#314 From Jewelry Maker to Media Mogul with Vanessa Coppes of Bella Magazine
Knowing how to pitch your jewelry to media publications is key to establishing brand credibility. I got the inside scoop from the CEO and Editor in Chief of Bella Magazine.
Vanessa Coppes began her professional journey as a jewelry designer. When a line of her costume jewelry landed in the pages of Bella Magazine, she was offered a position at the company.
Ten years later, she was savvy enough to purchase the magazine when it went up for sale, and BELLA Media + Co. was born.
I met Vanessa through Sabina Hitchen, the PR coach in our Momentum coaching program.
We were planning an exclusive one-day event for our Momentum students, and Sabina recommended we book Vanessa to be part of our panel on PR for jewelry designers. It was a huge hit!
(Psst… we have another FREE event coming up soon all about how to crush your holiday sales season!)
Vanessa and I share a passion for helping independent jewelry designers make it in the industry, so I was thrilled when she agreed to come on the podcast and tell her story.
Her insights from the industry are unparalleled, and she dropped plenty of tips on how you can get more press and exposure this holiday season.
Here’s what she had to say…
Click here to download the show notes
If You Want to “Have It All,” You Will Need Help Along the Way
On top of being an author, blogger, consultant, CEO, and editor-in-chief, Vanessa is also a mom.
Talk about BUSY!
She’s used to people asking how she’s able to “have it all,” and her response is genius.
“You can have it all, but not all at once,” says Vanessa. “You need help along the journey.”
When you’re a natural go-getter, it takes a while to understand that if you are not fulfilled and taken care of, you won’t have the energy to take care of others.
Find ways to embrace the help you need, and understand that saying yes to one thing often means you’re saying no to many other things in your life. It’s important to know your priorities.
Research the Publication Before You Pitch
How and when you pitch your jewelry to a publication depends entirely on how that publication operates.
For instance, Bella Magazine has a media kit and editorial calendar on their website for designers, writers, and advertisers who are interested in being featured.
Keep in mind that lead times will vary depending on what you’re pitching.
Bella Magazine requires a 6-month lead time for print submissions. On the other hand, digital content is far more flexible. Lead times can be as short as 24-48 hours.
Lean Into the Unique Story Behind Your Brand
When it comes to fashion, “we all have our own interpretation of what that is,” says Vanessa. “To me, fashion is art.”
Vanessa loves featuring new and interesting brands with stories.
Handmade jewelry often has so much unique significance behind it. If you can weave your personal brand story into your pitch, it has the potential to be more intriguing than generic big-name brands that everyone knows.
Listen to the full episode above to hear more of Vanessa’s inspiring journey from jewelry designer to media mogul.
You won’t want to miss it.
xo, Tracy
Links:
Bella Magazine Media Kit & Editorial Calendar
FREE Masterclass: How to End the Year Strong With Marketing That Matters
Apply for a Free Strategy Audit
Episode #154: Your Guide to Attracting Killer Holiday Press with Sabina Hitchen
