Crediting Authors for Articles and Blog Posts: Why and How
TIP
As digital content is increasingly being taken over by AI generated and less than reliable information, it's becoming harder and harder for nonprofits to build trust and establish credibility with their audience.
One tactic that can be useful is to feature the authors of articles, stories or blog posts. This can humanize your content, adds a layer of accountability that is increasingly valued in today's information-saturated world, and can also improve search engine optimization.
Why Listing an Author Matters
Signals credibility: When there’s a named author, nonprofits signal to their readers that there is a real person behind the information, someone who is knowledgeable in the subject matter and stands behind the content published. This transparency builds trust and strengthens your reputation as a credible source of information.
Personalizes the Content: Featuring an author can content a personal touch, making it more relatable. Knowing who wrote an article can transform a generic piece of text into a more meaningful and engaging reading experience, especially if you write it in the first person (“I”) voice.
Shows Accountability: When you credit a specific author shows that the content has been reviewed by a person who stands behind its quality and reliability.
Boosts SEO Rankings: Search engines are increasingly prioritizing content that offers clear authorship or is written in the first person.
Ways to Incorporate the Author
Including a Byline and Bio: A simple but effective way to feature authors is by including a byline at the beginning or end of the article. This byline can be accompanied by a brief bio, or can link to a more detailed profile on the organization's staff page.
Showcasing Perspective Pieces: Going a step further, consider including opinion pieces or personal viewpoints as part of your content strategy. These types of pieces can allow your organization to provide insights that are particularly specific, and foster a deeper connection with the audience.
Managing Author Transitions: Nonprofits are often concerned about including authors with the knowledge that staff can leave the organization. But this is straightwared to manage. For instance, you could update their bio to say they’re a “former staff member”, or move their bio to a "Former Staff" page. If an educational article may be going out of date, ask a current staff member to review it and then add them on as a co-author.