Last week I was asked to pitch to a major media outlet.

Exciting, right? It should have been.

I’ve spent years coaching experts to become thought leaders, helping countless professionals land features in top-tier publications. I’ve worked alongside the world’s most sought-after speakers and authorities.

Yet there I was—staring at a blank page, questioning whether I had anything truly “newsworthy” to say.

Enter stage left: the old fear we don’t talk about enough.

“Who do you think you are?”

This voice is an old friend of mine. It appears precisely when I’m about to level up. When I’m on the verge of being seen. When I’m reaching for something bigger.

This fear is especially potent when it comes to the media.

Because asking to be featured—to be quoted, to take up space—requires audacity.

And audacity triggers every doubt you’ve ever known.

The Media Magnet Blueprint

Here’s what I’ve learned as a founder, expert, and thought leader about becoming irresistible to the media without playing small:

1. Get crystal clear on your message.

Perfection isn’t magnetic. Clarity is. Major media outlets aren’t waiting for you to be “finished”—they’re hungry for something interesting. The more clearly you articulate your unique perspective, the faster you’ll gain traction.

2. Story beats strategy. Every time.

We obsess over positioning and packaging while forgetting our most powerful asset: our story. The moment everything changed. The question that launched your journey. The failure that forced reinvention. That’s your gold—don’t lose it.

3. Generic pitches get ignored. Tailored pitches get traction.

Want to instantly outshine 95% of your competition? Pick one journalist. Read three of their recent articles. Identify the gap your expertise fills. Pitch that—with a timely hook and unique angle or perspective.

4. Lead with your hook. Don’t bury it.

Skip the “hope this finds you well” pleasantries when approaching busy gatekeepers. What’s your most unexpected, provocative, or valuable insight? How does it serve their audience? That belongs in your opening line.

5. “No” isn’t personal—it’s positioning.

Radio silence doesn’t mean your insights lack value. It simply wasn’t the right fit, right now. Media moves quickly. Topics evolve. Timing matters. Treat rejection as valuable data, refine your approach, and keep pitching.

Having a platform isn’t about visibility—it’s about leadership.

When you truly believe in your message, your mission, your expertise—that conviction becomes magnetic. Not ego. Not bravado. Just unshakable clarity about what you can contribute to an important conversation.

Media success isn’t magic—it’s strategy. Once you understand the blueprint, you can replicate it endlessly.

So, the next time that whisper emerges:

“Who do you think you are?”

Take a breath. Remember you didn’t start this journey to remain small and hidden.

Then answer with conviction:

“Let me show you exactly who I am.”