We last wrote about Help A Reporter Out (HARO) in November 2008. At the time, we were using a line of 23,000 addresses. I have no idea if that was HARO honcho Peter Shankman’s number or one that came to me in a dream, but I know from observing (disclosure: and from buying ads) that HARO has grown like a weed.
What started as a Facebook group is now a lovely little site that just happens to connect 100,000 people with 30,000 journalists. Wow. You need to be one of those 100,000 if you’re not already. I’ll venture a guess that I send a client or friend a HARO listing at least 3-4 times each week. They’re appreciative 0f the chance to be a source for a media outlet, and I’m glad that someone whose skills and knowledge I trust is actually a source.
Since writing that last HARO piece, the list is now a site that lets you specify additional verticals you want to read about and has a nice web interface for managing your web account. Over a relatively short period of time, my wife has appeared in a book on working moms, I’ve been interviewed by NPR for a healthcare piece on a subject dear to me and a really terrific blogger ran another interview with me about small business ad agencies. Then there are those hundreds of referrals.
So sign up for HARO already. I have no affiliation with the site beyond finding HARO the best example of crowdsourced data sharing that ever hit the Internet. You’ll get a minimum of 3 pieces of email a day and some reporters have tight deadlines so at least skim the mail when you’re reading the rest of your email. Stacking it with other email to read on the weekend doesn’t quite work. Oh, and HARO is free for reporters and sources. Ad supported with a single tiny text ad at the top, HARO is a smart read. See you in the Sunday papers.
mjfrombuffalo
I've tried them twice for a few months each time, read all three emails I got every day, didn't see a thing I could reply to except for one fluff piece that I replied to and wasn't used. It's a great concept, I guess I just don't work in an area reporters seek info about and/or don't fit a good “woman on the street” demographic!
George Bounacos
I dunno. I find them very useful. Now that I know you're not getting the mail, I'll be sure send over anything that looks appropriate for your industry or for projects we've worked on together. Just call me your clipping service. I don't do coffee however. Well, actually I do, but I don't get any for others.
mjfrombuffalo
Oh, I'm sure you'd find it useful, and I know it's useful for the reporters, just not hitting my area of expertise. On Twitter, on the other hand, I've had a half-dozen requests for info for people writing blog pieces or research papers. Lots of social workers on Twitter! 🙂
mjfrombuffalo
I've tried them twice for a few months each time, read all three emails I got every day, didn't see a thing I could reply to except for one fluff piece that I replied to and wasn't used. It's a great concept, I guess I just don't work in an area reporters seek info about and/or don't fit a good “woman on the street” demographic!
George Bounacos
I dunno. I find them very useful. Now that I know you're not getting the mail, I'll be sure send over anything that looks appropriate for your industry or for projects we've worked on together. Just call me your clipping service. I don't do coffee however. Well, actually I do, but I don't get any for others.
mjfrombuffalo
Oh, I'm sure you'd find it useful, and I know it's useful for the reporters, just not hitting my area of expertise. On Twitter, on the other hand, I've had a half-dozen requests for info for people writing blog pieces or research papers. Lots of social workers on Twitter! 🙂