HARO, which stands for Help a Reporter Out, is a platform that bridges the gap between journalists and experts.
Launched in 2008 by Peter Shankman, HARO quickly grew into one of the most popular tools for journalists seeking sources and for professionals looking to share their knowledge.
Today, it’s widely used across industries as a reliable way to connect with media outlets.
So, how does HARO work?
Journalists post requests for insights or quotes on specific topics, and industry experts can respond with relevant answers. This exchange benefits both sides – journalists get credible sources, and businesses or individuals gain visibility and credibility.
HARO is particularly valuable for businesses, entrepreneurs, and industry experts. By sharing their expertise, they can build their reputation and, often, secure mentions in top media outlets.
For businesses, a single quote in a reputable publication can boost brand credibility, reach a wider audience, and even drive traffic back to their website. For individuals, HARO offers a chance to build a strong personal brand by being featured as a trusted source.
Whether you’re a startup owner, a consultant, or a specialist in your field, HARO is a powerful tool to establish yourself as an expert, reach new audiences, and grow your brand presence in a cost-effective way.
What is HARO?
Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a platform that connects journalists with experts who can provide insights for their stories. It’s a helpful tool for both reporters needing credible sources and professionals looking for media exposure. HARO makes it easy for experts in any field to build credibility and gain valuable mentions in the media.
How HARO Works?
HARO’s process is straightforward:
1. Sign Up: After registering on the HARO website (free for basic access), you’ll start receiving daily emails with journalist queries.
2. Daily Queries: Each email includes requests from journalists across various fields like – finance, health, business, and more. Every query outlines what the journalist needs, making it easy to identify relevant ones.
3. Respond to Requests: If you find a fitting query, respond with a brief, relevant answer. Journalists will review submissions and may choose yours to feature in their article, often crediting you or your business.
Key Industries Using HARO
HARO is widely used by experts across different sectors:
- Business and Finance: Professionals share market insights, investment tips, and business advice.
- Health and Wellness: Doctors, dietitians, and wellness experts respond to requests related to fitness, mental health, and nutrition.
- Technology: Tech professionals and startup founders contribute to stories on innovation, industry trends, and product launches.
- Lifestyle and Travel: Lifestyle and travel experts share insights on topics like fashion, food, travel destinations, and home design.
Why Should You Use HARO?
1. Boost Your Brand Exposure and Credibility
HARO connects you with journalists from well-known media outlets, giving you the chance to be featured in credible publications.
When a journalist includes your insights in an article, it boosts your brand’s credibility because readers see your name or business in trusted media.
Over time, these mentions help establish you as a reputable source in your field, showing your audience that you have insights worth sharing.
2. Gain SEO-Boosting Backlinks
Media mentions often come with a backlink to your website, which is great for SEO.
Backlinks from high-authority sites improve your website’s search rankings, making it easier for people to find you online.
Even one quality backlink can enhance your SEO, increase traffic, and lead more potential customers to your business, that is why high-quality backlinks are important for Website SEO and ranking.
3. Position Yourself as an Industry Expert
HARO gives you opportunities to share insights on topics in your field.
Regularly providing valuable information through HARO can help you build a reputation as an industry expert.
Over time, journalists may even begin to reach out directly for your input, and audiences will start seeing you as a go-to source for information in your area of expertise.
How to Get Started with HARO
Getting started with HARO is simple, and following a few easy steps can help you start gaining valuable media exposure.
Step-by-Step Guide to Signing Up
1. Visit the HARO Website: Go to HARO’s official website and sign up for a free account.
2. Choose Your Category: HARO will ask you to select categories relevant to your expertise. This helps HARO send you the right queries.
3. Verify Your Email: Once you register, HARO will send a verification email. Confirm your email, and you’re all set to start receiving queries.
Understanding the Daily Email Format
HARO sends three emails each day with a list of journalist requests. Each email is divided into categories, like business, health, travel, and lifestyle, making it easy to skim through and find relevant topics. Each query includes:
- A Brief Summary: What the journalist is looking for.
- Deadline: When the journalist needs responses.
- Submission Details: Instructions on how to reply directly to the journalist.
By checking your emails daily, you can quickly spot opportunities that fit your expertise.
Tips for Choosing the Right HARO Queries
Not every query will be a perfect match, so it’s important to choose wisely. Here’s how:
- Stay Relevant: Focus on topics that directly relate to your expertise or business. Responding to relevant queries increases your chances of getting chosen.
