A bylined op-ed in the right publication builds credibility faster than almost any other single piece of content. Your name, your argument, your expertise, published by an outlet your audience trusts. It works for founders, executives, practitioners, and anyone with a strong point of view and the credentials to back it up. This post covers how to write one that editors actually accept.
What makes an op-ed publishable
Editors receive hundreds of op-ed pitches per week. The ones they accept share specific characteristics.
A clear argument
An op-ed argues something. Not “here are some thoughts on AI” but “AI regulation should focus on outputs, not models, and here’s why.” The argument must be specific enough to disagree with. If no one would take the other side, it’s not an argument.
A timely hook
The argument needs to connect to something happening now. A new regulation, a recent event, a trend that just became undeniable, a policy decision. Editors publish op-eds because they’re relevant today, not because they’re interesting in the abstract.
A credible author
You need standing to make this argument. That standing comes from experience, credentials, or unique access to the subject. “I’ve run three companies through IPO” gives you standing on IPO regulation. “I read about IPOs” does not.
Good writing
The writing must be clean, direct, and confident. No hedging, no passive voice, no throat-clearing. Op-eds are persuasive writing. Every sentence earns its place.
The structure that works
Most successful op-eds follow a predictable structure.
The hook (paragraph 1)
Open with the news event or trend that makes your argument timely. Ground the reader in what’s happening right now.
“Last week’s FDA guidance on AI-assisted diagnostics got the technical details right and the implementation timeline disastrously wrong.”
One paragraph. Specific. Sets up the argument.
The thesis (paragraph 2)
State your argument in one or two sentences. Be direct.
“Healthcare systems need three to five years to integrate AI diagnostics safely, not the 18 months the FDA is proposing. Rushing the timeline risks patient safety and will slow adoption, not accelerate it.”
The evidence (paragraphs 3-6)
Support your argument with three to four distinct points. Each point gets its own paragraph. Use:
- Specific examples
- Data and statistics
- Personal experience (if relevant and credible)
- Expert references
- Historical precedents
Each paragraph should advance the argument. No filler. No repetition.
The counterargument (paragraph 7)
Acknowledge the strongest opposing view and explain why your argument still holds. This is the paragraph that separates good op-eds from mediocre ones. Ignoring counterarguments makes you look naive. Addressing them makes you look thoughtful.
“Proponents of the shorter timeline argue that patients are dying while we wait. They’re right about the urgency but wrong about the solution. A botched implementation doesn’t save the patients it was meant to help.”
The conclusion (paragraph 8)
End with a specific call to action or a forward-looking statement. Not “in conclusion, AI is important” but “the FDA should extend the compliance timeline to 36 months and fund a pilot program in five health systems before mandating nationwide adoption.”
Before you write: the pitch
Most publications want a pitch before the full piece. The pitch is often more important than the op-ed itself.
The pitch format
Subject line: specific, with your angle clear.
Body (under 200 words):
- The hook: what’s happening right now that makes this timely
- The argument: your thesis in one sentence
- Why you: your credential in one sentence
- The ask: “Would you be interested in a 900-word op-ed on this?”
Where to pitch
Identify the right section and editor:
- Major newspapers have op-ed editors (often listed on the opinion section’s submission page)
- Business publications have editorial or contributor editors
- Industry publications usually handle op-eds through the main editor
The response timeline
Allow 3-5 business days for a response. If no response, follow up once. If still no response, pitch the next publication.
Exclusivity
Most publications expect exclusive pitches. Don’t send the same op-ed to five outlets at once. Pitch one, wait for a response, then move to the next.
Writing the op-ed
Tone
Confident but not arrogant. Authoritative but not dismissive. Write like you’re making a case to a smart, skeptical reader who hasn’t decided yet.
Length
700-1,200 words for most publications. The sweet spot is around 900. Every word over 1,000 needs to earn its place.
Voice
Write in first person when your experience is relevant. Write in third person when making a broader argument. Mix both when appropriate.
Jargon
Use industry language only if the publication’s audience speaks it. An op-ed in the Wall Street Journal uses different language than an op-ed in TechCrunch.
Edits
Editors will edit your piece. They may change the headline, adjust the opening, cut paragraphs, or rewrite transitions. This is normal. Don’t fight reasonable edits.
What to avoid
The disguised sales pitch
“AI diagnostics are the future, and our company Acme Health is leading the way” is an ad, not an op-ed. You can mention your company once for credential purposes. The piece must stand on its argument, not on your product.
The obvious take
“AI will change healthcare” isn’t an argument anyone disagrees with. Obvious takes don’t get published. Find the angle people haven’t considered.
The academic paper
Op-eds are persuasive, not comprehensive. Don’t try to cover every aspect of a topic. Pick one sharp argument and make it well.
The rant
Being angry about something isn’t the same as having an argument. Channel frustration into a structured, evidence-backed case.
The vanity piece
Publishing an op-ed to say you published an op-ed produces weak writing. Publish because you have something specific and important to say.
After publication
Amplify
Share the op-ed on LinkedIn (personal post, not just a link), Twitter/X, and your email newsletter. Tag the publication and editor (they appreciate the traffic).
Reference it
Add the publication credit to your bio, your speaker page, and your LinkedIn. “Published in [outlet]” is a permanent credential.
Build on it
One published op-ed makes the next pitch easier. Editors at other publications see your byline and take your pitch more seriously.
Track AI visibility
Published op-eds in authoritative outlets feed AI product knowledge. Check whether AI products reference your argument or cite the article when answering related questions.
Publications to target (by type)
National newspapers
NYT, WSJ, Washington Post, LA Times. Hardest to break into. Reserve for your strongest, most timely arguments.
Business publications
Forbes, Fortune, Bloomberg Opinion, Fast Company. More accessible for business leaders with strong takes.
Industry publications
Every industry has opinion-accepting outlets. These are the most accessible starting point.
Digital-first publications
TechCrunch, Wired, The Verge, Vox. Each has contributor or opinion sections with different editorial standards.
Regional publications
Local business journals and regional newspapers accept op-eds from local leaders. Easier to land and still valuable for credibility and AI visibility.
The bottom line
A bylined op-ed is one argument, well made, by someone with the standing to make it, published at the right moment. Write it with a clear thesis, support it with specific evidence, address the counterargument, and end with a call to action. Pitch it to the right editor with a short, specific email. If the argument is strong and the timing is right, editors want to publish it. The credential, the credibility signal, and the AI visibility compound from there.