Everyone has a story within them. But nobody actually wants to write that story. And for those of us who do, there’s so much we need to know, remember, and avoid. So, if you’re still a writer in 2026 (and God be with you, if you are), then you need to UP YOUR GAME, MY FRIEND. And that means avoiding making these silly mistakes that could derail your writing and slow down your growth. Let’s find out more.

• Underestimating Artificial Intelligence- While ChatGPT and its buddies are everywhere, writers and purists (like yours truly) can feel threatened and even be dismissive of the idea of technology replacing us and our skills. But let’s not put the cart before the horse here. These tools are great in small doses. If you can, *microdose* the use of ChatGPT, just do it. Use it to cut down your words. Use it to finesse your story. Use it to do your proof reading because I swear at the 10th re-read the words do tend to blur. You don’t need to avoid ChatGPT or other AI tools but integrate them, use them effectively, as a weapon, for your development.
• Underestimating your Skills and Achievements-Boy, we are an underestimating lot! Writing has become such a muddied term and industry that everyone thinks they can do it. And when your ‘special’ skills becomes so generic, it is normal to feel that you have no skills or achievements. This is where you need to take a step back and introspect. You have a career, you have experience, a skill set that people will pay money for, thus indicating your value. The trends might change and fluctuate but your value will not diminish. So start recognising your skills, highlighting your achievements and be your NUMBER ONE FANBOY.
• Avoiding Numbers and Metrics-The way the world works, numbers matters. So do metrics. So stop being a literary recluse and open your eyes to your impact. What is the value of the words you bring to the table? How many views? How many clicks? How many conversions? What is the impact on organic ranking? What is the click to open rate? Learn about these terms, get to know them, learn how you can influence them, and how you can work to improve them. Google has several free courses for beginners that can give you a sneak peek into metrics, conversion, and analytics.
• Conducting Superficial Research-With the world so easily available at our fingertips, we often go for the low hanging fruit. Get the AI Overview from Google, click on the first link on the first page and call that ‘research.’ Sorry mate. If you are in a role that demands intensive research or simplifying complex topics into easy to read content, please please do your adequate research. Verify your sources, double check your materials, and always use official, authentic sources and not ‘a friend of a friend who read on Reddit confirmed’.

Well, there you have it, just some mistakes I see copywriters and content writers make consistently (including me). But you live and learn, eh? That’s what this blog is for! Comment below what common mistakes you think writers are still making in 2026.