Why Forbes Councils Aren't Going to get You a Thought Leader

For B2B technology leaders, being featured in Forbes is a coveted career goal in media relations. However, being selected by the Forbes Technology Council to become a Forbes author may not be the right opportunity for you. As the media landscape continues to evolve, traditional Tier 1 publications have shifted their editorial coverage to more profitable ventures, such as native advertising, and the number of full-time journalists has decreased. Forbes Council is an exclusive, invite-only group of peers that may seem like a great opportunity, but it has some issues that you should consider.

what is the cost of the Forbes Council?

Forbes Technology Council membership fees vary depending on the membership level and the length of the membership. As of my knowledge cutoff date of September 2021, the membership fees for Forbes Technology Council were as follows:

• Annual membership: $1,497

• Two-year membership: $2,694

• Three-year membership: $3,591

These fees are subject to change, so it's best to check the Forbes Technology Council website for the most up-to-date information. Additionally, please note that membership is by invitation only, and there are certain requirements and qualifications that must be met in order to be considered for membership.

why don't  You be a Thought Leader?

• First, the Forbes Technology Council charges a significant start-up fee of $1,200.

•  Second, unlike traditional Forbes editorial pieces, Council articles are not shared on Forbes' primary social channels and have a limited reach on specific Council-focused social pages.

•  Third, Council articles have no SEO benefit because all links within Forbes stories are set to no-follow, which means they don't give SEO juice to the site linked. 

• Fourth, once you become a member of the Council, you will be bombarded with calls and emails trying to sell you other services. 

Finally, Forbes has the final say on whether or not your articles can be published, which can limit your thought leadership opportunities.

what is  Forbes Council? 

Forbes Councils is a program that offers exclusive, invite-only membership to a network of business leaders, entrepreneurs, and industry experts across various fields. Members are given the opportunity to share their knowledge and insights through Forbes articles, participate in exclusive events and networking opportunities, and gain access to other Forbes resources.

There are currently several different Forbes Councils that cater to specific industries and areas of expertise, including the Forbes Technology Council, Forbes Business Council, Forbes Communications Council, Forbes Human Resources Council, and Forbes Finance Council, among others.

Membership to the Forbes Councils is by invitation only and requires a significant start-up fee. However, members are granted access to exclusive resources and opportunities to enhance their personal and professional brands and increase their visibility within their respective industries.

In conclusion

 Forbes Councils may not be your one-stop solution if thought leadership is one of your tech company's PR priorities. As a top tech PR agency, we recommend a mix of earned byline articles, newsjacking interviews, press briefings and proactive interviews, an executive social media program, analyst relations, and individual awards