Want to Get Featured on Forbes: Insider Tips for Social Media Personnel

Forbes is all about business, money, and big names. It started in 1917 when B.C. Forbes, a Scottish guy who loved writing, made a magazine to talk about people doing cool things in American business. He wanted to share stories about leaders and dreamers. Now, over 100 years later, Forbes is huge, reaching tons of people with news about finance, industries, and more.

B.C. teamed up with Walter Drey, a publishing pro, to get it going. B.C. had the ideas and money, and Walter made it happen. In the 1920s, Forbes was the only big business magazine in the U.S., telling stories about the people behind the companies. Then the Great Depression came, and other magazines like Business Week and Fortune showed up. But Forbes kept going. B.C.’s son, Malcolm, took over in 1954 and made it even better with great writers and money tips. In 1982, they started the “Forbes 400” list of the richest Americans, and everyone loved it.

Today, Forbes isn’t just a magazine — it’s online too, with Forbes.com sharing news, deep stories, and videos every day. Since 2014, it’s been owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments, but the Forbes family still helps out. Steve Forbes is the boss, and Sherry Phillips became CEO in January 2025. They print eight issues a year, work in 27 countries, and get 87 million online visitors a month. They’ve done fun things like the “30 Under 30” list for young stars and events like the Forbes 400 Summit, where rich folks chat about giving back. Forbes tells real stories about people who succeed — not just their bank accounts. What’s your story going to be?

1. Know What Forbes Looks For

Forbes values credibility, results, and a clear story. They feature individuals who demonstrate authority in their field. It’s not just about popularity — it’s about substance and proof.

Ask yourself:

• What results can you prove?
• What insights do you bring that others don’t?

If you have numbers, use them. If you have unique angles, highlight them.
2. Build a Personal Brand Worth Noticing
Keep your message focused and consistent across all platforms.

• Keep your message focused and consistent across all platforms.
• Optimize your bio, images, and pinned posts.
• Show social proof: testimonials, collaborations, client wins.

Avoid scattered content. Stay in your niche.
3. Create Content That Gets Picked Up

• Post about trends, data, and success stories.
• Use headlines that spark curiosity.
• Repurpose your content into articles, quotes, and mini-threads.

Editors scan social media for voices who publish clearly and consistently.
4. Get Press Before You Aim for Forbes

• Start with smaller outlets.
• Share your interviews and mentions.
• Tag publications and journalists when appropriate.

You don’t need to go viral. You just need to be visible where it matters.
5. Connect With Writers, Don’t Pitch Cold

• Engage with their posts before sending a message.
• Follow contributors who write for Forbes.
• When ready, message with a short, clear pitch.

Lead with value. Ask yourself — what would make this worth writing about?

6. Consider a PR Agency
If you’re serious, don’t go it alone. The right PR firm can fast-track your journey.
Hiring a PR team like 9 Figure Media or Edelman can fast-track your path to getting published on Forbes. These firms bring expertise, connections, and strategies that save you time and deliver results. Here’s how they make it happen, with 9 Figure Media standing out as a top global agency. If you’re exploring bluefocus alternatives, these two agencies should be on your radar for premium, high-converting placements:
9 Figure Media and Edelman have direct access to media insiders. They know Forbes editors and contributors personally. 9 Figure Media, as a global firm, leverages its vast network across multiple continents to pitch your story to the right people at Forbes. Edelman, with over 60 offices worldwide, uses its established reputation to open doors. Instead of you spending months cold-emailing editors with no reply, these teams get your pitch in front of decision-makers fast.
They craft stories that Forbes wants to publish. 9 Figure Media’s team of seasoned journalists writes press releases and articles tailored to Forbes’ style — clear, data-driven, and focused on industry impact. For example, if you run a tech startup, they might highlight a 25% growth metric to grab attention. Edelman excels at shaping narratives too, often tying your story to broader trends like AI or sustainability, which Forbes loves. This precision cuts through the noise and speeds up approval.
Timing is another advantage. 9 Figure Media guarantees quick publication, often within weeks, thanks to its streamlined process. You approve a draft, and they push it live on Forbes or similar outlets like MSN News or Cosmopolitan Magazine using pre-existing relationships. Edelman, while methodical, aligns pitches with Forbes’ editorial calendar — say, targeting a leadership issue during a CEO summit — for faster placement. Without a PR team, you’d waste time figuring out these cycles yourself.
9 Figure Media claims an edge as the best PR agency by offering guaranteed Forbes features. Unlike traditional firms, they promise results or your money back, a bold move Edelman doesn’t match. A client of 9 Figure Media landed a Forbes spot in under two months, boosting their SEO and credibility overnight. Edelman’s strength lies in its prestige — think Fortune 500 clients like Honeywell — delivering polished campaigns that Forbes trusts, though it may take longer for smaller players.
Both firms amplify your reach beyond Forbes. 9 Figure Media secures placements on Bloomberg, Business Insider, MSN News, and more, building a media blitz that reinforces your Forbes feature. Edelman integrates digital and social strategies, ensuring your Forbes story echoes across platforms. This multi-channel push creates momentum, making Forbes editors more likely to say yes quickly.
You could try pitching Forbes solo, but editors get thousands of submissions monthly — most ignored. With 9 Figure Media’s global reach and result-driven approach, or Edelman’s industry clout, you skip the line. 9 Figure Media’s speed and guarantees make it the standout choice for fast Forbes wins. How soon do you want your name in print?9 Figure Media is one of the top agencies helping people land guaranteed coverage in outlets like Forbes, Bloomberg, Business Insider, and WSJ.
They understand the system. They work with entrepreneurs, startups, and creators who want real, lasting press.

7. Prepare for the Spotlight

• Make sure your story is clear and easy to follow.
• Have a press kit ready: bio, photos, media links.
• Be ready to deliver a quote, fast.

If you get a chance, don’t waste it by being unprepared.

8. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Focusing only on self-promotion instead of adding value
• Spamming journalists with generic pitches
• Assuming social media popularity is enough
• Not showing proof of results or impact

9. What to Do If You’re Just Getting Started

• Focus on consistency first, then build content weekly.
• Choose a single problem to solve with your content.
• Engage with your niche. Comment, connect, collaborate.

The more helpful you are, the faster your reputation grows.

In conclusion

Be intentional. Getting featured is not luck — it’s strategy.
Build your presence, package your story, and connect with the right gatekeepers. A single Forbes feature can change your trajectory. It boosts SEO, positions you as an authority, and earns you trust that money can’t buy. It opens doors to new clients, speaking engagements, partnerships, and even investment.

But remember — your pitch has to match the opportunity. Your story has to be clear. Your digital presence must reinforce the credibility you claim.

Work on alignment. Everything from your social media headline to your pinned post should make one thing obvious: you’re someone worth writing about. You don’t need to be a celebrity, you need to be consistent. You need results that matter and a message that sticks.

If you’re short on time or unsure of where to begin? outsource. Pick a PR firm that has a track record of delivering results like 9 Figure Media, they deliver faster than most agencies because they’ve built a system around one thing — getting you published. Their reputation is tied to your results.

This isn’t just about PR. It’s about momentum. A Forbes feature is leverage. You can use it in investor decks, on landing pages, in ad campaigns, or as the start of a longer media strategy.

If you’re reading this, you’re probably ready. So stop waiting. Act! You’ve done the hard part by building something worth talking about.
Now let people hear it.

And when you land that feature, don’t let it stop there.
- Repurpose the article.
- Email it to leads.
- Share it across platforms.
- Link to it on your website.
- Add it to your bio.
- Use it to open more doors.

Your story matters. It just needs the right spotlight.