How to Write an Op-Ed That Editors Will Buy

Everyone has opinions. Few can sell them. Here’s how to write an op-ed that gets published (and paid).

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A good op-ed can do more than get your name in print—it can shape public opinion, influence policy, and spark the kind of conversation that has people texting articles to their group chats. It’s a chance to step out from behind the scenes and say, “Here’s what I think, and here’s why you should care.”

The problem? Most writers approach op-eds like personal essays with a stronger opinion. They forget that op-ed writing is less about “my story” and more about making a clear, evidence-backed argument for a wider audience. Editors aren’t just looking for a well-turned phrase; they want something timely, authoritative, and impossible to ignore.

Before you can write one that gets accepted—and actually read—you need to understand exactly what an op-ed is, how it works, and why editors are so picky about them in the first place.

What is an op-ed? Understanding the format and purpose

An op-ed—short for “opposite the editorial page”—isn’t just a place to rant. It’s a persuasive, argument-driven piece that lives in a news outlet’s opinion section and makes a clear case about an issue that matters.

Think of it as a well-informed argument over coffee: passionate, backed by facts, and meant to sway your audience, not shout them down.

It’s different from a column (which is usually written by a regular contributor), a general opinion article (which might be looser in format), or a letter to the editor (shorter, more reactive, and often from readers rather than guest experts).

Media outlets publish op-eds to spark conversation, influence policy, and bring fresh perspectives and advocacy to the table. Flip open The New York Times or The Washington Post and you’ll often see guest op-ed writers weighing in on everything from health care reform to the economy to the latest Supreme Court decision.

What makes an op-ed stand out?

In a sea of hot takes and half-baked think pieces, the op-eds that get published (and remembered) have a few things in common:

• A strong point of view: If you’re hedging your stance with “on the other hand” in paragraph two, you’ve already lost the editor’s interest and your reader’s attention. Pick your hill and plant your flag.
• A news hook: Timeliness is everything. Your idea might be brilliant, but if it’s not connected to something people are talking about now, it’s a hard sell.
• A compelling lede: Forget the throat-clearing—start with a sharp fact, a surprising stat, or an image that makes the reader sit up straight.
• A clear main point early on: Editors (and readers) want to know what you’re arguing by the end of the first paragraph. If they have to go digging for it, they won’t.
• A strong finish: End with something that sticks—whether that’s a takeaway, a call to action, or a single sentence that makes the reader pause before scrolling away.

📌 Pro Tip: If your op-ed could survive without its opening or closing paragraph, rewrite it. The first and last lines are the bookends of persuasion—if they’re weak, the whole thing sags.

Structuring an effective op-ed

Think of your op-ed like a well-argued dinner-table debate: hook people fast, make your case clearly, and leave them talking long after the plates are cleared.

• Opening paragraph: This is your handshake and your first impression rolled into one. Start with a lede that makes the reader lean in—a surprising fact, a sharp observation, or a vivid scene that frames your argument.
• First paragraph: Plant your flag. Make your point of view unmissable, and tie it directly to something happening right now. Timeliness is your ticket past the editor’s slush pile.
• Body paragraphs: Build your case with specifics—hard data, sharp anecdotes, or examples pulled from real life. Use active voice to keep your sentences strong; passive voice is where urgency goes to die. Bring in credible voices, whether they’re columnists, policymakers, or subject experts.
• Final paragraph: Land the plane with confidence. Restate your argument in a fresh way and close on a line that echoes in the reader’s mind—something that could stand alone as a headline or a quote card.

📌 Pro Tip: If someone can skim just your first and last sentences and know exactly what you believe—and maybe even feel a twinge to act—you’ve nailed your op-ed’s structure.

Avoid these common op-ed mistakes

Even the sharpest ideas can fall flat if they’re wrapped in the wrong package. Editors at top outlets like the NYTimes or Washington Post read hundreds of opinion submissions every week, and most of them fail for the same few reasons. If you can dodge these pitfalls, your piece will instantly stand out from the pile.

