In business media, Forbes is often seen as the pinnacle of success. With over 150 million monthly readers and a century-long reputation, being featured in a Forbes article can significantly boost your brand’s reputation, increase sales, and open doors to new opportunities. If you’re an entrepreneur or business professional looking to get published in Forbes, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the strategies and steps needed to achieve this goal.
Why Aim for a Forbes Feature?
Before diving into the strategies, let’s explore the benefits of being mentioned in Forbes:
Reputation & Brand Awareness
Forbes is a globally recognized publication associated with big corporations, billionaires, and serious business. Being featured or mentioned in Forbes can significantly enhance your perceived value and brand awareness. The prestigious “As seen in Forbes” badge can positively impact your reputation and help you stand out in the competitive market.
Potential Sales
While not every mention or feature in Forbes guarantees an immediate boost in sales, it can lead to increased revenue in the long run. A positive reputation and exposure to Forbes’ extensive readership can attract potential customers and clients, especially in the premium sector. The impact on sales will depend on how your business is reported and your target audience.
New Opportunities
Forbes is a daily read for influential decision-makers, including C-level executives, investors, influencers, and entrepreneurs. Being featured in Forbes can help you reach this elusive audience and establish valuable connections and partnerships. Whether you aim to become a sought-after speaker or secure lucrative business deals, a feature in Forbes can open doors to new opportunities.
The Cost of Getting Featured in Forbes
Contrary to popular belief, getting featured in Forbes does not require a direct monetary payment. However, it does require an investment of time, effort, and sometimes even money. Here are four approaches with varying costs:
Solo Approach
With extensive research and dedication, achieving a Forbes feature on your own is possible. This approach requires investing significant hours in media research, relationship building, and crafting compelling pitches. While it can be time-consuming, it’s cost-effective if you have limited resources.
In-house Team or Freelancers
Hiring a freelancer or building an in-house team can save you time if you have a busy schedule or lack expertise in media relations. However, choosing professionals who can effectively represent your brand and maintain a positive image is crucial. While this option incurs costs, it ensures a more streamlined process.
PR Agency
PR agencies specialize in securing features in major media outlets like Forbes. They employ professionals with established relationships with journalists and can deliver results quickly. However, the convenience and reliability of a PR agency come with a significant price tag, with fees ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 for a single feature or brand mention.
Direct Feature Services
Services like “getonforbes.com” offer an alternative to long-term collaborations with expensive PR agencies. They provide timely and cost-effective Forbes.com placements tailored to your needs. These services offer reasonable rates and flexibility without requiring long-term commitments or expensive retainers.
Strategies for Getting a Reporter to Write for You
Now that you understand the benefits and costs associated with getting featured in Forbes let’s explore three effective strategies to get a reporter to write an article about you:
1. Email Outreach
Despite the rise of social media, traditional email outreach remains one of the most effective ways to secure a Forbes feature. Start by researching your niche and identifying angles that make your business unique. Use Google to find Forbes articles related to your niche and note down the authors’ names, beats, and social media profiles.
Collect their email addresses once you’ve compiled a list of potential writers. You can find public emails on their personal websites or use tools like Rocket Reach or media databases. Personalize your pitches based on your gathered information, highlighting newsworthy facts, figures, and insights. Regularly follow up and pitch new angles to maintain relationships with journalists.
2. Social Media Outreach
Connecting with reporters on social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter can establish more personal and informal relationships. Start by sending connection requests on LinkedIn, mentioning that you frequently read their articles. Engage with their content, suggest ideas unrelated to your company, and gradually build rapport.
On Twitter, follow journalists and actively respond to their posts. This helps you stay on their radar and increases their chances of recognizing your name. Use social media outreach to complement email outreach, as it allows for more casual conversations and unique opportunities to engage with journalists.
3. HARO (Help A Reporter Out)
HARO, a free service Cision provides, connects journalists with experts and PR professionals. Sign up as an expert and receive daily email alerts with requests from journalists. Respond to relevant requests with detailed and informative answers, showcasing your expertise. While not every answer will be accepted, HARO can be a valuable tool to get your brand mentioned in a Forbes article and establish relationships with journalists.
Finding Forbes Reporter Email Addresses
You need their email addresses to pitch your ideas to Forbes journalists. Here are a few methods for finding their contact information:
1. Manual Search
Conduct a manual search by visiting the journalists’ social media profiles, personal websites, or search engines. Some journalists may have their emails publicly displayed, while others may require more digging. Use variations of search terms like “email,” “@,” and quotation marks to increase your chances of finding contact information.
