First impressions don’t happen in meetings anymore—they happen in Google search results
You’ve got the pitch. You’ve got the product. You’ve got the strategy dialed in.
But here’s the brutal truth: by the time you’re on the call, the deal has already been made—or lost.
Not because of what you said.
But because of what they saw.
Today, your first impression doesn’t happen on Zoom. It happens when someone searches your name, your brand, or your company. And what shows up in that moment determines how seriously you’ll be taken.
In 2025, press is the new business card.
It’s what separates the people who get callbacks from the ones who get ghosted.
The Search Test: What People See Before They Meet You
Let’s say you’re a founder, an artist, a consultant, a creative. Someone recommends you to a decision-maker.
Before they reply to your email, before they book the intro call, what do they do?
They Google you.
And when they do, one of two things happens:
- They see real media results—your name in Forbes, a podcast in Rolling Stone, a quote in Business Insider.
- They see nothing but a LinkedIn profile and an old directory listing.
Only one of those people gets taken seriously.
Perception Precedes the Pitch
We all make decisions emotionally first, logically second. And press coverage creates a frame.
It tells the person looking you up:
“This name belongs to someone who matters.”
“This brand is trusted by institutions.”
“This is a conversation worth taking.”
That means the email you send later, the slide deck you attach, the pricing you quote—it all lands differently.
Press changes context. And context is everything.
Why Cold Outreach Doesn’t Work Anymore (Unless You’re Known)
You can be the most talented person in your space and still get ignored if no one’s heard of you.
Cold DMs, warm intros, and pitch decks don’t convert if they’re not backed by presence.
When a potential client or partner Googles you and finds real coverage?
- The pitch becomes a follow-up, not an introduction
- The question shifts from “Why should I care?” to “When can we start?”
- Your value is assumed, not negotiated
Visibility makes you real.
Press makes you believable.
Press Is Your Social Proof in the Business World
Think about it:
- A keynote speaker with no media profile? Red flag.
- A founder with no articles? Risky.
- A luxury brand with no coverage? Not credible.
Social proof used to be reviews and testimonials. Now? It’s media mentions, podcast interviews, contributor profiles, expert quotes.
And it’s not about ego. It’s about removing doubt from the decision-making process.
Your buyer, investor, or partner wants to feel safe saying yes.
Press makes them feel safe.
You’re Not Selling You—You’re Selling What Google Says About You
We don’t live in a pitch-first world anymore. We live in a search-first world.
Your buyer Googles you before they talk to you.
Your collaborator checks your name before they respond.
Your client compares your presence to your competitors.
What shows up in that search result is either your leverage—or your liability.
A media feature, a headline, a quote? That’s the new handshake.
Want to Be Remembered? Be Seen First
Business cards don’t live in people’s pockets anymore.
They live in their browser tabs.
You don’t need to go viral.
You need to show up early and credibly in the customer’s journey.
That means:
- Press coverage that ranks in Google
- A branded article in Yahoo, Elle, or Forbes
- A podcast appearance people can share
- A clean “As seen in” section on your site
When people see your name and recognize it before you ever speak—you win before the call even starts.
Press Doesn’t Just Get You Seen—It Gets You Shortlisted
In B2B, art, and luxury markets especially, buyers eliminate options before they reach out.
They don’t choose from 10—they choose from 3.
And if you’re not on the list? You never had a shot.
Press coverage puts you on the list.
It makes you a known quantity.
That’s why press isn’t a vanity play—it’s a sales strategy.
The Tools Are Already in Your Hands
You don’t need to wait for someone to discover you.
You don’t need a PR degree or media contacts.
You need:
- A clear message
- A strong brand story
- A press kit with bio, visuals, and talking points
- A feature placement (ideally through an agency that guarantees it)
Once your name is out there, you can start owning the narrative.
And when you do? Your name starts working for you, while you sleep.
Final Thought: Presence Closes Before You Ever Pitch
Deals don’t happen because of charm. They happen because of trust.
And trust is built faster when someone else—especially the media—says your name first.
Stop waiting to get discovered.
Start being found.
Because if you don’t control your narrative, someone else’s silence will fill in the blanks.
And in business, blank space is deadly.
So send your next email. Make your next pitch.
But before you do, ask one question:
What does Google say about me?
If the answer is “not much,” it’s time to change that.
VUGA Media Group is a global media powerhouse with direct access to over 1,000 of the world’s leading publications and a proprietary network of 15,000 verified journalists. We work with major brands, celebrities, influencers, producers, and businesses across every industry to craft powerful narratives and deliver guaranteed media coverage. With over 1,000 clients served worldwide, our results speak for themselves. Contact us—and let us make you famous.
