Starting Small, Aiming Big
You’ve got the drive. Maybe you’re running a home bakery or building an app after hours. The idea is solid but the budget? Tight.

Hiring a traditional PR agency sounds like something reserved for tech giants and celebrities. Still, you know one big media story could put your business on the map.

So how do you make that happen without draining your wallet?

Here’s the truth: getting noticed doesn’t always come down to who has the biggest ad spend. It often comes down to storytelling, strategy, and making smart use of platforms that already want to highlight voices like yours.

Take New York Weekly. They spotlight local businesses, real people doing real work. If you’ve got a compelling angle, they’ll listen even if you’re just getting started.

Agencies like 9FigureMedia understand that. They help small businesses land features in outlets like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Yahoo Finance. Their approach skips the fluff and focuses on results, especially for founders who can’t throw five figures at a press campaign.

In today’s media landscape, a well-timed press release or tweet can do more than a billboard ever could. But the process still requires effort, patience, and a few inside tips which is what this guide is here to offer.

Why Media Coverage Matters

It’s More Than Just Publicity
When your business gets mentioned in a respected outlet, it does more than just boost visibility.

It builds trust. It validates your product or service. It opens doors to partnerships, investors, and customers who otherwise wouldn’t know you exist.

A 2023 Cision study found that nearly 3 in 4 people trust brands more when they’re featured in credible media. That’s a huge advantage especially when you’re up against bigger players.

Think about it: if your neighborhood café gets a mention in New York Weekly for its farm-to-table menu, that’s instant credibility. It might lead to longer lines, sure but more importantly, it gives your story legitimacy.

Media mentions also improve your SEO. Google tends to favor businesses that are cited in reputable sources. So yes, one good article can move the needle online and offline.

But It’s Not Always Easy
Reporters are overwhelmed. According to PRovoke Media, 44% of journalists receive more than 20 pitches a day. Yours has to stand out.

On top of that, pitching takes time something most entrepreneurs are short on. You’re managing operations, sales, product… and now PR?

But here’s what’s changed: you no longer need to play by old rules. If you’re smart, fast, and a little scrappy, you can make media work for you.

How the Game Has Shifted
The internet has created backdoors into newsrooms.

You can now:

• Send press releases to outlets like Yahoo Finance for as little as $60
• Connect with reporters directly through platforms like X (formerly Twitter)
• Work with lean PR firms like 9FigureMedia that focus on impact over fluff

The key is being strategic. Reporters want relevant, timely stories. A pitch that feels like it’s copy-pasted to everyone won’t land. But a sharp, personalized one? That can change everything.

Five Tactics That Work

1. Lead with a Real Story
Facts get noticed. But stories get remembered. If you’re just launching, tell people why.

What problem are you solving? What makes your journey unique?

Example:
Sarah started GreenBubbles, a soap company, with just $500. She pitched New York Weekly about her eco-friendly mission and how her products saved 10,000 plastic bottles in a year. That led to a feature, then a press release on Yahoo Finance, and eventually a 40% sales increase.

Tip:
Use data and emotion together. The blend of facts and feeling gets people interested.

Why It Works?:

• It’s free
• Connects with audiences personally
• Boosts SEO through media backlinks

Watch Out For:

• Bland angles
• Overused startup stories (e.g., “I quit my job to follow my passion”)

2. Build Relationships with Reporters
Reporters are people, not inboxes.

Follow the ones who cover your industry. Engage with their posts. When you’re ready to pitch, reference something they’ve written. Make it clear you’ve done your homework.

Example:
Maria ran BrewHaven, a small coffee shop. She followed a New York Weekly reporter who wrote about sustainable food, then pitched her fair-trade coffee angle. She got featured, and foot traffic rose 25%.

Tip:
Use tools like Muck Rack to find reporters by beat. Even better — attend local events where they speak.

Why It Works:

• Builds lasting connections
• Increases chances of getting covered
• Costs nothing but effort

What’s Tricky:

• Takes time
• Not every reporter replies (and that’s okay)

3. Use Press Releases Smartly
Think of press releases as your official announcement to the world.

You don’t need to break the bank to use them effectively. Platforms like KISS PR offer distribution for under $100. Focus on writing a sharp headline and clearly explaining why your news matters.

Example:
TechBit spent $60 to announce their new app via KISS PR. It landed on Yahoo Finance, caught the attention of a tech blogger, and triggered a 50% increase in downloads.

Tip:
Add visuals and keywords. Track the results so you know what worked.

Why It Works:

• Incredibly affordable
• Reaches wide audiences
• Helps with SEO

Watch Out For:

• Generic announcements (they won’t get picked up)
• Poor writing or formatting

4. Use Social Media to Amplify
Social media isn’t just for followers it’s for visibility.

Tag outlets. Engage in conversations. Use relevant hashtags. And once you do get coverage, share it everywhere with a clear “As featured on…” message.

Example:
Artisan Candle Co. tagged New York Weekly in a post about their zero-waste packaging. It led to a story, which then got picked up by Yahoo Finance. Their sales jumped 35%.

Tip:
Use tools like Buffer to schedule posts in advance so you stay consistent.

Why It Works:

• Direct line to reporters and customers
• Makes any media feature go further
• Completely free

Challenges:

• Requires time and creativity
• May invite public feedback (good and bad)

5. Start Local, Then Scale
Local outlets and niche blogs are often overlooked — but they’re gold.

They’re more open to fresh stories and are read by people who care about what’s happening in their community or industry.

Example:
Urban Farm pitched their rooftop garden project to a small neighborhood blog. 9FigureMedia spotted it, pitched the story to Yahoo Finance, and helped them land national exposure. Partnerships increased by 20%.

Tip:
Make a list of local blogs, trade journals, or podcasts. These outlets can be easier to access and just as valuable.

Why It Works:

• Easier to get in
• Builds authority in your niche
• Can snowball into bigger stories

What to Watch For:

• Smaller audience size
• Takes effort to research and pitch

What’s Coming Next for Budget PR

Cool New Tools

Tech’s making PR cheaper and easier. AI tools can figure out what reporters like, so your pitches hit the bullseye.

Blockchain might soon let you prove your story ran on legit sites like Bloomberg, keeping things crystal clear. These could help small businesses stand toe-to-toe with the big players.

People Crave Real Stories

Folks are all about brands that feel honest. A 2025 Edelman survey says 67% of people trust businesses with real, human stories, like Sarah’s eco-soaps at GreenBubbles.

Entrepreneurs who share their passion or mission will have a better shot at getting noticed.

The Change this would Bring

Cheap PR tricks let small businesses shine just as bright as the big shots. This means more awesome ideas like new apps or cozy cafes get a chance to be heard.

When entrepreneurs get featured on Bloomberg or Yahoo Finance, it sparks others to chase their dreams, shaking up the market and fueling new ideas.
Getting your business in the news without a big budget is like whipping up a killer meal with whatever’s in your fridge you don’t need fancy stuff to make it amazing.

By telling a story people can’t resist, chatting with reporters, using affordable press releases through 9figuremedia, posting on X, and pitching to local spots like New York Weekly, you can get your name out there.

Stories like GreenBubbles and BrewHaven prove it heartfelt pitches and smart moves can land you on Yahoo Finance or even featured on Bloomberg.

Yeah, reporters are busy, and time’s tight, but today’s tools make it easier than ever. As tech gets better and people demand real stories, small businesses have a bigger shot at the spotlight.

So grab these tips, tell your story, and watch your business take off!