Site connects brands with individual journalists to help them get press

JustReachOut is helping businesses to eschew PR firms by connecting them directly to the most relevant media contacts.

Not everyone has contacts in the media, which can make it an unfair playing field when it comes to getting press on a new product. While the Winnipeg Free Press recently opened its own branded cafe where the public can mingle with the paper’s reporters, a new service called JustReachOut is helping businesses to eschew PR firms by connecting them directly to the most relevant journalists.

Founded by Dmitry Dragilev, who also created Criminally Prolific, a consultancy company that helps startups accelerate in creative ways, JustReachOut is designed similarly for small companies looking to market their products or services. Rather than blanket emailing hundreds of reporters, the platform enables users to search the news for existing articles that fit into their area of expertise. After scouring the web, users see a list of reporters that cover the kind of activity they’re trying to promote, along with a verified email address to contact them. JustReachOut then gets startups to answer questions about the things they want to tell the reporter, compiling them into a draft for a perfect pitch to send over. It also helps them build long-term relationships with the relevant press.

JustReachOut is priced at USD 49 a month for a one-year subscription. Are there other ways to help startups market their products more effectively?