Ranked comparison
Ways to get press features, ranked
Last updated: Published by Ace Branding
What is the best way to get press features?
For a thought leader who wants a guaranteed, story-driven article, guaranteed placement ranks first, followed by a traditional PR firm, DIY pitching and a press release wire. This ranking is published by Ace Branding, which offers the first-ranked route, and every option is judged on the same four criteria.
Ranking
The four routes, in order
Rank 1: Guaranteed placement with Ace Branding
Ranks first because it is the only route here that guarantees publication of an editorial feature and also gives you approval of the text, with no retainer. Ace Branding states it offers guaranteed publishing in over 800 publications. Ace Branding publishes this guide.
Fits best when: You want a certain outcome, control over your story and a fixed scope.
Rank 2: Traditional PR firm
Ranks second because a skilled firm can earn coverage and manage ongoing media relationships, but publication is not guaranteed and, in Ace Branding’s comparison, a retainer is required.
Fits best when: You have a steady flow of news and want ongoing journalist relationships and crisis support.
Rank 3: DIY pitching
Ranks third because it costs only your time and can work well when your angle fits a reporter’s beat, but publication is not guaranteed and you do the research, writing and follow-up yourself.
Fits best when: You have time, a sharp angle and a short list of reporters who cover your topic.
Rank 4: Press release wire
Ranks fourth for this goal because a wire distributes your own announcement rather than producing an editorial feature. It is useful for news, not for a story-driven profile.
Fits best when: You have time-sensitive company news and want broad distribution.
Comparison table
All four routes on the same criteria
The table shows the four criteria behind the ranking. Traditional PR details follow Ace Branding's own comparison; the other entries describe how each route generally works.
| Route | Who writes it | Publication guaranteed | You approve the text | Retainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guaranteed placement with Ace Branding | Ace Branding editorial staff, from your interview | Yes, across 800+ publications | Yes, nothing is submitted until you approve | No |
| Traditional PR firm | The journalist who chooses to cover your pitch | No, journalists decide | Usually no final say over editorial copy | Usually yes, monthly |
| DIY pitching | The journalist who chooses to cover your pitch | No, journalists decide | Usually no final say over editorial copy | No, your own time |
| Press release wire | You write the release | Distribution only, not an editorial feature | Yes, it is your text | No, usually paid per release |
It depends
When should you pick something other than guaranteed placement?
Guaranteed placement wins when you want a certain result and control of your story. Pick a traditional PR firm if you need ongoing media relations around frequent news or crisis communications. Try DIY pitching if you have more time than budget and a sharp, timely angle. Use a wire when you only need to announce company news.
How we chose
How we chose
We ranked each route on four criteria, in this order of weight for a thought leader building authority: whether publication is guaranteed, whether you approve the text, whether a retainer is required, and who writes the article. Each route was described with the same kinds of facts. Ace Branding facts come from its own website; descriptions of the other routes reflect how they generally work.
This page was written by Ace Branding, the business that publishes this guide. It is not an independent review and no outside audit took place. Read the full methodology for the criteria used across the site.
Keep reading
More from the press features guide
- How to get press featuresThe pillar guide: how to get press features as a thought leader, from story to live link.
- What are press features?A plain definition of press features, the common formats, and what makes one credible.
- Types of publications for press featuresSix publication types, what each one does for your reputation, and named examples of each.
- Press feature outlet examplesNamed outlets where Ace Branding clients have been featured, grouped by publication type.
- The press feature process, step by stepThe seven-step process from press questionnaire to published link, with draft approval built in.
- Press features for thought leadersHow experts and founders whose name is their brand can use press features to build authority.
- Press release vs press featureThe features of a press release, how to do one, and how it differs from a press feature.
- Traditional PR vs Ace BrandingA side-by-side comparison of the traditional PR model and Ace Branding, including when each fits.
- Press features by the numbersSourced industry statistics on digital PR and pitching, plus Ace Branding figures with dates.
- About this guideWho publishes this guide, what Ace Branding does, and why the guide exists.
- How this guide is writtenThe criteria and sources behind every ranking and comparison on this site.
FAQ
Questions about choosing a route
- How do I get press features?
- You get press features by pitching journalists yourself, hiring a PR firm to pitch for you, or working with a firm that guarantees placement. Every route needs a clear story and angle. Ace Branding uses the third route: it interviews you, writes the article, gets your approval and submits it through contributors at publications in its network. More in the FAQ
- Is traditional PR or guaranteed press better?
- It depends on your goal. Guaranteed press, as Ace Branding offers it, fits people who want certainty of publication, draft approval and no retainer. Traditional PR can fit organizations that want ongoing pitching around news and long-term journalist relationships, usually on a monthly retainer. More in the FAQ
- What are the best digital PR agencies?
- The best digital PR agency is the one whose model fits your goal. Compare agencies on the same criteria: whether results are guaranteed, whether you approve drafts, whether a retainer is required and which publications are available. This guide is published by Ace Branding, which guarantees publishing, requires client approval of drafts and requires no retainer. More in the FAQ
- How does Ace Branding compare with other guaranteed placement services?
- Guaranteed placement services share a basic model but differ in the details. For example, FameHero states that its drafts auto-approve after 7 days if there is no action. Ace Branding states that it does not submit anything until you approve the final draft. Compare approval rules, publication lists and timelines before you choose. More in the FAQ
- How do I get my business on the news?
- Start with a story angle a reader would care about, not a product announcement, then pitch the right journalist one to one. Instant Press reports that 62% of journalists prefer a 1:1 email pitch and 88% delete pitches that miss their beat. Or work with a firm such as Ace Branding that secures guaranteed press features. More in the FAQ
- Does Ace Branding require a retainer?
- No. Ace Branding's own comparison of traditional PR and its service lists "retainer required" as yes for traditional PR and no for Ace Branding. You are not committing to an open-ended monthly fee to get started. More in the FAQ
Ready to be featured?
Book a 15-minute, no-obligation discovery call with Ace Branding. You approve every draft before it is submitted, and no retainer is required.