2. Rocket Reach
Rocket Reach is an email database that allows you to search for emails of various professionals, including journalists. For a fee, you can access a vast number of emails, which can save you time compared to manual searches. However, remember that not all journalists’ emails may be available on Rocket Reach.
3. Media Databases
Media databases like Cision, MuckRack, and Meltwater provide comprehensive email databases and additional information about journalists. PR agencies commonly use these databases and offer reliable and regularly updated contact information. However, they come with significant costs, ranging from $500 to $7,000 annually.
Crafting an Effective Pitch to Forbes Journalists
Once you have the email addresses of Forbes journalists, it’s essential to craft personalized and compelling pitches. Here are some tips to make your pitches stand out:
Personalization
Use the information you gathered during your research to personalize each pitch. Address the journalist by name and reference their previous work or interests. Show that you’ve done your homework and genuinely believe your story aligns with their beat and audience.
Newsworthy Facts & Figures
Include solid data and metrics in your pitches to make them more compelling. Highlight user growth, partnerships, or revolutionary products that make your story newsworthy. Provide evidence to support your claims and demonstrate your business’s impact.
Honesty and Humility
While it’s important to present your business in a positive light, avoid exaggerations or false claims. Be honest about your achievements and strengths, backing them up with concrete evidence. Journalists appreciate transparency and authenticity.
4. Valuable Insights
Even if your business doesn’t seem inherently newsworthy, you can still offer valuable insights and expertise related to your niche. Position yourself as a thought leader and share unique perspectives or industry trends. Journalists value insights that can enhance their articles and provide value to their readers.
Crafting effective pitches is an art that takes practice and refinement. Experiment with different approaches, track your success rate, and continuously improve your pitching skills.
Leveraging Your Forbes Feature
Once you’ve secured a feature in Forbes, leveraging it effectively to maximize its impact is crucial. Here are some strategies to consider:
1. Share on Your Website and Social Media
Promote your Forbes feature on your website’s homepage and feature it prominently. Share the article on your social media platforms, tagging Forbes and the journalist who wrote it. This helps amplify the article’s reach and increases exposure to your target audience.
2. Engage with Comments and Feedback
Monitor the Forbes article’s comments section and respond to readers’ comments or questions. Engage with the audience and provide additional insights or clarifications. This demonstrates your expertise and fosters a positive image for your brand.
3. Update Your Media Kit and Press Releases
Include your Forbes feature in your media kit and mention it in future press releases. This adds credibility to your brand and helps build trust with potential clients, investors, and partners.
4. Build on the Momentum
Use your Forbes placement as a launching pad for future media opportunities. Mention it when pitching to other media outlets or when seeking speaking engagements. Highlight the Forbes feature in your professional bio and showcase it in your portfolio or LinkedIn profile.
Remember, your Forbes feature is not just a one-time achievement but an ongoing asset that can continue to benefit your brand long after its publication. Maximize its impact by strategically leveraging it in your marketing and PR efforts.
FAQs
Q1: How much does it cost to get featured in Forbes?
Getting featured in Forbes does not require a direct monetary payment. However, it does involve an investment of time, effort, and sometimes money. The costs can vary depending on your chosen approach, such as hiring a PR agency, utilizing direct feature services, or conducting the outreach independently.
Q2: How can being featured in Forbes benefit my business?
Being featured in Forbes can enhance your reputation and brand awareness, increase sales, and open doors to new opportunities. Forbes is widely recognized and read by influential decision-makers, making it a valuable platform to reach your target audience.
Q3: How can I find the email addresses of Forbes journalists?
You can find email addresses through manual social media and personal website searches. Alternatively, you can use tools like Rocket Reach, media databases like Cision or MuckRack, or consider utilizing the Forbes Writer Profiles provided by getonforbes.com.
Q4: How should I craft an effective pitch to Forbes journalists?
Personalize your pitches, addressing journalists by name and referencing their previous work. Provide newsworthy facts and figures to make your story compelling. Be honest and humble in your pitches, avoiding exaggerations. Offer valuable insights and expertise related to your niche, positioning yourself as a thought leader.
Q5: How can I leverage my Forbes feature effectively?
Promote your Forbes feature on your website and social media platforms. Engage with comments and feedback from readers. Mention it in your media kit and press releases. Continuously build on the momentum by highlighting it in future pitches and professional bio.
Getting published in Forbes is a significant achievement that can elevate your brand’s reputation, drive sales, and open doors to new opportunities. By following the strategies outlined in this guide and crafting compelling pitches, you can increase your chances of securing a feature in this prestigious publication. Remember to leverage your Forbes feature effectively to maximize its impact and continue reaping the benefits in the long run.
