June 14, 2023

What’s Earned Media and Why’s It Important?

Brian Balbirnie • June 14, 2023
What’s Earned Media and Why’s It Important?

What's Earned Media and Why's It Important?

Have you ever seen a brand talking about itself and automatically tuned out?

It’s like the volume of your attention was turned down and you didn’t seem to care as much.

But, when someone else, like a news publication, is talking about a brand, you tend to tune in.

Sometimes, you even turn up the volume.

That’s what earned media does for a business.

In this blog post, we share everything you need to know about earned media including:



  • What it is
  • Why it's important?
  • How to earn mentions and features for your band


What’s Earned Media?

Earned media is publicity gained from content a brand didn't pay for or produce on its own.

Examples of earned media include:


  • Features
  • Guest posts
  • Interviews
  • Mentions
  • Reposts
  • Reviews


Why is earned media important?

Earned media is a lot like word-of-mouth marketing.

It’s all about influence.

And, as the definition points out, influence is “the capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behavior of someone or something, or the effect itself.”

It’s that notion about behavior that sticks out to us.

As mentioned before, there’s something about a publication talking about a brand that adds credibility.

Now, think back to a time when a friend, family member, or someone you trust online shared a post about a product they loved.

When you saw their post, odds are you did some research of your own to learn more about it.

Whether you purchased the product right then and there or simply visited their website, the brand considered it a win.

The reason is because online conversations about your brand can build awareness and expand your audience.

In some situations, you can even transform people's curiosity into sales.

When people and publications talk positively about your brand, it’s like a vote of confidence.

‍Earned media mentions from reputable publications not only enhance your brand's credibility within your industry but also establish your brand as an authority.

How do you earn media mentions and features?

We specialize in press release distribution services  at ACCESSWIRE.

So, it might not come as a shock that we believe press release distribution is one of the most powerful ways to create earned media opportunities for your brand.

Now, we’re not talking about old-school press release distribution.

You know, the kind when you had a news story, drafted a quick press release, sent it out on the wire, and hoped publications would pick it up. We’re talking about the exact opposite of that actually.

We’re talking about innovative and modernized press release distribution services, like what we offer here at ACCESSWIRE that bridge the gap between your brand and the media.

As one of the top newswires in the industry, we offer global distribution, predictable flat-fee pricing, and top-tier customer service that's been recognized by numerous G2 badges including, "Easiest To Do Business With," "Best Relationship," "Most Implementable" and more. 

We combine our innovative technology platform and network of journalists and media outlets to give our customers peace of mind and confidence knowing their stories will reach their target audiences.
When distributing a press release with us, you'll never have to sacrifice text, images, or media in your story.

You can learn more about our press release distribution services and pricing here .

A man and a woman are standing in front of a laptop computer.
By Jennifer Hammers February 28, 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the board, and public relations (PR) is no exception. From press release optimization to media targeting and real-time media monitoring, AI is empowering PR professionals to work smarter, not harder. But let’s be clear: AI is not replacing PR strategies or content—it’s enhancing them. AI is a tool that allows PR teams to streamline their workflows, analyze data at scale, and improve the accuracy of their outreach, ensuring that their efforts are more targeted, timely, and effective. So, how exactly can AI help optimize press releases, fine-tune media targeting, and enhance media monitoring? Let’s explore.
A man and a woman are looking at a marketing report on a clipboard.
By Jennifer Hammers December 20, 2024
Discover the benefits of simplifying your data reports for public relations (PR) and marketing professionals. Simplified data reports allow you to focus on actionable insights that truly matter.
A woman is sitting at a table looking at a piece of paper.
By Jennifer Hammers December 16, 2024
Discover why public relations is vital for small businesses and how targeted PR strategies can help you b
A blue and white logo with a check mark next to it
By Jennifer Hammers November 8, 2024
Compare ACCESS Newswire and Business Wire to determine which press release distribution service best meets your needs for cost, reach, and efficiency.
A logo for accesswire next to a logo for rack
By Jennifer Hammers November 8, 2024
Analyze the differences between ACCESS Newswire and Muck Rack to choose the platform that offers the best features and value for your public relations campaigns.
A blue background with the word access on it
By Jennifer Hammers November 7, 2024
Weigh the pros and cons of ACCESS Newswire versus Cision PR to decide which media outreach platform aligns best with your goals and budget requirements.
A man and a woman are standing in front of a building talking to each other.
By Jennifer Hammers October 31, 2024
Understand why building strong media relationships is crucial even when you have no breaking news, and learn strategies to stay top‑of‑mind consistently. Start building a media outreach plan now.
A city skyline overlooking a body of water at sunset.
By Jennifer Hammers October 30, 2024
Read the story of a Sarasota franchise owner who gained major media exposure through targeted outreach and persuasive storytelling techniques. Read the PR Case Study now.
A woman is talking to a man in front of a camera.
By Brian Balbirnie October 28, 2024
Uncover top tips for forging strong relationships with journalists, ensuring ongoing media interest and robust coverage of your PR announcements. Strengthen your brand presence now.
A black letter board with the words `` keep it simple '' on a blue background.
By Brian Balbirnie October 22, 2024
Learn how the KISS method streamlines your PR messaging and delivers clear, compelling communications that boost media engagement consistently. Read the full insights now.
Show More
A man and a woman are standing in front of a laptop computer.
By Jennifer Hammers February 28, 2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries across the board, and public relations (PR) is no exception. From press release optimization to media targeting and real-time media monitoring, AI is empowering PR professionals to work smarter, not harder. But let’s be clear: AI is not replacing PR strategies or content—it’s enhancing them. AI is a tool that allows PR teams to streamline their workflows, analyze data at scale, and improve the accuracy of their outreach, ensuring that their efforts are more targeted, timely, and effective. So, how exactly can AI help optimize press releases, fine-tune media targeting, and enhance media monitoring? Let’s explore.
A man and a woman are looking at a marketing report on a clipboard.
By Jennifer Hammers December 20, 2024
Discover the benefits of simplifying your data reports for public relations (PR) and marketing professionals. Simplified data reports allow you to focus on actionable insights that truly matter.
A woman is sitting at a table looking at a piece of paper.
By Jennifer Hammers December 16, 2024
Discover why public relations is vital for small businesses and how targeted PR strategies can help you b
A blue and white logo with a check mark next to it
By Jennifer Hammers November 8, 2024
Compare ACCESS Newswire and Business Wire to determine which press release distribution service best meets your needs for cost, reach, and efficiency.
A logo for accesswire next to a logo for rack
By Jennifer Hammers November 8, 2024
Analyze the differences between ACCESS Newswire and Muck Rack to choose the platform that offers the best features and value for your public relations campaigns.
A blue background with the word access on it
By Jennifer Hammers November 7, 2024
Weigh the pros and cons of ACCESS Newswire versus Cision PR to decide which media outreach platform aligns best with your goals and budget requirements.
Show More