The first time I received an email from Qwoted saying my client’s insights were featured in a publication, I was thrilled. Not only did I share it with the client and the team, I sent a link to my family (who, of course, were incredibly proud). Now, those emails come regularly, and despite the frequency, the excitement never fades.
A key way the platform recognizes top public relations (PR) professionals is through the Qwoted 100, a quarterly ranking based on response speed, rate of pitches to successful placements, and interaction with reporters or journalists. Seeing my name on the list got me thinking—what makes Qwoted such a powerful tool for PR professionals? Beyond its recognition of top performers, the platform itself plays a key role in connecting media and industry experts.
In 2024, I tested several PR platforms, each with its own strengths and drawbacks. However, Qwoted certainly stood out in terms of user-friendliness and the tangible impact it delivers for clients. Not only does Qwoted make it simple to scan for opportunities and pitch clients, but it’s also an excellent channel to connect with the media via direct messages on the platform.
What is Qwoted?
Qwoted is a platform that connects PR professionals with journalists seeking expert sources for their stories. With over 250,000 reporters actively using the platform, Qwoted has become a go-to resource for professionals in the industry. Reporters from reputable publications like Forbes, Vogue, Business Insider, and The New York Times post requests hourly on topics ranging from law, beauty, and health to parenting, lifestyle, finance, and cybersecurity.
It’s a great tool to build media relationships and secure placements by responding to journalist requests in real time for upcoming stories. PR professionals can represent multiple expert sources or products that they can pitch to relevant opportunities that journalists share.
The winning features:
Easy navigation
The platform offers user-friendliness, and we know how important that is in the digital sea. This tool streamlines the process compared to traditional email, which often risks landing in junk folders. This is especially helpful when managing multiple clients and juggling various opportunities.
Profile status & results notifications
You’ll be notified if the journalist reads your request, and (usually) will receive an email when the article is published so you can see if your client’s insights were included or not. Sometimes, the journalist will reach out and let you know if they have included your pitch or to say they have passed on this opportunity but will keep you in mind for future queries.
Media matcher
As of late 2024, Qwoted introduced its Media Matcher feature, which lets you search for journalists who cover topics relevant to your clients. For example, if you have a client in the pest control industry, typing keywords like “pests” or “bugs” generates a list of journalists you can contact directly on the platform. This feature is a great way to initiate conversations, whether or not they’re currently working on a related story. Being the first to pitch before they’ve posted their query is a great way to give your client an edge and increase the likelihood of getting noticed.
Location & opportunity filters
Qwoted also offers robust search and filter options. You can narrow down requests by location (like U.S.-only outlets), publication type, keywords, or even the format—whether it’s print, podcast, or radio.
8 of my best pitching tactics:
- Scanning the platform and others every day: Make scanning a daily task, especially in the morning, as opportunities sometimes have a very tight deadline. Signing up for email notifications is also extremely helpful, as the queries will match the experts you represent.
- Quick responses: Responding to requests before the deadline increases the likelihood of it being included and prevents journalists from closing requests if they receive too many pitches. Even if a deadline is days away, submitting your pitch as soon as the copy is complete makes you more likely to get a placement.
- Pitching relevance: Making sure your quotes are relevant to the query increases the chance of it being included, increasing your ranking. That’s where quality over quantity really shines. For interviews, it‘s important to thoroughly review each request and ensure your client is willing to participate before offering to coordinate. Nothing derails credibility like coordinating a meeting, only to find out the client is unavailable.
- Responding to journalists: If a query isn’t relevant to your client, consider responding to let the journalist know you’ve reviewed their request. It’s a simple way to build relationships on the platform, potentially leading to future opportunities better suited to your clients.
- Strengthening media relationships: When a journalist shares an article featuring your client, take a moment to thank them. A brief note acknowledging their work and letting them know you’ve shared the piece with your client can go a long way in building rapport. Don’t forget they’re human too—show appreciation and professionalism.
- Keeping profiles up to date: Don’t forget to update your client’s Qwoted profiles with the correct information, links, headshots and bio! You should also ensure that any links you are sending journalists are ones that the client would like to be included in the article. Your own profile is important, too—it’s a chance to demonstrate your credibility as a PR professional.
- Avoid AI/canned responses: Journalists have access to the same AI tools we do—they’re looking for unique responses that can benefit their story and present new information to their audience. Plus, using AI on Qwoted violates the platform’s terms of service and could result in your account being flagged or removed.
- Late submissions still count!: On the other hand, if you have a client who truly has something unique to offer for a query, don’t be shy about submitting it after the deadline, especially if the request is still open. The journalist may reach out for future opportunities even if your client isn’t published in the initial article.
How to stand out from the competition
As one of the most popular platforms, Qwoted attracts significant competition, especially in certain industries. That’s why it’s so important to ensure that you’re pitching something unique that will genuinely add value to the story. As I said, journalists and reporters can use Google too—submitting insights ripped from the first few pages of search results isn’t likely to get included. You want something that answers their questions while also answering questions they don’t even know they have yet. Your experts are experts for a reason.
Another key factor is ensuring your expert’s title aligns with the query. If the request is for dermatologists, your dermatologist client will stand out in a sea of skin care experts and estheticians. Match experts to queries properly and highlight their experience and roles.
Finally, being responsive to journalists who contact you for follow-ups is vital. They often work under tight deadlines, so being the first to reply with detailed answers significantly increases your chances of securing a placement and helps improve your ranking on the platform.
Client success story example/case study:
Security Guards Only (SGO), a comprehensive job database for security professionals, has been leveraging digital PR as a pillar of their digital PR strategy to secure high-quality media placements since 2023.
One standout success came when a Forbes writer sought expert insights on travel safety. Not only is Forbes a top publication, but the topic was also a perfect fit for the SGO’s Co-founder, who has extensive experience in security and personal safety.
Using the client’s expert insights, the pitch was tailored to the journalist’s request and offered something unique, insightful and knowledgeable—exactly what reporters seek when using the platform. Rather than relying on generic, AI-generated definitions of staying vigilant, the response provided real-world expertise that added real value to the story.
Securing these kinds of high-impact media placements takes effort, but the results are well worth it. Happy client, happy life!
What’s next?
Qwoted isn’t just about landing placements here and there for clients; it’s about fostering relationships with media and driving long-term visibility for clients. While it does take daily effort, putting in work to strengthen those relationships, ensuring your pitches are relevant and offer something unique and new, and frequent scanning, you might find yourself on the next Qwoted 100 list!
And now, we are in 2025…I am excited to continue using these platforms and the new features and our tool stack for Digital PR services at seoplus+. Reach out anytime to discuss services and how you can dominate your Digital PR game.
What are your go-to tips for using Qwoted and securing impactful client placements? Let’s start a conversation!
