A letter to the editor (LTE) is a concise, opinion-based piece submitted to a publication, often in response to a specific article or current event, to express a viewpoint and potentially influence public opinion. 

 Here are some best practices to consider when writing, editing, and pitching an LTE:  

• Word count: Word counts will vary by outlet, so double-check your specific requirements, but are typically no longer than 250 words.  
• Brevity and Clarity: Keep LTEs concise and streamlined. Avoid jargon and industry-specific language when possible.  
• Real-world Impact: When possible, try to contextualize issues and data points in ways that readers can easily understand. If you have a personal or patient example, we encourage you to include it.  
• Outlet: When choosing an outlet to submit, look for (1) major state outlets or (2) notable local outlets in either your agency’s base of operations or a market where your agency is heavily involved.  
• Submission: Some outlets will allow submissions through an online form listed, while others will require an email submission. This information can typically be found on their website, where they outline submission guidelines for op-eds and LTEs. 
• Email Submission (Pitch): Please find linked below an example submission pitch to send via email. Similar to the letters themselves, keep these pitches brief and to the point. 
• Follow-up: If you have not heard back from a publication on your letter within 48 hours, sending a follow-up email is acceptable to check its status. If you haven’t heard back within 48 hours, we recommend moving on to another publication.  

This document provides a draft pitch (DOC) for Alliance members to adapt and use to get the letter in front of their desired publication.