Would you love to see your products featured in a magazine, newspaper or online publication, but have no idea how to make it happen? Or perhaps you've assumed you need to hire a PR agency before anyone will take your brand seriously?
In this episode, I'm joined by Bianca Barratt, a journalist who has written for Forbes, Vogue, The Sunday Times and Cosmopolitan, and cofounder of Press Flow, to talk about how to get into the press as a new brand, even if you're doing your own PR.
One of the things I found particularly interesting about this conversation is that getting press coverage isn't necessarily about having the biggest brand, the most exciting product launch or the best connections. It's about understanding what journalists are looking for and finding a story that their readers will genuinely be interested in.
Bianca shares what makes a journalist pay attention to a product business, why your experience and knowledge as a founder could open up opportunities you hadn't considered, and how to approach journalists without feeling like you're just sending another sales email.
We also get into some really practical questions. What should you include in a pitch? Should you send product samples? Is it worth following up if you don't hear back? And how far ahead should you be thinking about Christmas gift guides and other seasonal coverage?
If you've been wondering how to get into the press as a new brand, but don't have the budget for a PR agency, I think you'll find this conversation really encouraging. Bianca makes the process feel much more approachable and shares plenty of advice you can start putting into practice yourself.
Whether you're preparing to launch your first product or you've been selling for a while and want more people to discover your brand, this episode is a great place to start.
Find Bianca here:
Website: https://www.pressflow.io/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thisispressflow/
Personal IG: https://www.instagram.com/bianca_barratt/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bianca-barratt-media-pr/
Episode chapters
Timestamps based on the 38 minute 28 second recording
00:00 Meet Bianca Barratt and her journalism background
01:22 What makes a journalist notice a new product brand?
03:44 Finding the right audience for your product
05:09 How to find different press angles for your brand
09:03 Using your expertise and founder story to attract coverage
12:24 What makes a compelling pitch to a journalist?
16:52 Making your story relevant right now
20:13 How to get press coverage without hiring a PR agency
23:30 What to include in your pitch email
27:18 Why journalists might respond to an old pitch
29:20 Following up with journalists
31:11 Should you send product samples?
33:18 When to pitch for Christmas gift guides
35:07 Common mistakes that stop brands getting featured
36:48 Bianca's number one piece of advice for getting press coverage
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