5 Real Tips to Get Featured in the Media (Without a Huge Budget or PR Team)

Everyone wants to get in the press. But most people go about it completely the wrong way. They send out vague emails, talk too much about themselves, or try to sound impressive, and end up getting ignored.

Here’s what actually works:

1. Have a story… not just a product or service

The media don’t care that you’ve launched a business. They care why. What’s the angle? What’s new, interesting, emotional or impactful? Why should a journalist’s audience care?
You’ve got to connect the dots between your story and something people actually want to read.

Think human. Think relatable. Think different.

2. Know your audience… and theirs

Don’t mass email a press release to 100 outlets. Know who you're pitching to. Read what they write about. Understand their tone, their audience, the kinds of stories they go for.
A local paper needs something community-led. A national paper wants data, trends, or something bold. A glossy magazine wants emotion or transformation.

3. Lead with the hook

Journalists get hundreds of emails a day. If your subject line or first two sentences don’t land, it’s game over.
What’s the headline of your story? Write that first. Then explain the so what, why now, why this matters, and why people will care.

4. Make their job easy

Attach everything they might need. Photos, quotes, links, stats. Write the email like they could copy and paste parts of it straight into a story.
Don't make them chase you. Don’t make them work to figure out the angle. Spell it out, clearly and confidently.

5. Build relationships before you need them

This is the bit most people ignore. PR isn’t just about pitching, it’s about people.
Follow journalists. Share their stuff. Compliment their writing. Be helpful. Be respectful. Then when you do have something worth shouting about, they’ll be far more likely to listen.