How Entrepreneurs Can Get Featured in Business Media
The benefits of being featured by a business media don’t simply end at gaining additional exposure. Beyond the media attention, being featured can help create credibility, broaden your circle, expose your business to new prospects and position yourself as an authority in your field.
From online business journals and podcasts, to television shows like Inside Success TV, media features offer business owners a chance to share their stories, lessons, and expertise with the people who can benefit from them.
Having had hundreds of conversations over the years with CEOs, founders, business owners, and investors on Inside Success TV, what we can tell you for sure is that entrepreneurs who make it to a guest slot on the show aren’t necessarily the most famous. Instead, they are the ones who have real stories and really valuable experiences to share.
What Media Outlets Look For in a Story
Many people own a business, yes, but not everyone has a story that grips people.
Business media are not only interested in someone who runs a company. They’re interested in lessons, inspirations, things to challenge viewers’ understanding.
- Did you scale a seemingly impossible hurdle?
- Did you build something never built before?
- Have you tried things and learned valuable lessons in failure?
- Have you found a way of working and doing that you think others would find helpful on their journey?
The better your story is, the more likely you are to get featured on media platforms.
Research the Business Media Platform Before You Pitch
One of the mistakes entrepreneurs make is sending the exact same pitch to every business outlet out there. It doesn’t work like that.
You will need to take time to understand the media outlets you’re trying to pitch to. Always ensure you research their interview process, read their published articles, and also understand what the platform looks like before you reach out.
For example, If you want to be showcased on a media platform like Inside Success TV, the journey all starts with telling your story. Per Inside Success TV’s application process, the first step in the journey for you is to be reviewed for eligibility and for a storytelling audition. They want to know first and foremost what you do, and the value your story will add.
Present Yourself as a Credible Entrepreneur
As an interviewee, chances are you’ll be looked up before your first interview happens.
You will need to make sure that your personal website, LinkedIn profile, and other social media presences all help showcase your personal brand and professional achievements.
Also, If you’ve published anything, or you’ve spoken at a conference or you’ve been interviewed on a podcast, make those very easy to find. Your online reputation is a form of first impression so it will back up your credibility before you even say a word.
Lead With the Value of Your Story
So many entrepreneurs miss the opportunity during a business media pitch by turning the conversation to what they do or what their company offers. Producers, editors are in need of stories that will educate or provide inspiration or practical value to their audience – not to endorse a third party company.
When reaching out to a business media like Inside Success TV, don’t focus on yourself. Instead, consider what the platform’s audience will get out of your story.
It doesn’t matter whether the experience revolves around hardship, business expansion, or struggle – value will always beat a pitch focused on you.
Building Credibility Comes Before Media Opportunities
Being featured on a business media platform rarely happens because you hit them with the “perfect” pitch. In reality, it happens because you were growing your business and providing value and credibility over time.
The more you share, grow, and refine your story the more you build a name for yourself. Eventually, opportunities to be part of a bigger conversation in the media will come.
Any application submitted to a media platform like Inside Success TV always starts with the entrepreneur’s backstory, but even before getting there you should really strive to create: a business with a purpose, stories worth telling, and value people will appreciate.
That way when the door of opportunity to be featured by a media platform is on the other side, you’ll be ready to share your story.
