We all know how hard it can be to build website visibility and credibility? In this article we're going to walk you through HARO (Help a Reporter Out) and show you how to use it to snag some great backlinks for your site. Don't worry if you're new to this – we'll break it down into easy-to-follow steps.
What's HARO All About?
HARO, or Help a Reporter Out, is this cool free service that connects journalists with expert sources. Think of it as a matchmaking platform where reporters find reliable sources for their stories, and experts (like you!) get to share their knowledge and get some media love.
HARO was started back in 2008 by a PR guru named Peter Shankman, and it's become a go-to tool for both journalists and sources in our digital world.
Check out the official HARO website
Why HARO is a Big Deal for Your Website
Here's the thing: when you successfully pitch to a HARO query and get featured in an article, you often get a backlink to your website. These backlinks are like gold for SEO (Search Engine Optimization). They tell Google and other search engines that your site is trustworthy and knows its stuff.
Learn more about why backlinks matter
But it's not just about SEO. Getting featured in reputable publications can also:
- Give you bragging rights.
- Get your brand name out there
- Drive more traffic to your website
- Open doors to new business opportunities
Your Step-by-Step Guide to HARO Success
1. Sign Up for HARO
- Head over to the Haro Website
- Hit the "Sign Up" button
- Choose "I'm a Source"
- Fill in your details and pick your areas of expertise
Pro tip: Don't go crazy with the categories. Pick the ones that really match your expertise to avoid drowning in emails.
2. Get Cozy with HARO Emails
HARO sends out emails three times a day (5:35 AM, 12:35 PM, and 5:35 PM ET), packed with journalist queries. Here's what a typical query looks like:
Summary: Dog training expert needed for articleName: Jane SmithCategory: Lifestyle and FitnessMedia Outlet: Paw-some MagazineDeadline: 7 PM ET - 2 days from nowQuery: Seeking a professional dog trainer to share tips on house training puppies. Must have at least 5 years of experience.Requirements: Please include your credentials and a brief bio.
3. Pick Your Battles (Queries)
When choosing which queries to tackle, keep these in mind:
- Is it in your expertiese?
- Is the publication well-known or worth your time?
- Can you meet the deadline?
- Does the query ask for something specific you can provide?
- Will it help you reach your target audience?
Remember, it's better to nail a few relevant queries than to spread yourself too thin.
4. Craft a Winning Pitch
Here's a recipe for a pitch that packs a punch:
- Catchy subject line: Use the query's title and add your unique spin
Example: "Dog Training Pro: 5 Clever House Training Hacks" - Quick intro: Who are you and why should they listen?
Example: "Hey Jane, I'm Sam Johnson, a certified dog trainer with 10 years under my belt, specializing in puppy shenanigans." - Answer the query: Give them what they're asking for, short and sweet
Example: "Here are 5 house training tricks that have been game-changers for my clients:- The potty-time bell technique
- Creating a 'puppy bathroom' with artificial grass
- The treat trail method
- Using scent markers to guide them
- The 'invisible fence' trick with pet-safe essential oils"
- Offer a little extra: Show them you've got more to give
Example: "I'd be happy to dive deeper into these techniques or chat about the hilarious mistakes new puppy parents often make." - Flex your credentials: Remind them why you're the expert
Example: "I wrote the book 'Puppy Potty Perfection' and I'm a regular on Doggy Daily. I've helped thousands of pups (and their humans) master the art of house training." - Make it easy to reach you: Give them your contact info
Example: "Got questions? Shoot me an email at sam@puppytrainer.com or give me a ring at 555-123-4567."
Want more pitch-perfecting tips? Check these out
5. Follow Up (Without Being a Pest)
If you haven't heard back in a day or two, it's cool to send a quick, friendly reminder. Something like:
"Hi Jane, hope you're having a great week! Just wanted to make sure you got my response about those puppy house training tips. Let me know if you need anything else. Cheers!"
Remember, journalists are swamped with pitches. If you don't hear back, no worries – there's always next time!
6. Build Relationships
If a journalist uses your stuff:
- Send them a quick thank you
- Share their article on your social media
- Keep in touch for future opportunities
Want to know more about cozying up to journalists? Read this
Rookie Mistakes to Dodge
- Missing deadlines (big no-no!)
- Ignoring the specifics they asked for
- Writing a novel instead of a pitch
- Sounding like a used car salesman
- Pitching stuff that's way off-topic
- Forgetting to spellcheck (oops!)
Cool Tools to Speed Up Your HARO Process
- HARO Alerts: Get notifications for queries right in Chrome
Grab the HARO Alerts extension - Grammarly: Your personal spelling and grammar sidekick
Check out Grammarly - Hunter.io: Find those elusive journalist email addresses
Give Hunter.io a try - HARO Matcher: AI that matches you with the right queries
See what HARO Matcher can do
Keeping Score
To see how you're doing, keep an eye on these:
- How many pitches you're sending out
- How often you're getting responses
- How many times you're getting published
- The rep of the sites featuring you
- How much traffic those HARO links are bringing in
Dive deeper into measuring your PR wins
Wrapping It Up
There you have it – your guide to rocking it on HARO! Remember, HARO success is all about playing the long game. You won't win 'em all, but keep at it and you'll start seeing results. Here's a quick refresher:
- Get on HARO
- Pick the right queries
- Write pitches that shine
- Follow up (nicely)
- Make friends with journalists
- Avoid those rookie mistakes
- Use tools to work smarter
- Keep track of how you're doing
