Getting featured in a Forbes article can be a valuable opportunity for a founder, executive, expert, startup, or established company. A relevant Forbes mention can increase brand awareness, strengthen professional credibility, and introduce a business to a wider audience.
However, getting featured is not simply about asking Forbes to publish your company.
Forbes publishes different types of content, and editorial coverage is based on factors such as newsworthiness, relevance, expertise, timing, and audience interest. There is also a difference between being mentioned by a Forbes journalist, contributing an article, appearing in an expert roundup, and participating in a paid or sponsored opportunity.
If your goal is genuine editorial coverage, the best approach is to build a story that a journalist has a reason to cover.
What Does It Mean to Be Featured in a Forbes Article?
A Forbes feature can take different forms.
You could be:
• Quoted as an expert
• Mentioned in a business story
• Interviewed by a journalist
• Included in an industry analysis
• Featured as a founder
• Referenced through original research
• Included in a trend article
• Mentioned because of a significant company development
This is different from publishing your own contributor article.
When a Forbes journalist independently includes you in an article, the journalist is deciding that your expertise, experience, company, research, or story is relevant to the subject being covered.
Why Do Businesses Want Forbes Coverage?
Forbes has strong recognition among business professionals, entrepreneurs, investors, and executives.
Relevant coverage can potentially help with:
Brand Awareness
A Forbes article can introduce your company to people who may not have discovered it through your own marketing channels.
Professional Credibility
Being quoted or referenced by an established publication can strengthen your professional profile.
Thought Leadership
Expert commentary can position a founder or executive around a specific area of knowledge.
Business Visibility
A well matched media article can support broader brand visibility across search, social media, presentations, and other marketing channels.
Investor and Partner Awareness
Depending on the business and audience, credible media coverage may help potential partners, customers, or investors become more familiar with the company.
However, coverage should be viewed as one part of a broader reputation strategy rather than a guarantee of business results.
The First Step Is Not Contacting Forbes
One of the biggest mistakes businesses make is immediately searching for a Forbes editor or journalist and sending a request for coverage.
Start with the story instead.
Ask yourself:
Why would a Forbes reader care about this?
If the answer is only:
“We want more exposure.”
you probably need a stronger angle.
A journalist needs a reason to believe that your story is useful, interesting, timely, or important to their audience.
1. Develop a Strong Story
Your company is not automatically newsworthy simply because it exists.
Instead of pitching your company as a whole, identify the specific story behind it.
For example, you might have:
A significant business milestone
Original industry research
A major market development
An unusual founder journey
New technology
A strong customer trend
A unique business model
An important industry opinion
A new study
A significant company expansion
A response to a major industry change
The story should be understandable without requiring the journalist to know your entire company history.
2. Create Original Research
Original research can give journalists a strong reason to consider your company as a source.
Suppose you operate a marketing company.
Instead of saying:
“We are experts in digital marketing.”
you could conduct research into how businesses are adapting their marketing strategies to AI search.
You might survey business owners, analyze campaign data, or study changes in customer behavior.
The resulting findings could provide a broader story.
This changes the pitch from:
“Please feature our company.”
to:
“Our new research reveals a significant change in how small businesses are approaching customer acquisition.”
The second idea gives the journalist something to investigate.
3. Become an Expert in a Specific Topic
Journalists often need knowledgeable sources who can explain a particular subject.
You do not have to be famous to provide useful commentary.
You need relevant experience.
For example, an entrepreneur could develop expertise in:
Artificial intelligence
Fintech
E commerce
SaaS
Cybersecurity
Digital marketing
Business operations
Leadership
Startup funding
Consumer behavior
Technology
The more specific your expertise, the easier it becomes to position yourself as a potential source.
Instead of saying:
“I am a business expert.”
say:
“I have spent 12 years helping SaaS companies improve customer acquisition.”
Specific experience is more useful to a journalist.
4. Research Forbes Journalists
Once you have a story, identify journalists who actually cover it.
Do not create a list based only on job titles.
Look at recent Forbes articles.
