Longer than an LTE and more essay-like, an op ed is often submitted by an organizational figure head or well-known member of the community. An editorial, though similar to an op ed, is written by a newspaper's Editorial Board.

Op eds can bring prominence to your issue or respond to ongoing bias of your issue. They are a great media vehicle because the opinion section of a newspaper is often highly read.

• 500-800 words (check the op ed length restrictions in your newspaper). Use short sentences and short paragraphs (usually 3 short sentences per paragraph).

• Determine the best person to submit your op ed. It should be someone who readers may recognize or someone who has clout on your issue.

• The op ed must be timely (about current news).

• Although you include more statistics in an op ed than in an LTE and write in an essay-like format, your op ed must be more personal than academic, more engaging than wonky. Use humor and engaging action words. Relate to your audience.

• Frame your issue and then move to your message, clearly stating the problem, solution, and action.

• Write your full name and organizational title with contact info.

• Write your own punchy title so that the editor does not write one that wrongly sums up your message.

• Proofread!!
  

Sometimes the media may invite someone at your organization to provide an op ed, but most of the time you have to be proactive.

• First, call the opinion editorial board or editorial page editor to gauge interest, pitching the need for your op ed.
• Then send op ed with a brief cover letter outlining the piece with your contact info and short bio.
• Follow up by phone, asking if they will run it.
• Send op eds to only one media outlet at a time.
• Try to have the op ed placed as close to your news event as possible, if necessary.