Recently, an aspiring content writer reached out to me on LinkedIn to review her work. Going through it, I was able to identify some mistakes and communicate them to her.
That experience reminded me of some of the common content writing mistakes I come across through interacting with other content writers or their work.
And I figured that’s something to write about, because from experience, I see some people struggling due to some of these avoidable mistakes. They are great at their craft but hardly see any result because they are getting some things wrong.
And the truth is that businesses are not so concerned about how you can bring words together. At the end of the day, what they care about is their bottom line. If your work does not affect profit positively, they are likely not to keep you.
That’s why you need to also understand the technicalities of content writing and how it can be used to drive results.
That said, let’s look at the common content writing mistakes to avoid.
20 Common Content Writing Mistakes to Avoid for More Effective Results
1. Writing without a clear target audience
I can’t tell you how many times I see this happen; people writing just for the fun of it.
Of course, it’s not that their work is not based on the topic at hand. But content writing is beyond just making sure you are writing based on your topic; you need to write for the people you want to read it.
If you don’t know who you’re writing for, your content will miss the mark.
Always picture your reader before you start. Ask yourself what do they care about, what problems do they want solved, and how do they speak?
The clearer you are about your audience, the easier it is to create content that connects.
2. Using clickbait titles that don’t match the content
A catchy title is great, but it should deliver on its promise. Don’t use a headline you think will attract people, only to not write what you said you would.
Nothing frustrates readers more than clicking on a headline only to find unrelated or shallow content.
If you do this often, people will stop trusting your work. And if you think this won’t affect you, think again. Remember that we live in a world where a tweet made in Sao Tome and Principe can become viral in Australia.
So, leaving even a small amount of people with a bad experience won’t do you good. People talk and they will spread information about their experience with your business; most times, on social media.
Plus, Google notices when people keep bouncing off your website, which is what will happen with clickbait titles.
Additionally, SEO ranking is not all you should target; appearing on answer engines or LLMs (Answer Engine Optimization) are just as important.
And your reputation on social media contributes greatly to that. So, make sure to keep your titles attention-grabbing but honest.
Also Read: A Definitive Guide to Using Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)
3. Poor grammar and spelling errors
This one is just a bad look for a writer.
Yes, mistakes happen, but sloppy grammar or spelling can make your writing look unprofessional. And readers notice these things. Plus, it can distract them from your message.
So, always proofread or run your text through a grammar checker before publishing. It keeps your credibility intact.
4. Keyword stuffing or over-optimization
I understand you want to rank and yes, SEO is important, but cramming keywords into every sentence makes your writing awkward.
Readers want natural flow, not a list of search terms.
This is why I always tell aspiring writers to write for people first. When in doubt, always pick writing for the people, then sprinkle in keywords where they fit.
And the truth is that Google actually rewards good and reader-friendly content. They prioritise that above keyword stuffing. In fact, you get penalised these days for keyword stuffing.
5. Writing walls of text without proper formatting
Large blocks of text can scare readers away. Nobody wants to scroll through a massive paragraph without breaks.
It really does make reading harder. So, rather than that, use headings, bullet points, and short paragraphs to make your writing easy to skim.
Trust me, the easier your writing looks, the more likely people are to read it.
6. Ignoring readability (long, complex sentences)
Similarly, if your sentences are too long or filled with jargon, readers will tune out.
Nobody wants complicated grammar online; they just want simple and clear language where they can understand what you are saying at first read.
Don’t write like you are writing a PhD thesis; make it conversational. Write as if you’re explaining something to a friend.
That way, people won’t have to reread your sentences to understand your point.
Also Read: 10 Tips to Make Your Writing More Conversational
7. Being too vague or lacking depth
Generic advice that doesn’t dig deep enough leaves readers unsatisfied. People read content because they want value; make sure you’re offering that.
Share examples, stories, or practical tips that help them take action. If you want them to keep coming back for more, you need to give them specific and well-explained ideas.
8. Failing to fact-check information
Nothing damages trust faster than false or outdated information.
Always double-check your facts, stats, and references before you share them. Remember that readers rely on your content to guide them, so make sure you’re giving accurate details.
Trust is hard to win but very easy to lose. So, don’t take their trust in your words lightly.
PS: Go back to old content and update regularly or make sure they can trace when you shared that information, so they are well-informed it is not recent.
9. Overly promotional tone that turns readers off
I understand you want to sell but nobody likes content that sounds like a sales pitch.
If every sentence screams “buy this,” your readers will leave.
While they understand your need to make a profit, they also don’t want to feel like you only see dollar bills when you see them.
They want to feel like you care about them as well, enough to offer value.
So, focus on being helpful and providing value, especially on blog posts. Then, you can subtly mention your product or service. That will feel more natural and convincing.
10. Not having a clear structure or flow
If your writing jumps around with no order, readers get lost. Make sure your work has a clear beginning, middle, and end to make your content easier to follow.
