While landing a feature in a big publication like Forbes can take time, there are likely lots of opportunities for publicity in front of you right now. Starting small will help you clarify your message and gain the confidence to eventually speak to a larger audience. Plus, you’ll be putting your work and message out there at the same time.
While there are countless media outlets, blogs and podcasts you could potentially be featured on, where do you start?
Here are 3 questions you can ask to start compiling a list of outlets you can pitch to.
Which publications do you already read?
Start with what you know. What kinds of media are you currently consuming that relate to your industry? What media platforms, podcasts or resources do you turn to for your own professional development in your industry? Go through them and make a list.
Which publications do you love?
Take a step back and think about the publications you love to read. They may not have anything to do with your industry. Just make a note of them. This step could be as simple as listing New York Magazine. You can come back to this list and look at your favorite publications more closely with an eye for the specific sections that might be interested in the stories you have to share.
Where are your colleagues being featured?
List 3-5 of colleagues you admire and look up to. Then, look up which outlets have featured them. This could be as simple as plugging their name into Google News or looking up their press on their website.
This method is also a great way to find smaller sites and blogs you didn’t previously know about that may be interested in featuring you. Don’t underestimate the value of smaller publications. Smaller publications may speak more directly to the potential clients you’re trying to reach.
Next steps
If you take the time to fill out these prompts, you should have a great list of publications and other media outlets to start reaching out to. Amazing! In a future post, we’ll talk about how to start reaching out to the list you just made.
Want inspiration about how to brainstorm story ideas you can pitch to these publications? Read this blog post 5 questions to help you brainstorm story ideas for publicity.