The press feature process, step by step

1. 1

   Step 1: Complete the press questionnaire and schedule an interview

   The questionnaire takes about 6 minutes and puts you in the queue. When you are selected, the team contacts you to book a live interview with a member of the editorial staff.

2. 2

   Step 2: Editorial staff writes the first draft

   A writer turns your interview into a rough draft about you or your company, on the topics you want to cover, written to give the reader real value.

3. 3

   Step 3: The editing cycle runs until your team approves the final draft

   You review and edit. The cycle repeats as many times as needed. Nothing is submitted for publishing until you approve.

4. 4

   Step 4: The final draft goes to the contributor

   Once approved, the article is handed to a contributor who writes for the publication.

5. 5

   Step 5: The contributor submits it for approval with the publication

   The publication reviews the piece through its own approval process.

6. 6

   Step 6: The publication approves and publishes the article

   After approval, the article is published in the outlet.

7. 7

   Step 7: The link goes live

   Your feature is now public and can be shared, linked and found when people search your name.

Back to the full guide on how to get press features

• How to get press featuresThe pillar guide: how to get press features as a thought leader, from story to live link.
• What are press features?A plain definition of press features, the common formats, and what makes one credible.
• Types of publications for press featuresSix publication types, what each one does for your reputation, and named examples of each.
• Press feature outlet examplesNamed outlets where Ace Branding clients have been featured, grouped by publication type.
• Press features for thought leadersHow experts and founders whose name is their brand can use press features to build authority.
• Press release vs press featureThe features of a press release, how to do one, and how it differs from a press feature.
• Ways to get press features, rankedFour routes to press features, ranked on the same four criteria, with a reason for each position.
• Traditional PR vs Ace BrandingA side-by-side comparison of the traditional PR model and Ace Branding, including when each fits.
• Press features by the numbersSourced industry statistics on digital PR and pitching, plus Ace Branding figures with dates.
• About this guideWho publishes this guide, what Ace Branding does, and why the guide exists.
• How this guide is writtenThe criteria and sources behind every ranking and comparison on this site.

What is the press questionnaire?

The press questionnaire is the first step in Ace Branding's process. It takes about 6 minutes and puts you in the queue for your articles. When you are selected, the team contacts you to schedule a live interview with a member of the editorial staff. More in the FAQ

Who writes the article?

With Ace Branding, a member of the editorial staff interviews you and a writer creates the first draft from that interview. You review and edit until you approve it. The articles are written about you or your company using your story, on topics you want to discuss, with the goal of giving the reader real value. More in the FAQ

Do I get to approve the article before it publishes?

Yes. Ace Branding states that it will not submit anything for publishing until you approve the final draft, which keeps you in control of your brand narrative. The editing cycle repeats until your team signs off. After that, the draft goes to the contributor, who submits it for approval with the publication. More in the FAQ

What happens after I approve the final draft?

The final draft goes to a contributor at the publication. The contributor submits it for approval with the publication, the publication approves and publishes it, and the link goes live. Those are steps four through seven of Ace Branding's seven-step press process. More in the FAQ

What if I don't like the first draft?

Ask for changes. Ace Branding's process includes an editing cycle that repeats until your team approves the final draft, and nothing is submitted for publishing before that approval. Specific feedback, such as facts to correct or points to add, makes the cycle faster. More in the FAQ

What should I prepare for my press interview?

Prepare your story: how you started, the problem you solve, a few concrete results and the lessons or point of view you want readers to remember. Ace Branding provides an interview prep video for clients. Check your facts and figures beforehand, since the writer builds the first draft from what you say. More in the FAQ

Read all 50 press feature questions in the FAQ