The Ah-Ha Moment That Changed How I Think About Press

Good Morning America (GMA) is one of the most-watched morning shows in the country—and with thousands of pitches flooding their inbox every week, landing a spot is nothing short of extraordinary.

But here’s the thing—somebody does, every single day.

As the Program Manager for Scratchpad Accelerator, I have the absolute privilege of helping entrepreneurs unlock their potential—big ideas, bold moves, and sometimes, national TV dreams. These are startups we’re talking about—full of passion and promise, but often running on shoestring budgets with little to no marketing or PR resources. They need to find a way to get the word out without breaking the bank.

That’s how I found myself in the orbit of Nancy Marshall, the PR Maven herself. Nancy generously offered her time to speak with our cohort about the power of earned media—the kind that doesn’t cost a dime but can launch your brand into the stratosphere.

She mentioned a community called Press for Success, founded by PR experts Sabina Hitchen and Alex Hitchen, and I was intrigued. A few clicks later, I was in—and it felt like walking into Willy Wonka’s factory, but for press junkies. A hive of activity. Tips, templates, media lists, and most importantly, people actually getting booked. I was hooked.

One night, I was watching an interview on Press for Success between Sabina and Joelle Garguilo (pronounced Gar-GILL-o). Joelle is a dynamic, boots-on-the-ground reporter and host of New York Live, a lifestyle show airing on NBC News. She’s been in the business for years and brings serious energy to every segment.

And that pronunciation? That was another gem of a tip—include it in your pitch. Help the reporter reduce mistakes. Make it easy for them to say your name right the first time. It’s one small way to take control of what you can and show that you’re thoughtful and prepared.

Joelle was so real. She’d just been in the field for a few days and casually mentioned her inbox had ballooned to over 3,000 emails. That hit me like a freight train. Here I was, hoping for press... and she’s drowning in it.

She dropped some gems on how to stand out—how to slide into a reporter's inbox with empathy and relevance. But what stuck most was her reminder: even if she loves a pitch, she’s not the final decision-maker. She has to pitch her boss. And maybe their boss. It's a whole ecosystem of approvals.

Cue the internal echo of advice I’m always giving myself: practice patience.

That was my ah-ha moment. I’ve never been a reporter. I don’t have any in my close circle. But now, I understand just how much hustle it takes behind the scenes. These pros are constantly chasing the next great story, often with zero time to breathe.

Our job as entrepreneurs isn’t just to “get press.” It’s to make their jobs easier. To serve up a story that’s ready to roll. To do our homework. To position ourselves not as “me, me, me” but as a bridge to something meaningful.

Nancy and Sabina model that beautifully. They show up informed, aligned with what the media needs, and with a pitch that answers the most important question:“Why does this matter to your audience?”

So if you’re dreaming of national press—maybe even that coveted spot on morning TV—don’t give up. This isn’t a race. The news is 24/7. There’s always another opportunity around the corner.

Keep refining your pitch. Keep building real relationships. Try different angles. And if you’re like me and instinctively make everything feel urgent—take a breath. It’s not. The best stories often take time to unfold.

What matters most is showing up with purpose, with clarity, and with empathy for the person on the other side of the inbox. Surround yourself with people who’ve been there, who’ve navigated this path, and who are willing to share their lived experience.

And one day—hopefully not too far from now—I’ll be able to say this advice worked. That one of my pitches got picked up. That I got to share something meaningful on a bigger stage because I took the time to learn, listen, and lead with value.

And remember:

“Stop focusing on you. Focus on the story. Focus on the audience. Focus on how your spotlight makes the world a better place.”

That’s how you stand out. That’s how you serve. And that’s how you’ll get there—one thoughtful pitch at a time.