5 Mistakes Beginners Make When Starting Writing Jobs (and How to Avoid Them)

Hi! I’m Kate, the face behind KateFi.com—a blog all about making life easier and more affordable.

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Starting your first paid writing gig is exciting—but it’s also easy to stumble if you don’t know what to expect.

When I first began writing online, I made a few rookie mistakes that cost me time, money, and confidence. Thankfully, they were fixable—and now I help others avoid those same traps.

Here are 5 common mistakes beginner writers make—and exactly how to dodge them.

👉 Want to skip the trial and error? Start writing for $1 with Paid Online Writing Jobs

1. Overthinking Every Sentence

Many new writers freeze trying to write the “perfect” sentence. But most paid writing gigs are simple: short emails, blurbs, or product reviews.

✅ Write casually and clearly—like you’re talking to a friend.

👉 Use the templates provided inside this platform to speed things up

2. Skipping the Instructions

This sounds obvious, but it happens all the time. New writers jump in and skim the task details, then miss tone, word count, or required points.

✅ Always follow the brief exactly—it’s the fastest way to get approved and paid.

3. Trying to Sound Too Formal or Fancy

Most writing gigs are marketing-focused. That means clear, friendly, and casual wins.

✅ Skip the big words and get to the point. Think: “helpful friend,” not “college essay.”

4. Not Tracking Earnings or Progress

You won’t grow what you don’t track. I didn’t realize how much I was earning until I started logging my completed tasks, payouts, and referrals.

✅ Use a simple spreadsheet or Notes app to track what you’ve done and how much you’ve made.

5. Waiting Too Long to Start

This is the biggest mistake of all. People wait until they feel “ready,” but the truth is—you learn by doing.

✅ Jump in now, start with a small task, and build confidence with each submission.

👉 Try Paid Online Writing Jobs here and get your first gig today

Final Thoughts

Writing online is one of the easiest side hustles you can start—but like anything, you’ll go further faster if you avoid the beginner traps.

👉 Click here to start writing for $1 and skip the guesswork

Want to see how I made my first $1,000 with writing? Check this post next

And for extra income stacking, here’s how I made $500 in a week with affiliate promos.