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If you want consistent press coverage, you can’t just send out cold pitches and hope for the best. The secret to getting featured again and again? Strong relationships with journalists and influencers.

When you take the time to build genuine connections, you’re no longer just another email in a crowded inbox—you’re someone they want to hear from. And that’s when the real PR magic happens.

So, how do you go from being a total stranger to a go-to source for the media? Let’s break it down step by step.

1. Get to Know the Right People

Not all journalists and influencers are the right fit for your brand. Instead of blasting out the same message to everyone, focus on building relationships with people who are actually interested in your industry.

  • Research before you reach out – Look at who’s writing about brands similar to yours. Check their latest articles and see if their style matches your brand.
  • Follow them on social media – Engage with their posts, share their work, and start building familiarity before you ever pitch.
  • Make a media list – Keep track of relevant journalists, bloggers, and influencers, along with their contact details, beats (topics they cover), and any past interactions.
2. Become a Valuable Resource (Not Just a Pitcher)

Journalists get tons of PR pitches every day, most of which are purely self-promotional. Instead of just asking them to cover your brand, focus on providing value.

  • Offer useful insights – If you have industry expertise or unique trend predictions, share them! Journalists love expert sources.
  • Help them with their stories – If you see a journalist posting a request for sources (on platforms like Twitter/X), jump in and offer helpful info—even if it’s not about your brand.
  • Be responsive – If a journalist reaches out for info, product samples, or quotes, reply quickly. Deadlines are tight, and being easy to work with makes you more likely to be contacted again.

Pro tip: If a journalist doesn’t use your quote or feature you this time, don’t take it personally. Stay on their radar and be helpful—they might use you in a future piece.

3. Personalise Your Pitches (No Copy-Pasting!)

One of the biggest mistakes brands make? Sending out generic, copy-paste pitches to dozens of journalists. If you want to build a relationship, your outreach needs to feel personal.

  • Reference their past work – Mention an article they wrote that you enjoyed or a topic they frequently cover.
  • Explain why your pitch is relevant – Make it clear why their audience would care about your story or product.
  • Keep it concise – Get to the point in just a few short paragraphs.

Example of a bad pitch:
“Hi [Journalist], we’re a new beauty brand and we’d love for you to feature us!”

Example of a great pitch:
“Hi [Journalist], I loved your recent piece on sustainable beauty trends! Since you often cover eco-friendly brands, I thought you might be interested in [your brand], which just launched a 100% plastic-free skincare line. Happy to send over samples if you’d like to try them!”

Pro tip: Even if a journalist doesn’t respond, don’t spam them with follow-ups. One polite follow-up after a week is fine—any more, and you risk annoying them.

4. Stay in Touch (Even When You’re Not Pitching)

The best media relationships aren’t just about pitching—they’re about consistent engagement. If the only time a journalist hears from you is when you want something, it won’t feel like a real connection.

  • Share their work – If a journalist writes a great article (even if it’s not about you), share it on social media and tag them.
  • Congratulate them – Did they win an award? Start a new role? A quick message of support keeps you on their radar.
  • Send useful tips – If you see an interesting trend or stat related to their niche, send a short email saying, “Thought you might find this useful for future stories!”

Pro tip: If a journalist does cover your brand, send a thank-you email. A simple “Really appreciate you including us in your piece!” goes a long way in strengthening your relationship.

5. Build Relationships with Influencers, Too
  • Traditional media isn’t the only way to get coverage—influencers play a huge role in brand visibility, especially in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle.
  • Engage before you pitch – Like and comment on their posts genuinely (don’t just drop a fire emoji and move on).
  • Personalise your outreach – If you’re gifting products, explain why you think they’d love it.
  • Offer long-term partnerships – Instead of just one-off features, consider building an ambassador program to work with influencers regularly.
  • Respect their creative freedom – Influencers know their audience best, so don’t micromanage how they talk about your brand.

Pro tip: Just like journalists, influencers appreciate brands that support them year-round, not just when they want a promo. Show love for their content consistently!


Building relationships with the media isn’t about quick wins—it’s about playing the long game. When you focus on genuine connections, providing value, and being easy to work with, you’ll naturally start landing more coverage.

So, instead of seeing journalists and influencers as gatekeepers, think of them as potential collaborators. Treat them with the same care you’d treat your customers, and watch your media presence grow.

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