Discover proven digital PR strategies tailored for Asheville businesses. Learn how to get featured in local media and boost your brand visibility with expert tips from PushLeads.
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Digital PR Strategies for Asheville Businesses: Getting Featured in Local Media

In Asheville’s vibrant business landscape, standing out requires more than just a great product or service—it demands strategic visibility. Local media coverage can significantly boost your brand’s credibility and recognition, but securing that valuable spotlight isn’t about luck—it’s about strategy. At PushLeads, we’ve helped numerous Asheville businesses transform their local presence through targeted digital PR efforts. This guide will walk you through actionable strategies to get your business featured in local publications, radio shows, podcasts, and news segments—creating powerful visibility that paid advertising simply can’t match.

Why Local Media Coverage Matters for Asheville Businesses

Before diving into tactics, let’s understand what makes local media features so valuable. When the Mountain Xpress or Asheville Citizen-Times covers your business, you’re not just getting exposure—you’re receiving a powerful third-party endorsement. Local audiences trust their community news sources, making media mentions significantly more credible than traditional advertising. Plus, these features create lasting digital assets that improve your SEO profile, driving targeted traffic to your website long after the initial publication date.

For Asheville businesses specifically, local media coverage helps you connect with the community’s unique culture and values. Our mountain city prides itself on supporting local enterprises, particularly those that contribute positively to our distinctive character and economy. When you’re featured in local outlets, you’re positioned as an integral part of what makes Asheville special.

Creating Newsworthy Stories About Your Business

The first hurdle in securing media coverage is having something genuinely newsworthy to share. Journalists aren’t interested in promotional content—they need stories that will engage their audiences. Here’s how to develop angles that local outlets will want to cover:

Connect to Current Events and Trends

Is there a way your business relates to current happenings in Asheville? Perhaps your restaurant is addressing food insecurity, or your retail shop is implementing innovative sustainability practices that align with the city’s environmental goals. Timing your pitch to coincide with relevant local discussions dramatically increases your chances of coverage.

Highlight Community Impact

Asheville media outlets love stories about businesses making a difference locally. Document your community initiatives, whether it’s partnering with local nonprofits, creating jobs for underserved populations, or participating in neighborhood revitalization efforts. These human interest angles often resonate more than business achievements alone.

Share Unexpected Data or Insights

If you’ve gathered interesting information about local consumer behaviors, market trends, or industry developments relevant to Asheville, journalists may find this valuable. Original research or data that challenges assumptions or reveals something new about our community can make for compelling stories.

Building Relationships with Local Media Contacts

Successful digital PR isn’t just about crafting the perfect pitch—it’s about building genuine relationships with the people behind local publications. Here’s how Asheville businesses can develop these valuable connections:

Research the Right Contacts

Start by identifying which local outlets reach your target audience. Beyond the major players like Asheville Citizen-Times and Mountain Xpress, consider industry-specific publications, neighborhood newsletters, local podcasts, and influential blogs. Research which reporters or editors cover topics related to your business, and familiarize yourself with their recent work.

Connect Authentically

Journalists receive dozens of pitches daily. Stand out by showing you’ve actually read their work. Follow local reporters on social media, comment thoughtfully on their articles, and share their pieces that resonate with you. When you eventually reach out, reference specific content they’ve created that relates to your pitch.

Provide Value First

Position yourself as a resource before asking for coverage. Offer insights for stories they’re working on, connect them with other interesting local sources, or provide expert commentary when relevant news breaks. This approach establishes you as a valuable contact rather than just another business seeking publicity.

Crafting the Perfect Media Pitch

When you’re ready to pitch your story, these guidelines will help your message cut through the noise in a journalist’s inbox:

Keep your pitch concise—busy journalists appreciate brevity. Lead with your most compelling angle in the subject line and first sentence. Explain clearly why their specific audience would care about your story, and include a straightforward call to action. Make it easy for them to follow up by providing all necessary contact information and suggesting specific interview subjects or photo opportunities.

Maximizing Coverage Once You Get It

Once you’ve secured that coveted media feature, make it work harder for your business:

Share the coverage across all your platforms, including your website, social media, and email newsletter. Consider creating a “Press” section on your website to showcase media mentions, boosting your credibility with potential customers. Don’t forget to personally thank the journalist who covered your story—maintaining that relationship could lead to future opportunities.