Study:
The topics they cover
The companies they mention
The experts they quote
The industries they follow
The type of stories they write
The audience they target
A journalist covering venture capital may have very different interests from a journalist covering consumer technology.
The better the match, the more relevant your pitch becomes.
5. Read the Journalist’s Recent Articles
Research should go beyond finding an email address.
Read several recent articles from the journalist.
Look for recurring themes.
Perhaps the journalist frequently writes about how founders are adapting to artificial intelligence.
If you have original research about AI adoption among founders, there is a natural connection.
You can reference that connection in your pitch.
Do not use fake personalization.
If you mention an article, make sure you have actually read it.
6. Create a Timely Angle
Timing can make a good story more relevant.
Consider whether your expertise connects to:
A new technology
A market shift
An emerging trend
A major business event
New research
Changing consumer behavior
A significant industry development
A current business challenge
For example, if a major change is affecting small businesses, an expert who has direct experience with that issue may be a useful source for a journalist covering the development.
Your pitch should explain why your perspective matters now.
7. Pitch Yourself as a Source
You do not always need to pitch an entire article about your company.
In many situations, positioning yourself as a useful expert can be more effective.
For example:
“Several businesses we work with have changed their customer acquisition strategies as AI search becomes more common. I can share examples of what is changing, where businesses are struggling, and what companies are doing differently.”
This approach gives the journalist access to expertise without requiring them to write a promotional story about your company.
8. Make Your Pitch About the Reader
A Forbes journalist is writing for an audience.
Your pitch should therefore explain why readers would care.
Instead of:
“Our company has launched a revolutionary platform.”
try:
“Small businesses are increasingly changing how they evaluate online visibility as customers rely on AI generated answers during the research process.”
The second statement raises a broader issue.
That issue can become the foundation of a useful story.
9. Keep Your Pitch Short
Do not send your entire company history in the first email.
A strong pitch can usually communicate the essential information quickly.
Include:
The story
Why it matters
Why you are relevant
What information you can provide
A simple next step
If the journalist is interested, they can ask for more information.
Your first email should open the conversation rather than attempt to write the entire article.
10. Write a Strong Subject Line
Your subject line should make the story immediately understandable.
Avoid:
“Media Opportunity”
“Forbes Feature Request”
“Business Introduction”
“Important Information”
Instead, try something specific.
For example:
New research reveals how startups are adapting to AI
Expert insight on the future of fintech adoption
Founder perspective on the next phase of ecommerce
The subject should communicate the potential story rather than your desire for publicity.
11. Avoid Promotional Language
Do not turn your pitch into an advertisement.
Avoid excessive claims such as:
“World leading”
“Revolutionary”
“Best in the industry”
“Unmatched”
“Game changing”
These phrases are promotional and can make the pitch less credible.
Use facts instead.
Explain what happened.
Provide data.
Show the evidence.
Let the journalist determine the significance.
12. Make Yourself Easy to Verify
If a journalist becomes interested, they may research you before including you in an article.
Make sure your professional information is consistent.
Review:
Your company website
LinkedIn profile
Professional biography
Company leadership page
Previous media coverage
Research publications
Professional profiles
Make sure your name, position, company information, and expertise are accurate.
A credible online presence can make it easier for journalists to understand who you are.
13. Prepare Supporting Materials
Do not wait until a journalist asks for information before preparing it.
Have the following available:
Founder biography
Professional headshot
Company description
Research findings
Supporting statistics
Relevant case studies
Expert quotes
Company background
Product information
Previous media references
You do not need to attach all of this to your first pitch.
Simply have it ready.
14. Build Relationships Before You Need Coverage
Media relations works better when it is treated as a long term process.
Do not contact a journalist only when you want an article.
If you regularly provide useful expert commentary, respond quickly to requests, and respect deadlines, you can become a more reliable source.
A journalist may remember a useful expert when another relevant story comes up.
Relationships take time.
15. Respond Quickly When a Journalist Shows Interest
If a journalist replies, respond professionally.
