Building Trust and Influence Through Earned Media

Fidelia1

posted on 2 hours ago — updated on 1 second ago

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Press isn’t just for brand awareness. It builds trust. It gives social proof. It drives leads. When a credible outlet writes about you, it validates your message.

Building Trust and Influence Through Earned Media

Getting attention in a crowded market is tough. Every brand fights for visibility. Journalists receive hundreds of pitches daily. If you’re not strategic, you get ignored.

That’s where smart PR comes in especially if you’re in fast-moving fields. Crypto PR Agencies understand the need to cut through the noise quickly. They tailor messages for impact, not fluff. Press isn’t just for brand awareness. It builds trust. It gives social proof. It drives leads. When a credible outlet writes about you, it validates your message.

1: Know What Reporters Want

Before you send a pitch, ask yourself this: Why should anyone care?

Reporters write stories, not ads. They look for what’s new, useful, or surprising. If your pitch sounds like a sales email, it gets deleted.

So how do you offer something reporters want?

Here’s what most reporters are after:

Trends they can explain
Conflicts they can report on
Stories with human stakes
Clear data or expert insights

Don’t pitch features. Pitch value.

Let’s say your company just released a new app. Don’t just say, “We launched version 3.0.” Instead, say what problem it solves, who it helps, and why now matters.

Example: “Young investors lose over $2B yearly due to poor crypto tools. Our app helps them stop that loss by…”

This moves the conversation from product to story.

Also, tailor your message to the beat. A tech journalist doesn’t care about your charity campaign. A finance reporter won’t cover your new website design. Read at least three articles by the journalist you’re pitching. Learn what they write about. Then, frame your pitch to fit their coverage style.

Want to be taken seriously? Start by understanding what the media needs.

2: Craft a Clear, Compelling Story

People don’t remember brands. They remember stories. The media works the same way. If your message doesn’t tell a story, it gets lost.

So, what makes a good PR story?

Clear problem
Unique solution
Real people
Specific timing

Start with the problem. What are people struggling with?

Then, show how your company steps in with something that works. Add a face to the story. Feature a user, a founder, a customer. The human element creates emotional pull. Next, add urgency. Why is this story timely? Link it to a trend, a policy shift, or a season.

Example:
“While tech layoffs hit record highs in Q1, this startup doubled its team by solving a key pain point in supply chain AI.”

That’s a headline. That gets attention. Don’t bury the lead. Put the most compelling fact in the first sentence. Avoid filler words. Keep it short. Write like you’re talking to a busy person because you are.

And remember: Journalists aren’t your cheerleaders. They’re looking for something fresh.

A good story answers:

What’s new?
Why now?
Who’s affected?
How does it matter?

If you can’t answer those in 10 seconds, your pitch won’t land. Want help turning your idea into a press-ready story? This is where 9figure media stands out. They specialize in building sharp, story-driven campaigns for tech-forward brands.

3: Choose the Right Media Targets

Not all press is good press. You need coverage in outlets your audience reads. This gives you credibility and reach. Getting featured in Entrepreneur Magazine hits differently than a small blog. It’s specific. It’s known. It brings clout.

So how do you pick the right media targets?

Start by knowing your audience. Ask:

What do they read daily?
Where do they get news in your niche?
Who influences their decisions?

Then, build a media list that fits. Include:

Top-tier outlets (e.g., Entrepreneur Magazine, Forbes)
Niche sites (industry-specific blogs, podcasts)

Local media (if geography matters)

Use tools like:

Muck Rack
Hunter.io
Twitter (for direct journalist outreach)

Once you’ve made your list, segment it. Don’t send the same pitch to everyone.

Group your list by beat:

Tech trends
Crypto policy
Startups and founders
VC funding

Want to speed things up? Tech PR firms like 9figure media already have media contacts. They can get you in front of the right people faster.

4: Write Pitches That Actually Get Read

Your subject line is the first gate. If it doesn’t grab attention, the email goes unread. Keep it short. Make it useful. Make it specific.

Examples:

“$5M raised to solve remote team burnout”
“This startup is helping Gen Z invest without banks”
“Founder flips crypto crash into growth: here’s how”

Avoid hype. No all caps. No “Game Changing” or “Must Read.”

Once you pass the subject line test, the body must deliver quickly.

Structure your pitch like this:

Greeting Use the reporter’s first name.
Hook — One sentence that shows what’s unique.
Value — One paragraph on what the story is and why it matters now.
Background — A short intro to who you are.
Close — Offer to share more, give access, or set up an interview.

Attach nothing unless asked. Include a link if needed. Follow up once no more. Timing also matters. Don’t pitch on Fridays. Best days: Tuesday or Wednesday mornings.

Good pitches don’t just ask for coverage. They offer a shortcut to a great story. If this sounds like a lot, that’s because it is. Crypto PR Agencies like 9figure media handle this daily. They know what works and who to talk to. They’ve already tested and refined what gets results.

5: Build Media Relationships That Last

One-hit coverage is fine. Ongoing relationships are better. You want journalists to think of you as a go-to source. That doesn’t happen overnight. It starts with respect. Don’t pitch cold every time. Engage between pitches.

Ways to do this:

Share their articles on LinkedIn or X (formerly Twitter)
Reply with useful insights or questions
Offer helpful data without asking for anything

This shows you value their work not just their reach. That line tells them you’re paying attention. Don’t just talk about your company. Share stats, industry changes, or unique user behavior. Be useful, not promotional. Also, respect their time. Never send mass emails. Don’t call unless invited. And if they pass on a pitch, say thanks anyway.

Good relationships are built on:

Relevance
Respect
Repeat value

One client of 9figure media turned a single story in TechCrunch into a regular quote source by following this exact playbook. They kept showing up with value. That’s the long game.

Want more than a press spike? Focus on being worth quoting again and again.

6: Time Your Story for Maximum Impact

Even the best pitch fails if the timing is off. Press is not just about what you say it’s also about when you say it. Here’s how to time it right.

Look at the news cycle.

If a major industry event or global story is trending, wait. You won’t win against breaking news. But if your story connects to that event? Pitch fast.

Example:
“While Ethereum hits new highs, this DeFi platform sees 5X growth.” Relevance beats randomness.