How to Write an Author Byline

An author byline is a short paragraph (two or three sentences; 50 words or less) that appears at the beginning or end of an article, book, or any other piece of written content, which provides information about the author. A well-crafted byline introduces the author and highlights their expertise, achievements, writing style, and even a call to action.

To write an effective author byline, the author should start with their full name and credentials, if relevant to the content, such as their degree, professional title, or industry certification. (Note, however, if you are a CFP XYZ writing an article about fatherhood, the initials after your name may not be relevant.) Relevant credentials establish the author’s credibility and expertise on the subject matter.

The next step is to summarize the author’s writing experience and accomplishments, including any awards or recognition they have received (i.e., Jim is the best-selling author of Success in Numbers or Mary is Entrepreneur of the Year for Brownsville, OK). This information can help readers understand the author’s writing style and gain insight into the quality of their work. 

Additionally, the author may want to mention their current job or affiliation to give readers an idea of their professional background and interests. If the author has a blog or website, they can include a link in their byline to help readers find more of their work.

Keep the byline concise and to the point. The author should focus on the most relevant information to the reader and avoid including unnecessary details or personal information.

Including an image with some personality and injecting personality into the bio copy can help attract readers.

A call to action can direct readers to you after they enjoy the current article. Be specific and selective about where to direct traffic to make the most out of it. Note, do not include all social media handles and available websites.