Why Founders Pay to Be Published - and Why It Isn't a Red Flag

"As an entrepreneur and publicist, I've spent years trying to figure out the most effective ways to get my message out. Early in my career, I approached several publications with pitches about the services I offered, confident that the right story would catch a journalist's attention and propel my business. More often than not, I got polite rejections or no response at all.Then, one day, I received a different kind of reply."

"At first, I hesitated. Paying for coverage felt foreign - maybe even a little uncomfortable. But then I realized, why not?I was already investing in social media ads and marketing campaigns to reach potential customers. So, paying to share my expertise in a good magazine was no different. It was simply another way to educate my audience I wanted to serve."

"Sign up for How Success Happens and learn from well-known business leaders and celebrities, uncovering the shifts, strategies and lessons that powered their rise. Get it in your inbox. The shift in modern media The modern media landscape has shifted dramatically.Traditional advertising models are collapsing and publications, especially trade and niche outlets, are seeking new revenue streams.According to research, the global native advertising market was valued at approximately $105.88 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a 13.9% compounded annual growth rate thr"

Paid media can be an effective channel for reaching audiences when used to educate rather than self-promote. Paying for placement complements other marketing investments such as social media ads and campaigns. The main problem arises from poorly told, non-transparent stories that erode credibility. Traditional advertising models are collapsing, and publications are seeking new revenue streams, increasing reliance on native advertising. The native advertising market shows substantial growth, making paid placements more common. Smart founders use paid placements to provide informative content that builds trust and value, while bad storytelling undermines that trust.

Read at Entrepreneur