Are you looking to grow your blog and expand your business?
No matter what kind of business you run, media coverage can significantly broaden your reach, increase page views, drive revenue, and boost credibility.
Today I’m pleased to introduce Selena Soo, a publicity and marketing strategist who has helped clients achieve visibility in top outlets.
Selena’s work has been featured in major publications and platforms such as Forbes, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, Inc., Entrepreneur On Fire, and Smart Passive Income, among others.
I first heard about Selena through many glowing recommendations over the years, and we unexpectedly crossed paths while staying in the same small town in Puerto Rico for several months.
Media features have consistently produced strong results for my own platforms, and I know firsthand how valuable they can be. In 2021 I focused on landing even more placements, and my past coverage has included outlets like Oprah, Reader’s Digest, Forbes, CNBC, and Business Insider.
For examples of the media coverage I’ve earned over the years, you can view my features on my about page.
People often ask how I’ve managed to secure so many media mentions. Today, you’ll learn practical strategies for increasing your chances of being featured.
In this interview with Selena, you’ll discover:
- How publicity transformed her career and business;
- How media exposure can accelerate growth for your blog and company;
- The first steps to prepare for media opportunities;
- What makes an effective pitch;
- How to build authentic professional relationships without being intrusive;
Plus additional tips, examples, and actionable guidance.
Selena also offers a free Publicity Calendar with 179 story ideas, timely dates, and hooks to help you create sustained media attention. This resource is designed to help you pitch magazines and popular websites more effectively.
Please enjoy the interview with Selena below.
1. Tell me your story. Who are you and what do you do?
I’m a publicity and marketing strategist who works with a range of clients—from entrepreneurs just starting out to established business owners. My focus is helping people highlight their expertise and share their message through the media.
My seven-figure company didn’t happen overnight. In my mid-20s, while working at a nonprofit, I experienced a quarter-life crisis that led me to discover a network of inspirational authors, coaches, and entrepreneurs. Their guidance helped me through a difficult time, and I wanted to help them reach larger audiences.
That led me to start a publicity agency dedicated to amplifying their work. Over time I expanded into additional programs, including my best-selling online course Impacting Millions®.
2. How has publicity changed your life and business?
Helping others get attention came naturally to me, but as an introvert I often avoided the spotlight. I realized that to make my largest impact I had to become visible.
After publishing my first guest post, my email list doubled—more than 1,000 people signed up on the first day the article ran. Since then I’ve secured coverage in outlets like Forbes, Business Insider, Entrepreneur, and Inc., and appeared on influential industry podcasts.
Those placements helped grow my audience, increase credibility, and ultimately build a multi-seven-figure business.
3. How and why did you start connecting with influential people?
I began connecting with people who inspired me because I wanted to help them share their message more widely. I followed their work closely, looked for ways to support them, and reached out with useful introductions or opportunities.
Simple offers—like connecting someone with a potential collaborator or pointing out an opportunity—started conversations that evolved into lasting professional relationships, some of which became friendships, mentorships, and client partnerships.
4. How can publicity help grow a blog and other businesses?
Publicity fast-tracks credibility. Anyone can claim expertise, but third-party validation from reputable media outlets and influencers demonstrates authority and trust.
Clients and students have leveraged media appearances to sell courses, attract clients, and elevate their businesses. Graduates of Impacting Millions have increased their rates, secured higher-ticket offers, earned paid book deals, and grown revenues by six figures as a result of publicity.
5. Can you go over the steps it takes to get featured in the media?
One of the first steps is mental preparation. Many aspiring guests and contributors dream of appearing on podcasts or in top publications but are held back by fear. We help students get comfortable with the idea of outreach so they can confidently contact podcast hosts, editors, and producers.
It’s also crucial to position yourself as an expert and develop compelling story ideas—both of which are core elements of our training in Impacting Millions.
6. What is an effective pitch? What does it consist of?
Email remains the most practical way to reach media contacts. A strong pitch combines a compelling subject line with an email body that clearly explains why you’re an expert worth featuring.
Include concise story ideas and relevant samples: writing clips for guest posts, video clips for TV appearances, or links to previous interviews. Make it easy for the editor or producer to evaluate your fit and see the value you’ll bring to their audience.
7. How can a person make themselves stand out to secure coveted media features?
Stand out by offering a timely, compelling story idea. Choose a headline that grabs attention and promises value. When outlining your tips, include fresh, counterintuitive perspectives that surprise the editor and audience.
Position yourself as someone who can provide original insights, exclusive angles, or useful data that the outlet’s audience hasn’t seen before.
8. How can a blogger build authentic relationships without being annoying?
Prioritize understanding what matters to the people you meet. Take a genuine interest in their goals and challenges, and look for ways to be helpful.
- Small gestures—like thoughtful comments on social posts or sharing someone’s content with your audience—make a positive impression.
- Larger gestures—such as offering a virtual coffee to learn about their work and how you might help, with no strings attached—can lead to meaningful connections.
When your outreach centers on what’s important to them, you’ll be remembered as helpful rather than bothersome.
9. What advice would you give to an introvert who’s afraid to put themselves out there?
Reconnect with your why. Fear is natural, but when you remember that your work serves a greater purpose—helping others, sharing knowledge, or solving problems—it becomes easier to push past the discomfort and step into visibility.
10. Can you tell me more about your program, Impacting Millions®?
Impacting Millions is a program for entrepreneurs, coaches, experts, and service providers who want to reach more people with their message. The course teaches how to create a strategic media plan to land dream publicity opportunities and transform from a best-kept secret into a sought-after leader.
Participants learn to attract clients more easily and have a larger impact on their audiences through consistent, strategic media exposure.
11. What are your top tips for someone who wants success in the media?
Think like a media professional. Don’t only focus on what you want to talk about; prioritize topics that the outlet’s audience will care about. Give editors and hosts original, timely advice that makes them look good to their audience—whether that’s highlighting a trend first, delivering unique insights, or bringing traffic to their site.
Also promote your media appearances: share interviews and articles with your audience. This not only delights the media outlet but also creates buzz that encourages more sharing and amplifies the impact of each placement.
12. You offer a free gift for readers who want more publicity. Can you tell us about it?
Yes. Selena created a 40+ page Publicity Calendar filled with hundreds of story ideas, key dates, and hooks to help you pitch timely, relevant stories. One of the secrets to landing media coverage is making your pitches timely—and this calendar provides ideas and tips for all 12 months of the year.
You can download a free copy of the Publicity Calendar to begin planning pitches that match editorial calendars and seasonal trends.
Are you trying to grow your blog or business? Have you tried getting featured in the media? What other questions would you like to ask Selena?