Everyone wants to be in Forbes magazine. It is one of the most famous business magazines in the world. When Forbes features you or your company, it brings fame, trust, and new customers.
But many people think, "Only big CEOs and famous people can be in Forbes." This is not true. Forbes.com publishes articles from many experts. You do not need to be a billionaire. You need a good strategy.
This guide will show you the simple steps to increase your chance of being featured on Forbes.com.
Understanding How Forbes.com Works
First, you must understand that Forbes.com is different from Forbes Magazine. The website has a special section called Forbes Councils. This is your best chance to get published.
Forbes Councils are groups of experts in different fields like business, technology, and finance. Successful business owners and leaders join these groups. As a member, you get the right to publish articles directly on Forbes.com.
But you do not have to be a member to be featured. Journalists at Forbes (called editors and contributors) are always looking for good stories. You can contact them with your idea.
Step 1: Create a Powerful Personal Brand
Forbes wants experts. They want people who know a lot about one specific topic.
Become an Expert: Choose one area where you are very knowledgeable. For example, "digital marketing for small restaurants" or "sustainable farming in Asia." Do not try to be an expert in everything.
Build Your Online Presence: Use LinkedIn, Twitter (X), and a professional blog. Share your knowledge for free. Help people. This shows Forbes that you are a real leader people listen to.
Step 2: Write an Amazing Story Idea
Forbes editors get hundreds of emails every day. Your idea must stand out.
What is New?: Your idea must be new and interesting. Is it about a new technology? A new way of doing business? A big change in your industry?
Help the Reader: Forbes articles teach something. Your idea should help the reader solve a problem or make more money. For example, "5 Simple Strategies I Used to Double My Sales" is better than "Why My Company Is Great."
Use Data: Numbers make your story strong. Do not just say "we got more customers." Say "we increased customers by 57% in 3 months using this method."
Step 3: Find the Right Forbes Editor or Contributor
This is the most important step. You must find the right person to contact.
Do Your Research: Go to Forbes.com and use the search bar. Search for your topic (e.g., "small business," "startups," "leadership"). See which journalists are writing about your topic.
Read Their Articles: Click on the author's name. Read their recent articles. Understand what kind of stories they like. This helps you make your email personal.
Find Contact Information: Many journalists have their Twitter (X) profile or LinkedIn listed on their Forbes profile page. They often share their contact info there.
Some well-known Forbes teams and editors you can look for (as of 2023/2025) include:
Forbes Small Business Council: For stories about entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Forbes Technology Council: For experts in tech, AI, and software.
Forbes Business Development Council: For sales and growth experts.
Individual Contributors: Writers like John Hall, Shelley Zalis, or Neil Patel often write about leadership and marketing. (Note: Always check for the most current active contributors.)
Step 4: How to Contact Them the Right Way
When you send an email, be professional and short.
Subject Line is Key: Example: "Story Idea: How AI Is Helping Local Farmers Reduce Waste"
Introduce Yourself Quickly: "My name is [Your Name], I am the founder of [Your Company] and an expert in [Your Field]."
Praise Their Work: "I really enjoyed your recent article on [Article Name]. It was very insightful."
Pitch Your Idea: Explain your story idea in 2-3 lines. Explain why it is important to their readers right now.
Show Your Value: Briefly say why you are the right person to talk about this. Mention one big achievement. "I have helped over 100 businesses in this way..."
Call to Action: Clearly say what you want. "I would be happy to write a full article or be available for an interview."
What NOT to do:
Do not send a long, boring email.
Do not attach your full article. They will not open it.
Do not ask, "Can I write for Forbes?" without a specific idea.
Step 5: If You Cannot Find a Contact, Try This
If you cannot reach an editor, there is another way.
Get Featured in a Story: Journalists need quotes from experts. Use a free service called Help a Reporter Out (HARO). Journalists use HARO to find experts for their stories. You can sign up and get daily emails with requests. When you see a request that matches your expertise, send a good quote. If they use it, you will be featured in Forbes!
Final Important Advice
Be Patient: Do not expect a reply in one day. If you do not hear back in a week, you can send one polite follow-up email.
Never Copy: All your work must be 100% original. Forbes will never publish copied content.
Quality Over Quantity: It is better to send one perfect idea to the right person than to send 100 bad ideas to everyone
References:
- Forbes Councils: https://www.forbes.com/councils/
- Help a Reporter Out (HARO): https://www.helpareporter.com/
- Information gathered from public interviews and advice from Forbes contributors like John Hall and other council members.
