Every startup owner knows how tough it is to earn trust in a competitive market, especially when you are just starting out.
That was the case for Ryen Toft, founder of Simply Luxe, a home organization company based in California.
Despite having a great service and a skilled team, Ryen struggled to turn browsers into buyers. She was not alone. Like many entrepreneurs in the early stages, she knew she needed something more than a nice website and a compelling offer.
She needed credibility. And she needed a way to prove it quickly.
Simply Luxe was new to the market. Although the team was professional and delivered real results for clients, potential customers were not converting.
Without a recognizable name or an established reputation, Ryen found it difficult to earn trust online, especially when clients were comparing her business to more established competitors who had years of reviews, press mentions, and visible authority signals.
The problem was not the quality of the service. It was the absence of visible proof.
Visitors would land on the website, look around, and leave. Not because the offer was weak, but because nothing on the page gave them the confidence to commit.
In a crowded market, credibility is often the deciding factor, and Simply Luxe did not yet have a way to demonstrate it at a glance.
This is a challenge that affects many new and growing businesses. Social proof marketing plays a significant role in how potential customers evaluate brands they have not yet worked with. Without it, even strong businesses struggle to compete.
That is when Ryen discovered Brand Featured.
"Brand Featured was a really cost-effective way of building the social proof we needed," Ryen explained. "The credibility we got from it is huge and something you really cannot put a price tag to."
Through Brand Featured's done-for-you press release service, Simply Luxe was featured on hundreds of high-authority media sites, including FOX, NBC, and CBS affiliates.
Ryen immediately added the "As Seen On" media logos to her website and marketing materials. The logos linked directly to her actual press coverage, giving potential clients verifiable proof rather than just a visual badge.
And that is when things shifted.
The decision to act was straightforward. Brand Featured's package-based model meant there were no long-term retainers, no open-ended commitments, and no vague deliverables. Ryen knew exactly what she was getting and what it would cost. For a lean startup budget, that clarity mattered.
"Our clients told us that they were looking at other companies," Ryen said. "But when they saw that we were published on authority news sites, that really gave them the confidence to book with us."
With the boost in perceived authority and trust, Simply Luxe quickly scaled into the six-figure club, generating over half a million dollars in sales.
The press features did not just impress potential clients. They removed hesitation at the exact moment it mattered most. Visitors who had been comparing Simply Luxe to competitors now had a clear reason to choose them. The credibility gap had been closed.
This outcome reflects something that many brands experience when they invest in how PR builds brand authority. The coverage itself creates trust. But the way that trust is displayed and activated on the website determines whether it converts.
The results Simply Luxe achieved were not accidental. A few specific factors drove the outcome.
The first was third-party endorsement. Press coverage from recognized media outlets carries a different weight than anything a brand can say about itself. When an established publication features your business, that validation transfers to your brand in a way that advertising cannot replicate.
The second was placement. Ryen added the media logos above the fold, where visitors would see them immediately. How media mentions elevate brand authority depends in large part on where and how that proof is displayed. Logos buried at the bottom of a page do far less than logos visible within the first few seconds of a visit.
The third was accessibility. The one-time cost made it a realistic investment for a startup that could not afford a traditional PR retainer. Brand Featured's model removed the financial barrier that typically prevents early-stage businesses from accessing this kind of credibility.
For Ryen and her team, the timing was right. They needed a credibility boost, and they found a way to get it without overextending the budget.
Credibility is the deciding factor in competitive markets.
When you are starting from scratch, a single media feature can be the difference between being overlooked and being chosen. Potential clients make fast decisions, and visible proof of legitimacy shortens the distance between interest and commitment.
With Brand Featured, Simply Luxe gained the trust factor they were missing, without expensive ad spend or long-term retainers. The results speak for themselves.
If your business is facing the same challenge, visit Brand Featured to see how media placements can work for you. Browse our frequently asked questions for more details on how the process works, or contact us to talk through your options.
How did media features help Simply Luxe increase sales?
Being featured on high-authority media sites gave Simply Luxe the third-party credibility they needed to convert hesitant visitors. When potential clients saw the "As Seen On" logos linking to real press coverage, it removed doubt and gave them confidence to book.
What is an "As Seen On" badge and why does it matter?
An "As Seen On" badge displays the logos of media outlets that have featured your brand. When each logo links to the actual press coverage, it acts as verifiable proof of credibility rather than a decorative element. It tells visitors that an independent, recognized source has validated your business.
How quickly can a new brand start using media features to build trust?
With Brand Featured's done-for-you service, brands can earn media placements and start displaying coverage relatively quickly. The speed at which it impacts trust depends on how prominently the coverage is displayed on the website.
Do I need a large budget to get press coverage?
No. Simply Luxe achieved over half a million dollars in sales from a one-time investment that fit a lean startup budget. Brand Featured's package-based model is designed to be accessible without requiring long-term financial commitments.
Can media coverage help businesses in service-based industries?
Yes. Simply Luxe is a service-based business, and the results demonstrate that press coverage is equally effective for service companies as it is for product brands. Trust and credibility drive purchasing decisions across all industries.
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