HARO is full of journalists actively working on stories, and submitting requests for relevant features, contributions, and quotes for those ongoing stories.
Table of Contents
- What makes HARO? Because they get you in contact with people who are looking on stories that are relevant to you:
- A Reporter Has Responded. This Is How You Address Their Request:
- Things to Consider:
You’ve connected with a journalist who’s interested in featuring your story or company, but they can’t fit you into their schedule for weeks. That’s where HARO comes in.
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) connects you with journalists who are actively seeking sources for their current stories. By responding to these timely requests, you have the chance to get featured in articles much sooner—often within a few weeks or even sooner.
HARO delivers these requests directly to your inbox, streamlining the process and giving you a valuable opportunity to contribute to ongoing stories.
What makes HARO? Because they get you in contact with people who are looking on stories that are relevant to you
Sign up for HARO to start receiving a steady stream of media inquiries directly to your inbox. After subscribing, you’ll get emails throughout the day, with the most frequent updates arriving in the early morning, midday, and early evening. To better match your company with relevant journalists, you can select specific topics of interest. HARO covers a broad array of subjects, including:
- High Tech
- Sports
- Business and Finance
- Lifestyle and Fitness
- Travel
- General
- Entertainment and Media
By focusing on the topics that align with your expertise, you’ll enhance your chances of connecting with journalists on stories that matter to you.
A Reporter Has Responded. This Is How You Address Their Request:
To ensure your HARO response stands out and gets included in the final story, make sure to present your expertise in a way that clearly demonstrates how it will enhance the journalist’s article and add emotional depth.
Here’s a quick guide to crafting a compelling response:
- Subject Line: In 20 words or less, highlight what makes your expertise or experience valuable.
- Introduction: Start with a brief greeting, then use 2-3 sentences to showcase the key highlights of your relevant experience or knowledge. Be sure to address all the points requested in the journalist’s query. Clearly articulate how your contribution can add substance or emotional appeal to their story. The easier you make it for the journalist to see the value in your input, the more likely it will be used.
- Closing: Politely ask if your response aligns with their story and offer to provide additional information if needed.
By following these steps, you’ll make your pitch more engaging and increase the chances of your insights being featured.
Things to Consider:
- Only pitch to journalists who cover topics related to your work or industry. Building relationships with journalists is key, so take the time to familiarize yourself with their past articles and interests.
- Focus on journalists actively seeking stories that align with your brand or company. If they’re working on content relevant to your field, you’re more likely to be featured.
- Narrow your pitch to a specific, intriguing angle related to your company rather than a broad overview. Journalists often prefer to cover compelling and focused themes.
- Start by targeting local publications. This approach increases your chances of being featured, helps build credibility, and generates buzz—paving the way for future pitches to larger, more prominent outlets
