Don't write a perfect draft
Many op-ed authors are focused on the wrong thing.
Hi, I’m Jake Meth. I’m founder of Opinioned, an op-ed consulting firm that helps thought leaders publish columns in top media. Previously, I built and edited Fortune’s opinion section.
This newsletter has two parts: opening thoughts related to op-eds/thought leadership and headlines of hypothetical opinion articles I’d love to read. You can read more about Heds here.
The perfect op-ed draft doesn’t exist. If you understand this, you’ll save yourself a lot of time.
Many believe that top news outlets are looking for perfectly written pieces. They think that especially goes for the top of the top—places like the New York Times or the Wall Street Journal—because they’re so selective. So they spend a ton of energy on drafting the article.
But in fact, the most prestigious outlets are even more likely to accept a piece that’s unpolished.
Why? Because they have the most resources for their top-notch editors, who spend the time they need to perfect the op-eds they publish. This allows these outlets to run op-eds written in their preferred style, and with significant editor input. Most don’t have this luxury.
Top editors are looking for an op-ed idea that deviates from the monotony gumming up the media space nowadays. If the writing is a C+, that’s a little more work for them. But they’ll gladly take it over a submission with A- writing and a C- idea.
Focus on finding an A+ idea. Then editors will happily work with you to make it shiny.
If you’re not already subscribed to Heds, you can do so here:
Pitches Get Stitches
If you have an op-ed pitch you’d like me to evaluate, either reply here or email it to jake@getopinioned.com. Tell me which parts you need to anonymize (author’s name, job title, etc.). I’ll evaluate it at no cost to you by publishing my feedback in this newsletter.
I have no takers yet from last week’s call for pitches. But this newsletter is extremely young, so I’m gonna keep asking!
Heds
If you’re inspired to byline an op-ed based on one of the headlines you read below, please reach out so we can work on it together.
Before continuing, please see my note on how to read the below headlines. Ideal writers are in italics.
Stop saying ‘mainstream Republicans’
Judging by the election of Mike Johnson as House speaker, arch-conservative/MAGA Republicans deserve the “mainstream” title just as much as more politically moderate ones. (political analyst; politician; media analyst; linguist)
All CEOs should have to take a psychopath test
There are too many of them, and they’re wreaking havoc on employees’ lives. (corporate management expert; psychology researcher)
I’m a university president. Don’t apply to my college.
You should only go to college if you have a good, specific reason. Otherwise it’s a colossal waste of money.
Escape the AI gold rush while there’s still time
Aside from market leaders, most of the promised tech is trash. Don’t end up like the NFT dupes. (AI expert; someone who lost a lot of money in a fad investment)
Your obsession with focus time isn’t making you more efficient
Modern work contains a lot of interruption and task-switching. Trying to avoid that reality isn’t helping your career. (workplace productivity expert; entrepreneur)
Elon Musk is a net negative for society
Sure, he’s been a major opponent of climate change. But his horrible management (see X and Tesla) puts him in the red overall. (midsize or large company CEO; labor expert; ethicist)
The Chevron-Hess merger is an obvious monopoly
Regulators must step in ASAP—otherwise more will feel emboldened to ink their own anticompetitive deals. (antitrust expert)
What movie theater renaissance? Most still suck.
The largest chains have unhealthy food and uncomfortable seating at most locations. The notion of a post-Covid renaissance was largely marketing spin. (indie theater owner; film industry analyst)
UAW’s Shawn Fain proves it: Anger is a great leadership tactic
He’s using it to shame the Big Three automakers. Find a way to channel it positively for your own purposes. (CEO; leadership/management expert)
Want to make a positive impact on the Israel-Hamas conflict? Here’s what your company can do.
Bland statements of support or condemnation accomplish nothing. (CEO; CSR expert)