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7 Important Things to Consider When Contacting Media Outlets

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Public Relations is accessible to anyone these days. Thanks to the internet, social media in particular and the rise of content consumption, there are viral opportunities waiting for you.   

You no longer need a Public Relations firm to find media contacts and connect with them. This is great news if you are an entrepreneur and don’t have a huge budget to hire one. In all reality, you don’t need one anyways.  

It’s time to take advantage of the time we live in. Here are seven tips to help you get featured in the media, create buzz and gain credibility:

1. Research your target media market

Before you start reaching out to reporters, you need to be able to understand which media outlets (ie) blogs, magazines, podcasts, radio and TV your potential customers are reading, listening to and watching.  

Many times, the revenue generating PR results come from smaller outlets that reach your niche audience while the largest influencers are great for validating your credibility and bragging rights.

Tip: One way to do this is to look at your Facebook business page and look at your customer’s interests. Click on the top “Insights” and scroll down to “Pages to Watch.” These are ones Facebook sees as your competitors. You can click on any of them and see where they’ve been featured, which media and bloggers they are engaging with to reach their target market, which will be your target market, too. You can also go to competitors websites and look at their press page.

“Understand why you are different and how you help, recognize your target market, and give them something they might not even realise they are missing.” – Chris Murray

2. Understand the media outlets style

If you are going to proactively reach out and pitch media, you’ll need to research the media outlet and specifically look at how the journalist writes or reports. When you understand their tone and style, you’ll more likely be successful in pitching them.

Tip: If the writer always writes in listicles, part article and then list, pitch them a listicle. Mimic their writing style. Always be sure to check their submission guidelines and follow them. For tone, check if they write positively or negatively, serious or funny, fact or fictions about the topic and make sure you are in alignment.

 

3. Writing a relatable pitch

This is one of the most important elements when contacting media outlets. Without communicating how your story will benefit their readers, listeners or viewers in a direct and creative way, you don’t stand a chance.

Tip: Find a statistic that is relevant to what you are pitching to make it newsworthy or insert yourself as an expert in a trending story or pitch your entrepreneurial journey as a feature. Be sure to include what is notable and relevant to that specific media outlet and journalist or reporter.

 

4. Creating a subject line that grabs attention

In order for your email to get opened, it needs to have a hook or no one will ever read your pitch and you won’t be featured.

Tip: Don’t get desperate and write “RE:” like you are replying to their email.  It’s annoying and they know what you are doing. While everyone has personal preferences and there is no one type fits all solution. I’ve found that writing a headline like they write in their articles or asking a question is a good way to get your email opened.  

 

5. Build a relationship with the media

Authenticity creates connections. In the past, press releases were a standard but in our personality driven online world, authenticity and a more casual approach work well.

It is still important to include a solid pitch and be respectful but showing some personality is also okay.  We’re all human and if you can make someone smile during a busy work day they will pay attention.

Tip: The acceptable social network for connecting with media is Twitter. Follow the reporter/journalist and like or retweet their tweets. They are building their social proof in this transparent digital world, too, so help them by sharing their work and you may be helping yourself, too.  

If this doesn’t come natural to  you, try using a “P.S. I’m a chocolate lover, too” or whatever personal information you found in their Twitter profile or elsewhere that you genuinely relate to.

“Build the right relationships with the right people and nurture them over time and you’ll always have a leg up on the competition.” – Paul May

6. Take action and submit your proposal

No matter what you do, if you are too scared to reach out or make a mistake, you will stay stuck right where you are. That’s not where you want to be.  

Tip: Just do it! Hit SEND! Don’t worry. It’s not personal if you don’t get a response. Your timing may not be right for that media outlet or they could’ve already filled that topic or they changed directions but most of the time, they won’t communicate it because they are busy and it is your role to “serve” them like a concierge at a hotel.  

 

7. Following up like a diplomat

Classy persistence works. If you can consistently stay top of mind and try new angles, you will eventually fit in somewhere and the journalist or reporter will learn you are not going away.

Tip: Follow up one time, one week later and if you still don’t hear back, then come back a month later or when you have a new angle or product to introduce.

What tactic have you personally used to stand out to a media outlet? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below!

When Rachel Olsen, Founder, RachelAOlsen.com and BestMomProducts.com is not teaching her Business Celebrity Masterclass ~ PR in 1 hour a day in 1 month, writing business books, or helping small businesses gain mass media exposure, she's baking and playing with her 2 young daughters in San Diego, CA. Barbara Corcoran endorsed her best-selling book Shark Tank MOMpreneurs Take a Bite Out of Publicity from one, cold email pitch. She’s also been featured and landed clients in Entrepreneur, Forbes, Fortune, Huffington Post, NY Times and plenty of other fancy media outlets.

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Successful people love to help beginners. They have an incredible work ethic and rarely complain. As a result, others naturally look up to them and want to follow in their footsteps.

