I’m back from Lisbon, Portugal where I got to see the sights and hang out with my new friends at Storyblok.

​Click here to go on a tour through the streets with me!

I also visited the oldest bookshop in the world. How cool is that?!

My Satellite Media Tour

Another kind of tour I went on this week was a satellite media tour for Discover the Palm Beaches.

An SMT is a way for experts, celebrities, or company spokespeople to give interviews to multiple TV and radio stations without leaving one location.

My location was in a chair on the 18th floor of a luxury waterfront home in Singer Island.

I connected with local TV stations across the country and shared my talking points provided by Discover the Palm Beaches.

It’s like doing a bunch of virtual interviews in one day, where different media outlets “tune in” to talk with you, making it a time-efficient way to reach a wide audience.

I chatted with anchors from Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Orlando, Miami, and more.

The Pay-to-Play of it All

You’ve probably seen those “Congrats!” emails from Forbes Council, Entrepreneur Leadership Network, or other similar networks.

Years ago I received one, then after learning more, was like… WTF?!

It feels like you’ve been recognized as a thought leader… but here’s what they’re really doing: asking you to pay them for the “privilege” of contributing.

The thing is, anyone with a credit card can join these pay-to-play networks, which seriously dilutes their value.

You’re not earning credibility—you’re buying it.

And trust me, readers can see the difference.

Here’s something you can do instead: focus on earned media opportunities.

They’re free and the payoff is so much more valuable.

When you land a byline through genuine expertise—like I did at Inc. Magazine—you build real credibility.

That leads to more speaking engagements, podcast invites, and opportunities to grow your brand.

Quick Tip: How to Get Started With Earned Thought Leadership

1. Find the Right Outlet

Example: Let’s say you’re an expert in AI for marketing. Instead of pitching to Forbes or Entrepreneur, target niche outlets like Marketing AI Institute or MarTech

Today, where your audience is already looking for expert insights on your exact topic.

Don’t be afraid to go small.

2. Build Relationships With Editors

Example: Follow editors on LinkedIn, engage with their posts, and share thoughtful comments.

When you’re ready to pitch, reference a recent article they published that resonated with you, and explain how your contribution would complement or expand on that topic.

It sounds easy, but very few people do this.

3. Focus on Value

Example: If you’re pitching a guest post about AI tools for small businesses, don’t make it a sales pitch for your services.

Instead, focus on actionable tips that readers can implement, such as the top 3 AI tools you recommend and how each one can help solve common business challenges in a specific industry or for a specific goal.

No generic stuff here!

Reminder: You don’t need to spend thousands to get your voice out there.

​Click here to read the full article I wrote this weekend on the topic and get more strategies for earning your place as a real thought leader.

How I Can Help

1️⃣ Spend less than an hour learning the 5 simple steps to getting featured in the media without spending money on ads. This masterclass is FREE!​​​​

2️⃣ In three hours, learn how to pitch the media to earn publicity and turn it into profit. Click here to join our bootcamp now.​​​​

3️⃣ Are you ready to bring PR in-house? ​​In my Media Mentoring Program​​​, you or a VA can learn how to become a publicist with the skills of a big PR agency.