How to Get an Op-Ed or Bylined Article Published

To get an op-ed published, find a specific argument instead of a topic, match it to the right outlet, pitch the argument in the first sentence, time it to the news cycle, follow the outlet’s format, and edit out self-promotion.

Editors reject most op-ed pitches within the first two sentences. The subject line promises a topic. The body never delivers an argument.

What is an op-ed or bylined article? An op-ed (short for “opposite the editorial page”) is opinion writing published under an executive’s or expert’s name, arguing a specific point on a current issue. A bylined article is the trade-press version, placed in an industry publication rather than a general-interest newspaper. Both are earned media: the publication runs the piece on editorial merit.

1. Find an argument, not a topic

“The future of AI in healthcare” is a subject. “Hospital systems are procuring AI diagnostics backward, buying the model before fixing the data pipeline that feeds it” is an argument. The second comes from someone who watched a deployment fail for that exact reason.

The strongest source material is a decision the executive made, a mistake they corrected, or a prediction they’ll put their name behind before the outcome is confirmed.

2. Match the argument to the right outlet

Pick the publication before writing the piece. A general-business argument fits a national outlet. A technical argument about procurement or engineering tradeoffs fits a trade publication. Read six months of the target section before pitching, an editor who published a similar piece last quarter will pass on a repeat.

3. Pitch like a journalist, not an advertiser

State the argument in the first sentence. Why the author is positioned to make it. Why now. One-line note on length. Attach a draft or tight outline. Skip the résumé. Same media pitch discipline applies.

4. Time it to the news cycle

Anchor to something happening in the world, a regulatory ruling, earnings season, a competitor’s misstep. Pieces pegged only to a company’s own announcement read as promotional. Newsjacking principles apply directly.

5. Follow the format editors expect

Most national outlets: 700-900 words. Trade publications: 800-1,200. Clear argument stated early, two to three supporting points, short conclusion restating the position. No bullets, no headers (most outlets strip them), no embedded links or product mentions, no calls to action in body text.

6. Edit out the self-promotion

Cut every sentence that exists to make the company look good rather than advance the argument. One company mention in the bio line is standard. A company mention in the body gets cut by the editor, or used to reject the piece.

Op-ed submission checklist

The checklist below turns the six steps into the order an author works through them, with the timing that applies at each step.

Step 1, find an argument: State a specific claim drawn from a decision the executive made, a mistake they corrected, or a prediction they will put their name behind. Do this before choosing an outlet.

Step 2, match the outlet: Pick the publication before writing, and read six months of the target section first so the piece does not repeat one the editor already ran.

Step 3, pitch the editor: Put the argument in the first sentence, then why the author is positioned to make it, why now, and the length. Attach a draft or tight outline.

Step 4, time it: Anchor the piece to something happening in the world. Pieces tied to breaking news can turn around in days, evergreen arguments can take weeks, and commentary pitched two weeks after a story broke has missed the window.

Step 5, follow the format: Aim for 700-900 words at national outlets and 800-1,200 in trade publications, with no bullets, headers, embedded links, product mentions, or calls to action.

Step 6, edit out self-promotion: Cut sentences that exist to promote the company, and keep a single company mention in the bio line.

How do you pitch an op-ed to an editor?

You pitch an op-ed to an editor by stating the argument in the first sentence, explaining why the author is positioned to make it and why now, noting the length, and attaching a draft or tight outline. Skip the résumé. The same discipline applies as in any media pitch: the editor should know the argument before reading the second line.

What format do editors expect for an op-ed?

Editors expect an op-ed of 700-900 words at most national outlets and 800-1,200 words in trade publications. The piece states a clear argument early, makes two to three supporting points, and ends with a short conclusion restating the position, with no bullets, headers, embedded links, product mentions, or calls to action.

How do you time an op-ed to the news cycle?

You time an op-ed to the news cycle by anchoring it to something happening in the world, such as a regulatory ruling, earnings season, or a competitor’s misstep, rather than to the company’s own announcement. Commentary pitched two weeks after a story broke has usually missed the window, which is why newsjacking principles apply.

Why do op-ed pitches get rejected?

Op-ed pitches get rejected because they are too promotional, lack a real argument, fit the wrong outlet, or arrive too late. A piece that reads like a press release with paragraph breaks, or a listicle of trends, gives the editor nothing to publish.

Where op-ed pitches stall

Too promotional. Reads as a press release with paragraph breaks.

No real argument. A listicle of trends gives the editor nothing to publish.

Wrong outlet fit. A narrow operational topic pitched to a national outlet, or vice versa.

Bad timing. Commentary pitched two weeks after a story broke has missed the window.

FAQ

How long should an op-ed be? 700-900 words for national outlets. 800-1,200 for trade. Check the outlet’s guidelines.

Do you need a PR agency to get one placed? Optional, but editor relationships, outlet fit, and timing are where independent attempts stall.

How long to get published? Pieces tied to breaking news can turn around in days. Evergreen arguments can take weeks, if they’re accepted at all.

Virgo PR pitches op-eds and bylines as part of broader thought leadership and PR programs, including for technology companies served by our technology PR agency team. See Technology PR Done Well for how bylined content fits into a wider tech PR program.