How to Get Featured in Forbes Without Paying a Dime

You’ve got a startup, a product, or a big idea. You want the world to notice. Forbes seems out of reach — something only deep pockets and PR pros can unlock. That’s not true.

I’ll show you how to land a Forbes feature without spending a cent. It takes strategy, a good story, and some effort. No cash needed. Want to know how? Let’s dive in.

Forbes doesn’t care about your budget. They want stories that grab attention — ones about impact, fresh ideas, or what’s trending. If you can match your story to what their readers love (insights, inspiration, authority), you’re in. No fees. No shortcuts. Just real, earned media.

Today, it’s tricky to tell real journalism from paid ads online. Knowing how to get noticed the legit way is a skill most overlook. This guide gives you the steps — built from real examples, expert tips, and data. It’s your plan to get into Forbes, CNBC, or even Harper’s Bazaar, all for free.

This article hits 20,000 words. It’s packed with practical steps, examples, and extra value to help you succeed. Ready? Let’s start.

The Backstory: How Media Got Tough (and How You Can Crack It)

Forbes kicked off in 1917 as a finance magazine for Wall Street big shots. Over decades, it grew into a global name, covering tech, leadership, and lifestyle. By the 2000s, Forbes.com took over, pulling in over 100 million users monthly.

What shifted? The internet made info easy to find but focused attention on a few key players. Forbes, CNBC, and others became trust badges. A Forbes feature doesn’t just get eyes — it marks you as legit.

The Contributor Shift

Forbes opened up its Contributor Network, letting freelancers write under its name. This gave more people a shot but stirred trouble. PR firms started sneaking in paid pieces through contributors. It got messy.

By 2020, Forbes cracked down, setting stricter rules to stop the spam. Still, people think you need to pay to play. You don’t. You just need to know the rules.

Why Earned Beats Paid

Ads don’t build trust. Data shows 61% of readers skip sponsored posts. Earned media — real articles from real writers — gets 3x more clicks and 7x more trust.

Trust matters. Forbes readers smell paid fluff a mile away. Many founders waste $10,000 on PR for fake “features” in listicles or knockoff sites. Readers notice. Google does too.

Focus on earning it. Connect with contributors. Pitch smart. Give value. That’s strategic PR — done free by you or guided by pros like 9 Figure Media, who shape your story right without breaking your bank.

Let’s meet someone who did it.

Sarah’s Story: From No Replies to Forbes Fame

Sarah Chang had no cash, no PR team — just an idea. She used machine learning to cut food waste in restaurants. She emailed five journalists. No one answered.

She didn’t quit. She read Forbes, spotted trends like sustainability and AI, and rewrote her pitch to fit. Three weeks later, a contributor bit: “This could work. Let’s chat.”

Her feature, “How This AI Startup is Tackling Food Waste in Urban Kitchens,” hit big. No payment — just a solid story. Leads poured in. Investors called her.

Sarah’s trick? She made her story matter now. You can too.

What Journalists Want: The Psychology Behind a Yes

Journalists don’t chase hype. They need clicks, fresh angles, and value. Here’s what gets them:

• Why Now? Tie your story to a hot topic or change.
• Drama: Share a struggle, twist, or win.
• Lessons: Offer something readers can use.

Look at any Forbes piece. You’ll see these three every time.

Matt R., a founder featured in Forbes and CNBC, said: “They didn’t want my product. They wanted what it meant for the market.” Nail that, and you’re gold.

Your Step-by-Step Plan: Get Into Forbes Free

Here’s how you go from nobody to Forbes feature, no cost. Don’t hunt media — make yourself worth finding.

Step 1: Nail Your Angle

Journalists skip product pitches. They want why it matters today. Use this checklist:

• Trend Tie-In:
  “My AI fixes restaurant staffing gaps.”
  “My app rides the Gen Z mental health boom.”
• Surprise Factor:
  “No tech skills, but I built a hit app.”
  “Fired in 2020, now I run a biotech startup.”
• Culture Hook:
  “With health men’s magazine buzzing, I’m rethinking wellness for guys.”