You should also use headings to guide readers through your points so they never have to wonder where this is going.
11. Weak or missing introductions and conclusions
An introduction hooks readers, and a conclusion ties everything together. If you skip these, your content is basically incomplete.
Imagine reading this article without an introduction or conclusion. I’m sure you wouldn’t enjoy it; so don’t subject your readers to an incomplete article.
Start strong by showing why the topic matters, and end with a solid wrap-up or takeaway. That’s how you make your writing memorable.
12. Forgetting to add a call-to-action (CTA)
This is quite common for some reason; people write a whole valuable article and then leave it at that.
But remember that content writing is writing for marketing – directly or indirectly – so there is an end. What do you want readers to do next? Subscribe? Comment? Or Share? You need to make that clear.
Because without a clear CTA, people will just leave. So, you must make sure to always guide your audience towards the next step to build engagement so you don’t lose your audience.
Also Read: Copywriting and Content Writing: 5 Major Similarities
13. Copying or plagiarizing content
I think this is quite straightforward: stealing someone else’s work is never okay. Not only does it harm your reputation, but it can also get you penalised.
You can take inspiration, but make sure to add your own spin, voice, and perspective to make your content unique and trustworthy.
14. Ignoring SEO basics (headings, meta descriptions, alt text)
Even if your writing is great, it won’t reach readers if search engines can’t find it.
So make it easy for search engines to put your work in front of people who are looking for articles like yours.
Include the basic SEO tactics like headings, meta descriptions, and alt text to help your content rank, so you don’t lose all your hard work.
15. Writing in a monotone or robotic voice
Readers want to feel like a real person is talking to them, not a machine. If your writing is too stiff, they’ll lose interest.
So, don’t be afraid to add personality, humour, or warmth when it fits. A natural voice helps readers connect with you more than a robotic or text-book voice.
16. Neglecting mobile-friendly formatting
Most people read on their phones now. And if your content looks clunky on small screens, you will lose a lot of readers.
So, make sure to optimise for both desktop and phone by ensuring your work is as readable on a phone as it is on a laptop.
Do this by choosing a mobile-friendly theme, and using short paragraphs, easy-to-read fonts, and formatting that works well on mobile devices.
17. Not proofreading before publishing
Hitting “publish” without checking your work is risky because even small errors can hurt your credibility.
Don’t make the mistake of submitting your first draft. Take a few minutes to read through your content to see if there’s any mistake.
Better still, read what you have out loud. That’s a trick to catch mistakes you might have missed on the screen.
Also Read: 9 Qualities of a Productive Writer
18. Forgetting to link to credible sources or internal pages
Links build trust and keep your readers engaged. Make sure you have both internal and external links.
For the latter, link to the source if you mention a stat or fact. And for the former, add links to your other articles so readers can explore more of your content.
That way, you can improve credibility and keep people on your site longer.
19. Writing content that’s too short or too long for its purpose
Some topics need quick explanations, others require depth. Don’t stretch out a simple point just to hit a word count, and don’t cut corners on complex topics.
You must find the balance where your content fully explains the idea without dragging on.
20. Not updating old content
I mentioned updating your old content briefly earlier. But I believe I need to throw more light on that.
Content isn’t a one-and-done thing. Remember that over time, facts change and trends shift, and what was true last night might be untrue this year.
So, if you never update your old posts, they’ll become outdated and less useful.
If you want them to remain relevant, you need to refresh content regularly. Additionally, it helps boost its search ranking too.
Conclusion
To conclude, you need to understand that content writing is different from an opinion post. The intent of content writing is to put your business or that of the brand you’re writing for out there. So you must make sure everything you do serves that purpose.
I’m sure with this, you already get the common content writing mistakes to avoid to make your work more productive. Which of these mistakes do you often make? Let us know in the comment section.
FAQs
1. Why is avoiding content writing mistakes so important?
Avoiding content writing mistakes is important because mistakes affect how readers see you. Poor grammar, weak structure, or misleading titles can make your content less trustworthy. If you want people to read, share, and come back, avoiding these errors is key.
2. How can I make my content more engaging?
Write the way you’d speak to a friend, keep sentences clear and simple, and always think about your reader’s needs. Adding stories, examples, and practical tips also helps your content feel more engaging.
3. How long should a blog post be?
It depends on the topic and purpose. Some posts work well at 800–1,000 words, while in-depth guides may need 2,000 words or more. The important thing is covering the subject thoroughly without adding unnecessary fluff.
4. What’s the easiest way to improve readability?
Break your text into smaller paragraphs, use subheadings, and keep sentences short. Bullet points and lists also make information easier to skim. Remember, most people read online content quickly, not word-for-word, so make your content skimmable.
5. How often should I update my content?
A good rule is to review your posts every 6–12 months. Update facts, refresh examples, and check links. This keeps your content relevant and helps it perform better in search engines.
