If your online writer’s bio is a bit yawn-worthy, let’s jazz it up. After all, playing with words is what we writers love to do, right? Give your bios a browse. Look at social media, your writer’s CV and your website blurbs.
Do you use the words ‘writer’ and ‘freelancer’ ad nauseam? It’s OK, it’s who we are and what we do, but there are oodles of other ways to convey our festive wordiness in fresh ways.
7 Synonyms to Use in Lieu of “Writer” or “Freelancer”
Let’s crack that thesaurus (and our creative minds) to find new monikers to add variety to your bio. While these words may not be incredibly common, that’s exactly why they will catch the attention of that publisher or editor who’s scoping you out. Being memorable is the point for writing a fab bio, right? Let’s update that verbiage.
1. Scribe
Hear ye, hear ye, let’s channel our inner historians and honor the ancient copiers of manuscripts. The word ‘scribe’ comes to us from the intelligent copyists and editors who studied and duplicated scriptures in the New Testament times in ancient Israel, per the good folks at Merriam-Webster. The Latin word ‘scriba’ means official writer, while the Greek incarnation of the word ‘skariphasthai’ means to “scratch and outline.” Today, the word is synonymous with writer and journalist.
Example:
As a fulltime scribe, John is happy to pitch original ideas for your publication or tackle assignment briefs crafted by your content strategists.
2. Wordsmith
Feeling confident? Got some awards under your belt? Perhaps swapping out the word ‘writer’ for wordsmith is an accurate representation of your skills. According to Dictionary.com a wordsmith is “an expert in the use of words.” A wordsmith makes a career in words as a journalist or novelist. I also hear the term used in content marketing, blogging and public relations, so I say go for it.
Example:
Since 2009, wordsmith Asunta has partnered with brands and their agency partners to craft audience-centric B2C and B2B online content.
3. Contributor
When you’re not a staffer or employee, but a publication posts your work, you’re a contributor. ‘Contributor’ is probably one of the fancier synonyms for freelancer that I’ve come across. I often see it used in television spots and in print magazine bylines. If you craft content for these outlets, maybe slip contributor into your bio to talk-the-talk of your target audience.
Example:
Sarah is a regular contributor to the Today show’s science segments as a scriptwriter and Health magazine’s content on brain function and clinical studies.
4. Author
Authors aren’t limited to fiction novels and scholarly essays. Really, anyone who writes is an author, so embrace the term if it fits your personality and use the rest of the sentence to explain the type of writing you do. For those who are curious, the Cambridge Dictionary says authors are the writers of books, plays, reports, and articles. An author is “a person who begins or creates something.”
Example
Author Angela writes content marketing and journalistic pieces in the health and wellness niche for brand clients.
5. Content Creator
Are you a Jack or Jill of all content needs? Hallelujah, there’s an all-encompassing term for you too, and that’s content creator. Content is an umbrella noun over so may creative feats, and if you’re not only writing but also designing graphics, doing voiceovers and snapping photos, you’re most definitely a content creator. Use that term proudly in your bio. This phrase also works for writers who venture into multiple styles of writing: blogs, ebooks, newsletters, scripts, etc.
Example:
For the past 11 years, content creator Paulo has penned blog posts, crafted editorial cartoons and recorded podcast introductions for clients across South America from his home office in Brazil.
6. Essayist
This niche writer usually takes a first-person, opinionated stance on a topic and presents ideas from various viewpoints for the reader. A concept or theory is usually born from the opining. An essayist might strive to instruct, seduce or mystify, according to Public Books, a digital magazine that publishes essays regularly. In content marketing, we’re seeing an upsurge in thought pieces, perhaps ghostwritten for a C-Suite executive to connect with a particular segment of an audience in a personal way. You might find an essay published in a newsletter, email or blog.
Example:
Jenna’s an essayist who creates thought-provoking columns about environmental advocacy. She’s happy to ghostwrite letters from the CEO and first-person essays relating to climate change and the greenhouse effect.
7. Word Slinger
So, you love what you do and haven’t quite nailed down your specialty. That’s cool. You’re an honest to goodness word slinger, so go ahead and shout it from the rooftops. Let those bio-scanners know why words are your passion and you enjoy finessing them often. Word slingers can be full-time, part-time and serve in any style of writing.
Example:
On the weekends, Bob’s a word slinger crafting long-form articles (complete with screenshots and video captures) for tech outlets and offering video gaming tips on his Twitter feed.
Ready to Get Noticed?
Spruce up your bio with creative expressions. If you don’t have an online portfolio, snag this free one from ClearVoice to start attracting new writing work and make connections in your field of expertise. And if you want to really level up your career, join our Talent Network and we’ll get you matched with the top brands that match your skill level and expertise.
