The Easiest Way to Get Media Coverage: Inside the Power of SourceBottle

In a media landscape that’s changing faster than ever, businesses are constantly asking the same question: How do I get my message in front of the right audience without spending a fortune on PR? 

One Australian platform has been quietly solving that problem for more than a decade — and it’s become a game-changer for journalists and experts alike. 

Today, we’re diving into SourceBottle, the platform that connects journalists with expert talent, and why every business should be on it. Joining the conversation is the platform’s founder, Bec Darrington, and PR Princess Kate Engler, who has worked alongside Bec for over 16 years helping small businesses get their stories heard. 

How SourceBottle Started (and Why It Matters) 

Before becoming the founder of a national media platform, Bec Darrington was, by her own admission, “a very miserable lawyer.” After realising she wasn’t on the right path, she retrained, entered the PR world, and discovered a major flaw in the industry: 

Small businesses with incredible stories weren’t being heard. 

They didn’t understand how the media worked, didn’t know the gatekeepers, and didn’t have the big budgets needed for traditional PR representation. 

Journalists, meanwhile, were struggling too, constantly trying to find case studies, experts, and strong opinions under tight time pressure. 

SourceBottle was created to fix both sides of this problem. 

What Exactly Is SourceBottle? 

Kate describes it perfectly: 

“It’s like a dating site for journalists and experts.” 

Here’s how it works: 

• Journalists post call outs requesting experts, case studies, or specific story angles. 
   

• Twice a day, these call outs are emailed to everyone subscribed to the platform. 
   

• Businesses can respond directly to the journalist. 
   

• The journalist selects the best fit and interviews them for their story. 
   

It’s simple. It’s fast. And it democratises media access in a way traditional PR never has. 

Why SourceBottle Is Essential for SMEs 

SourceBottle gives small and medium-sized businesses something they’ve never had before: 

1. Direct access to journalists 

No gatekeepers. No agencies. No big budgets. 

Just real opportunities, every single day. 

2. Visibility in a niche-driven world 

The media environment is no longer dominated by the big traditional outlets. There are: 

• blogs 
   

• podcasts 
   

• digital publications 
   

• independent creators 
   

• niche newsrooms 
   

SourceBottle connects you to all of them. 

3. An easy entry point into earned media 

You don’t need to aim straight for the front page of the Herald Sun or a prime TV segment. 

SourceBottle helps SMEs get their first wins, build confidence, and start establishing media credibility at a manageable pace. 

How It Works for Journalists 

From the journalist’s perspective, SourceBottle is a lifesaver. 

When they need talent, today, they don’t have hours to spend searching online or making cold calls. They post a call out, and within minutes, they receive relevant, tailored responses. 

As Bec puts it: 

“You want to make it as easy as possible for journalists to use you.” 

That means: 

• responding quickly 
   

• being available 
   

• having a clear opinion 
   

• and speaking in short, sharp bursts 
   

Journalists move fast. If you can move quickly too, you’re already ahead. 

Real Success Stories: How One Response Reached a Million Viewers 

One of Bec’s favourite early success stories came from a small business owner who created a prototype shoe for women wanting relief from painful high heels during Spring Carnival. 

She responded to a call out on SourceBottle, and landed her product on A Current Affair, reaching over a million viewers before her first shipment had even arrived. 

This is the power of the platform. You don’t need experience. You don’t need connections. You just need to see the right opportunity and respond well. 

Kate’s Top Tips for Using SourceBottle Successfully 

1. Respond Quickly 

The early bird truly gets the worm. Journalists often close call outs long before the official deadline. 

2. Don’t Ghost the Journalist 

If they reach out, reply immediately. Ghosting is one of the biggest frustrations journalists experience, and they remember who wastes their time. 

3. Make Yourself Available 

With newsroom resources shrinking, journalists often need experts to come to them. 

If it’s TV, be ready to drive to the studio. If it’s radio, go in-person if you can. 

As Kate says: “Be the easiest expert they work with.” 

4. Have a Strong Opinion 

Beige opinions get ignored. “You know, both sides have a point…” is not helpful. 

Journalists want: 

• a clear stance 
   

• confidence 
   

• commentary that adds value 
   

• concise, punchy soundbites 
   

Strong opinions are catnip for the media. 

Why Platforms Like SourceBottle Matter More Than Ever 

The media landscape is unrecognisable compared to 2009. Today: 

• audiences choose how they consume content 
   

• platforms are multiplying 
   

• niche voices drive huge influence 
   

• newsrooms are under-resourced 
   

• journalists are stretched thin 
   

SourceBottle fills the gap by bringing together great stories and the people who need them. 

It’s not just a tool, it’s a bridge. 

And it’s one of the best starting points for any business wanting earned media exposure. 

Want to Learn How to Respond to Call Outs the Right Way? 

Responding to SourceBottle call outs is both an art and a skill, one that can unlock incredible visibility for your business. 

At the Meet the Press Masterclass, we teach you: 

• how to craft the perfect call out response 
   

• how to stand out to journalists 
   

• what to say (and what not to say) 
   

• how to build long-term media relationships 
   

• and how to turn one win into ongoing coverage 
   

Join us on 14 & 15 May in Sydney 
and learn how to become the expert journalists love working with. 

Spots are limited to ensure personalised support.