To Get Featured In Forbes Magazine, you need more than just a great business or personal brand—you need a compelling story, strong credibility, and a smart media strategy. Forbes is one of the most respected publications in the world, known for highlighting entrepreneurs, innovators, executives, and thought leaders who are shaping industries.
In this guide, you’ll learn exactly what it takes to get noticed by Forbes, how the editorial process works, and what steps you can take to improve your chances of landing a feature.
Why Getting Featured in Forbes Matters
Being featured in Forbes instantly boosts your credibility, authority, and visibility. Whether you’re a startup founder, CEO, investor, author, or industry expert, a Forbes mention can:
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Enhance your personal and brand reputation
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Open doors to partnerships and speaking opportunities
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Increase trust with clients, customers, and investors
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Strengthen your online presence and media profile
For many professionals, Forbes recognition acts as a powerful form of social proof that sets them apart from competitors.
How Forbes Chooses Who to Feature
Understanding how Forbes operates is essential if you want to get featured. Unlike traditional media outlets, Forbes works with both staff writers and a network of vetted contributors. These contributors pitch and publish stories about business leaders, trends, and innovative ideas.
Key Criteria Forbes Looks For
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Authority and Expertise
You should be a recognized expert in your field or have a strong track record of success.
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Newsworthiness
Your story should be timely, relevant, and impactful. This could include a major business milestone, funding round, industry innovation, or social impact.
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Unique Perspective
Forbes values fresh insights and original viewpoints. Generic success stories are less likely to stand out.
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Audience Value
The content must provide value to Forbes readers—whether that’s inspiration, education, or actionable business insights.
Who Is Most Likely to Get Featured in Forbes?
While Forbes features a wide range of professionals, certain profiles tend to attract attention more easily:
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Startup founders and entrepreneurs
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CEOs and business leaders
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Investors and venture capitalists
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Authors and thought leaders
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Innovators in tech, finance, healthcare, and sustainability
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Social impact leaders and nonprofit founders
However, being famous is not a requirement. What matters most is having a strong story and measurable impact.
How to Get Featured in Forbes Magazine: Step-by-Step
1. Build a Strong Personal or Brand Profile
Before pitching Forbes, make sure your online presence reflects credibility and authority. This includes:
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A professional website
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Active and polished social media profiles
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Previous media mentions or thought leadership articles
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Clear positioning within your industry
Forbes contributors often research you before considering a story, so your digital footprint matters.
2. Identify the Right Forbes Contributor
Not all Forbes writers cover the same topics. Some focus on startups, others on finance, leadership, technology, or lifestyle. To improve your chances:
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Search Forbes for articles related to your industry
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Identify contributors who write about topics similar to your story
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Study their writing style and audience focus
Reaching out to the right contributor is more effective than sending mass pitches.
3. Craft a Compelling Pitch
Your pitch should be short, clear, and value-driven. Focus on what makes your story unique and why it matters to Forbes readers.
A strong pitch includes:
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A clear headline or hook
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A brief background about you or your brand
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Your unique angle or insight
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Why the story is relevant right now
Avoid sounding promotional. Forbes prioritizes informative and educational content over advertising-style pitches.
4. Highlight Data, Results, and Impact
Numbers strengthen credibility. Include:
The more measurable your success, the more compelling your story becomes.
5. Work with a Professional PR Agency
Many individuals and brands choose to work with media professionals to increase their chances of success. A skilled PR agency:
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Has relationships with Forbes contributors
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Knows what angles get accepted
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Helps refine your story
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Handles outreach professionally
While PR doesn’t guarantee coverage, it significantly improves your odds when done ethically and strategically.
Common Myths About Getting Featured in Forbes
Myth 1: You Can Pay Forbes Directly for a Feature
Forbes does not sell editorial features. Any legitimate coverage must go through contributors and editorial approval.
Myth 2: Only Billionaires Get Featured
While Forbes does cover high-profile figures, many featured individuals are startup founders, small business owners, and emerging leaders.
Myth 3: One Pitch Is Enough
Media outreach often requires persistence, refinement, and multiple attempts before success.
What to Do After You Get Featured
Once you secure a Forbes feature, maximize its value:
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Share it across your website and social media
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Include it in email signatures and marketing materials
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Use it in investor decks and sales presentations
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Reference it in future media pitches
A Forbes feature is not just a one-time achievement—it’s a powerful long-term branding asset.
How Long Does It Take to Get Featured?
There’s no fixed timeline. Some individuals secure coverage within weeks, while others take months of pitching and brand-building. Success depends on:
Consistency and patience are key.
Final Thoughts
To get featured in Forbes magazine, you need a combination of credibility, strategy, storytelling, and persistence. It’s not about chasing publicity—it’s about offering real value, insights, and impact to Forbes’ global audience.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, executive, or industry expert, earning a Forbes feature can significantly elevate your brand and open doors to new opportunities. By building authority, crafting a compelling narrative, and approaching the right contributors, you position yourself for one of the most prestigious media placements in the world.
