How to Get Media Coverage: 99 PR Wins Without Cold Pitching
Peter Murphy Lewis
?? Fractional CMO ?? TV host??? Podcaster ?? Documentarian?? Spanish-speaker ??Bank Board Director?? Ultra-marathon Champ ??Kansas Kid ??
What do some of the most trusted names in PR (Public Relations), business media, high-ranking websites, and the most-listened-to-marketing podcasts have in common??
They’re all constantly searching for fresh insights from industry experts.?
Yet, while many brands struggle to get noticed, others seem to appear everywhere—quoted in Forbes, featured in Business Insider, and landing guest spots on top-tier podcasts.
Getting media features isn’t a lucky break. It’s the result of a repeatable process.
Why PR and Digital Backlinks Matter More Than Ever
The digital landscape is shifting. Organic search is increasingly driven by expertise, authority, and trust (E-A-T). Being featured in respected publications and podcasts isn’t just a credibility boost—they drive SEO results and expand brand visibility.
At Strategic Pete, we apply this PR strategy not just for ourselves but also for our clients, like WebStreet.?
Take this recent campaign: Over a structured, repeatable process, our marketing brand secured:
The results? 866 new backlinks, 117 referring domains, and a 20-point increase in Domain Rating (DR)—all without paid ads. This growth came from strategic outreach, expert positioning, and building strong relationships with journalists and podcast hosts.
The Process: Getting Your Brand in the Right Conversations
The strategy behind this kind of PR success isn’t about one-off wins. It’s about a repeatable system that puts your expertise in front of the right media, at the right time.
To uncover the biggest PR challenges executives face with PR, we asked CEOs about their experiences. Their responses highlighted common pain points—choosing the right publications, struggling to get journalist responses, fearing wasted PR spend, and not knowing how to turn media wins into business growth.
"Being featured in Medical News Today would be a dream. As a leader in the home care industry, I want to amplify the conversation around quality elder care. [...] My pitches often went unanswered. It wasn’t until I partnered with a strategic PR team that I started seeing traction, landing features in Care.com, Woman’s World, Prevention.com, and Authority Magazine." — Tanner Gish, Director of Operations, Loving Homecare Inc.
Here’s how we did it at Strategic Pete.?
1. Find the Right Media Opportunities
Rather than waiting for inbound press coverage, this process actively seeks out media opportunities where journalists and content creators are already looking for expert input.?
Platforms like:
2. Crafting Pitches That Get Accepted
“Journalists get bombarded with pitches daily, and if your angle isn't immediately compelling, it gets ignored. I've found that the best way to get a response is to focus on providing real value rather than just self-promotion.” - Adam Whittaker, CEO, Manifest New Business Ltd
Most PR pitches fail because they’re either too generic or too self-promotional. Instead, the approach here focuses on:
Below is a screenshot of a pitch we sent that was accepted, followed by the final published quote in a recent feature by Dan Tynan—huge thanks to Dan for the opportunity!
Here’s an extract of the original pitch we sent:
Final published feature:?
More accepted pitches, featured on HubSpot
3. Turn Media Mentions Into Tangible Business Growth
“My biggest fear about investing in PR is spending money without seeing real business results. PR can increase brand awareness, but without a clear strategy, it's easy to get media attention that doesn't translate into leads or sales.” - Joseph Commisso, Owner, WeBuyHousesQuick.ca?
It's important to note that 92% of consumers trust earned media, such as editorial content and news stories, over other forms of advertising. Being featured in reputable outlets like HubSpot or Business Insider significantly enhances this trust, as consumers often associate such features with credibility and quality.
Securing media coverage is just the first step. The real impact comes from leveraging those mentions to amplify credibility and reach. This includes:
“A media mention is only as valuable as how you use it. We’ve turned features in Work Life by Atlassian, NBC News, Medium’s Authority Magazine, and TechBullion into lasting brand assets by integrating them into marketing campaigns, sales materials, and social proof strategies.” - Simon Elliott, Founder & Operations Director, CLIFTON
Why This Works for Any Expert-Led Brand
This approach isn’t just for household names—it’s for any brand or executive with a valuable message in their industry.?
The key is the repeatability of the process, which is systematized to ensure that expert insights consistently appear in high-visibility media spaces.
With media credibility playing an increasing role in brand authority and SEO rankings, this method is proving to be one of the most cost-effective ways to boost digital presence, build trust, and drive inbound opportunities.
If your brand wants to increase its authority, land high-value media placements, and establish a more prominent voice in your industry, now is the time to think beyond ads and create a long-term PR engine.
"Being featured in the right outlet isn't about ego - it's about reaching the people who'll champion your work. [...] You're not just selling a story; you're starting a conversation." - Ayush Trivedi, CEO, Cyber Chief
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Want to see how this could work for your brand?
Let’s have a no-pressure chat. ???
I’ll show you how to secure media features without chasing journalists.
FAQ
1. Why does PR matter? It builds trust, positions you as an industry leader, and boosts SEO with high-quality backlinks.
2. How can I get featured in major publications? Provide expert insights journalists need. Use PR request platforms, pitch strategically, and leverage past media mentions.
3. What’s the biggest PR mistake CEOs make? Treating PR like self-promotion instead of offering real value. The best pitches deliver useful, timely insights.
4. How does PR impact SEO and website traffic? Earned media backlinks improve domain authority and organic search rankings, bringing in more qualified traffic.
5. Should I hire a PR agency or handle it in-house? You can do PR yourself, but a structured system makes it efficient and repeatable.
6. How do I turn media features into business growth? Use media mentions in marketing—on your website, LinkedIn, newsletters, and ads—to reinforce credibility and attract leads.
7. How long does PR take to show results?Some brands land press in weeks, while others take months. A consistent PR system ensures long-term visibility.
I help leaders and brands in disseminating their message ?? Digital Marketing ??Problem Solver ?? AI & Tech Enthusiast ??Pay Per Click specialist ??
1 小时前This proves that the right positioning beats relentless outreach every time!
Investment Advisor - Micro Private Equity and Family Offices
1 小时前Such a refreshing take on PR! Positioning > pitching.
?? Marketing & PR | People Worth Caring About | Conventions & Events | Giving Voice to the Unsung Heroes
1 小时前Love the mindset shift here. Instead of cold pitching, it's about becoming the go-to expert
Digital Marketing & Recruitment Specialist
1 小时前This approach makes so much sense—when you focus on adding value rather than seeking attention, media opportunities come naturally. Great insights!
Investor & CEO at Aurion | eCommerce Growth Specialist | Host of The eCommerce Podcast | $75M+ in Digital Sales. Empowering Digital Davids to grow, scale, and achieve life-changing exits.
2 小时前Such a great read, Pete! The connection between PR and SEO is fascinating—especially how earned media builds both credibility and search rankings. I recently saw a stat that long-form content gets 70 - 80% more backlinks than shorter pieces. It makes me wonder if I should focus more on creating in-depth resources to maximise my PR efforts?