Forbes is the quickest trust shortcut on the Internet—but only if the story is news, not self-promo.

1. Understand What Forbes Tags as “News”

Element Forbes loves Translation for your pitch
Fresh data Original survey, proprietary metrics, market growth %
Clear angle Trend that affects money, tech, or leadership decisions
Named expert Founder, C-level, or industry analyst with track record
Actionable takeaway Readers finish with one thing they can try today

 

Tip: Scan Forbes / Leadership / Innovation for last 14 days; note headline verbs (“Reinvent”, “Unlock”, “Outperform”). Align your angle to that voice.

2. Assemble Your “Press-Ready” Toolkit

1. One-line bio (≤ 25 words)

2. Hi-res headshot (square & horizontal)

3. Three data points you can quote blindfolded

4. One contrarian insight that challenges the current narrative

5. Fast contact details (mobile + direct email)

Store these in a single cloud folder so you can reply to editors in under 5 minutes.

3. Build a Micro-List of 5 Relevant Forbes Contributors

Use LinkedIn or the Forbes byline search.

Step What to capture
Visit author profile Note beat (e.g., “Family Offices”, “Web3 Security”)
Check last 5 articles Confirm tone & formatting style
Look for social handle Most contributors post call-for-sources tweets
Record personal email

Usually in the author bio or Muck Rack

 

Keep the list small—quality beats quantity.

4. Craft the 3-Paragraph Pitch


Subject: New Data on <Trend>—Potential Insight for Your Forbes Column

Hi <Name>,

1) Hook (1-2 sentences)
   “We just polled 127 luxury e-commerce CEOs: 63 % say
   social proof now outweighs pricing in B2B decisions.”

2) Why it fits their column (2 sentences)
   “Your recent piece on trust metrics touched on this,
   but lacked primary data. Our numbers extend the story.”

3) What you offer (bullet list)
   • Exclusive chart (embargo OK)  
   • 10-min phone quote, anytime this week  
   • Attribution: <Your Name>, Founder of Avramify

Thanks for considering.
<Signature + phone>

Golden rule: no attachments on the first email—links to Google Drive work fine.

5. Timing & Follow-Up Etiquette

Day Action
Day 0 (Tue/Wed AM) Send initial pitch (highest open-rates for business press)
Day 2 If no reply, forward original email with “Any value here?”
Day 5 Final ping on Twitter/LinkedIn DM: “Happy to close the loop—OK if I pitch elsewhere?”
Stop Move on; keep relationship warm by sharing their future articles you like

 

6. Common Mistakes That Kill Forbes Opportunities

◉ “Here’s my product”—Forbes isn’t a product review site.

◉ Mass-mailing editors—contributors talk; your spam is obvious.

◉ Missing data source—claims without proof get deleted.

◉ Slow reply—editors live on deadlines; be ready within hours.

7. Ethical Note on Expert Positioning

Credibility gained through earned media should reflect real expertise. Before pitching, audit your online footprint—LinkedIn, website, previous quotes—to ensure consistency. A polished feed supports the story; a messy one undermines it.

8. FAQ

Do I need a PR agency?
No, agencies accelerate the legwork, but editors value clarity, not logo headers.

Will Forbes charge a fee?
No. Forbes contributors are unpaid journalists; pay-to-play offerings are separate and labeled “BrandVoice.”

What if my data isn’t unique?
Pair blended public data with a fresh angle or contrarian takeaway. Angle matters as much as numbers.

Use this roadmap, refine your angle, and track response rates for each pitch. Authority compounds once your first feature is live, subsequent outlets will come easier.