Skip to content
06 May
Are you struggling to get your website noticed online? Many businesses and content creators face the same challenge: building valuable backlinks that can significantly improve their search engine rankings. Traditional link building methods, like guest blogging or outreach campaigns, can be time-consuming and expensive. What if there was a more efficient way to connect with journalists and secure placements in major publications – leading to automatic backlinks? HARO (Help a Reporter Out) offers precisely this opportunity, providing a unique platform for experts to share their knowledge and earn valuable media mentions.
HARO is a free service that connects journalists with sources for their stories. It operates through daily email digests – Morning and Evening – where reporters post queries (questions they need answered) across various categories like technology, marketing, business, health, and more. As an expert in your field, you can respond to these queries offering yourself as a source. If a reporter finds your insights valuable, they’ll often quote you directly in their article or report. This automatically generates a backlink from the publication’s domain to your website – a powerful tool for SEO and brand visibility.
The core of HARO lies in its reciprocal nature. Journalists are constantly searching for credible voices to add depth and authority to their stories. By responding thoughtfully and providing valuable information, you position yourself as an expert and increase the likelihood of being featured. It’s not about spamming reporters; it’s about genuinely helping them tell a compelling story.
HARO sends out two daily digests – the Morning Edition (typically around 8 AM EST) and the Evening Edition (around 6 PM EST). The Morning Edition usually contains more reactive queries, often related to breaking news. The Evening Edition tends to focus on evergreen topics and longer-form stories. Understanding the difference helps you tailor your responses effectively.
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sign Up for HARO | Go to www.helpareporter.com and create a free account. You’ll need to verify your expertise by providing information about your business or area of specialization. This step is crucial for reporters to identify relevant sources. |
| 2 | Monitor the Digests Daily | Check both the Morning and Evening HARO digests in your email inbox. Pay attention to queries that align with your expertise. The daily digests are categorized by topic, making it easier to find relevant opportunities. Time management is key – dedicate a few minutes each day to this process. |
| 3 | Respond Thoughtfully and Quickly | When you find a query that’s a good fit, respond within the timeframe specified (usually 24-48 hours). Your response should be concise, insightful, and directly address the reporter’s needs. Include a link to your website or relevant content where appropriate. Personalization is key – avoid generic responses. |
| 4 | Follow Up (Strategically) | After 48 hours, if you haven’t heard back from the reporter, a polite follow-up email can be beneficial. However, don’t bombard them – respect their time and workflow. Persistence is rewarded but overdoing it can damage your reputation. |
Not every HARO query will be a good fit for you. The key to success lies in identifying queries that genuinely align with your expertise and target audience. Use the categories and keywords within the HARO digests to narrow your search. For example, if you’re a cybersecurity expert, focus on queries related to data breaches, ransomware, or threat intelligence.
Don’t just respond to *any* query. Consider these factors: Relevance (does it truly align with your expertise?), Reach (what’s the publication’s domain authority?), and Potential Benefit (will this placement drive traffic or build brand credibility?). A backlink from a niche blog won’t be as valuable as one from a well-known industry publication. Quality over quantity is always the rule when it comes to backlinks.
Growth Hackers, a popular marketing resource website, famously built a significant portion of their backlink profile using HARO. They consistently responded to queries related to growth hacking strategies and digital marketing trends. Their insightful responses were repeatedly cited in articles published by major publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and HubSpot – resulting in dozens of high-quality backlinks that significantly boosted their organic traffic.
Reporters aren’t looking for sales pitches or overly promotional content. They want honest, insightful opinions from experts who can add value to their stories. Here’s what they typically look for in a HARO response:
It’s important to track your progress and measure the impact of your HARO efforts. Here are some key metrics to monitor:
Using HARO effectively requires dedication and strategic thinking. Here’s a recap of the most important takeaways:
Q: Is HARO free? A: Yes, HARO is completely free to use for experts.
Q: How often should I check the HARO digests? A: Aim to check both the Morning and Evening digests daily – dedicating around 15-30 minutes each session.
Q: What if a reporter doesn’t use my response? A: Don’t take it personally. Reporters receive hundreds of responses, so some will inevitably be overlooked. Keep responding to other queries!
Q: How long does it take to see results from HARO backlinks? A: It can take several weeks or months for the full impact of your HARO backlinks to be reflected in your search engine rankings. SEO is a long-term game.
2 comments