Exploring Featured.com: A Comprehensive Guide for Increasing Online Visibility and Igniting Content Marketing

In the dynamic and every-changing environments of public relations and journalism, platforms like Featured.com have emerged as indispensable tools for connecting journalists with expert sources and story ideas; that in turn can dramatically accelerate content marketing options.

In this blog post, we’ll delve into what Featured.com is, how it works, compare it with similar platforms like PitchResponse, Meltwater,  Qwoted, HARO, and SourceBottle, analyze its pros and cons, discuss its pricing models, and explore how it can boost SEO efforts.

What is Featured.com?

Featured.com is an online platform designed to facilitate connections between journalists seeking sources and experts eager to provide insights on various topics. It serves as a bridge between journalists looking for informed expert perspectives to enrich their stories and individuals or businesses eager to share their expertise and gain media exposure.

How Does Featured.com Work?

1. Journalists Post Requests: Journalists post requests for expert sources or story ideas on Featured.com, specifying the topic, deadline, and any specific requirements.

2. Experts Respond: Experts registered on the platform receive notifications about relevant journalist requests and can respond with pitches tailored to the journalist’s needs.

3. Connection Made: Journalists review the pitches received and connect with the most suitable expert sources for their stories.

Comparisons with Qwoted, HARO, and SourceBottle

1. Qwoted: Qwoted focuses on connecting journalists with financial experts and industry professionals. Featured.com offers a broader range of topics and expertise areas.

2. HARO (Help A Reporter Out): HARO operates similarly to Featured.com but on a larger scale, with a vast network of journalists and sources. However, Featured.com offers a more streamlined experience with fewer irrelevant pitches.

3. SourceBottle: SourceBottle primarily targets Australian and New Zealand media markets, whereas Featured.com caters to a global audience.

Pros and Cons of Featured.com

Let’s start with some of the pros:

– Targeted Pitches: Journalists receive pitches from experts genuinely interested and knowledgeable about the topic.
– User-Friendly Interface: The platform is intuitive, making it easy for both journalists and experts to navigate.
– Quality Control: Featured.com maintains quality by vetting experts and ensuring relevance to journalist requests.

Now, here are some of the cons:

– Limited Reach: Compared to larger platforms like HARO, Featured.com may have a smaller pool of journalists and sources.
– Subscription Cost: Access to the platform comes at a cost, which may be a barrier for some users.

Pricing Models

Featured.com requires subscription-based pricing plans for both journalists and experts; with the platform having greater Returns On Investment for Journalists: Journalists can access the platform for free but can opt for premium features with paid plans. Experts pay a subscription fee for access to the platform, with additional charges for enhanced visibility or features.

How Featured.com Can Help SEO

1. Backlinks: When experts contribute insights to journalists’ stories, they often receive backlinks to their websites, boosting their SEO efforts. (Backlinks provide more links to your name, business, links to your website, links to specific pages, blog posts, contact information, and ultimately more for search engines to index and more for you to also repurpose for your own promotional uses).

2. Brand Visibility: Being featured in media outlets enhances views of authenticity (being a “brand ambassador” or “influencer) brand visibility, driving traffic to the expert’s website and improving search engine rankings. Certainly, the greater your branded (or on-brand) visibility online, the more opportunities for you to be interviewed as a specific expert in your area of expertise, the greater your perceived authenticity and knowledge.

3. Content Creation: Sharing expertise on relevant topics can lead to content creation and subsequent repurposing opportunities, further enhancing online presence and SEO.

Summing Up Featured.com’s Uses

In conclusion, Featured.com stands out as a valuable platform for journalists seeking expert sources and for experts looking to share their insights with the media.

While it may have some limitations compared to larger platforms, its targeted approach, user-friendly interface, and potential SEO benefits make it a compelling choice for PR professionals and journalists; as well as business owners with specific expertise wishing to expand online visibility.