8 Proven Ways to Get Media Placements

Securing press or media coverage for your business is one of the most leveraged activities that you can do for your brand.

For businesses, It helps build brand awareness, establish authority in your industry, attract new customers or clients, and ultimately drive sales.

For individuals, media placements can help you build your personal brand, position yourself as an expert in your field, and create opportunities for networking and career advancement.

But, getting the attention of the media isn't a piece of cake. Just imagine, big publishers get flooded with pitches - like 1000 to 2000 each week and without a ton of PR know-how, it can feel overwhelming.

But it's not impossible.

In this article, I'll share some of my personal and proven strategies that can help you get yourself or your business featured in the media.

Note: Individuals and brands looking to get featured in the most reputed publications can reach out. I can help build your PR strategy and leverage my robust network of journalists and editors from 200+ major media outlets and publications, including Forbes, Entrepreneur, and more to secure placement for you.

What Are Media Placements?

Media placements refer to when your name, brand, product, or story gets featured or mentioned by journalists, reporters, bloggers, or influencers in traditional forms of media like newspapers or television or in modern forms of media like online publications, blogs, podcasts, and trade magazines.

In simple words, media placements are the most effective advertising or endorsements. This makes them highly valuable, as they carry the credibility and trust associated with the media outlet or influencer featuring you or your business.

Securing media placements requires a proactive approach, strategic pitching, and building relationships with journalists, reporters, bloggers, and influencers. It's about crafting compelling stories, angles, or pitches that resonate with the media outlet's audience and providing them with value in exchange for coverage.

8 PROVEN Tips to Get Media Coverage

1. Start with HARO to get mentions

If you're looking to get your business noticed by the media, HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is your secret weapon. This platform connects journalists with expert sources, giving you the chance to showcase your expertise and get mentioned in top publications. Here's how to make the most of HARO:

Sign up for HARO: Getting started with HARO is easy. Simply sign up as a source, and you'll start receiving daily emails with media opportunities relevant to your industry.

Respond promptly: When you receive a HARO query that matches your expertise, don't hesitate to respond. Journalists work on tight deadlines, so the quicker you can provide valuable insights, the better your chances of getting featured.

Be concise and relevant: Keep your responses clear, concise, and directly relevant to the journalist's query. Focus on providing useful information or expert opinions that add value to their story.

Follow-up: If you haven't heard back from a journalist after submitting your response, don't be afraid to follow up politely. Sometimes, your initial response may have gotten lost in the shuffle, so a friendly reminder can help keep your pitch top of mind.

Build relationships: HARO isn't just a one-time opportunity – it's a chance to build long-term relationships with journalists in your industry. If a journalist uses your input in their story, reach out to thank them and express your interest in collaborating on future projects.

By starting with HARO, you can get your foot in the door with top-tier media outlets and increase your chances of getting valuable mentions for your business.?

2. Guest posts frequently

Guest posting is a powerful strategy to boost your online presence and establish yourself as an authority in your industry.

To start guest posting, identify reputable websites and blogs in your niche that accept guest contributions. Look for sites with a strong readership and engaged audience to maximize the impact of your guest posts.

Once you've found suitable platforms, reach out to the site owners or editors with a polite email expressing your interest in contributing. Be sure to highlight your expertise and provide examples of your previous work to demonstrate your writing ability and subject knowledge.

When crafting your guest posts, focus on delivering high-quality, informative content that provides value to the readers. Avoid overly promotional language and instead aim to educate and entertain your audience.

I know guest posting =/ media placement. However, by consistently guest posting on relevant websites, you can expand your reach, establish credibility, and attract new opportunities for media placements such as expert quotes, interviews, etc.

3. Target platforms that interview entrepreneurs

When aiming for media placements, targeting platforms that regularly interview entrepreneurs can be a fruitful strategy. These platforms include podcasts, online shows, and industry-specific blogs that feature interviews with business owners and industry leaders.

By positioning yourself as a guest on these platforms, you can showcase your expertise, share your insights, and gain exposure to a relevant audience.

To identify suitable platforms, research popular podcasts and online shows within your industry or niche. Look for programs that frequently host interviews with entrepreneurs or discuss topics related to your expertise.

Pay attention to the audience size, engagement levels, and credibility of the platform to ensure that it aligns with your goals and target audience.

Once you've identified potential platforms, reach out to the hosts or producers with a concise and compelling pitch.

Highlight your unique insights, experiences, and why you would be a valuable guest for their audience.

Be sure to personalize your pitch and suggest a topic on which you'd like to talk about to increase your chances of securing an interview.

By appearing on platforms that regularly interview entrepreneurs, you can amplify your brand visibility, establish credibility, and attract attention from journalists and other media outlets.

4. Pitch journalists rather than publications

When seeking media placements, it's often more effective to pitch individual journalists rather than blanket pitching publications.

