How I Got Featured in Forbes (Not 1, Not 2, But 6 Times in 12 Months) — And How You Can Too
In the past year, I’ve been featured in Forbes six times.
Yes, six times! And guess what? You can get featured in big publications like The New York Times, Washington Post, Fortune, and Time without paying a single penny.
Here’s how I did it and how you can too (screenshots in the end).
1. Be a Source for Writers and Journalists
How I Did It:
I realized early on that journalists and writers often need expert quotes for their articles. They want to back their content with reliable insights from specialists in the field.
I started positioning myself as a go-to source for anything related to AI.
How You Can Do It:
Identify the topics you’re an expert in. Follow journalists and writers in your niche on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. Engage with their content and make yourself known as a knowledgeable and reliable source.
When you see a journalist asking for quotes or information, respond promptly with clear and insightful answers. Over time, they’ll start recognizing you as a credible source.
2. Leverage Twitter and LinkedIn
How I Did It:
I actively followed and engaged with journalists on Twitter and LinkedIn. I joined conversations, shared my insights, and offered help whenever I could. I also made sure my profiles were professional and reflected my expertise.
How You Can Do It:
Create and maintain a professional presence on Twitter and LinkedIn. Follow key journalists and editors in your field. Engage with their posts by liking, commenting, and sharing. Share your own content regularly to showcase your expertise.
Platforms like HARO (Help a Reporter Out) and featured.com are excellent for finding journalists looking for sources. Sign up and respond to relevant queries.
3. Consistency and Authenticity Matter
How I Did It:
I consistently shared my knowledge and insights on social media and through various platforms. I didn’t try to game the system with AI-generated content or by copying others.
I was genuine in my interactions and contributions.
How You Can Do It:
Be consistent in sharing your knowledge. Set aside time daily or weekly to engage with journalists and contribute to discussions. Authenticity is crucial — don’t use AI tools to generate your responses.
Write in your own voice and share your real experiences and insights. Authentic contributions build trust and credibility over time.
4. Engage on Social Media
How I Did It:
I didn’t just wait for journalists to reach out to me. I actively participated in discussions, often directly on journalists’ threads on Twitter.
This proactive approach helped me get noticed and build relationships.
How You Can Do It:
Look for opportunities to engage with journalists on social media. When they post questions or look for sources, respond with valuable insights. Don’t be afraid to join the conversation.
Over time, journalists will start recognizing your name and expertise.
5. Build Long-Term Relationships
How I Did It:
Over time, my consistent contributions and genuine engagement helped me build relationships with journalists and editors.
They started recognizing me as a reliable source and began reaching out to me for quotes and insights.
How You Can Do It:
Focus on building long-term relationships rather than seeking quick wins. Be patient and consistent in your engagement.
When you provide valuable insights, journalists will remember you and come back for more. Building these relationships takes time, but it’s worth the effort.
6. Sign Up for Relevant Platforms
How I Did It:
I signed up for platforms like HARO and featured.com, which connect journalists with sources.
I regularly checked these platforms and responded promptly to relevant queries.
This proactive approach helped me get quoted in several articles.
How You Can Do It:
Sign up for HARO and featured.com. These platforms send out daily or weekly queries from journalists looking for sources.
Respond promptly to relevant queries with clear, concise, and valuable information. Make sure your responses are tailored to the journalist’s needs and showcase your expertise.
7. Tried and Tested Method
How I Did It:
This method has been tried and tested by me. Just because I got 6 features in 12 months doesn’t mean it will be the same for you.
You might get 6 in 6 months! Editors sometimes give you backlinks, which means more SEO juice.
My domain, www.bhaviksarkhedi.com, has a Domain Authority (DA) of around 28 and gets about 600 clicks a day — all organic.
How You Can Do It:
Be patient and persistent. This method works, but it takes time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep engaging, sharing your expertise, and building relationships.
Over time, you’ll start seeing the benefits, including backlinks that can boost your website’s SEO.
8. Collateral Benefits
How I Did It:
These features help in so many ways. Another benefit is that editors can give you an author bio if you’re a good writer or an expert.
This can lead to becoming a writer, guest contributor, or author at reputed publications.
For instance, I’m a writer at Forbes India, and my stories have been published in The New York Times, Entrepreneur, and many other publications. This is how it has happened over the years.
How You Can Do It:
As you build relationships with journalists and editors, opportunities will arise.
If you consistently provide valuable insights and prove yourself as an expert, you might be offered an author bio or even a contributor role.
Keep your profiles updated and showcase your contributions. This can lead to more opportunities and increased visibility.
Getting featured in top publications is about being consistent, authentic, and proactive. Start today, and who knows? You might be the next one getting featured in Forbes or The New York Times. Keep pushing forward, and remember, real expert insights always win.
