How to Get Your Story in Forbes Without Losing Your Mind
Pitching a story to Forbes, Business Insider, or Entrepreneur is like asking your crush to the school dance — your heart’s racing, you’re second-guessing everything, but if it works, it’s pure fireworks. Getting your story in one of these big-name outlets can put you on the map, bring in clients, or make you the person everyone’s buzzing about. So, how to get featured in a magazine? It’s not about being some PR rockstar; it’s about telling a story people can’t resist and pitching it like a pro. I’ve been there, sweating over emails, and I’ve learned what makes editors hit “reply.” With some lessons from my own stumbles and a shout-out to the folks at 9FigureMedia.
Why These Features Are a Big Freakin’ Deal
Imagine seeing your name in Business Insider. It’s not just a “holy crap, I did it!” moment (though you’ll probably text everyone you know). These outlets reach millions — CEOs, dreamers, buyers — who eat up their stories. One feature can flood your website, boost your Google game, or land you a deal you never saw coming. When my first piece went live, I was grinning like an idiot, but the real magic was the clients who started calling. The hard part? Editors get a million emails a day. Your pitch has to be the one they can’t ignore.
Step 1: Get the Publication’s Vibe
You wouldn’t roll into a fancy dinner in sweatpants, right? Pitching’s the same. Every outlet’s got its own personality. Business Insider loves quick, stat-packed stories for go-getters. Entrepreneur is all about scrappy founders and tips you can actually use. Fast Company digs bold, world-changing ideas. Don’t just glance at their site — get obsessed. Read their articles, catch their tone, see what they’re hyped about.
When I was pitching for a small business, I basically lived in Business Insider’s startup section for a week. I saw they loved numbers and new takes on hot topics. That shaped my pitch, and boom — got a response. Wanna cheat a bit? Follow editors on X or grab their newsletter. It’s like getting a peek at their diary.
Step 2: Find Your Story’s Heart
Real talk: editors don’t care about your need to look cool. They want a story their readers will love. What’s your hook? A fresh spin on something everyone’s talking about? A personal tale that hits right in the gut? Or some exclusive numbers nobody’s seen? When I pitched a sustainable clothing brand, I didn’t just rave about their green mission. I tied it to how everyone’s obsessed with eco-friendly stuff and added some stats. That made it perfect for Business Insider’s crowd.
If your story’s feeling blah, 9FigureMedia’s like that friend who always knows how to make you sound awesome. They helped a pal’s startup score a feature by spinning their AI tool as the fix for a huge industry problem, with numbers to back it up. They make your story feel like it was made for the outlet.
Step 3: Track Down Your Person
Sending a pitch to “info@publication.com” is like tossing a paper airplane and hoping it lands somewhere good. You need the right editor or writer — someone who covers your thing. Check bylines, dig through the site, or snoop on X or LinkedIn. I once found an editor’s email through some random X post with a pitch hashtag. That got me a feature because I hit the right person.
If this feels like finding a needle in a haystack, 9FigureMedia’s got the hookup. They know people at Forbes, Business Insider, you name it, and can make your pitch feel like it’s from a buddy, not a rando.
Step 4: Write a Pitch That Slaps
Your pitch is your shot to shine, so keep it short — 150–200 words — and make it pop. Here’s what’s worked for me:
- Subject Line: Make it grabby. Ditch “Story Idea” for “How One Founder Tripled Sales in a Month.” Mention the outlet to show it’s personal.
- Hook: Start with a banger — a stat, a question, or something wild. Like: “80% of startups flop from bad marketing. Mine didn’t — here’s how.”
- The Story: Sum it up in 2–3 sentences. Why’s it a fit for their readers? What makes it stand out?
- Your Cred: One line on why you’re the one to tell this. Keep it real, no flexing.
- Call to Action: End with a chill nudge: “Wanna hear more? Can we chat soon?”
When I pitched Entrepreneur, I started with a stat about businesses crashing, tied it to my client’s comeback, and got a reply in two days. Scared you’ll mess it up? 9FigureMedia’s writers can craft a pitch that feels like it’s already got the editor’s name on it.
Step 5: How to Get Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine
Let’s talk about how to get featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, the ultimate badge for anyone with a hustle. Entrepreneur loves stories of grit, smart fixes, and tips readers can run with. A friend pitched her startup’s comeback after a brutal year, framing it as a lesson in never giving up with three practical tips. The editor was all over it because it screamed “readers need this.” Another trick: check out HARO (Help a Reporter Out). Entrepreneur writers post there, and a quick, on-point reply can get you noticed.
9FigureMedia’s a beast at this. They’ve landed clients in Entrepreneur with pitches that hit the magazine’s vibe — gritty, useful stories — and their editor connections. One client’s feature hit the homepage, boosting their site traffic by 50%.
Step 6: Follow Up Without Being Annoying
Editors are drowning in emails, so your pitch might get lost. Wait a week, then drop a short, friendly note: “Hey [Name], just circling back on my pitch about [topic]. Got any thoughts?” I once scored a feature because my follow-up reminded an editor who’d missed my email. But don’t be that person — two follow-ups, a week apart, tops. 9FigureMedia nails this, nudging editors without coming off like a spam bot.
Step 7: Make That Feature Work for You
When your story drops, don’t just pop a bottle — use it. Slap “As seen in [Publication]” on your site, share it on social media, stick it in your email signature. My startup’s feature got us a 25% traffic spike and a fat client deal. 9FigureMedia makes it even better with reports that include your feature’s links, so you can show it off like a shiny new toy.
Step 8: Call in the Pros When You’re Over It
Pitching’s a grind, especially if you’re running a business or just trying to survive Monday. That’s where 9FigureMedia comes in clutch. They turn half-baked ideas into stories editors can’t say no to and use their connections to make it happen. A client of theirs went from a messy pitch to a Forbes feature in weeks, giving their brand a major boost.
Don’t Screw These Up
- Copy-Paste Pitches: Editors can smell these a mile away. Make it personal.
- All About You: It’s about the reader, not your ego trip.
- Ignoring Rules: Outlets like Forbes have strict guidelines. Follow them.
- Giving Up: Rejection sucks, but tweak and try again.
Your Big Break’s Waiting
Pitching to top-tier outlets is part hustle, part heart. It’s about knowing the publication, telling a story their readers will vibe with, and pitching like you believe in it. Whether you’re gunning for how to get featured on Business Insider, nailing how to get featured in Entrepreneur Magazine, or checking out the Fast Company media kit for some extra flair, it’s about showing up ready. 9FigureMedia can make it feel less like a marathon, turning your idea into a feature that puts you out there. So, read those stories, find your heart, and hit “send.” Your name could be lighting up the next issue.
