Why Your Brand Isn’t Getting Media Mentions
Image from Made by Fressko via Flaunter.
Feel like your brand is invisible to the media? Like you’re in the “Why Won’t They Feature Us?” club? You’re not alone. Getting media attention can feel tricky and challenging, but oh so satisfying when it works.
Let’s talk about why the media isn’t promoting your brand (yet)—and how to fix it.
It could be that you haven’t taken the time to craft your story and find your point of difference. Your images may be too low-res. Or you haven’t yet built strong relationships with media that are aligned to your brand.
Perhaps you’ve decided to blast out press releases to mass-databases with no real personalisation. Or it could be that your brand's story lacks detail or that 'je ne sais quoi' that makes journalists stop and say, "Now that's a story!"
So, think about this:
Do you have a PR strategy in place? We cannot stress how important it is to have a strategy before you start working on your content and media approach. And that’s true for all areas of your business - from marketing and brand to sales.
Are your images up to standard? If they’re low-res, poorly lit, or lack variety (product, lifestyle, and campaign shots), you’re out of the running.
Are you targeting the wrong media? If you’re pitching to outlets that don’t align with your brand, it’s wasted effort. If you’re an emerging brand has just released a new product, perhaps don't aim for the front cover of Vogue. Think about media outlets, influencers and creators that will align with you and your story. Consider sampling and gifting also.
Is your approach is too generic? Mass-blasted press releases with no personalisation? Straight to the trash folder.
Does your story have a hook? Journalists want compelling, unique angles—not just another “we launched a product” announcement. Sell a lifestyle or jump on a trend.
Do you have affiliate links? Many media outlets now prioritise featuring brands with affiliate partnerships. If they can’t earn commission from your product, they might skip featuring it.
Here are our top tips for getting media to know about you, want to work with you and start featuring your brand.
Step into the Spotlight with Precision: Press releases aren’t dead—but bad ones should be. Generic blasts? No. Irrelevant pitches? No. Treat every pitch like a love letter—tailored, thoughtful, and aligned with the journalist’s work and audience.
Build Relationships, Not Just Contacts: Journalists aren’t just names in a database. Engage with them on Flaunter, compliment their work, and offer insights without always expecting coverage in return. Build trust, and they’ll remember your brand.
Be a Storyteller, Not a Salesperson: Your brand’s story should be irresistible. Find the unique hook—whether it’s sustainability, innovation, heritage, or something quirky—and tell it in a way that makes journalists take notice.
Create Scroll-Stopping Visuals: High-res is non-negotiable (300dpi minimum). Go beyond basic product shots—show your brand’s essence through campaign imagery, lifestyle photography, and behind-the-scenes content.
Affiliate Links Matter: Many digital publications rely on affiliate revenue. If you’re not part of an affiliate program (like Skimlinks, Rakuten, or Amazon Associates), you might be missing out on features. Consider integrating affiliate links into your media strategy. Listen to the Hack Your Own PR Podcast “How to pitch Instyle with Justine Cullen” for some tips here.
Timing is Everything: Launching a new product? Rebranding? Hosting an event? Time your announcements strategically—align with editorial calendars, seasonal trends, or current events. Send the details to the Flaunter team and we can promote it for you!
Showcase Your Expertise: Become a go-to source for media. Offer trend insights, industry commentary, or expert opinions. When journalists need a quote, your brand could be the one they turn to.
Make It Easy: Have a media-ready press kit on Flaunter, complete with high-res images, brand backstory, recent press releases, and contact details. The easier you make it for journalists, the more likely they are to feature you.
Follow Up—But Don’t Stalk: A gentle follow-up is fine, but don’t cross into spam territory. If a journalist is interested, provide additional info or offer an interview. If they pass, respect their decision.
Using tech to help you.
You’ve made it this far. So you know just how important media mentions are for your brand. How can you make it even easier? Consider using a tool like Flaunter.
Journalists, editors, and influencers don’t just stumble across brands; they search for them. They track industry trends, attend events, sift through thousands of press releases. But when they need to find brands and products to feature right now, they go to Flaunter.
Here’s why: Flaunter is a free PR tool where media professionals get instant access to millions of high-res, ready-to-publish images from fashion, beauty, home, tech, hospitality, and kids’ brands. Every day, journalists log in and search for what they need—whether it’s the latest KitchenAid product, a red dress, or a new lipstick shade—and instantly download and feature it.
So, if your brand isn’t on Flaunter yet? It’s time to change that. Get started with our free trial and make sure your press kit—images, videos, media releases, lookbooks, and sample collections—is available 24/7.
If you’re really wanting to level up your PR game and boost your brand’s visibility and credibility, then join the 100s of lifestyle brands already using Flaunter today. Or reach out to our team for a complimentary discovery call: hello@flaunter.com.