How to Get Press Without Hiring an Expensive PR Agency (Yes, Even If You’re Not an Influencer or Famous!)

Written By Elizabeth Donat

Let’s set the record straight, beauty and wellness pros:

If your dream is to see your name or business in a magazine, you do NOT need to hire a PR agency for $8K-$10K a month to get press.

You also don’t need to be an influencer, have a huge following, or spend hours pitching yourself. Getting featured in the media is easier than you think.

Wait… What? Who’s Looking for Beauty & Wellness Experts Right Now?

No joke: Some of the biggest beauty, lifestyle, and wellness outlets are constantly looking for experts just like you to feature in their articles.

Journalists need licensed pros to weigh in on skincare trends, wellness advice, and professional beauty insights. That’s YOU.

Think: Real Simple, Cosmopolitan, Newsweek, Vogue, Forbes and more!

These are major publications that are literally looking for industry professionals to quote in their stories right now. The only question is—are you showing up to claim those spots?

How to Get Featured in Top Beauty & Wellness Publications

Here’s the simple, no-pressure way to start getting featured in the press without a PR agency:

1. Use Free Platforms Like QWOTED to Find Press Opportunities

If you haven’t heard of QWOTED, let me introduce you to your new best friend.

  • It’s a free platform where journalists post requests for expert sources.

  • You set up a profile, browse media requests, and send in your insights.

  • If a journalist picks your response, you get published.

I personally landed FORTUNE, InStyle, and BRIT & CO features just by using QWOTED this year. And the best part? No fancy PR strategy required.

Sign up on QWOTED, create your expert profile, and start responding to press requests.

2. Press Opportunities Roll in 24/7

Because of the 24-hour news cycle, journalists are writing morning, noon, and night—and they constantly need fresh expert quotes.

  • If you miss one opportunity, another one will pop up soon.

  • If you don’t land your first pitch, no big deal—keep submitting.

The media is always looking for licensed beauty and wellness professionals, so if you’re not getting featured, it’s simply because you’re not raising your hand.

3. You’re Already Qualified—Even If You Don’t Feel Like an “Expert”

You might be thinking…

  • But I don’t have a huge following.

  • I don’t own my own spa yet.

  • I just started my business—am I even credible?

Here’s the truth:

  • If you have a license, certification, or industry experience—you ARE an expert.

  • The media is not looking for influencers—they want real professionals.

  • Even if you’re just starting out, you know more than the average consumer.

I got my first national magazine mention in Redbook when I was just a part-time esthetician working at a medical spa in Connecticut. I didn’t own a business. I didn’t have a team. But I was still media-worthy.

4. Even a Tiny Mention = Huge Credibility

You don’t need a full feature article to leverage press.

  • Even one-line quotes in a top outlet count.

  • You can still use that major media logo on your website, social media, and marketing materials.

  • And suddenly, you have “As Seen In [Insert Major Publication]” credibility.

This is how small beauty businesses and solo estheticians instantly boost their authority—without spending years building a following.

Want to Get Press Without the Pressure? Here’s How I Can Help.

I created two ways to take the stress and overwhelm out of getting press so you can start landing media features, at your own pace:

Free Training: “The First 5 Steps to Getting Press”

Inside this free video training, I break down:

  • How I went from an unknown esthetician to a 50X published expert

  • How to land press without a PR team, fancy connections, or expensive outreach

  • The exact first steps you need to take to start getting media features

Press & PR On-Demand Course (Now with Payment Plans!)

Want a step-by-step roadmap to:

  • Get quoted in major media outlets consistently

  • Pitch like a pro and stand out to journalists

  • Leverage press to boost your visibility and business

They started exactly where you are—wondering if press was “too hard” or “out of reach”—and now they’re using media mentions to elevate their industry status, open doors, and attract high-value clients.

If you’ve been waiting for a sign to start putting yourself out there… this is it.

Nothing will elevate your credibility, open doors, and attract new clients like getting your name in the press.

So I’ll leave you with one final question:

If not now, when?

Ready to Take Action?


Let’s make this the year you finally get the press you deserve. No agency required.

Elizabeth Donat
Next

The Beauty Industry Shift That Made Me Speak Up (And Why Estheticians Need to Take Up More Space)