Serious byline question

Something to consider for your byline is how Googleable (is that a word yet?) you want your stories to be. John Casper Jr.'s work as a reporter is No. 1 in a search for "John Casper Jr.," and makes up most of the first page of Google results. "John Casper" the reporter is on the first page, but it's one entry among John Casper the astronaut and others.

A future hiring editor could likely figure out that the John Casper he or she is looking at hiring (note to John Casper Jr.'s employer: this is only an example; as far as I know, he loves where he is and is never leaving) is not a former astronaut, but it's still nice and convenient to have his work appear so much more prominently in a search. As a hiring editor who has googled reporters in the hiring process, I like that very much. Remember, too, that Google results weight toward older, more linked entries, so if you have a common name like "Bob Cook" and are just starting out, no one is going to find you on Google for a while.

So, at the risk of sounding like Tim McCarver or Steve Stone, you younger reporters out there might consider using anything unique to your name -- a suffix like Jr., a middle initial, a nickname like "Squirrel Nuts" -- to boost your search profile.

 

Rachel Alexander went to Rachel Alexander Nichols when she was at the Post, I believe (correct me if I'm wrong).
Now, at ESPN, she's just Rachel Nichols.

Sounded better the original way, IMHO. Just kind of rolls off the tongue better.

 

By original way, what do you mean? Rachel Alexander or Rachel Alexander Nichols?

 

Great pull.

And, I am ashamed to say I saw that move in theatres - twice.

 

C. Vivian Stringer is fine with using the initial for the first name and the full middle name.

 

I will make no Rutgers jokes for fear of getting an extra two weeks vacation.

 

I always thought common names could be accented with initials just to distinguish the writer from someone else. But if you've got an oddball name anyway, no need to underscore it with your initial.

I will say Francis X. Clines at the Times may have the best initial.

 

If you wanted to really distinguish yourself, go all-lowercase, like a.a. milne or hoops.

 

That's the only time I've done it, and for the same reason . . . . .

 

I use my nickname as my byline. I also use it in the masthead where it lists me as the managing editor. I also use staff writer for my byline instead of managing editor on news or sports stories.

I HATE pretension with a passion. To me, full first name and middle initial are pretentious. Using managing editor for my byline when I'm not writing a column is even more pretentious.

 

I am a middle initial guy.

I use it because on my checks and credit cards that's my name. No one speaks of me using the middle initial, but when my name is formally in print anyplace, my middle initial is there.

I can be called what ever I want.

 

as said before, i am a middle initial guy. but i did have a weird experience once as editor in chief of my college paper.

this guy barges into the office and marches right up into my face and starts yelling about some story we ran that ticked him off. so wondering how he knew i was the guy to acost, i asked him, "why are you getting in MY face?" (you know, as opposed to any other of the random people standing around).

and he goes, because you're so-and-so D. lastname.

it was the first time i ever heard anyone actually speak my byline. and i had to try and keep from laughing.