These seemingly small mistakes can cost you big money when done repeatedly. Avoid these common pitfalls and you’ll not only earn more from each sale, but also ensure that you’re developing working relationships with editors who’ll look to you for regular work.

Mistake No. 1: Missing Deadlines I’ve often wondered why writers constantly miss deadlines. After all, if you’ve landed an assignment—big or small—wouldn’t you want to get it in before time instead of after, so that you could impress editor and secure more work? But many writers often fall short, and editors almost never work with these writers who do so repeatedly. So drop those waiting-till-the-last-minute habits and get into researching mode as soon as you get assignment.

Mistake No. 2: Lack of Preliminary Research When editor of a technology magazine wrote in to ask exactly which Internet scams I’d be covering in my “Top Scams on Internet” article, I wrote back to her within minutes. That’s because I’d done my initial research even before I’d sent query. You don’t want to be on phone with an editor, with no clue about details of your piece. Be writer who responds quickly and intelligently with latest research, having facts ready, exactly when they’re needed.

Mistake No. 3: Not Negotiating Many freelance writers become so excited on receiving their first national or high-paying assignment that thought of asking for a little more doesn’t even strike them. Many of them move on to find out that other writers were paid better for less work by same publication. Always try to negotiate for a better contract—less rights, more pay, payment on acceptance, kill fees and even a short bio if you can get one. Most editors expect writers to ask for more, so don’t worry about seeming greedy or money-minded.

1. Long to-do lists. Long to-do lists can be emotionally draining without even knowing it-- even overwhelming and paralyzing at times. We all know it’s important to set our priorities. To reduce its negative efforts on our psychic it is important to limit your to-do list to only what you have time to accomplish for that day. It is also important to be specific about what part of a long-term project can you accomplish that day as well. If you write down, "work on my ebook for 12 hours this week" it holds a different energy than, "work on my ebook for 1 hour today."

Fieldwork: Break down bigger projects into daily doable chunks so you get that "accomplishment high" of checking them off. This is also a quiet but effective motivator. Try it, you'll see.

Every morning review your to-do list. Get honest with your time. If you only have one hour and your list requires three, don't’ set yourself up for feeling like a failure because you didn't things completed. Move and reschedule other two items. By getting honest with your time, and commitments, you begin to see higher productivity as well. If you complete your list sooner, just pull from next day, and you will feel like you are ahead of game instead of behind eight ball.

2.Plan. Before you begin to write, create a quick one page writing plan. The writing plan can be just for that day or just that particular writing time. It only takes five or ten minutes after you get use to creating one.

Fieldwork: Start with recording what your vision is for that writing time or project. See end result, feel it, and it will become a reality. Is it an e-mail, printed and mailed, or uploaded to your web site? Or is it a simple warm up or exercise to increase your writing skills? See it completed with as much detail as possible.

Next, what is your writing mission in eight words or less? Continuing on...What is your writing objective or objectives, strategy and plan?

Like I said earlier, it doesn't have to be anything fancy. I've done many on napkins or several Post-It notes that were handy.

If defining a whole writing project, you might want to create something more permanent. What matters is clarity and picture of end result. As Dr. Stephen Covey says in 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, "Begin with end in mind." Meaning begin with a vision of what result looks like and feels like.

3. Leverage your time. If you can pay someone else to do less money than what you charge, delegate it. If your brilliance is stronger in writing and not typing or editing, stick with writing. Hire out typing and editing. If you are thinking you can't afford it, then you haven't found a way to value your time and your plan is off. You may most likely not be working on your right priorities.

Fieldwork: Check and rework your plan so that you leverage your time. Be honest with your self and what is your brilliance. Only one item contains highest energy, others may come class, but one stands out. Focus on that one and watch miracles occur. Who else can do other items so you can stay focused on your brilliance?

4. Process -- a series of actions bringing about a result. Prolific writers use many processes that range from how they write -- ink, tape recorded, voice recognition software, stenographer, court reporter -- to everything else that requires to complete their goal.