Comprehensive Guide for Founders to Getting Featured and Establishing

By Gaurav Bhagat, Founder, Gaurav Bhagat Academy

In today’s crowded startup ecosystem, visibility is currency. With media fatigue and attention
spans shrinking, founders must go beyond traditional PR to stand out. As of May 2025, we’re
seeing a sharp rise in startup leaders doubling down on personal branding and narrative-driven
pitching to break into elite publications like Forbes and Entrepreneur.
Take the case of a Mumbai-based health tech founder who, after three rejections from major
business magazines, restructured her pitch to focus on how her platform scaled preventive
healthcare in rural Maharashtra using AI. The story — rooted in impact, timing, and originality
— secured her a featured piece in a top-tier outlet and catalyzed a round of funding within six
weeks. What changed? Strategic storytelling.
This guide explores practical strategies to elevate your media presence, build cohesive
branding, and create visibility that converts — not just followers, but funders, partners, and
press.
1. Strategies for Getting Featured on Reputed Platforms
Being featured in high-profile business magazines can significantly boost your startup’s
credibility and visibility. Below are proven strategies to increase your chances of getting
featured:
Key Strategies
● Establish Authority in a Niche
Choose a specific topic or industry where you can position yourself as an expert (e.g.,
clean tech, D2C disruption, or bootstrapped scaling).
● Craft a Compelling Story
Ensure your story is timely (tied to current trends), surprising (unexpected insights or
pivots), or valuable (offering action-oriented takeaways).
● Pitch Effectively
Keep it concise: 2–3 sentences that highlight credibility (e.g., funding milestones,
market traction).

Offer 3–4 headline options with brief summaries. Ensure your angle hasn’t already been
over-covered.
● Build Journalist Relationships
Connect with editors and writers on LinkedIn. Add value before pitching — comment on
their work, share it, and attend panels or virtual Q&As.
● Stand Out with Proof
Launch a bold initiative or disrupt a stagnant model. Even failure stories with valuable
lessons can be irresistible to journalists.
● Use PR Services Strategically
PR firms can open doors, especially for early-stage founders. Just be clear on timelines
and deliverables — media wins take time.

Pro Tip:
Start small. Pitch to emerging platforms and niche verticals. One strong story can be a stepping
stone to Forbes, Mint, or Inc.
2. Building PR for Startups
Effective public relations is no longer just a launch-day tool — it’s a growth engine. When done
right, PR can amplify your message and increase lead conversion up to 50x more than digital
ads.
Key PR Tips
● Set Clear Campaign Goals
Are you looking to attract investors, enter a new market, or increase pre-orders? The
story should support the goal.
● Craft a Clear Value Proposition
Why you? Why now? What makes your product or journey compelling?
● Leverage Social Media
Share media features, offer your insights on trending news, and tag relevant journalists
to get noticed.
● Create Shareable Assets

Journalists love infographics, timelines, or short videos that add visual context to their
stories.
● Time It Right
Align your PR push with major industry events or global observances (e.g., World Health
Day for a medtech startup).
● Follow Up Without Spamming
If you don’t hear back within 5–7 business days, send a polite nudge with added value
or a new hook.
● Measure What Matters
Media reach, engagement, backlinks, and inbound queries should inform your PR ROI.
3. Why Personal Branding Matters in 2025
Founders are now as marketable as their startups. In a world where audiences seek
transparency and leadership, personal branding acts as the trust bridge.
The Payoffs
● Credibility: A founder with a clear point of view is more trustworthy.
● Differentiation: Investors and media gravitate toward founders with clarity and
character.
● Media Magnet: Journalists prefer covering people over products.
● Network Expansion: A strong brand brings in speaking invites, podcast features, and
mentorship opportunities.
4. Steps to Build a Powerful Personal Brand
Define Your Purpose
Why do you do what you do? Pinpoint your mission and audience.
Audit Your Online Presence
Are your bios consistent? Do your LinkedIn and website reinforce your narrative?
Craft Your Founder Story
Use story arcs — challenge, action, outcome — to bring your startup journey alive.

Be Consistent Across Platforms
From visual identity to language tone, make it cohesive across LinkedIn, your website, and
media appearances.
5. Aligning Your Personal and Company Brands
Cohesion between your personal voice and your startup’s identity creates a deeper brand
experience.
Tips to Achieve This
● Shared Values: Echo company values in your posts, interviews, and personal mission.
● Consistent Visual Identity: Use similar colors, fonts, and imagery across touchpoints.
● Cross-Promote Strategically: Celebrate startup wins on your personal profiles and
highlight your role on your startup’s channels.
● Be the Face of the Brand: Represent your company at conferences and webinars. Be the
story.
6. Challenges to Watch For
● Inauthenticity: Don’t force a persona. Audiences spot scripted stories.
● Budget Limitations: When PR agencies are out of reach, DIY tools like Substack, Medium,
and X (formerly Twitter) can still build visibility.
● Pitch Fatigue: Rejection is part of the process. Learn from it. Tweak. Try again.
Final Takeaway from this piece:
In 2025, brand equity is built not just through product performance, but through people-driven
storytelling and smart visibility plays. Startup founders must blend PR precision, personal brand
clarity, and media empathy to rise above the noise.
Craft stories, not slogans. Be discoverable, not desperate. With the right strategies, today’s
outreach could be tomorrow’s cover story.