What Is a Byline? Meaning, Examples and How to Get One

If you've ever read a news story and spotted a line that says "By" followed by a name, you've seen a byline. It's a small detail, but for writers it matters a great deal. It's the difference between your work being known as yours and being published with no name attached. This guide explains what a byline is, how it differs from similar terms, why writers want one and how to get your first.

I've used Wikipedia's article on bylines for the history and the terms, and its pages on datelines and ghostwriters for the related ideas. Where a practice varies between publications, I'll say so. If you're new to the world of writing for a living, my explainer on what a freelance writer does in practice is a useful companion.

What a byline means in journalism

A byline names the writer of a newspaper or magazine article. It usually sits between the headline and the text, though some magazines place it at the bottom of the page. Dictionary.com defines it as a printed line of text accompanying a news story or article that gives the author's name.

Bylines weren't always standard. According to Wikipedia, they were rare before the late nineteenth century. In 1863, a Union general during the American Civil War required battlefield reporters to sign their articles, so he could tell who was responsible for errors. Over time they spread, and the first Associated Press wire story to carry one appeared in 1925. Today most newspapers and magazines credit nearly all articles to a named writer or a wire service, apart from very short pieces and editorials.

Not every publication does it. Wikipedia notes that the British weekly The Economist publishes nearly all its material anonymously, as a matter of tradition, so a missing byline isn't always a sign of anything wrong.

Byline, dateline, credit line and author bio compared

These terms get muddled, especially online. Here's how they differ.

Term	Meaning	Where you'll see it
Byline	The line naming the writer of a piece	Under the headline of an article
Dateline	The place the story was filed from, sometimes with a date	At the start of the first paragraph of a news story
Credit line	An acknowledgement of who supplied a photo, graphic or other material	Beside or under an image
Author bio	A few sentences about the writer	At the end of the piece or on an author page
Strapline	A slogan or tagline, often confused with a byline	Under a logo or brand name

A dateline, according to Wikipedia, is the short line that opens a news story and gives the place where the reporter wrote or filed it, usually with a date. So a story might begin with a city name in capitals, while the byline sits above it with the writer's name.

Why writers want their name on the piece

• Portfolio. A byline is proof that you wrote something, which makes it easy to show an editor or a client.
• Credibility. A name on a piece tells readers that a real person stands behind the words.
• Search results. Your name connected to your articles helps people find your other work.
• Accountability. Writers who sign their work tend to take care over it, which is the argument people made for bylines in the first place.
• Relationships. Editors, other writers and readers can find you, follow you and get in touch.

How to get your first byline as a freelance writer

Your first byline is usually the hardest to get, and it rarely comes from a big name. A few practical routes:

1. Pick a subject you can write about with some authority. Your job, your hobby, your town or an experience you've lived through all count.
2. Read the publication first. Look at what it already covers, how long its pieces run and how it credits writers.
3. Find the right editor and the submission guidelines. Many publications explain how to send ideas on their own site.
4. Pitch a specific idea, not a general offer to write. Say what the piece is, why this reader would want it and why you're the one to write it.
5. Keep it short and polite. Editors are busy, so a few clear paragraphs is plenty.
6. Follow up once, then move on. If there's no reply after a sensible gap, send a single short nudge and try another publication.

Smaller outlets are a good place to start: local papers, trade magazines, community websites, newsletters and industry blogs. Ask whether your name and a short bio will appear, and what rights you're giving the publication. My guide to finding your first freelance writing client has more on where to look, and starting freelance writing with no experience covers the groundwork.

How to write a short author bio

A bio sits beside your byline and tells readers why you're worth listening to. Keep it brief and factual.

1. Start with your name and what you do or write about.
2. Add one detail that proves you know the subject, such as your role, experience or something you've made.
3. Mention where readers can find more, such as your website or social profile, if the publication allows it.
4. Write it in the third person for most publications, and keep it to two or three sentences.
5. Keep a short version and a longer version ready, because requirements differ.

Example bio (invented): Sam Taylor writes about small-business bookkeeping and has helped local shops tidy their records for ten years. Sam's guides are collected on a personal website.

Bylines on business blogs and company websites

Business owners often wonder whether to put a name on a blog post. A named author gives readers a person to trust, and it helps if the writer has real experience in the subject. If several people write for the company, give each their own author page with a short bio and a photo. Where a post is a team effort, crediting the team or the company name is fine, provided you're open about it.

Ghostwriting and pieces with no byline

A ghostwriter produces writing that another person presents as their own. Wikipedia notes that credit varies: a ghostwriter might share the byline, appear as a co-author, be labelled a contributor, or receive no public credit at all, often under a confidentiality agreement.

• Ghostwriting means the client's name goes on the piece, not yours.
• It can be a legitimate and skilled kind of writing, as long as everyone involved has agreed to the arrangement.
• If you need portfolio samples, ask in writing whether you may mention the work or show it privately.
• Anonymous pieces, such as editorials and unsigned reports, are a separate matter, where the publication speaks as one voice.

Mistakes writers make with bylines

• Assuming a byline is guaranteed, when some outlets credit a company or a team instead.
• Agreeing to write without checking how the piece will be credited.
• Leaving the bio blank or filling it with a long list of achievements.
• Using inconsistent names across publications, which makes your work harder to find.
• Ignoring errors in the credit, rather than asking the editor to correct them politely.
• Mixing up a byline with a strapline or slogan.

What if your byline is missing or wrong?

It happens. Wikipedia mentions cases where agency work was credited to the wrong person. If it happens to you, contact the editor calmly, point to the page, and ask for the credit to be corrected. Keep a copy of your original submission and any emails that show you wrote the piece. If you need to resolve something about rights or agreements, check the terms you agreed to, and speak to a solicitor or relevant professional body about your own situation.

Frequently asked questions

What does byline mean?

A byline is the line that names the writer of an article, usually placed under the headline. It tells readers who wrote the piece.

What's the difference between a byline and a dateline?

A byline names the writer. A dateline gives the place a news story was filed from, often with a date, at the start of the first paragraph.

Is a byline the same as an author bio?

No. A byline is just the name line. An author bio is a short description of the writer, which usually appears at the end of a piece or on an author page.

How do I get my first byline?

Choose a subject you know, study a publication, pitch a specific idea to the right editor and start with smaller outlets. Ask how your name and a short bio will appear.

Do ghostwriters get a byline?

Sometimes. Credit varies. A ghostwriter may share the byline, be named as a co-author or contributor, or receive no public credit at all.

Do business blog posts need a byline?

They don't have to, but a named author with a short bio gives readers a person to trust. Where a team writes, crediting the team or company is acceptable.