But here’s the truth: there’s no success without sacrifice. You’ll need to give up comfort, excuses, and sometimes even social approval to accomplish your goals.

Value comes from solving problems, and these 11 powerful tips will help you become more productive, successful, and confident, starting today.

1. Take Short Breaks After Finishing a Task

Psychology shows it’s important to reward positive behaviour.

After completing a big task or finishing a book, take five minutes to walk, stretch, or simply breathe. This quick reset helps your brain recharge and strengthens focus.

Many great writers swear by morning walks, solitude, and reflection can unlock creativity.

But if you refuse to take breaks, don’t be surprised when burnout hits. Your brain needs recovery time just as much as your body does.

2. Schedule Your Most Important Tasks First

Multitasking kills productivity. If you want to get more done, try time blocking, a method where you dedicate set periods for specific tasks.

Productivity expert Caitlin Hughes explains, “Time blocking involves scheduling blocks of time for your tasks throughout the day.”

For example, if you’re a writer:

  • Research your topic at night.

  • Write your first draft in the morning (don’t worry if it’s rough).

  • Edit in the afternoon, great writing comes from rewriting.

You can’t buy more time. Use it intentionally and without regret.

3. Eliminate Distractions from Your Workspace

Focus is the foundation of success.

According to Inc. Magazine, it takes an average of 23 minutes to recover from a distraction. That’s nearly half an hour of lost productivity every time you check your phone.

Put your phone away. Close unnecessary tabs. And yes, limit your Netflix binges.

Meeting deadlines consistently is one of the fastest ways to stand out and earn respect.

4. Take Full Responsibility for Your Life

Entrepreneur Derek Sivers once said, “Everything is my fault.”

This mindset doesn’t mean self-blame; it means self-ownership. Stop pointing fingers, making excuses, or waiting for others to change.

If your habits (like smoking or drinking too much) hold you back, it’s time to make better choices. Your friends can’t live your dreams for you; only you can.

5. Invest an Hour a Day in Learning New Skills

Knowledge compounds over time.

Whether you read books, take online courses, or practise a craft, consistent learning gives you a competitive edge.

I used to struggle with academic writing, but I improved by studying the work of great authors and applying what I learned.

Your past doesn’t define you; your actions do. Every new skill adds another tool to your arsenal and makes you more unstoppable.

6. Develop a Growth Mindset

Psychologist Dr. Carol Dweck introduced the concept of fixed vs. growth mindset.

  • A fixed mindset believes success is based on natural talent.

  • A growth mindset believes success comes from effort and learning.

Choose the growth mindset. Embrace challenges. See failures as feedback. In today’s fast-moving digital world, adaptability is your biggest advantage.

7. Learn Marketing to Reach People Who Need You

I once believed marketing was manipulative, until I realised it’s about helping people solve problems.

If your work provides genuine value, marketing is how you let others know it exists. Even Apple spends billions on it.

Don’t be ashamed to promote your skills or business. Without visibility, your ideas will never reach the people who need them most.

Creative professionals who understand marketing and sales have an unfair advantage.

8. Ask Your Mentor the Right Questions

Good mentors can fast-track your growth.

While mentorship often costs money, it’s one of the best investments you can make. Great mentors don’t care about titles; they care about your progress.

If you don’t have access to a mentor yet, books are your silent mentors. Read the best in your field, take notes, and apply what resonates.

9. Build Confidence Through Action, Not Affirmations

Author Ryan Holiday once said, “I don’t believe in myself. I have evidence.”

Confidence doesn’t come from shouting affirmations into the mirror; it comes from proof. Doing hard things, keeping promises to yourself, and following through.

When you consistently take action, your brain gathers evidence that you can handle whatever comes next. That’s real confidence, grounded, earned, and unshakable.

10. Focus on Your Strengths

Your strengths reveal where your greatest impact lies.

If people compliment you on something often, it’s a clue. Lean into it.

A former professor once told me I was creative, and that simple comment gave me the confidence to go all in. I studied creativity, applied it daily, and turned it into my career advantage.

Double down on your strengths. That’s how you build momentum and mastery.

11. Identify and Challenge Your Limiting Beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality.

For years, I believed I couldn’t be a great writer because of my chronic tinnitus and astigmatism, sensory challenges that made concentration difficult. But over time, I realised those struggles made me more disciplined, observant, and empathetic.

Your limitations can become your greatest motivators if you let them.

Avoid shortcuts. Growth takes time, but it’s always worth it.

Final Thoughts

Becoming productive, successful, and confident isn’t about working harder than everyone else. It’s about working smarter, consistently, and intentionally.

You don’t need to overhaul your life overnight. Start small: take a break after your next task, schedule your priorities, or spend one hour learning something new.

Every habit you change compounds into long-term success. Remember, true change comes from practising new behaviours.

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