When Hackensack Meridian CEO Bob Garrett wanted to express his thoughts — and concerns — about health care policy, he put it in an op-ed in BINJE.
When N.J. Building Trades Council President Bill Mullen wanted to offer his take on data centers, he published them in BINJE.
When South Jersey Chamber CEO Christina Renna wanted to address the fact that the region needed its fair share of the corporate transit fee, she used BINJE to start the conversation.
When thought-leaders wanted to discuss cuts to the budget, how the bag-ban bill needs an update, why raising the tax on cigarettes will hurt small business, why the contractor bill will hurt employees — or how a traffic jam around a soccer match impacts the economy — BINJE happily offered a platform.
We do it for two main reasons:
1. We view the op-ed “page” on our site as a window into the thinking of key leaders in the state.
2. We view the number of submissions as a window into what those leaders think of BINJE.
Simply put: If you are a thought leader and want to speak to the thought-leader community, where do you go?
Increasingly and overwhelmingly, it’s BINJE.
Since March 1, we have published 37 op-eds — exponentially more than any other outlet in our space. Since we launched last May, we have published 129 op-eds (including the latest, from T&M Associates CEO Gary Dahms).
To be sure, op-eds — or thought-leadership pieces — are more important than ever. In addition to having a URL you can post on social media, they give you more online presence, increasing the likelihood you’ll be sourced by AI engines.
Here’s all you need to know about getting published in BINJE:
- Have it fit our lane: BINJE writes for leaders in the business community and elected officials. The top should be something pertinent to either (or both) groups. We don’t need to approve a topic before you send it, but we’re happy to discuss ahead of time if there are questions about fit.
- Word count: There is no stated goal, but columns in the 550- to 650-word range generally are a guide. (We’ve read 100-word pieces that felt endless and 1,000-word pieces where we wanted 1,000 more. Quality beats quantity every time.)
- Use numbers or bullets: Writing “seven reasons why …” or “five things to consider when …” generally reads better. Here’s why: they force you to make your points cleanly, clearly and quickly. Odd note: While there’s no magic number, odd numbers tend to get clicked more than even ones.
- Don’t sell your services: Op-eds are meant to bring insight into a topic, not insight into why someone should hire you or your company. (That would be sponsored content.)
- Don’t take a shot: An op-ed is not a place to jab a rival. This is not a payback place. Simple rule: If you would want a chance to respond to a comment you’re making about someone else, don’t use it.
There’s just one more thing: Don’t offer too many.
We are not looking for columnists or regular contributors. The idea is to have a platform for many viewpoints.
With all that in mind, keep them coming. Have a question or concern, reach out to editor Tom Bergeron at [email protected].
