by Barry Marcus

Created on: May 31, 2011   Last Updated: May 01, 2012

Bad writing habits can on Helium may mean the difference between a high ranking and good earnings and being ranked at the bottom of the pack. 

• Bad habit one - Write-and-submit

The first bad writing habit to break is to write-and-submit. All too often, the inexperienced writer gets inspired by a topic, writes an article and submits. The writer has relied almost exclusively on the spell-checker and has not bothered to re-read or review the article. It is usually a mistake to submit the article straight away. As a rule, it is preferable to review and revise the article a day - or at least a few hours - later. That distance allows to to see your work in a different light. 

• Bad habit two - Repetition

Repetition makes your article boring. Repeating information and ideas in the context of a single article leads to a dull and uninspiring piece. Repetition generally happens in error, but will be picked up by the author if the article by proof-reading.

• Bad habit three - Spelling and grammar 

Poor spelling and grammar can transform an otherwise good writer into a rank amateur. While the spell checker may detect words that are spelled incorrectly, using the wrong word is common. An example is "their" instead of "there". If you are not certain about the grammar, then do some research. The Internet contains a wealth of information that could help to improve your writing. Be consistent in your use of spelling. If you are based in the United States, used American spelling. If you live anywhere else, then English spelling should be your choice. Apply these standards consistently. 

• Bad habit four - Waffle and wordiness

If you have to waffle to write a 400 word article, then you don't know enough about your subject. Some research may help, but it is sometimes better to select a different topic. An article that is concise and to the point is more readable than a wordy, long-winded piece. Once again, use the review to trim your article. If a word adds nothing to the meaning of the article then leave it out. If a sentence is superfluous, delete it. Keep paragraphs down to three or four sentences. 

• Bad habit five - Self-indulgence

Most new writers feel compelled to share their own, personal experiences with the world. Occasionally one of these really does have something to say, but as a rule it is better not to talk about yourself. Writing about yourself is generally the quickest way to alienate an audience. While fiction may be an exception to the rule, it is generally better to objectify the article. If you really need to write about your own experiences, put these into the third person.  

These are the most common habits committed by Helium writers. When writing or leapfrogging your articles, think about these. Proofread your articles and ask yourself what words could be left out, or to find a better way to phrase a sentence. Simply resubmitting your article as a leapfrog without making real  changes is unlikely to help your ratings.  

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