How I Got Myself into Magazines (And How You Can Too)

Real-World Strategies That Actually Work

Getting featured in magazines or online publications doesn’t start with a press agency. It starts with you. With kindness, clarity, and doing things worth talking about.

You don’t need a big PR budget or flashy campaigns. What you need is a strategy rooted in connection, creativity, and consistency.

Here’s what has worked for me—and what might work for you too.

LinkedIn Cold Outreaches

Annoying, but surprisingly effective

Yes, sending cold messages can feel a little uncomfortable. But when done with heart, it works.

Here’s what I’ve learned:

- warm and personal

- genuine compliment or something specific you noticed

- soft invite to something rather than pitching your brand directly

An example:

"Hey [Name], I loved your recent piece on [topic]. I’m hosting a small creative meetup next week—would love to have you there."

It doesn’t feel like a pitch. It feels like an invitation. And that’s the key.

Host Events (But Not Just About You)

Create space that brings people together

Instead of asking people to “come see your brand,” create an experience where they can connect with others.

Host something casual and creative in your office, store, or studio. Invite the press, but also invite people they might want to meet—artists, stylists, designers, even interesting friends.

Position the event as:

- A creative get-together

- A relaxed networking moment

- A space for meaningful conversation

When people associate your brand with community, they’re more likely to write about it.

Curated Press Boxes

Make them feel like a gift, not a promo

People get overwhelmed with free stuff. Most press boxes end up forgotten. But a thoughtful one? That leaves an impression.

Here’s what I include:

- A small, curated product sample

- A printed version of our story or visual content

- A handwritten, personal note

No loud logos. No big ask. Just a genuine offering of what the brand stands for.

Buy the Magazines You Want to Be In

And reach out to the people who wrote them

If you dream of being in a certain magazine, support it.

Buy it. Read it. Then reach out directly to the authors of pieces you loved. Most of the time, their contact info is in the back of the magazine or on their website.

Say something like:

“Your article really resonated with me. I’m building something in a similar space - can I share it with you?”

Writers are human. If your message is kind, honest, and relevant, they’ll listen.

Curated Newsletter for Editors

Make them feel like they’re on the inside

One idea I love: a private, low-volume newsletter just for press contacts and editors. This isn’t a sales newsletter. It’s a story-driven update.

What to include:

- Behind-the-scenes moments

- Early access to visuals or product drops

- Personal thoughts or experiments

- Relevant press materials when needed

Make it feel VIP. Make it feel like something they would want to forward.

Be Genuinely Interesting

More powerful than any press strategy

This is the one that matters most.

Do things that are unexpected. Share things you’re still figuring out. Let people in on the journey, not just the polished result. Brands that feel real and human get written about.

What this can look like:

- A project that breaks your own rules

- A public experiment

- A vulnerable post about something that didn’t work

Editors want to cover stories that feel alive.

Momentum Builds Itself

One feature leads to the next

Once you land your first interview, article, or online mention, something shifts. You become more visible. You start showing up on people’s radar.

And then, the most beautiful thing happens:

They come to you.

I’ve had editors reach out for interviews simply because they saw a previous one and got curious. That’s what consistency creates.

Final Thought: Press Is About People

It’s not about chasing headlines. It’s about building trust, sharing value, and showing up in a way that feels honest and engaging.

The best press you’ll get is the one that comes from being genuinely worth writing about.

You already have something interesting to say. Now go say it.