
They say that bad publicity is better than no publicity. And there’s some truth to that. Getting featured in the media might be a powerful tool. Publicity can get you more readers, clients, and—subsequently—more income. So, how does one get published?
I know a thing or two about the media.
I co-founded and worked as an editor-in-chief of a magazine on investing— I conducted interviews and asked for articles from professionals in my field.
But I’ve seen the other side of the coin, too. I’ve been featured in many media outlets; I gave interviews to magazines, radio and TV, as well as online portals and YouTube channels.
Undoubtedly, the world of media has been changing in the last years. Paper magazines, TV or radio have lost their omnipotence in shaping people’s opinions. In contrast, online presence has become more important, and, for some people, even necessary.
The internet changed the way media work, favoring those people who wouldn’t have an opportunity to get featured in mass media. If so, then why won’t you take advantage of that?
If you’re a business owner, publicity can do wonders for your company.
If you have a corporate job and you’re good at it, being featured in the media could prove that you’re a valuable asset and you should be treated as such (which is good when you ask for a raise, or you want to feel more secure in your job when times are tough).
If you have a side hustle, a blog, etc., publicity could bring you readers, clients, etc.
Being published has never been easier than it is now.
Here’s what you should do if you want to appear in the media.
1. Let go of your doubt.
You might ask: “Why would journalists feature me? I’m not a sought-after specialist, a successful entrepreneur, a bestselling author … “
I can relate to these feelings. When I got my first invitations to show up on TV, I was extremely nervous that I would say something stupid and it couldn’t be undone. But although my first appearances weren’t particularly successful, more invitations followed and I became really good at giving interviews or talking to the camera. Everything takes time. I did it, so you can do it, too. 🙂
Besides, if you’re reading this article, you probably feel deep inside that you have something interesting to say. You’ve seen all those people on TV, and you really don’t think they’re much smarter than you.
And it’s true. Have you heard of the impostor syndrome? The feelings of inadequacy occur even when you’re knowledgeable and accomplished in your field.
You don’t need to be a famous professor or own multi-million business to be chased by journalists (although it might help 😉 ). Many people search for advice on topics that don’t require having piles of money or discovering a cure for cancer—instead, they want to know how to decorate the apartment, organize a trip to India or make a DIY soap.
Marie Kondo made a career by publishing a best-selling book on cleaning and organizing the house. If cleaning can make headlines, any topic can!
Let go of your doubts.
This may sound like a cliché, but confidence is the key.
You already have what it takes to get featured in magazines, radio or TV.
Find the courage, and, in the next step, search for your “thing”.

This was one of my first interviews on TV.
2. Establish your niche.
Although this might sound counter-intuitive, having a niche you’re associated with makes it easier to get noticed.
If you’re a dietitian, you’re one of many people who do exactly what you do, and it might be challenging to get through all the competitors.
But if you prepare diets for runners—that’s more precise. You may target specific media outlets that would be happy to help get your name out there.
If you’re an expert in real estate, that’s quite useful. Nevertheless, this might get you nowhere—your potential clients probably don’t look for a house anywhere; they are interested in a specific location.
As a result, you may want to narrow your niche and become an expert in real estate in the LA area (or anywhere you live).
There’s a general rule you need to remember:
You need to be known for something before you’re known for anything.
I’ve learned this lesson oh-so-many times, so don’t repeat my mistakes and focus on one thing at a time.
3. Start with your own channels.
If you have a blog or a YouTube channel, you make yourself visible. Not only do you have control over the message you send, but you also make it easier for journalists to find you.
Nowadays, journalists often search for interesting topics on the Internet. They’re always willing to hear from people who have captivating stories to tell.
Besides, it’s easier to reach out to a journalist when you already have a portfolio. Even if you don’t have many readers, listeners, or viewers just yet, you still show your knowledge and skills.
And since I already mentioned it…
4. Reach out!
Don’t wait until the media find you; reach out to them first!
Journalists are always on a quest to find an exciting story. If you provide this story to them, they will be more than happy to present it to the masses.
They’re easily reachable because it’s their job to talk with people. Contact details of many journalists are often public, and on top of that, those people are usually social media superstars.
If you have something to say, just reach out to them.
Be brief, specific and polite.
Don’t waste their time.

I wrote many articles to newspapers.
5. Be prepared.
Whenever you reach out to a journalist, take some time to get to know a thing or two about them first.
Read about media channel they represent and topics they usually cover. You talk to a person, so don’t be afraid to make it a bit personal.
If you want to get your text published, take some time to prepare a few topics you’d like to cover.
Some journalists will require a complete piece in order to consider you as a published author. Others will just want to know the topic and a few bullet points—and then, you’ll have more time to deliver the finished piece.
And if you want to be interviewed, point out the topics you can talk about. Study the topics that are fresh and popular at the moment, and send a press release about them to a few journalists (don’t forget to come up with an intriguing topic).
6. Have a media kit.
In short, a media kit is a document or set of documents/files presenting yourself, your company, your project, etc.
Prepare your short bio, have at least one high-quality photo that can be featured in a magazine or on a website. If you do a specific project, prepare its short and clear description, preferably with some visuals.
Creating a media kit doesn’t take much time, but it can make all the difference.

A good media kit photo should look something like this.
7. When the piece is ready, promote it.
If you followed the previous steps, you probably got published somewhere—congratulations!
But don’t get too comfortable just yet.
Instead, return the favor and promote the piece among your friends, in social media, in your channels, etc. It may not make a difference for well-known media outlets, but it will be great for smaller newspapers or portals.
By promoting your piece, you raise the chances that more people will read it, and you’ll be more sought after as an author later on.

… or, you will be invited to more interviews 😉
Good luck!
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