How to Get Featured in Forbes

The other option is hiring a PR agency. These services are quite expensive, especially since Forbes is a highly reputed platform, and getting featured on it is no easy task. However, the costs may be worth it if you have a well-crafted story and are willing to invest in your brand’s exposure and growth. In most cases, the return on investment (ROI) justifies the initial cost of working with a PR agency.

Forbes Contributors are independent writers who share their expertise and opinions on various business-related topics. When you write as a contributor, you can share your author’s bio, in which you can include details about your business and a link to your website.

To publish an article as a contributor, you have to first approach a Forbes editor. These are the people responsible for curating content on the platform. The best way to find a Forbes editor is through LinkedIn.

Simply search for ‘’Forbes editor LinkedIn,’’ and you will see a ton of options. For example, we found Bridget Chapman to be a senior editor at Forbes. In her profile, we can see that she oversees all sleep and mattress-related content for Forbes.

So, if you are a business in this industry, you can route your pitch to Ms. Chapman and start your journey as a Forbes contributor. Similarly, Sarah Chandler is an assistant editor at Forbes who oversees 300+ contributors writing in eight different niches.

Since Forbes publishes articles on a variety of topics, look for an editor who oversees your niche. Once you find the right person, send them your pitch.

Make sure you follow the proper etiquette for this. You can contact the editor through LinkedIn or drop them an email (if their email address is publicly available). In your pitch, include the following things:

Oftentimes, when you read a Forbes article, you may notice that it’s written by a member of the Forbes Council. These councils are the platform’s communities for executives and entrepreneurs in different industries, including fintech, marketing, and so on.

There are prerequisites to join these councils, though. If you’re a senior-level executive, you should have a business that generates at least $1 million in revenue or has $1 million in financing.

You can also apply to become a part of a council as a business. For that, your business’s annual revenue should be $500,000. The applicant should be an executive coach with at least three years of experience as a publicly known career, executive, or leadership coach. You can apply in one of the two categories here.

Do note that joining Forbes councils isn’t free. You have to pay annual fees that’ll cost you thousands of dollars. However, once you’re a council member, you will not have to go through the standard editorial process. As a council member, you have already been vetted by Forbes as a credible source in your industry.

You will also have more flexibility when publishing your content on the Forbes platform. As a result, you and your business will enjoy more exposure to the Forbes audience. You can also build long-term partnerships and collaboration opportunities through the platform.

However, the downside is the high fees. Plus, the requirements for joining are quite strict. If you’re a small to mid-sized business or an entrepreneur, you may find it challenging to meet the prerequisites.

Possibly, the hardest way to get featured in Forbes is to do something groundbreaking in your industry. Getting on the cover of Forbes is not just about wealth or fame but also about making the kind of magazine-cover-worthy moves that shake up entire industries.

Forbes typically features the top leaders or innovators who are disrupting their industry in some way. Some people who have been on the magazine’s cover include Alice Walton, Warren Buffet, Michael Dell, Meg Whitman, Carl Icahn, and Martin Winterkorn.

All of these people have made significant contributions to their respective industries, whether it’s through innovative business strategies, philanthropy, or technological advancements.

Even if you can’t make it to the cover, there are options to be featured on the inner pages. For example, if you’re selected as one of the people in the Forbes 30 Under 30 list, you will get a full feature with a bio (and even an interview). Forbes also publishes a lot of other lists, such as:

If none of the above-mentioned methods are practical or possible for you, the best option is to hire a PR agency like Maximatic Media. When you have a PR agency by your side, all you have to do is provide them with your story, and they take care of the rest.

That’s exactly what we do at Maximatic Media. Forbes, being one of the most reputable publications in the world, requires a strong and strategic approach to get featured. More importantly, it’s among the most expensive publications in which you can highlight your personal or business brand.

We have years of experience getting our clients featured in hundreds of high-tier publications, including Forbes. So, we know the ins and outs of what it takes to get featured in Forbes.

The best part? We provide a 100% guarantee of placements for a wide range of businesses, including fintech, real estate, and startups. If you don’t get featured, you get your money back. So, you have nothing to lose.

It’s one thing to get in touch with an editor randomly with your pitch and another to have a relationship with them. The latter increases your chances of getting a response, and that too a positive one.

If you’re planning to contribute to Forbes sometime down the line, it’s best to start building relationships with the contributors and editors now. Engage with them on their social media posts and comment on their articles. Try to establish a connection with them before reaching out with your pitch.

Forbes isn’t a low-tier publication that features just about anyone. They have a certain standard to maintain, and to do that; they look for stories that are compelling and relevant to their audience.

When you write your pitch, make sure it is backed by a strong business narrative. You should already have a decent media presence before pitching to Forbes. A strong social media following with existing publications and speaking gigs (such as at industry conferences) further adds to your credibility.

Forbes is known for covering all things happening. So, why not follow this rule when pitching? Try to write about topics that are new or emerging in your industry.

For example, in marketing, you could write about AI or new customer preferences. The rise of TikTok Live selling is one such topic. In entrepreneurship, cover business disruptors and new innovations. If a certain region or demographic is experiencing significant growth, that could be an interesting angle to explore.

Forbes appreciates opinions from industry experts, but opinions alone aren’t enough to make the cut. Use data and statistics to back your claims and support your story.

You have to show that you know what you’re talking about. For that, you could add data from industry reports, customer surveys, market trends, etc. These statistics will make your content more informative and credible.

It’s even better if you mention data from reports that you or your company have published. For example, if you’re a marketing agency, you could include data from your annual social media marketing report. This way, you’re not only establishing thought leadership but also creating a strong backlink to your website.

At Maximatic Media, we can help you get featured in not just Forbes but a host of other similarly distinguished publications. Get in touch with us to discuss your PR needs in detail.