• Going too broad: If your argument tries to cover everything, it will cover nothing. Narrow your focus to one strong thesis.
• Ranting without substance: Passion works best when it’s paired with data, credible sources, or lived experience.
• Leaning on jargon: Industry buzzwords and insider acronyms kill reader engagement. Clear, vivid language wins.
• Lacking a fresh perspective: If it’s the same take everyone’s already read, editors will pass. Find the angle only you can write.
• Burying the lede: If your point isn’t clear by the first paragraph, most readers (and editors) won’t stick around.
• Missing the news hook: Timeliness is everything. Connect your piece to a current event, debate, or policy decision.
• Overloading with data: Facts matter, but drowning readers in stats will numb their attention. Use only the most compelling numbers.
• Ignoring the audience: Writing for you instead of the reader is a fast way to lose them. Know who you’re speaking to and why they should care.
• Skipping the “so what?” factor: Every op-ed should answer, “Why should the reader care right now?”
• Weak endings: If your last paragraph fizzles, the whole piece fades from memory. End with impact, not a shrug.
• Being too safe: An op-ed without a strong point of view isn’t an op-ed—it’s a blog post. Take a stand.

📌 Pro Tip: Before sending your draft, hand it to someone outside your niche. If they can tell you your thesis, your news hook, and why it matters after one read, you’re in good shape. If not, revise before an editor sees it.

Pitching your op-ed: How to get published

You can write the sharpest, most timely op-ed of your life—but if it doesn’t reach the right editor in the right way, it’s going nowhere fast. Pitching an opinion piece is as much about targeting and presentation as it is about the writing itself. Here’s how to get your op-ed or column in front of the decision-makers who can say “yes.”

1. Research the outlet’s style and submission guidelines: The New York Times, The Washington Post, and The Wall Street Journal all publish op-eds, but each has its own tone, word count, and process for submissions. Read recent pieces and study their instructions before you send anything.
2. Identify the right editor: The op-ed page isn’t handled by a generic “submissions” inbox—it’s curated by specific op-ed editors. Sometimes their names are listed on the website; other times, you’ll find them through mastheads, LinkedIn, or Twitter bios. Pitching the wrong person is the fastest way to disappear into the void.
3. Craft a subject line that stands out: Make your pitch impossible to ignore. Instead of something vague like “Op-Ed Submission,” be specific and timely. For example: Op-Ed Proposal: Why AI Is a Threat to Local News. It tells the editor exactly what your piece is about.
4. Write a tight, compelling pitch: In a few short paragraphs, summarize your argument clearly and concisely. Explain why it matters right now, and show why you’re the best person to write it—whether that’s because of your expertise, your lived experience, or a unique angle only you can offer.
5. Follow up politely: If you haven’t heard back after a week, send a short, professional nudge. Editors are busy, and a reminder can put your pitch back at the top of their inbox.

📌 Pro Tip: If you’re planning to pitch widely, keep a list of well-paying publications handy. Our free list of 220+ publications that pay $1 a word or more includes dozens of outlets that regularly run op-ed pieces—making it easier to match your idea with the right editor and the right rate.

Beyond op-eds: Turning one idea into many opportunities

A successful op-ed doesn’t have to be a one-and-done exercise. Once you’ve sharpened your argument, you can adapt it for multiple platforms and audiences.

That 800-word op-ed for a national outlet could easily be reshaped into:

• A guest essay for a local paper
• A short letter to the editor responding to breaking news
• A personal blog post
• A LinkedIn article
• A podcast pitch

Many publications—large and small—welcome guest op-ed articles. Local news outlets are often more accessible than national ones, giving you a faster way to get published and start building a portfolio.

Programs like The Op-Ed Project also offer training and mentorship for writers from underrepresented backgrounds, helping fresh voices reach influential platforms.

The more formats you explore, the more chances you have to get your perspective in front of readers, decision makers, and communities that care about the issues you’r writing about.

And with each piece, you’re not just building clips—you’re building authority.

📌 Pro Tip: When you find an idea that resonates, don’t stop at one version. Reframe, repurpose, and re-pitch it. An op-ed is just the start of the conversation.

Op-eds as a career launchpad

The smartest writers use published op-eds as springboards—sending them to editors, sharing them widely, and pitching follow-up stories. Over time, those clips can lead to higher-paying assignments in top outlets.

If your next step is turning those opinion pieces into a steady stream of paid work, you’ll want to know where the best-paying markets are. That’s why we’ve put together a free list of 220+ publications that pay $1 a word or more—including exactly what they commission and how to pitch them.

Get the list, pitch smarter, and start landing bylines that pay you what you’re worth.

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