Momentum recently released its 10-Step Guide for Writing and Placing Op-Eds for Your Nonprofit.
Looking for more tips? Our team has you covered:
Tip: Your headline is critical – it is the first thing both opinion editors and readers see. Keep it short, snappy and tied to the news cycle to draw your audience in.
Momentum Example: New York Daily News – The wellness industry is a wolf in sheep’s clothing
Tip: Be current! If your op-ed is not connected to the news cycle in some way, you’ll have a hard time getting it published. Keep an eye on the news and ask yourself: what do I or my organization have to add to this conversation?
Momentum Example: USA Today – Why America needs you to vote for candidates who cooperate, not partisans who fight
Tip: Use subheads, preferably three! When you offer advice, there’s a risk that you’ll want to share all the information you’ve learned. If you can rein in that impulse and distill it down to three key points, with a subhead summarizing each one, your reader is much more likely to retain the key information.
Momentum Example: Entrepreneur – 3 Ways Higher Education Will Need to Adjust to a Post-Crisis Landscape
Tip: Whether we’re trying to show funders why a certain program is effective or convince policymakers why a specific piece of legislation should be passed, personal stories can help make the topic feel more urgent and compelling.
Momentum Example: The Hechinger Report – “It was initially unnerving for me — a black, Muslim woman in high school — to be completely surrounded by non-black faces”
Tip: If you feel stuck in your writing process take a step away from your piece. Go on a walk, drink some tea or just look out the window. Taking a break allows you to come back with a fresh mindset and make sure your argument is clear and concise.
Momentum Example: AM New York – Closing the digital divide can help get New Yorkers back to work