Reaching over 10,000 journalists isn’t just a numerical milestone—it shows countless hours spent researching outlets, crafting emails, refining angles, and engaging in follow-up calls. In public relations, pitching is both art and science, and the sheer volume of attempts teaches you more than any textbook could ever capture.

When I first realized I had crossed the 10,000 mark, I felt pride, relief, and even a hint of disbelief. That number represents the pitches that landed perfectly and the many that received no response or even a pointed refusal. It’s a number that spans my entire professional journey, complete with the inevitable learning curves and humbling moments.

For anyone in business, landing a major media feature can feel like a turning point—almost like crossing a significant milestone. It’s that moment where all the hard work, late nights, and relentless self-promotion finally pay off in a way that elevates your brand credibility. For me, securing my first big media placement was a combination of clear strategy, unwavering persistence, and, admittedly, a little luck.

I remember the moment I realized I needed to do things differently to succeed in the crowded world of branding, marketing, and public relations. It was a chilly Monday morning in New York City years ago, and I was fresh out of graduate school with an armful of diplomas and a headful of textbook theories. The Manhattan skyline had me brimming with excitement and anticipation—this was the place to make your mark. But even amidst that optimism, there was an undercurrent of uncertainty. Everyone around me—my peers, established PR experts, and even the local boutique owners—seemed to be saying and doing the same things. There was so much noise that I wondered how my voice could break through.