They may ask for:
A quote
An interview
Research
Data
Company information
A photograph
Additional examples
Respond as quickly as reasonably possible.
If the journalist has a deadline, respect it.
Being reliable can be just as important as having expertise.
16. Do Not Demand a Forbes Feature
Avoid telling a journalist:
“Please publish our company.”
Instead, present the information and explain why it may be useful.
Journalists have editorial independence.
They decide whether a story fits their audience and current assignments.
Your role is to make the opportunity clear.
17. Follow Up Professionally
Journalists can miss emails.
A polite follow up can be appropriate.
However, avoid repeatedly sending messages every few days.
A useful follow up can include new information.
For example:
“Following up because we have now completed the research mentioned below. The final survey included 600 business owners and revealed a significant shift in how companies are approaching AI adoption. Happy to share the findings if useful.”
This is stronger than:
“Just checking if you saw my email.”
18. Do Not Buy Editorial Coverage From Unverified Sources
If your objective is genuine editorial coverage, be careful with anyone who promises a guaranteed Forbes article in exchange for a fixed payment.
Ask exactly what they are offering.
It may be:
Paid advertising
Sponsored content
Contributor publishing
Membership
Content creation
PR outreach
Another commercial arrangement
There is nothing inherently wrong with legitimate paid marketing opportunities.
The problem occurs when a commercial placement is presented as independent editorial journalism.
Always understand what you are paying for.
Example of a Forbes Feature Pitch
Here is a simple example of how an expert could approach a journalist.
Subject: New data shows how small businesses are adapting to AI
Hi [Journalist Name],
I enjoyed your recent coverage of how small businesses are responding to AI adoption.
We recently analyzed data from more than 500 small businesses and found that many are changing how they approach customer acquisition as AI becomes part of the research and buying process.
I lead [Company Name], where I work with businesses on digital growth and visibility. I can share the underlying findings and provide commentary on the changes we are seeing across the market.
If this fits something you are currently working on, I would be happy to provide the research and additional context.
Best,
[Name]
The pitch works because it gives the journalist a story rather than simply requesting exposure.
What Makes a Company More Interesting to Forbes?
There is no formula that guarantees coverage.
However, companies can make themselves more media ready by developing:
Original research
Clear expertise
Interesting founders
Strong industry insights
Meaningful business developments
Useful customer data
Distinctive stories
Relevant commentary
A company does not need to be enormous to have an interesting story.
The story simply needs to matter to someone beyond the company itself.
What If You Have No News to Pitch?
You do not necessarily need a major announcement.
You can build media opportunities around expertise.
For example, if journalists are discussing a developing industry trend, you can offer a knowledgeable perspective.
You can also develop research, analyze publicly available information, conduct surveys, or identify emerging patterns within your industry.
The goal is to provide useful information.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Several mistakes can reduce your chances of getting noticed.
Sending a Generic Pitch
Mass emails rarely demonstrate genuine relevance.
Asking for a Feature Without a Story
A request for publicity is not a story idea.
Writing Too Much
Long emails make it harder to identify the key point.
Making Unsupported Claims
Journalists need information they can verify.
Using Excessive Marketing Language
Promotional copy is less useful than evidence and expertise.
Pitching the Wrong Journalist
Relevance matters.
Following Up Aggressively
Respect the journalist’s time.
Expecting Guaranteed Coverage
No legitimate editorial strategy can guarantee that an independent journalist will publish your story.
How Long Does It Take to Get Featured in Forbes?
There is no fixed timeline.
Some opportunities may develop quickly if your story is highly timely.
Others can take weeks or months.
Building media credibility can take even longer.
The process depends on:
Story quality
Timing
Journalist interest
News cycle
Industry relevance
Available editorial space
Your expertise
The strength of your supporting information
Instead of focusing on how quickly you can get a Forbes article, focus on building a sustainable media strategy.
Is a Forbes Feature Guaranteed?
No.
A strong pitch can improve your chances, but it cannot guarantee publication.
A journalist may decide that the story is not suitable, choose another source, postpone the topic, or change the direction of the article.