Journalists are the gatekeepers to getting your story published, so building a personalized connection with them can significantly increase your chances of success.

Start by researching journalists who cover topics relevant to your industry or expertise. Look for reporters who have previously written about similar subjects or have expressed interest in related topics.

Once you've identified suitable journalists, craft personalized pitches tailored to each individual. Begin by addressing them by name and referencing their previous work to demonstrate that you've done your research.

Highlight why your story is relevant to their beat and audience, and how it aligns with their interests and expertise. Be concise, compelling, and respectful of their time. Avoid sending generic pitches or mass emails, as they're likely to be ignored or dismissed.

Building relationships with journalists through targeted pitching can lead to more meaningful and fruitful collaborations in the long run.

By understanding their needs and preferences, you can increase the likelihood of your pitches being well-received and ultimately secure valuable media placements for yourself or your clients.

Remember to follow up courteously and maintain open communication channels to nurture these relationships over time.

5. Target freelance reporters

In addition to pitching journalists, targeting freelance reporters can be a valuable strategy for securing media placements.

Freelancers often contribute to multiple publications and have more flexibility in the stories they cover, making them a versatile and accessible resource for PR professionals.

Keep in mind that freelance reporters often work on tight deadlines and may juggle multiple assignments at once. Be respectful of their time and follow up promptly if you don't receive a response to your initial pitch.

By targeting freelance reporters alongside traditional journalists, you can expand your outreach efforts and increase your chances of securing valuable media placements for yourself or your clients.

6. Add new data and insights to your media pitch

One effective way to capture the attention of journalists and increase the chances of your media pitch being picked up is to incorporate fresh data and insights.

Journalists are always on the lookout for newsworthy angles and compelling statistics to enhance their stories. By providing exclusive data or unique insights related to your industry or topic, you can make your pitch more compelling and relevant.

To add new data and insights to your media pitch, start by conducting thorough research on your chosen topic. Look for recent studies, surveys, or industry reports that offer valuable insights or trends.

Alternatively, you can gather data from your own sources, such as customer surveys, market research, or proprietary industry data. The key is to provide journalists with information that is timely, relevant, and adds value to their reporting.

When crafting your media pitch, incorporate the new data and insights strategically to support your story angle. Highlight the significance of the data, why it matters, and how it relates to current trends or issues in your industry.

7. Leverage Twitter #journorequest

Twitter #journorequest is a powerful tool that connects journalists with potential sources and story ideas. By monitoring this hashtag regularly, you can identify opportunities to contribute to media stories and gain valuable exposure for yourself or your clients.

To leverage #journorequest effectively, start by searching for the hashtag on Twitter and filtering the results to show the latest tweets.

Once you've found relevant #journorequest tweets, review the journalist's inquiry carefully to ensure it aligns with your expertise or the interests of your clients.

If you have relevant insights, expertise, or data to contribute, respond to the tweet with a brief, personalized message outlining how you can assist the journalist with their story. Be sure to include any relevant credentials or experience that demonstrate your suitability as a source.

Engaging with journalists through Twitter #journorequest can lead to valuable media placements and establish you as a reliable source within your industry. Keep in mind that timing is crucial, so respond promptly to inquiries to increase your chances of being considered.

By actively participating in #journorequest conversations, you can expand your network, build relationships with journalists, and unlock new opportunities for media coverage.

8. Use your competitors

Utilizing your competitors can be a strategic approach to gaining media placements. By monitoring the media coverage and PR strategies of your competitors, you can gain valuable insights into what works in your industry and identify opportunities to differentiate yourself.

Start by researching which publications, journalists, and platforms your competitors are being featured in. Analyze the topics they are covering and the angles they are taking to understand their approach to PR.

Once you have a clear understanding of your competitors' PR activities, you can leverage this information to refine your own strategy. Look for gaps or areas where you can offer a unique perspective or angle that sets you apart from your competitors.

For example, if a competitor has been featured in a particular publication, consider pitching a similar story with a fresh twist or new insights to capture the attention of journalists.

Furthermore, building relationships with journalists who cover your industry can provide you with opportunities to contribute to stories that mention your competitors.

By positioning yourself as a valuable source for industry insights and expertise, you can increase your chances of being included in media coverage alongside or instead of your competitors.

Leveraging your competitors' media presence can help you identify untapped opportunities and refine your PR strategy to achieve greater success in securing media placements.

Looking for Media Placements in Big Publications?

This article was contributed by Salman Aslam, an entrepreneur who helps individuals and brands get featured in the most reputed publications.

He has a robust network of journalists and editors from 200+ major media outlets and publications, including Forbes, Entrepreneur, and more.

Salman can build your PR strategy and leverage his connections to get you featured in top publications. You can book a free call with him to find out more.