4 Tips To Get Your Products Featured in Holiday Gift Guides

The holiday season is upon us and you know what that means- Consumers will be running to the stores (or the internet. Thanks COVID) to spend their hard-earned money on gifts for the people they love or at least the people that they tolerate lol

Here are a few tips to help you get featured if you have a product-based business:
 

1. Give editors a reason to love your product.  

The first step to getting an editor to consider your product is to make them realize how amazing it is in the first place. Of course, you have the best product, but I assure you that they’ve heard that, one too many times. Try focusing on what makes the product so amazing to you and try to convey that in your initial pitch. Did you design your makeup line because you could never find your perfect shade? Did the ingredients that were used in a certain brand of makeup break you out and then you created your own? Those are the kinds of pitches that get editors thinking about the makeup they use at home—why they love a product and why they need a product.
 

2. Understand the writers’ deadlines.

As crazy as it sounds, most national publications work anywhere from three to six months in advance, which means PR and media professionals start pitching for Holiday Gift Guides during summer. So, it is important to always consider a writer’s timeline before you send them story ideas if you want to make an impact. Most online or TV Holiday Gift Guides are still narrowing down their final list in the weeks leading up to publishing/airing in early December. 
 

3. Quality over quantity is important. 

Before you pitch, do your research. I can’t stress enough how crucial it is to understand a media outlet’s audience before pitching its editor. The last thing you want is for a writer to be annoyed because you pitched them a product that is light years away from the focus of their outlet. Try narrowing down your ideal media outlets and then finding the perfect writer at each outlet to pitch. That way, you aren’t just aimlessly sending pitches to writers who don’t cover your industry. In doing research for editors to pitch, look at previous gift guides to see what they’ve included in the past, and assume that they’ll probably do a version of that again—this might be the best way to secure coverage.

4. Be prepared to send samples at the drop of a hat.

So, your pitch worked and they want a sample? Congrats, you are halfway there! During the Gift Guide pitching season, be ready to send out A LOT of product samples because most editors require a sample before they even consider your product. Make sure you put in more time than usual when sending the media samples. Trust me, a personalized handwritten note can really make a difference. Also, be prepared to overnight samples or provide hi-resolution images at the editor’s request. Gift Guide season is hectic for all parties involved, so your prompt assistance is beneficial in the end. 

Need help with getting into holiday gift guides? Shoot us an email!