You ever see that Forbes 40 Under 40 list and think, “Man, how do people even get on there?” It’s not just about having a cool idea or working your butt off though that’s a big chunk of it.

The folks on that list? They’re not just awesome; people know they’re awesome. That’s where PR comes in. It’s not just for celebrities or giant companies.

You can use it to tell your story and get noticed by folks like the writers at Entrepreneur magazine, who are always sniffing out new people to write about. This is about how PR can help you get on Forbes’ radar.

Why’s that cool? Because being on that list isn’t just a “good job” sticker it can hook you up with new friends, cash for your ideas, or a bigger stage to show what you’ve got.

What’s PR Like These Days?

PR’s not like it was when my grandma was young. Back then, it was all about mailing boring letters to newspapers, hoping they’d care. Now? It’s X posts, podcasts, maybe a quick video you make while sitting on your couch. I saw something last year that said 68% of PR folks think online stuff like articles or social media, gets the most eyes.

Like, ten years ago, only 22% thought that. But here’s the thing: everybody’s online, yelling their heads off. It’s like trying to be heard at a loud bar. You gotta sound like you, not some ad for toothpaste. My buddy Chris tried posting on X every day to get his name out.

Total disaster at first, he sounded like a robot. When he started being real, like talking about his dog or whatever, people actually cared.

PR’s like your friend who helps you figure out how to stand out without sounding fake. I’m terrible at that myself my posts are all over the place.

How PR Gets You Closer to Forbes

Okay, so how does PR actually help you get on that Forbes list? It’s not like one big thing you do. It’s a bunch of little stuff that piles up. Let’s break it down, because I’m still trying to wrap my head around this.

Telling Your Story So People Don’t Fall Asleep

Your story’s not just what you do it’s why it matters to people. PR helps you tell it so folks actually listen. Think about Sara Blakely, who started Spanx and got on the Forbes list.

Her PR team didn’t just talk about stretchy clothes, they told everyone how she went from selling stuff door-to-door to running a huge company. That’s what got people hooked. You need a story that feels like you. Maybe you’ve got a little shop helping people in your town.

A PR team like 9Figuremedia can make that story sound cool and get it to places Forbes writers might see. I know a guy who thought his work was boring because he wasn’t some tech nerd.

His PR folks focused on how his app helped families eat better, and boom he got into a couple of articles. It’s about finding what makes your story special. I’m still trying to figure out my own story, I bet it sounds like a bad movie nobody watches.

Getting People to Trust You with Media Mentions

Getting featured PR in good places is like collecting little trust stars. Forbes doesn’t just pick people who are great they pick people others are talking about. I saw something in 2023 that said 74% of business folks trust you more if you’ve been in a solid magazine or website.

A quote in something big like Fast Company? That’s awesome. A story in a smaller blog your industry likes? Also awesome. It doesn’t have to be huge every time. I read about a young woman who runs a bakery and got a tiny mention in a food magazine.

It was small, but a Forbes writer saw it and emailed her later. The trick is to keep showing up in different places so people start knowing your name. It’s like leaving little notes around town, someone’s gonna see them. I keep thinking I should try this, but I’d probably mess it up big time.

Meeting Cool People Through PR

PR isn’t just about getting your name out, it’s about who you bump into because of it. Maybe you get to talk at a small event or be on a podcast. Those moments put you in front of people who matter like someone who might say, “Hey, you’d be great for Forbes.” I heard about a woman who got to speak at a local thing because of her PR.

She ended up chatting with someone who’d been on the Forbes list before, and they gave her some killer advice. It’s not always a straight path, and that’s okay. Sometimes it’s just someone seeing your name in a story and thinking, “Huh, they seem cool.”

I met someone at a taco joint once who knew my name from a random article. Felt so weird, but it led to a cool project. Those moments can open doors, you know?

Making Sure Your Online Stuff Doesn’t Look Like Garbage

Forbes writers aren’t just reading magazines they’re on X, checking LinkedIn, Googling you. What they find matters. I saw something in 2024 that said 63% of important people look you up online before working with you. If they see articles about you or good posts, you’re looking good.

But if there’s nothing or some dumb blog from high school about your old band? Oh man, that’s bad. PR can help you put out stuff like articles or X posts that show you know what you’re doing.

It’s not about showing off; it’s about proving you’re thinking big. My friend started posting little updates about her work online. Nothing fancy, just her thoughts. A few months later, she got asked to join a fancy meeting with some big names.

Small stuff can lead to big stuff. My LinkedIn’s a total mess, I’ve got like one post from forever ago. I keep saying I’ll fix it, but I never do.

Different Ways to Do PR: What’s Your Deal?

There’s no one way to do PR. You could try it yourself, hire a small team, or go with a big company. They all have good and bad stuff. Doing it yourself is cheap, but it’s a lot of work finding people to pitch, writing emails, probably screwing up a bit.

A small team might really care about you but might not know the big shots. Big companies know those big shots, but they’re expensive, and you might feel like just another name on their list. I saw a 2024 survey that said small teams make 82% of clients happy, while big ones hit 67%.

But big companies often get you into bigger places. It’s like choosing between making a sandwich at home or going to a fancy restaurant both can work, but it depends on what you’re feeling. For Forbes, you probably want a mix of big mentions and smaller, steady ones.

Just don’t try to do it all you’ll burn out or sound like a fake. Pick what feels like you. I’d probably mess it up if I tried it myself I’m not exactly organized.

What’s Next for PR and Forbes?

PR’s gonna keep changing. By 2030, people say 80% of news will come from stuff like X, newsletters, or even virtual reality chats. Forbes is already noticing people who shine online, like folks who got big on social media.

You’ve got to keep up. Short videos, like a quick clip about your work are getting super popular. A 2025 report says video will grab 70% of online attention by 2027. Imagine a little video about your business going viral, that could catch a Forbes writer’s eye.

But here’s the thing: the more people do this, the harder it is to stand out. You might need to try new stuff, like tools that figure out what people like. It’s a chance to shine, but it’s also a lot of noise to get through.

I tried making a video once, and it was so bad I hid it from everyone, but I learned something, I guess. At least I laughed.

Final Note

Getting on the Forbes 40 Under 40 list isn’t just about what you’re doing, it’s about who knows you’re doing it. PR’s like your best friend who hypes you up, helping you tell your story, build trust, and meet cool people.

It’s not a quick win, and some days you’ll be like, “Ugh, why am I even trying?” But every article, every podcast, every post gets you a little closer. I was flipping through Inc Magazine last year and saw a story about a young woman who started with just a couple small articles in local papers.

Her PR kept pushing, and it led to Forbes. That’s what PR can do. So, what’s stopping you? If you’ve got something worth sharing, maybe it’s time to tell everybody. I’m cheering for you, even if I’m kind of bad at the whole pep-talk thing.