Success Thru Connections

How to Go From Unknown to In-Demand: The PR Strategy Behind Media Visibility with Russell Trahan

Zelda Greenberg

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What if getting featured in the media wasn’t about luck… but about leverage?

In this episode of Success Through Connections, I sit down with PR strategist Russell Trahan to pull back the curtain on what actually gets you noticed by editors, journalists, and decision-makers, and spoiler alert: it’s not shouting your credentials louder or waiting until you’re “big enough.”

Russell is the owner and president of PRPR and the author of Sell Yourself Without Saying a Word (yes, that title alone should make you lean in). With decades in the publicity game and a jaw-dropping 100% client placement track record, he knows exactly how experts, authors, speakers, and consultants can position themselves as the go-to authority in their industry, without sounding salesy, desperate, or self-promotional.

In this episode, we talk about:

  • Why strategic publicity beats self-promotion every single time
  • What editors really care about (and why most pitches miss the mark)
  • The biggest mistakes professionals make when trying to get media attention
  • Why you actually need PR before you’re famous—not after
  • How articles, not ads, create instant credibility with decision-makers
  • The surprising truth about AI-written content and how to keep your voice human
  • How consistent visibility turns your name into a trusted brand
  • Why defining your target audience is the real power move in PR

We also get into memorable analogies (hello, Wrigley Gum during WWII), behind-the-scenes pitching strategies, and real-world examples of how one article can lead to speaking gigs, book sales, SEO wins, and long-term authority.

If you’re a nonfiction author, speaker, coach, consultant, or anyone who wants to stop being the best-kept secret in their industry,this episode will change how you think about visibility, credibility, and growth.

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