Best Practices: Submitting an Op-ed or a Letter to the Editor

small business op-ed letter to editor

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4.  Spell Check and Proofread

Before hitting send, make sure you have read your submission more than once.

In fact, if able, have multiple people look at your work. Incorporate their feedback and make sure that your sentences are clear and relevant. Check your spelling, especially for names and acronyms that spellcheck may not pick up.

If your prose is clunky, an Opinion Editor is likely to move on to the next entry, rather than trying to improve yours.

5.  Persistence

Don’t get discouraged if you are turned down.

As previously mentioned, competition is tough, especially in a big and mid-sized city. It’s entirely possible that you ticked off on all of the above, but luck just wasn’t on your side. Look for other opportunities to weigh in.

Additionally, keep an eye out for networking opportunities and a chance to interact with members of the publication’s staff. Pick up your phone and try connecting with the Opinion Editor or the staff member in charge of running letters to the editor.

If you are persistent, you may even get a chance to meet the newspaper staff member in person and will establish a personal connection that will put you at a distinct advantage when emailing that person again in the future.

Bottom Line

Newspapers and online publications are always interested in good content. They value the opinions of their local readers and community members. The trick to having your submission run is to be original, smart and readable.

A little bit of luck doesn’t hurt either.

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15 Quick Tips for Effective Digital Writing

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