What is HARO & How Does HARO Work?

HARO, short for Help a Reporter Out, serves as a brokerage platform where journalists and sources converge. In essence, it streamlines the process for journalists looking for expert insights or quotes for their stories by connecting them with professionals who can provide valuable input. By using HARO, journalists post inquiries related to specific topics they are covering, and potential sources with relevant expertise can respond to these queries, pitching their knowledge and experience.

The platform offers a unique opportunity for experts and thought leaders across various industries to gain media exposure. Whether it's to provide commentary on breaking news, give professional perspectives, or share success stories, contributing to HARO inquiries can result in valuable media mentions. While the basic access to HARO is free and includes a database of journalist requests alongside basic support, premium plans are available, offering additional features such as early access to requests and advanced support.

Over time, HARO has grown to become an essential tool in the PR toolkit, enabling brands and individuals to leverage media opportunities that can enhance their authority and credibility in their respective fields. This mutually beneficial environment not only aids journalists in crafting more informed and robust articles but also provides sources with a platform to showcase their expertise and potentially reach a wider audience.

Understanding HARO

Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is a networking service designed for journalists to obtain information from experts and for sources to gain media exposure. This two-way communication platform was founded by Peter Shankman with the intention of connecting media professionals and knowledgeable individuals.

Origin of Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

HARO was created in 2008 by public relations entrepreneur Peter Shankman as a means to bridge the gap between journalists and experts. It began as a simple Facebook group and rapidly evolved into a comprehensive service catering to thousands of media requests. Shankman's vision was to streamline the sourcing process for journalists while providing sources the opportunity to showcase their expertise.

HARO’s Purpose and Function

HARO's primary function is to serve as a conduit between journalists in need of expert insights and sources willing to provide such information. Journalists post queries on the platform detailing their specific needs for upcoming stories. In return, experts and other sources can respond directly if their knowledge aligns with the request. Help a Reporter Out thus facilitates a symbiotic relationship: media professionals gain access to a diverse pool of expertise, and sources receive exposure in various media outlets.

The HARO Process

The HARO process is a straightforward pathway that connects journalists with expert sources, facilitating the exchange of valuable information and potential media coverage.

Signing Up for HARO

Individuals interested in serving as expert sources can sign up for Help a Reporter Out (HARO) via the platform's website. Registration is typically free, with the option to upgrade for additional features. Once signed up, users may specify their areas of expertise to receive relevant queries from journalists.

Receiving and Responding to Queries

After registration, users will begin receiving emails with queries from journalists seeking experts for their articles. It's crucial to read these queries carefully, considering the deadline and the specific requirements. To reply, one must craft a concise and pertinent pitch, directly answering the journalist's request.

Requirements for Providing High-Quality Backlinks

When responding to a query for the chance of earning backlinks, it's fundamental to provide thorough and quality inputs. Not every response will generate a backlink, but delivering high-quality content improves the likelihood. The inputs must align with the journalist's query, adhere to deadlines, and offer valuable insight or unique perspective to stand out.

Benefits of Using HARO

HARO, short for Help a Reporter Out, provides significant advantages for both journalists and industry professionals seeking to expand their reach and establish their authority in respective fields.

For Journalists and Media Outlets

Journalists and media outlets are constantly in pursuit of compelling stories and expert insights. HARO offers an efficient platform to connect with knowledgeable sources, enhancing the value and credibility of their content. By using HARO, they can gain exposure to a diverse pool of experts, which can lead to multifaceted media coverage and detailed reporting.

For Sources and Industry Experts

Industry experts and sources use HARO as a strategic tool for brand awareness and link building. It allows them to showcase their expertise by providing valuable information to journalists. In return, these sources often receive high-quality backlinks to their websites, improving their SEO ranking and online presence. This exchange can result in significant media coverage, positioning them as authoritative figures in their niche and expanding their brand's visibility.

Best Practices for HARO

Success with HARO relies on understanding how to stand out to journalists with well-crafted pitches, a solid professional profile, and appropriate follow-up actions.

Crafting Effective Pitches

When constructing an email pitch for HARO, it's crucial to grab the journalist's attention quickly. Subject lines should be succinct and relevant, reflecting the core of one's message. The pitch itself should be concise and to the point, providing clear examples of one's expertise. Employing proper grammar and proofreading meticulously can have a substantial impact on the pitch's professionalism.

Here's an example of how the quality of pitch required:

Building a Strong Profile on HARO

A profile on HARO serves as a first impression. It should detail one's professional background and areas of specialization, giving journalists confidence in their source's expertise. A strong profile includes past media experiences if available and highlights the individual's unique perspective or skills.

Following Up After Sending Pitches

After sending a pitch, one might consider a single follow-up email if they have not received feedback within a reasonable time frame. This email should be polite, expressing continued interest and availability to provide information. Additionally, it's important to respect the journalist's time and decision, regardless of the outcome.

Maximizing Visibility and Connections

To effectively enhance brand visibility and forge valuable connections, incorporating strategies like networking and positioning through platforms like HARO becomes crucial.

Networking with Journalists and Bloggers

Networking is essential for expanding brand reach and gaining credibility within an industry. By leveraging Help a Reporter Out (HARO), brands can create meaningful interactions with journalists and bloggers. When a journalist seeks expert feedback or a source, a well-crafted pitch can open the door to a significant public spotlight. Engaging with these industry professionals not only heightens visibility but also establishes long-term relationships that can lead to ongoing coverage in the media.

Using HARO for Brand and Expert Positioning

Positioning oneself as an expert through HARO enables a brand to stand out in a crowded marketplace. Crafting targeted pitches that provide valuable insights and clear feedback can help a brand or individual become a go-to source for journalists. This positioning is enhanced when shared across social media platforms, further amplifying visibility and showcasing the brand’s expertise. Companies like Cision, which own HARO, underline the importance of maintaining an authoritative presence in a respective field to attract more opportunities for mentions and features in various media outlets.

Challenges and Limitations

While HARO provides valuable opportunities for securing high authority links, users face several challenges, such as managing a high volume of emails and intense competition within oversaturated industries.

Dealing with High Volume of HARO Emails

Every day, HARO sends out multiple emails with a plethora of media opportunities, which can become overwhelming to sift through. Users may find it challenging to stay on top of these emails, especially when under tight deadlines to respond to queries.

Competition and Oversaturation in Popular Industries

The appeal of gaining placement in high-profile media outlets through HARO means that popular industries face significant oversaturation. Respondents must contend with a highly competitive environment where numerous experts vie for a limited number of opportunities.

Alternatives to HARO

While HARO (Help a Reporter Out) has become a popular platform for connecting journalists with sources, various alternatives exist that cater to similar needs.

Other Platforms for Connecting With Journalists

Terkel is a notable platform where businesses and individuals can share their insights, positioning themselves as thought leaders. Unlike HARO, Terkel emphasizes authenticity, inviting genuine expertise to enhance content credibility.

Qwoted is another service that facilitates media connections. It prides itself on efficiency and simplicity, providing journalists and experts with a streamlined communication channel.

For those seeking alternatives more tailored to specific needs, there are tools such as SourceBottle, which not only connects journalists with sources but also offers opportunities around product giveaways and reviews.

Comparing HARO to Guest Posting and Referral Traffic

Guest Posting serves not just as an alternative but also a complement to platforms like HARO. In guest posting, authors write articles for other websites which can result in referral traffic, increasing brand exposure and website visitors.

HARO and guest posting differ in their approach; HARO is reactive, with sources responding to journalists' queries, while guest posting is proactive, with sources initiating the creation of content.