How to Get on PR Lists—7 Secrets Pros Swear By!

Do you know the REAL difference between brands that appear everywhere and those nobody’s heard of? The answer is simpler than you think.

PR Lists are the not-so-secret sauce marketing pros use to land features, publicity, and mentions without breaking the bank. Your business has a story to tell, but it goes nowhere if the right eyes never see it.

So, here are the ways to get into PR lists that PR specialists swear by that helped them land on those coveted lists—their answers might surprise you!

Engagement First, Follower Count Next

Most budding content creators think that you need a huge following first to get noticed by big brands. But that is not entirely true.

Brands value engagement rates more than just the gross follower count. Even those considered as micro-influencers with 15k-75k followers are more appealing to them due to their authentic connections with their audience.

Hence, it’s best you focus first on building a community that actively interacts with your content, no matter what it is about. Before you know it, brands start noticing you and will even send PR packages without pitching!

Stay Consistently On-Brand

When you have a unique way of telling a story, it’s best to stick with it no matter your niche. Sure, there are tons of viral content ideas, but if you just “copy” what they’re doing, you don’t look or sound like you.

Every content creator has their distinct personality that should be established. Align this with the brands you admire, and you have the perfect recipe for success. This is crucial for brand recognition. 

Failure to make yourself memorable will just make you another drop in the sea of content creators.

Don’t forget about regular posting of high-quality content, too. After all, when your audience can resonate with you, you’ll start getting visible and become more appealing as a potential brand partner.

Be Loyal to the Brand

Staying genuine isn’t only confined to your voice and interactions with the audience. It extends to the brand of products you’re using. How can you claim to be their “ambassador” if you’re not even using their product line from the start, right?

Since brands value authenticity above all else, start by using, reviewing, and tagging their products. Doing this sends a signal to those companies that you’re genuinely interested in what you have to say. 

After all, only a true fan is bold enough to make them want to consider you for their PR list—and receive PR packages later on.

Engage with Brands on Social Media

If you’re not the type who proactively pitches to brands, engaging with them on social media is a surefire way to make them notice you. You can start by following their pages, then follow by liking, commenting, and sharing their content. 

From there, participate in any campaign they’re having and use the hashtags they’re promoting. This way, you show the brands you’re genuinely interested in their products, as well as show your 100% support.

Also, start collaborating with smaller and emerging brands first. Not only is this strategic, but they’re more open to working with up-and-coming influencers, giving them the exposure they need in return.

Use Relevant Hashtags

Hashtags are the new buzzwords in the social media world. Think of them as keywords that make these brands searchable on the platforms. 

This way, if you incorporate industry-relevant and brand-specific hashtags in your posts, you will increase your discoverability. Your content will reach a wider audience, catching the brands’ attention who are monitoring those hashtags’ metrics.

Join Influencer Marketing Platforms

Influencer marketing platforms are like the marketplace of brand collaborations. Influencers looking for collaborations can simply visit these sites and receive PR packages or join campaigns aligning with their respective niches.

As competition on these platforms is high, make your profile eye-catching and pick out the brands that best fit your audience. And just like your content, make your application tailor-fit to the brand you’re targeting. Otherwise, you lose that authenticity you worked so hard to gain.

Examples of these platforms include:

• Impact

• Brands Meet Creators

• UGC 101

You can also subscribe to UGC newsletters to get brand suggestions straight to your inbox every single day—without fail.

Pro Tip: Use compensation filters (if the platform has one). This is one hack on how to get PR packages for free.

Be Professional Yet Authentic

When it comes to getting on PR package lists or scoring PR packages for free, there is an invisible tension between “being authentic” and “looking professional.”

But in reality, they aren’t opposites—they can work well if done right.

Being authentic means showing up as you. No facade, no mask, and no pretense. You’re being transparent not only with your audience but also to the brands you’re loyal to.

Being professional, however, is all about presentation. How you deliver yourself in front of your audience. But you don’t have to overpolish yourself to the point of losing your personality, the real you. 

How do you merge authenticity with professionalism? Simple. Just be yourself while presenting what you do like a big brand does (cohesive content, clear bio with niche and contact info, profile pic and handle matching your brand, etc.).

After all, authenticity is what you say; professionalism is how you present yourself.

Next Steps: Your PR List Action Plan

Landing on PR package lists isn’t about luck—it's about strategy and persistence. From all these tips mentioned, take whatever you’ve learned and create your custom approach.

Research the right lists that fit your niche, craft a unique story angle, and build relationships that matter. Look for the content idea that will make the brands notice you.

Your place in the media spotlight awaits, but only if you take those first crucial steps. Remember, consistency wins over perfection every time, so might as well start now!