How to Get Noticed by Forbes Top Companies: Tips for Vendors & Service Providers

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Want your B2B service noticed by Forbes’ top companies? Our guide, “How to Get Noticed by Forbes Top Companies,” shares practical tips: craft a compelling story, build credibility, and pitch a Guest Post on Forbes. Leverage PR agencies in Nashville and online digital PR services from 9FigureMedia to stand out. Learn from real examples, like a vendor saving $200,000 for a client. Start today!

You run a B2B company. You deliver results. Your clients love you. But Forbes’ top companies — those big names in their annual lists — aren’t knocking on your door.

How do you get their attention? It’s not about flashy ads or big budgets. It’s about showing you solve real problems in a way that stands out. I’ve edited content for businesses chasing this goal, and I know it’s tough but doable. Here’s a clear plan to help you get noticed by Forbes’ elite.

If you need help building credibility, 9FigureMedia offers online digital PR services to make your business shine.

Craft a Story That Grabs Attention

Forbes doesn’t just feature giants. They want stories that click with their readers — CEOs, founders, and decision-makers. Your story needs to focus on the problems you solve and the results you deliver.

Pinpoint the Problem: What issue do you tackle for your clients? Maybe you streamline hiring or cut supply chain costs. Be specific. For example, I worked with a vendor who helped a retailer save $200,000 yearly by optimizing inventory. That’s a story.
Show What’s Different: Why is your approach unique? Do you use data in a new way or simplify a complex process? Don’t just say you’re “better” — prove it with a clear example.
Prove Your Impact: Use numbers. Did you boost a client’s sales by 10%? Save 50 hours a month? I once edited a pitch that landed because it included a client’s 25% revenue jump. Numbers make editors listen.

Ask yourself: What’s the one problem you solve that keeps your clients awake? Frame your story around that, and you’re halfway there.

Build Credibility First

You can’t pitch Forbes’ top companies without a solid foundation. Editors and their readers check you out before they trust you. Your online presence needs to back up your claims.

Fix Your Website: Make it clear and professional. Include case studies with client results. A messy site kills your chances. I saw a startup lose a Forbes mention because their site was outdated and confusing.
Show Up Online: Comment on LinkedIn posts or industry blogs. Share smart insights, not just self-promotion. I had a client get noticed by a Forbes writer after months of thoughtful LinkedIn comments.
Create Content: Write a blog or start a newsletter. Share tips or trends in your field. For example, a logistics vendor could write about “3 Ways to Cut Shipping Costs in 2025.” It shows you know your stuff.

This takes time. If you’re stretched thin, 9FigureMedia can help with online digital PR services. They build your online presence so Forbes takes you seriously.

Know What Forbes Wants

Forbes editors get hundreds of pitches. You need to stand out by giving them what their readers — executives and founders — care about. Your pitch must answer: Why does this matter now?

Tie to Trends: Connect your work to current issues. Are you solving remote work challenges or cybersecurity gaps? For example, a client I worked with pitched a piece on “How AI Hiring Tools Miss Hidden Talent” during an AI boom. It got traction.
Offer a New Angle: Don’t repeat what everyone’s saying. Share a unique take. If you’re in HR, write about “Why Most Retention Plans Fail Small Businesses.” Fresh ideas grab attention.
Back It Up: Use real client results. If you helped a company cut costs by 15%, say so. Get permission to name them if you can — it adds weight.

What’s a trend in your industry you can speak to? How can you frame it in a way nobody else is?

Land a Guest Post on Forbes

A Guest Post on Forbes puts you in front of top companies. It’s not just about exposure — it shows you’re a thought leader. But Forbes rejects salesy pitches. They want value for their readers.

Find Your Angle: Focus on the reader’s problem. Instead of “Our Software’s Features,” try “3 Metrics Every CEO Needs to Track.” I edited a post that worked because it gave practical tips, not a product ad.
Target the Right Section: Forbes has sections like Leadership, Tech, or Entrepreneurs. Pitch to the one that fits. A fintech idea goes to Finance, not Small Business. Check recent articles to see what editors like.
Write a Tight Pitch: Use a short subject line, like “Why Supply Chains Are Breaking in 2025.” Explain the problem, your unique take, and why you’re qualified. Add a brief outline. No attachments — they annoy editors.
Use Connections: Know a Forbes contributor? Met an editor at an event? Mention it. A warm intro beats a cold email. I saw a vendor land a post after connecting with a writer on LinkedIn.

What’s one insight you can share that Forbes readers would find useful? Start there.

Network Like You Mean It

Relationships open doors. Forbes writers and editors are people, not gatekeepers. Build connections before you need them.

Engage Online: Follow Forbes contributors in your industry. Comment on their articles with real insights. I had a client get a response from a writer just by sharing a smart take on their post.
Use Client Wins: If a client achieved big results with your service, pitch it as a story. Would they co-write a Guest Post on Forbes? I edited a piece where a client’s success story got both them and the vendor featured.
Attend Events: Go to conferences where Forbes journalists speak. Ask a good question or chat during breaks. Don’t pitch right away — just be helpful. I saw a vendor get noticed after a casual chat at a tech event.

Who’s a Forbes writer you could connect with today? What’s one thing you could say to start a real conversation?

Use Your Local Advantage

If you’re in a city like Nashville, you’ve got an edge. PR agencies in Nashville know how to turn local wins into national stories. Here’s how to leverage it:

Spot Local Trends: Nashville’s healthcare or music tech scenes are hot. If you’re working there, pitch it as a national signal. For example, “How Nashville’s Healthcare Startups Are Changing Patient Care” could work.
Make Local Wins Universal: Helped a local company save money? Frame it as a lesson for others. I edited a pitch that turned a Nashville vendor’s client success into a Forbes case study.
Start Local: Get featured in Nashville business journals first. It builds your track record. Forbes editors like seeing you’re already recognized.

What’s unique about your local market? How can you tie it to a bigger story?

Act Now: Your Step-by-Step Plan

You don’t need to wait to start. Here’s what you can do today:

Clarify Your Story: Sum up your value in one sentence. Keep it simple, like “We help retailers cut shipping costs by 20% with smarter data.”
Collect Proof: Get case studies with numbers and client quotes. Ask clients for testimonials. I’ve seen weak case studies kill pitches — don’t skip this.
Own Your Niche: Pick one problem you solve better than anyone. Become the expert in that space.
Publish Content: Start a blog or LinkedIn newsletter. Share one insight a week, like “Why Most Cybersecurity Plans Fail.” It builds your authority.
Research Forbes: Find 3–5 contributors in your industry. Read their last five articles. Note their style and topics.
Draft Pitches: Write 2–3 ideas for a Guest Post on Forbes. Make them reader-focused and tied to trends. Keep them under 200 words.
Get Help if Needed: If you’re juggling too much, PR agencies in Nashville like 9FigureMedia can take the load off. Their online digital PR services help you build credibility and pitch effectively.

What’s one step you can take this week? Pick something small and do it.

Expect a Grind, But Keep Going

Getting noticed by Forbes’ top companies takes work. You might send ten pitches and get one reply. Your first feature might be a brief mention. That’s okay. Every step builds your reputation. I’ve seen vendors give up after a few rejections, but the ones who stick with it — refining pitches, building connections — eventually break through.

A Forbes feature or Guest Post on Forbes does more than boost your ego. It shows top companies you’re credible. It can bring clients, partners, and talent to your door. Whether you go it alone or work with 9FigureMedia to craft your strategy, the goal is clear: move from unknown vendor to a name Forbes’ top companies respect. Start building your story today.