- Meet Deadlines: HARO queries have tight deadlines, so only respond if you can send a quality reply on time.
- Be Brief and Valuable: Journalists receive many responses, so keep your answer clear and to the point, offering valuable insights that meet their needs.
Tips for Writing a Winning HARO Pitch
Writing a successful HARO pitch can set you apart and increase your chances of being featured in media stories.
1. Be Clear, Concise, and Engaging
Journalists often receive dozens of responses, so make your pitch easy to read. Start with a brief introduction that explains who you are and why you’re qualified to respond to their query. Keep your language simple and avoid jargon.
2. Highlight What Makes You Stand Out
To stand out, focus on what you bring to the table that others might not. Show your expertise and add a unique angle if possible. Being specific about your experience or any relevant data you can provide can make a big difference.
3. Respond Quickly and Be Relevant
Responding soon after the query is posted increases your chances, as journalists are often working on tight deadlines. Make sure your response directly answers the journalist’s question. Avoid off-topic information, as this can dilute the impact of your pitch.
4. Use Short, Effective Responses
A great HARO pitch is concise. Aim for a few lines that provide real value. Journalists appreciate well-structured, brief responses they can easily pull quotes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid with HARO
Using HARO can be a fantastic way to build credibility and gain media exposure, but it’s essential to avoid common mistakes that can hurt your chances of being featured.
1. Not Tailoring Your Response to the Query
One of the biggest mistakes is sending generic answers that don’t fully address the journalist’s question.
Journalists are looking for specific insights, so take the time to read the query closely and respond directly to what’s being asked.
A tailored response shows that you’re genuinely interested and knowledgeable about the topic, making it more likely your response will stand out.
2. Ignoring Deadlines or Journalist Instructions
HARO queries often come with tight deadlines, and journalists need information fast.
Missing a deadline or skipping specific instructions (like word count limits or requested information) can lead to your pitch being overlooked, no matter how strong it is.
Respond as soon as possible, and make sure you follow every detail in the instructions.
3. Being Too Self-Promotional or Lacking Valuable Insights
While it’s tempting to promote your business, HARO pitches shouldn’t sound like ads. Journalists want useful, unbiased insights, not self-promotion.
Focus on providing valuable information first, and mention your credentials or company briefly to establish credibility.
Using HARO Strategically for Long-Term PR Success
HARO can be more than a one-time opportunity it’s a powerful tool for building lasting relationships with journalists and enhancing your brand’s PR strategy over time.
1. Build Relationships with Journalists
HARO isn’t just about getting featured once. By consistently providing valuable insights, you can start to build connections with journalists who may reach out to you directly in the future.
When a journalist uses your response, send a brief thank-you message. This can help you establish a rapport and make a positive impression.
Over time, journalists may start to see you as a reliable source, giving you more media opportunities.
2. Track and Showcase Your Media Mentions
Every time you’re featured through HARO, highlight it on your website or social media profiles.
Create a “Featured In” section on your website, showcasing logos of publications you’ve been mentioned in.
This not only builds credibility but also shows potential clients or partners that you’re recognized in your industry.
Sharing these mentions on social media can boost engagement and reinforce your authority with your audience
3. Expand Your PR Efforts with Complementary Tools
While HARO is a great start, there are other PR tools and tactics that can further amplify your reach.
Consider using social media monitoring tools to track brand mentions, or explore platforms that allow you to pitch directly to journalists in your industry.
Combining HARO with other PR tools will give you a broader, more effective PR strategy.
Final Thoughts
HARO offers a unique opportunity for businesses and professionals to gain valuable media exposure and build credibility.
By connecting with journalists, sharing your expertise, and earning mentions in reputable publications, you can elevate your brand’s visibility and reputation.
HARO not only helps with immediate brand exposure but also provides long-term benefits like improved SEO, authority, and trust within your industry.
If you haven’t already, now’s the perfect time to start using HARO to grow your business and establish yourself as a reliable source. With consistent effort, HARO can become a powerful tool in your PR strategy.
Ready to elevate your brand with HARO?
Sign up for HARO today and start exploring the opportunities it provides. For even better results, you may want to work with PR and marketing experts.
Get Catalyzed can help you develop a PR strategy that maximises your media potential and drives measurable growth.
Reach out to our digital marketing agency in Jaipur for expert support in building credibility and driving brand success with HARO and beyond.
