My list of things a good freelancer(writer) should follow

[Shole]

This is an ever growing list so I would love to hear your top ten or top twenty or how many things one should follow to be a good content writer. Without further ado:

1) Good Grammar. Triple-check your works if you are unsure in your grammar, if you are sure in it double-check it
2) Research, research, research. It is easier to write about something you know.
3) Practice a lot!
4) Get feedback form people by offering free articles to them. You will mostly get good critique and you will able to improve faster.
5) Honesty! If you can't complete your work before the deadline, or even after it is better to let your employee know, it will give you positive rep even though you didn't complete your job on time.



So far those have worked pretty well for me. What else do you think I should do?

 

[Ron Killian]

I give a big second to Grammar. Not that I am pro writer myself, just see SO many ebooks and writing that has terrible grammar. Not to mention bad grammar in forum and blog posts.

Feedback I think is another other big key, gotta know if you're headed in the right direction or not.

Follow though also seems to be another problem. I've had people ask me to give them a chance, I do and I never hear back from them. Obviously they also need to stick to the deadline.

 

[Shole]

Shole

I agree with the deadline, so many people just don't understand that it is rude to be given a second chance and not do your job. The thing that bothers me the most they just don't reply, at least say you can't make it :S

Should I add follow through to my list?

 

[Ron Killian]

Ron Killian

Seems like it would be a good addition

 

[Alex July]

I would add to this list the importance of improving English skills, because a lot of skilled programmers and developers are bad in conversation with clients.

 

[Valdenheath]

I will add: don't take on more work than you know you can do, teach yourself to manage time well, and always produce 100% original work. [The first two should help avoid late delivery of work.]