Getting Included in “Tools We Use” and Software Roundup Posts

“Tools I use for X” and “best software for Y” posts are a specific subtype of best-of list, common in blogging, marketing, and SaaS niches, where the author lists and briefly describes a set of tools relevant to a workflow. Getting included works differently from a general product review because these posts are often written from the author’s personal experience rather than as commissioned coverage.

How this differs from a review programme

A dedicated product review, covered in https://successtoroad.com/blog/product-review-programs/, is a standalone piece focused entirely on your product. A tool roundup mentions your product alongside several others, briefly, as part of a broader workflow description — which means the bar for inclusion is lower, but so is the depth of coverage you receive per placement.

Finding roundup posts worth targeting

• “Tools I use” or “my tech stack” pages on blogs in your niche
• “Best software for [specific task]” listicles that already rank
• Newsletter editions that regularly recommend tools to subscribers

What authors want before adding a new tool

Author wants	Provide it upfront
Proof it solves the stated problem well	A specific use case, not a generic feature list
Confidence it will not embarrass them if the product changes	A stable product with an active support and update history
Minimal effort to add the entry	Ready-to-paste description and screenshot

Personalising the pitch

Reference the specific post and explain, in one or two sentences, how your tool fits the exact workflow they describe — not a generic pitch that could apply to any roundup. Authors who maintain these lists get frequent, low-effort “please add my tool” emails, and a pitch demonstrating you actually read their post stands out immediately.

A workable outreach sequence

1. Identify the specific step in their described workflow where your tool fits
2. Offer a short trial or demo access if relevant, without requiring payment or a sales call first
3. Provide a ready-made entry: one sentence, one differentiator, one link
4. Follow up once, briefly, if there is no response after a reasonable window

Long-term value of these mentions

Because roundup posts are often revisited and updated by the author over time — especially “tools I use” pages that reflect an evolving personal workflow — inclusion can lead to continued mentions across future versions of the post, and sometimes cross-references in the author’s other content.

Handling multiple products from the same company

If you have more than one product that could plausibly fit a given roundup, resist pitching all of them at once. Suggest the single best fit for that specific list, and save the others for a different, more relevant roundup rather than diluting your pitch across several unrelated entries in one email.

Recognising when a roundup post is paid content

Some roundup-style posts are themselves sponsored or affiliate-driven, meaning inclusion may require payment rather than a straightforward editorial pitch. Check the post for disclosure language before assuming a free pitch will work, and be prepared to ask directly whether the author accepts paid placements if the format suggests that might be the case.

Offering something beyond the product itself

A short, unique data point, a helpful comparison against alternatives already on the list, or a genuinely useful tip related to the workflow can make your pitch stand out beyond a plain feature description. Authors maintaining these lists often appreciate content they can use to add colour to the entry, not just a bare product name and link.

Reading the author’s own workflow closely

Before pitching a “tools I use” style page, spend time understanding how the author actually describes their workflow — the specific stages, the language they use, the tools they mention as central versus peripheral. A pitch that mirrors their own framing of the problem reads as far more relevant than a generic feature pitch, and it signals that you took the time to actually read their content rather than mass-emailing every roundup you could find.

What to do when you get a soft no

Sometimes an author will reply positively but decline to add your tool immediately, citing a reason like “I’ll consider it for the next update” or “not quite what I’m looking for right now.” Treat this as an open door rather than a rejection — a brief, well-timed follow-up months later, especially if your product has since improved or added a relevant feature, can succeed where the first pitch did not.

Tracking which roundups mention you over time

As you accumulate mentions across multiple roundup posts, keep a simple record of each one so you can monitor whether the mention stays current and check periodically for any that have quietly dropped you during an update. This is the same discipline described in https://successtoroad.com/blog/monitoring-lost-links/, applied specifically to the roundup-post category.

Where to go next

Pair this with https://successtoroad.com/blog/best-of-list-inclusion/ for the broader category of list-based outreach, and with https://successtoroad.com/blog/testimonial-link-building/ if the author is open to a fuller quote alongside the mention. See https://successtoroad.com/blog/app-directory-and-store-listings/ for a complementary, less relationship-dependent tactic. When you are ready to pursue paid, guaranteed placements alongside organic ones, https://successtoroad.com/services/writing/ and relevant niches on https://successtoroad.com/marketplace/ are worth checking.

Frequently asked questions