyone who writes anything for someone else too.

I would go along with plagiarism as the worst thing.

Fabian

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I indeed faced some worse thing and learned it the hard way. Never compromise with the quality of the article no mater how much time it takes.

I have to say, having now seen some of Tamara's work and I am so pleased with it that I have decided to pay her for her services.

I look forward to a long and fruitful relationship.

Daniel

Thank you Daniel...

I intend to do my very best on
your order.

I am confident that you are going
to love the results!

I think it's better to concentrate on the best things a writer can do rather than the worst.

1. Always be willing to put yourself on the line to prove your worth. Have some ready-made samples of your work ready, but also be willing to write an article off the cuff for a potential client to show them what you can do specifically for 'them'.
2. Be honest! If you are looking at a certain deadline and you don't think you can make it, tell the client as soon as possible. They almost always appreciate the honesty, and if you are delivering quality work they are usually willing to work with you. If you're confused about an article topic, say so. If you don't feel comfortable writing about something, say so. It's an old cliche, but honesty really is the best policy.
3. Treat every writing project like it's going to be your most important grade in a journalism class (and that getting a good grade in this class is crucial for getting your degree.)
4. Believe in yourself.

The worst thing a writer can do is procrastinate. Time spent typing equals money. Set a schedule, avoid distractions and get to it!

Copy articles from my own ebook and sell them as unique content over at freelancer sites.

I even had that happening sometimes

All the best,
Mark

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Hi Love2Write:

Welcome to the forum and the world of writing.

I can give you first hand advice being an author/writer/public-speaker. Many will brag about their resume to anyone that will listen but what has worked for me very well over the years isn't only the track record but understanding that if somebody is going to pay you for a service or recommend you it is not demanding that you:
Answer calls/email timely
Meet or beat the deadlines (excluding family illness for example) a lot is at stake and somebody paying you doesn't want to be behind on their schedule.
Although the money is always tempting, only take on what you can handle or you'll lose more than you'll turn down.
No project should be considered small. To the person paying you their vision is the most important thing in the world.

Do it the right way and you'll be great!

Good luck.

[DELETED]

For a writer...

Plagiarizing is the same as lying AND not writing.

Far better to procrastinate, or not wirte at all then to steal someone else's work.

All the best,
Michael

→ Cut and paste content from eza and claim it is your own original work.

This happens a lot. Always use copyscape to check the work.

The worst thing a writer can do .........

Write with authority about stuff they know very little about.

Worrying about turning off some marketers is a true red flag that you are going to have a hard time in this industry.

You are way better served by pissing off 80% of the marketers, and focusing on the 20% (or less) that actually give two bits about what you are talking about.

If you try to please everyone, you'll likely be ignored by almost everyone.

Writers are a dime a dozen.

I'd quit calling yourself a writer and focus on a angle that positions you above just a simple writer. Or, you could try to be a writer and get paid like a writer.

Case in point, I have a client that makes about $125 per blog post writing for a travel company. Here's the cool thing... she doesn't have a ounce of professional writing experience. She sold herself as a marketer and PR person, not a writer.

Had she positioned herself as a article writer, she'd be making about 10 times less.

I would have to say from personal experience disappearing on your list of clients ... no matter what the reason.

Always use something like g-mail (send an email to yourself with your list of clients and contact information) to keep a list of clients so that no matter what happens you can always get in touch with them.

Twice I lost my computer (and a whole lot more but whaa!) and disappeared on my clients. Rebuilding with literally nothing after that (in a third world country where the only work I can do is online) has been a truly painful and unforgiving (But valuable) lesson.

Had I been able to contact my clients after losing everything, I may have even been able to work something out with some of them to get another cheapie computer and get back to work.

Above all - Do NOT disappear ... even if you have no choice.

Apart from that -

Using Wikipedia as a sole reference for information and fact checking!

Plagiarism of any kind

Re-writing PLR materials ... at least IMHO since it can rarely be verified and is often incorrect!

Under-charging or over-charging ... as it will get you stuck in a loop as you build up your client base. Offer introductory rates, explain that they are introductory rates and dump any clients who expect you to become their full time slave for less than living wages.

As for "writing for yourself" I think what the person was referring to was writing what you think the client wants rather than what they ask for. If I have a client request keyword spam (which because I DID regretfully disappear on all of my clients TWICE are the type of people I am currently working with to survive) I make certain that they never use my name, never admit that I wrote the material but I write their keyword spam if that is what they want.

Completing a project without reviewing it with the client as you write it. It may or may not surprise you how many people request "professional style" writing (Which is generally such as you would find in a newspaper or magazine) when they really want more personal and informal styles written.

What you can do ...

The power of the written word has literally shaped history and the future. As a writer you can do pretty much anything you want, have the will and the (pardon the expression) the testicular fortitude to attempt!

Just my two cents

I've written for everyone from big national name-brand companies to small-time work at home moms. And I can tell you from experience that the WORST thing a writer can do is cheat -- themselves and their clients.

If you don't have faith in your product, how can you expect anyone else to?

I echo what has been said here again and again -- plagiarize someone else's work. It's unprofessional and will work against your credibility once you're caught.

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I'm not really sure what the title has to do with your post. But I believe the worst thing a writer could do is copy and paste someone's work.

Plagiarism disgusts me, as do a lot of the other points mentioned here!

Hi,
I sent an email to you via your gmail account. I look forward to hearing from you!

Plaigarism and missing deadlines without notification are probably the worst I can think of.

Write for your client, on time, with revelant quality and you should do just fine.

Best Wishes

Babe, the worst thing a writer can do is to use tired old expressions, hackneyed sayings and clichés. Like "avoid like the plague".

Plagiarism and not meeting deadline!

From the perspective of business blunders, clients will generally forgive the odd mistake if you'll admit it straight up when they point it out. And they'll usually negotiate on deadlines. Once the deadline is set, however, you really will need to honor it.

The number two worst business killer is being hard to deal with. Grouchy, contrary, primadonas don't keep clients very long. Then can't figure out why.

And the number one worst thing you can do to a client is selling them stolen goods. Copying or editing down material from this place or that - this'll destroy your client's trust in you faster than anything else. Because it makes them look bad.

From the viewpoint of writing mistakes, the biggest one, as several posters have already pointed out, is not writing.

And by the way, Tamaradaria, with this thread you've proved that successful people really do welcome new folks into the field. Reading all these encouraging posts has been a great experience. Thanks for posting your question.

Cheers from warm and smiling Thailand,
Charles

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Lots of good things are covered here. For me the biggest mistakes are:

1. plagiarize
2. Lie about your ability to write on a given subject
3. Be unreliable. In other words, keep your deadlines or at least contact your client and explain what the problem is.
4. Take money from warriors for work and then disappear.

Oh, that last one is a big no no for anyone trying to conduct business online.

Bj

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The worst thing a writer can do?
Do not refund an unsatisfied client.