Key Takeaways:
- HARO (Help A Reporter Out) connects journalists seeking expert sources with professionals who can provide authoritative insights.
- Timely and relevant responses to HARO queries significantly increase the chances of being cited in major publications.
- Customizing HARO settings to subscribe to industry-specific feeds saves time and boosts success.
- Concise, accurate pitches with all required information stand out to journalists.
- Reporter Outreach offers expert assistance to streamline HARO submissions and secure media coverage.
What is HARO?
HARO (Help A Reporter Out) is a unique tool for expert sources and journalists. HARO gives experts with knowledge in a specific field the opportunity to be cited by a journalist in a major publication. Their work can get cited in a piece that will be read by a much larger audience, giving the expert a mention of their brand, along with a backlink to their site.
Media outreach can mean significant exposure for brands, helping them start or continue building a strong digital foundation for their company. But first, experts need to know which HARO queries are best to go after.
This article will dive into what HARO is, who it’s for, and what to look for in a HARO query.
HARO connects journalists seeking expertise to include in their content with sources who have that expertise.
Here is what HARO provides:
- A robust database of reporters and sources for upcoming stories
- Daily opportunities to secure valuable media coverage
- An email containing media lists that are released three times a day, Monday through Friday
- Relevant queries from reporters on trending topics
How HARO Works
HARO connects journalists and industry experts. Industry experts are usually either company founders or CEOs or have specialized job roles. A specialized job role could be something like a Registered Dietician, or a Financial Advisor. Journalists seek out these sources to avoid having to do extra research themselves and instead find industry experts who can provide commentary.
Journalists post their requests for more information and research on the platform for quotes on specific topics. These requests are then sent out to expert sources by email, who then write responses to the queries they are interested in. After the sources have submitted their pitches, the journalist chooses the ones they want to include in their story, and the experts receive a mention of their brand and a backlink to their site.
Who is HARO for?
HARO has two types of users: journalists searching for a source from experts to quote in their stories or experts looking for media opportunities to be a source. Even though it was established for journalists, HARO is now used by reporters, bloggers, influencers, and anyone else looking to quote an expert.
In addition to being used by journalists and bloggers, HARO is also critical for brands who want to gain more name recognition. HARO can be very useful for brands looking to connect with journalists and gain more exposure.
Business owners who want to skip the time-consuming and tedious task of sifting through long media lists every day should consider outsourcing to the pros at Reporter Outreach.
What to Look for in a HARO Query
Finding media opportunities can be challenging, especially for new folks looking to get their foot in the door. Here are some tips on how to get the most out of the daily HARO media lists.
Subscribe to the Right Feed
With hundreds of media opportunities that come through every day, it's important to narrow down the search parameters as much as possible. In your settings, you can subscribe to industry-specific media lists including:
- Business and Finance
- Biotech and Healthcare
- Lifestyle and Fitness
- Entertainment and Media
- Education
- High Tech
- Energy and Green Tech
- Sports
- Public Policy and Government
- Travel
- General
Sources need to ensure they are subscribed to the right feeds in industries that pertain to their work in order to save time. Submitting pitches to queries that aren't related to their work typically won’t result in selection by a journalist, anyway. Relevancy is key!
Be Fast
The number one key to finding success with HARO is speed. Sources need to catch leads quickly when they hit their inbox because the best leads get scooped up fast.
When the queries come in, sources should quickly scan them to see if something pops out. Choose the best ones and submit pitches as soon as possible, as you're often competing with hundreds of other people who are submitting pitches to the same query.
Fill Out Every Part of the Query
Don't leave any section of the query unfilled, as blank spaces will hinder the chance of selection. When scanning the queries, ensure all of the criteria are met, and all the necessary information is filled out completely. For example, if the reporter asks for a headshot or a link to your LinkedIn page, always include it along with your pitch.
Don’t Waste Journalist's Time
If every section of the query cannot be filled out, it’s best to move on and find a better fit. Bending or stretching the truth tends to be obvious, and those with real credentials and experience tend to stand out. There are hundreds of others applying for the same query, and most probably filled out the query sections with legitimate information.
Be Concise
Since journalists are receiving so many pitches, they don’t have time to read through page-long pitches. Rather, they need easily digestible bits of information formatted in a way that's easily quotable. In addition, applicants should introduce themselves in less than 50 words with an attention-grabbing hook. A great hook will make journalists want to continue reading and remain engaged.
Look For a Queries That Allow For a Unique Pitch
There are going to be a lot of people applying, and sending a pitch isn’t easy. Find a query that looks like something that could facilitate a unique pitch — something no one else might think of — and there’s a much better chance of being selected.
Another option is to answer the query from a different point of view that no one else can. Don’t have the exact same pitch as 10 other people. Find a query for which there is an exciting and different approach and choose that one.
Here are some tips for writing your pitch:
- Introduction: Sources should state their specific expertise, whether it's their job title, or why they're an expert on the topic.
- Body: Answer the reporter's questions from an authoritative standpoint. Always provide factual information, and if possible, include relevant data points or statistics to support your claims. Reporters love this because it cuts down on the research they have to do.
- Conclusion: Always end your pitch by offering to answer any follow-up questions or provide more information. This invites the reporter to reach out to you if necessary.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the right way to approach a HARO media list and what to look for will allow you to identify the right queries faster. The secret to getting published often is replying quickly and with relevant expertise. Sources should have a good idea of what works with their content and have the proper feeds and parameters set up. By using the tips in this article, pitches should be selected more often, journalists will link back to your site, and you will gain more exposure for your brand.
All of this sounds like a lot of work, and it is. Searching for opportunities three times a day, crafting compelling pitches, and following up with reporters can be a grueling process.
Wouldn’t it be great if there was a faster and more efficient way to get media coverage for your brand? Good news...
With Reporter Outreach, there is a better and faster way. We've been interacting with reporters for over a decade, and we know exactly what they're looking for. Let us help your brand get the exposure it deserves!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
1. What does HARO stand for?
HARO stands for "Help A Reporter Out." It’s a platform connecting journalists with expert sources for their articles.
2. How does HARO work?
Journalists post queries seeking expertise on specific topics. Experts respond with pitches, and journalists select quotes to include in their stories.
3. Who can benefit from using HARO?
Both journalists and experts, including business owners, bloggers, and influencers, can benefit. Journalists find credible sources, while experts gain exposure and backlinks.
4. What industries does HARO cover?
HARO caters to a wide range of industries, including business, healthcare, lifestyle, tech, education, and more. Users can subscribe to feeds relevant to their expertise.
5. Why is speed important when responding to HARO queries?
HARO queries often receive hundreds of responses. Submitting a pitch quickly ensures it gets noticed before the reporter moves on.
6. What should I include in a HARO pitch?
A HARO pitch should include:
- A concise introduction highlighting your expertise.
- Specific answers to the journalist’s questions.
- Supporting data or statistics, if available.
7. How can I make my pitch stand out?
Write concise, unique responses. Use a compelling hook, answer from an authoritative perspective, and offer a different angle to the query.
8. What should I avoid in a HARO pitch?
Avoid vague or incomplete pitches, stretching the truth about your expertise, or sending overly lengthy responses.
9. Can HARO improve my brand’s SEO?
Yes, HARO provides backlinks from credible publications, boosting your website’s SEO and domain authority.
10. How can Reporter Outreach help with HARO?
Reporter Outreach streamlines HARO submissions by crafting compelling pitches and managing the process to secure valuable media coverage for your brand.