This is a normal part of media relations.
The goal is to consistently create relevant opportunities rather than expect every pitch to succeed.
Final Thoughts
Getting featured in a Forbes article starts with having something worth covering.
The most effective strategy is not simply to ask Forbes for exposure. It is to identify a strong story, understand the journalist’s coverage, and explain why your expertise or information would be useful to their readers.
Original research, credible data, specific expertise, timely insights, and meaningful business developments can all create legitimate media opportunities.
Research journalists carefully and personalize your pitches. Keep your emails concise and avoid promotional language. When a journalist responds, be accurate, prepared, and respectful of their deadlines.
Most importantly, think beyond the Forbes name.
The objective should not simply be to obtain a logo or link. The real value comes from becoming a credible source and contributing something genuinely useful to an article.
When your expertise, story, and timing align with what a journalist is looking for, you have a much stronger foundation for earning meaningful media coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I get featured in a Forbes article?
Develop a newsworthy story, build relevant expertise, create original research or useful data, identify Forbes journalists who cover your subject, and send personalized pitches that explain why your information would interest their readers.
Can I pitch myself to Forbes?
Yes. Entrepreneurs, executives, and experts can approach relevant journalists when they have useful expertise, original information, or a compelling story that fits the journalist’s coverage.
Do I need to be a famous entrepreneur to get featured?
No. Fame is not the only factor journalists consider. Relevant expertise, original research, useful insights, timely stories, and interesting experiences can all make someone a valuable source.
Can I pay to get featured in Forbes?
There are legitimate commercial opportunities such as advertising and sponsored content, but these are different from independent editorial coverage. Always understand exactly what type of placement you are purchasing.
Can a PR agency guarantee a Forbes feature?
No legitimate PR strategy can guarantee that an independent journalist will publish a particular story. A PR agency can help with positioning, research, pitching, and outreach.
How do I find Forbes journalists?
Search for journalists who regularly cover your industry or subject and review their recent Forbes articles. The best contact is someone whose existing coverage closely matches your story.
What should I include in a Forbes pitch?
Include a clear story idea, why it matters, your relevant expertise, supporting data or research, and a simple offer to provide additional information.
How long should a Forbes pitch be?
Keep the first pitch concise. The journalist should be able to understand the story, its relevance, and your expertise without reading a long company biography.
Should I send a press release to Forbes?
A press release can be useful for certain announcements, but a personalized media pitch may be more effective when approaching an individual journalist with a specific story.
What makes a Forbes story newsworthy?
Original research, significant developments, timely industry trends, expert insights, unusual founder experiences, meaningful data, and stories that have broader relevance can all provide potential news angles.
How often should I follow up with a Forbes journalist?
A polite follow up can be appropriate if you have not received a response. Avoid sending repeated messages or pressuring the journalist for an answer.
What happens if a Forbes journalist says no?
A rejection does not necessarily mean your company is not interesting. The story may not fit the journalist’s current assignment or timing. Continue developing new angles and building relationships.
Can startups get featured in Forbes?
Yes. Startups can attract media attention through original research, new technology, funding developments, industry insights, founder stories, customer trends, or other meaningful developments.
Does being featured in Forbes improve SEO?
A media mention can contribute to brand visibility and online authority, but it does not guarantee higher search rankings. Search performance depends on many factors.
Does a Forbes feature help with AI visibility?
A credible article can become part of the broader information available about a company online, but no single publication guarantees visibility in AI generated answers. Consistent and trustworthy information across multiple sources is more valuable over the long term.
How can I increase my chances of being featured?
Focus on relevance rather than volume. Develop a strong story, target the right journalist, provide original information, demonstrate genuine expertise, personalize your pitch, and make yourself easy to work with.
Is getting featured in Forbes worth pursuing in 2026?
For businesses and professionals whose target audience values business media, relevant Forbes coverage can be a useful part of a broader reputation and thought leadership strategy. Its value depends on the quality and relevance of the coverage rather than the publication name alone.