Sawyer Wilson
Q What do you do?
“If you’re a brand going through an identity crisis, I’m the one who keeps you from impulsively getting a bad haircut.”
You may not know exactly who you are, but I can certainly help you get there. Even if you already have a defined sense of self (I see you!), I make sure that your audience knows it too through clear, witty, and motivating messaging.
Q What steps did you take to get to where you are now?
Words are currency in my family, so storytelling is in my DNA. I grew up, studied journalism, and haven’t stopped putting pen to paper since. I got my start editing in the academics space, then I moved into ethical fashion, health, and e-commerce to gratify my right-brained passions. Long story short, I’ve done a bit of this and a bit of that, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Q How do you stand out in your field?
Well, I’m funny, but not too funny. I can strike that balance of wit and intellect that makes copy stand out without coming off as trying too hard. Think of me like a chameleon — once I understand your brand’s needs, vision, and voice, I’m a master of stepping in sync with you to get the job done. Practically speaking, I have lots of experience with a range of content types. Long form? No problem. Short and sweet? Sure thing. Editorial? Well, you see where I’m going with this.
Q What are you working on right now?
My latest passion project is my newsletter called “Are you mad at me?” In this weekly digest, I explore my own identity as a recovering external validation addict. The journey is thoughtful, humorous, fun, and just a little bit uncomfortable. areyoumad.substack.com
Q What’s your style?
My writing feels like you’re talking to a friend, but a friend who knows what they’re talking about. It’s easy to understand, not too fussy, and it keeps your attention. But, after all, I’m a professional! Depending on the client, my style is flexible.
In my ABLE days, I oscillated between thought leadership work and writing like your bestie who can’t wait to tell you about that pair of jeans they’ve been wearing every single day.
The content of my work for Eative is quite scientific, but the tone is quite approachable, so I like to strike a balance of making sure that users know they can trust us without coming off overly formal.
Q Out of all your slashies, which one do you wish you could do more often?
Food food food! I love to cook, to eat, and to share food I love with friends. I’ve done a bit of food writing in the past, so I would love to jump back in.
I’ll give you a bonus answer: travel! I’m American, but I live in Barcelona, so traveling is a big part of my life. I’ve refined the way I like to travel over the years. I started out as a penny-pinching, study abroad student, and the older I’ve gotten, the more I’ve learned how to travel in a way that’s uniquely fulfilling to me. I’d love to weave this into my work and empower other people to do the same!
Q What is frustrating you right now?
Finding the right balance between self-promotion and everyday life content on my social media. As a team of one, this can be tricky! The beauty and pain of freelancing is that there’s no playbook.
Q If you could hire someone for $20/hour, what would you have them do to make your day easier?
Honestly? I’d hire them to organize my closet. There’s a vintage pair of Levi’s hiding somewhere in there that I’d love to be reunited with, one of these days.
Q What do you wish you could have told yourself, when, and why?
Unpopular opinion incoming: I’d tell my 22-year-old self not to make herself indispensable to a company that wouldn’t think twice about replacing her! I’d tell her that her drive, time, and opinions are valuable, regardless of her experience. Working hard is important, but so is being valued. I’d tell her to do what brings her fulfillment, both in and out of her work life, and the right opportunities will always come. Also, always sign a contract.
Q If you could talk to an expert to gain more insight on something, what would it be about?
I’d love to chat with someone who could guide me through best practices for stability in freelancing. You know, how to attract steady clients, get paid fairly (and on time!), and how to not feel like you’re committing tax fraud, even though you never miss filing.
Q What kind of opportunities/projects are you looking for?
I’m looking for remote copywriting, brand messaging, content strategy, and content management gigs. At the moment, I’m open to contract, part-time, and full-time opportunities. Ideally, I’d love to find a steady agreement, where we can look a few months ahead. That said, let’s chat!
Q Describe your ideal job/client/collaboration.
I’d love to help an urban, farm-to-table restaurant nail down some really zesty brand messaging. I’m picturing natural wine, unfussy food, and the type of people who encourage their patrons to unbutton the tops of their jeans to indulge in an extra round of croquetas.
Q What is your rate?
My rate is $80/hour. I know that each project and company comes with a different set of resources and expectations, so if you have questions about this, I’d be happy to open up a conversation!
Q How should someone approach you about working together?
Shoot me an email at sawyermwilson@gmail.com. Or, if you prefer, my Instagram DMs are always open at @sawyermwilson. If you’re curious where to see more of my writing, you can head to sawyer-wilson.com!
Q Who is a creative you admire?
Mari Andrew is an author who has such a way with words. Her writing makes me feel safe, seen, and excited about the world around me.
Júlia Juste, the travel creator behind the Outliers Guide, shares travel in a way that feels authentic, but still curated. I love how her imagery is minimally edited but is still very clearly her brand.
Venetia La Manna is a fair fashion campaigner who makes ethical fashion fun and engaging without sacrificing the important education that she’s passionate about communicating to her audience.
Q Oh! and… how do you stay creative?
Ample Vitamin D. Saying hi to dogs. Putting my phone in a drawer. The Nancy Meyers Kitchen playlist on Spotify.
This member profile was originally published in March 2023/ Updated May 2023