Opting for Op-Ed

I’ve just returned from an all-day seminar given by the Op-Ed Project and I’m writing a blog post. Sound odd? Shouldn’t I be inspired to write an op-ed piece? I am inspired, however, one of the goals of the Op-Ed Project is to reach more women (and occasionally men) through their thought leadership program and get them inspired to write op-eds.

Women are woefully underrepresented on editorial pages. Male by-lines, and thus their opinions, command more ink with an 80/20 split in their favor. In part, this is due to the fact that women do not write op-ed pieces nearly as often as men. If they submitted more, chances are good they would be published more often, and since it is important for women’s voices to be heard, the Project aims to instruct and empower women so they feel confident about submitting their writing.

Participants are led through a process of self-discovery, helping them define their area of expertise and their credibility as an expert. For example: I am an expert sales trainer and negotiator because after forty years experience in sales I’ve mastered the seven motivations that drive behavior and wrote an award-winning book on the subject (“You Don’t Ask, You Don’t Get”).

The workshop format allowed us to pair up to test one another in forming evidence-based arguments and overcoming objections. We dissected published op-eds to help us identify introductory statements, hooks, persuasion techniques and conclusions. Ultimately, we will be paired with mentor editors for one year to help guide us through the process.

Go to the website and register for a seminar in your area to learn this valuable skill. Use it to advance yourself and others; use it to change the world – one op-ed at a time.