Whats Your Op-Ed?

Everyone has an opinion on something, and you can leverage the opinion of top executives to heighten the visibility of your organization. How? By getting them to write so-called op/ed pieces for newspapers.

Of course they'd love to be in the New York Times, but that typically is the purview of the mega-corporation. So, let's start closer to home at our local newspapers.

Here are a few key things you should know in order to write a successful op/ed feature.

* Check your local newspaper's website to learn about their op/ed policy

* Tackle a subject currently getting coverage. This improves your chances of getting the piece published

* Include a short bio, and your contact information at the end of the piece. Also, have a head and shoulders photo available

* Focus on a single issue or idea

* Don't waffle: take a strong stance

* State your conclusion first and then support it with your strongest points in descending order, building to a compelling conclusion

* State your opinion at the outset and support it with facts from other authorities, and solid first- or third-party research

* Write tight. Remember, this is a newspaper piece, not War & Peace. A piece of 750 - 1,000 words has the best chance of appearing in print

* Don't use jargon

* Don't commit an act of literature. Limit adjectives and adverbs as well as flowery language

* Use a personal and conversational approach

* Write in active voice

* Be controversial, but reasonable

* Summarize and state your call to action

* Publish. Repeat

Harry Hoover is managing principal of Hoover ink PR, http://www.hoover-ink.com. He has 26 years of experience in crafting and delivering bottom line messages that ensure success for serious businesses like Brent Dees Financial Planning, Duke Energy, Levolor, North Carolina Tourism, Ty Boyd Executive Learning Systems, VELUX and Verbatim.

---

Monarch Health Sciences starts shipping long awaited Monavie and Monavie Active

The Acai Berry is starting to gain world wide recognition... Read More

PR Works! 15 Ways To Make Your Press Release Stand Out From the Crowd

Do editors of newspapers, magazines and online news sites really... Read More

Crisis Management

The Internet may have opened worlds for businesses and consumers,... Read More

Dealing With Reporters in Your Small Business

It behooves you to know and remember the names of... Read More

Your Online Newsroom: How to Give Reporters a Tip

It's hard to imagine a reporter working today who doesn't... Read More

Are You a PR Chowderhead?

You are if you stand by while your public relations... Read More

Managers: Super-Charge Your PR

Ain't a gonna happen unless business, non-profit and association managers,... Read More

Media Release Headlines - Ten Tips to Get Media Attention

So you have spent hours and hours writing, shaping and... Read More

I Cant Afford A PR/Publicity Campaign -- Can I?

It's a phrase I hear over and over again from... Read More

Publicity: Five Tips for Calling a Reporter

Always ask, "Is now a good time?"Deadlines in journalism are... Read More

GETTING YOUR MESSAGE ACROSS

You have a story to tell. Your company has developed... Read More

Andrew Bogut - His Big Media Blunder And What You Can Learn From It

Andrew Bogut, the Australian basketballer is now officially in the... Read More

Effective Public Relations: Why Did Bec And Lleyton Do It At 3:15AM?

If you are in Australia at the moment, it is... Read More

A Simple Formula for Success

Leaders in the business world need public relations big time,... Read More

Submitting A Press Release Can Benefit Your Business

A Press Release is a captive story that can be... Read More

Media Relations: Should You Pay For News Coverage?

Dear New York Times:I'd like to be quoted in one... Read More

Do You Have Issues?

Every organization has issues that could affect its operation. The... Read More

Media Kit: 25 Component Possibilities

Media kits include a combination of information whether created for... Read More

Underestimating the Power of In-House PR

Do small-business owners always have to rely on large PR... Read More

Media Relations: Minority Media Matters

Your boss just stopped by your office. He tells you... Read More

Right PR Focus A Powerful Advantage

Powerful is a strong word. But it fits here. As... Read More

The 7 Deadly Sins of Press Releases

A press release is often your only chance to make... Read More

Does the PR Blueprint Work?

Managers, please take a minute and read two sentences: People... Read More

PR: Ouch! Tells the Tale

Ever get the feeling that your public relations program isn't... Read More

How to Keep PR Working for You

Managers in the non-profit, association and business worlds need to... Read More

5 Critical Tests Every Press Release Must Pass

You've heard "them" say it, haven't you?By "them" I mean... Read More

How To Create A News Angle

Think of a triangle. On the left, imagine the story... Read More

Sound Like Your Situation?

What a shame! Potentially productive public relations people resting on... Read More

Creating Event Magic through Planned Video Production

Once upon a time, there was a young, stressed out... Read More

6 Steps to Using Trade Magazines To Reach Customers

When developing a publicity campaign for their business many owners... Read More

Managers: Why Not PR Like This?

I mean public relations that presumes from the get-go that... Read More

Leveraging Your Reputation - Making PR Work for You

We rely on all kinds of tools and advice to... Read More

PR Planning: Mapping Out Your Strategies, Tactics

With all due respect to all those stereotypical males out... Read More