Landing a feature in SF Weekly can dramatically boost your visibility, credibility, and reach in the Bay Area. Whether you’re a startup founder, artist, restaurant owner, or event organizer, getting featured in SF Weekly can open doors to new customers and media opportunities.

In this SEO-friendly guide, you’ll learn how to get featured in SF Weekly, step-by-step — plus insider tips to improve your chances of getting noticed.

Why Getting Featured in SF Weekly Matters

4

Before diving into the process, let’s understand why a feature is valuable:

• Strong local credibility in San Francisco

• Exposure to Bay Area readers and businesses

• SEO benefits from authoritative backlinks

• Increased brand trust and social proof

• Media validation you can showcase in PR kits

If you’re targeting the San Francisco market, a feature in SF Weekly positions you as a serious local player.

How to Get Featured in SF Weekly (Step-by-Step)

1. Understand What SF Weekly Covers

To get featured in SF Weekly, you must align with their editorial focus. They typically cover:

• Local news and culture

• Arts & entertainment

• Restaurants and food trends

• Events and nightlife

• Cannabis industry

• Emerging businesses

• Social impact stories

Pro Tip: Study recent articles and identify patterns in tone, story angles, and featured businesses.

2. Create a Newsworthy Angle

SF Weekly won’t feature you just because you ask. You need a compelling hook.

Ask yourself:

• Are you launching something new?

• Did you hit a major milestone?

• Are you disrupting a local industry?

• Is there a strong human-interest story behind your brand?

• Are you hosting a unique San Francisco event?

Journalists want stories — not advertisements.

3. Build a Strong Media Kit

To increase your chances of getting featured in SF Weekly, prepare:

• A professional bio

• High-resolution photos

• Brand story

• Press releases (if available)

• Social media links

• Website link

• Contact information

Make it easy for editors to cover you without extra work.

4. Find the Right Editor or Writer

4

Instead of sending a generic message, identify:

• Editors covering your niche

• Staff writers focused on your industry

• Contributors who write similar stories

Then personalize your pitch.

Avoid:
 Mass emails
 Generic press releases without context
 Overly promotional language

5. Write a Compelling Pitch Email

Here’s a simple pitch structure:

Subject Line: Story Idea: [Compelling Hook] in San Francisco

Email Body:

• Short introduction (who you are)

• Why your story matters to SF readers

• Why it’s timely

• Link to media kit

• Offer availability for interview

Keep it under 200 words.

6. Leverage Local PR & Community Engagement

To improve your odds of getting featured in SF Weekly:

• Attend San Francisco networking events

• Collaborate with local influencers

• Participate in community initiatives

• Get involved in local charities

• Build relationships with other featured businesses

Media attention often follows community visibility.

7. Use HARO & Media Platforms

Sign up for platforms where journalists request sources. Respond quickly and provide clear, concise insights.

Being proactive increases your visibility beyond just emailing editors directly.

8. Consider Sponsored Content (If Appropriate)

If your goal is guaranteed placement, explore advertising or sponsored editorial options directly through SF Weekly. This can be useful for:

• Grand openings

• Major product launches

• Event promotions

Be transparent and choose the option that aligns with your brand strategy.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

If you want to successfully get featured in SF Weekly, avoid:

• Pitching without researching the publication

• Making the email too long

• Sending low-quality photos

• Following up excessively

• Being overly sales-focused

Remember — editors are looking for stories that serve their audience.

How Long Does It Take to Get Featured?

There is no guaranteed timeline. It may take:

• 1–2 weeks for a response

• 1–3 months for publication

• Multiple follow-ups before traction

Consistency is key.

Final Tips on How to Get Featured in SF Weekly

• Build your personal brand online

• Maintain active social media

• Publish thought leadership content

• Collect testimonials and press mentions

• Stay relevant to San Francisco trends

Getting featured in SF Weekly isn’t about luck — it’s about strategy, positioning, and persistence.

Conclusion

If you’ve been wondering how to get featured in SF Weekly, the formula is simple:

1. Be newsworthy

2. Align with their audience

3. Pitch strategically

4. Build relationships

5. Stay consistent

Media coverage can transform your brand visibility in the Bay Area — and with the right approach, you can make it happen.