Ask yourself: “Would I care if I weren’t me?”
Tip: Check Google Trends or news alerts. Match what’s hot. Journalists watch the same stuff.

Step 2: Write a Pitch That Sticks

You’ve got five seconds before they trash it. Hook them fast. Try this three-line pitch:

“Hi [Name], I’m a [title] who [big result]. With [trend] in the news, you might like how [solution]. We’ve [proof], and I’d love to talk more.”

Examples:

• “Hi Emily, I’m a founder who cut food waste 40% in NYC eateries. AI and climate are huge in 2025 — my app tackles both. We hit 10k users in 90 days.”
• “Hi Carla, three moms built a postpartum wellness tool during lockdown, now at 40k users. Harper’s Bazaar loves female-led startups — ours fits.”
• “Hi Sam, my fintech boosts gig workers’ pay 28% with tax tricks. CNBC’s all over inflation — our story fits.”

Focus on them. Link to their interests. Keep it short.

Step 3: Build Real Connections

Cold emails can work. Warm ones win. Don’t spam 50 people. Pick three contributors you like. Then:

• Comment on their latest article with a smart take.
• Share their post with your thoughts.
• Follow up with a pitch, mentioning your earlier note.

Example:
“Hey Julia, your Forbes piece on green startups rocked. Loved the AI ethics angle. My story’s similar — want to hear it?”

Tip: Use MuckRack or Twitter to find writers in your niche. Search “site:forbes.com + [your topic]” for bylines. It’s not stalking — it’s starting a chat.
Targeting Contributors: Who to Pitch, How to Win

Forbes contributors aren’t all the same. Pitch the wrong one, and your story’s dead. Here’s the plan:

Step 1: Find Your Match

Search these:

• “AI startup site:forbes.com”
• “health tech founder site:forbes.com”

Check bylines. Look at:

• Their last five articles
• What they cover.
• Their social bios.

Skip opinion-only writers if you’ve got a product story.

Step 2: Match Their Vibe

Read their work. Do they use:

• Real examples?
• Quotes?
• Numbers or trends?

Write your pitch like they write. If they’re chatty, tell a story. If they’re straight, keep it tight.
9 Figure Media Trick: Suggest a headline. “How This AI Food Startup Rewrites NYC’s Green Game” makes it easy for them.

Darius’ Win: A Real Example

Darius Moore had no PR cash. His mobile fitness app mixed tech with Black-owned business vibes. He tied it to health equity — a big deal now.

His pitch:

• Hook: “We’re Peloton for overlooked communities.”
• Trend: “Health men’s magazine and Forbes are all over fitness inclusion.”
• Proof: “300% growth, all free.”

Four months later? Forbes and CNBC features. Zero dollars spent.

Timing Matters: The 90-Day Rule

Journalists follow trends, not dreams. Pitch outside the hot zone, and you’re ignored. Sync with:

• Big shifts (AI, economy, health).
• Seasons (January goals, Q4 finance).
• Social vibes (diversity, climate).

Use Google Trends or Reddit to spot what’s up. Pros like 9 Figure Media track this daily, landing stories at peak buzz.

Stack Your Wins: Small Press to Big Buzz

Got a podcast mention? A blog post? Use it.
Example: “HustleWeekly featured us, and we tripled users. Forbes might like this next step.”
Small wins show you’re moving. Journalists love a rising star.

After the Feature: Make It Count

You’re in Forbes. Now what?

• Share Smart:
  “Got into Forbes! Here’s three things I learned building this…”
• Use It:
  Add quotes and logos to your site, decks, emails.
• Pitch More:
  “Forbes just covered us. Looking for partners to grow this.”
• Thank the Writer:
  Tell them the impact. It opens doors later.

DIY vs. PR Help: What’s Your Path?

You can do this free. But time and skill matter. Let’s compare.

DIY: You Run the Show

Upsides:

• Free. Perfect for starters.
• You keep it real.
• You own the contacts.

Downsides: