Joining HARO

Joining HARO: Help A Reporter Out:

It's been described as "free publicity on a silver platter." Yet many small business owners have yet to hear about or sign up for the free service known as HARO, or Help A Reporter Out.

If you want free press, media attention, or to connect with reporters looking for sources and feature businesses for their assignments, HARO is for you.

Most small business owners assume they're too small get national media attention, but that couldn't be farther from the truth. Get your fifteen minutes of fame, small business owners!

What is HARO?

Started by Peter Shankman, HARO is a website (www.helpareporter.com) where individuals or businesses can sign up to receive three daily emails, packed with very specific media inquiries. 

If a TV reporter for 20/20 is looking for small businesses that are booming despite the recession or a woman blogger is searching for a mom-owned business, it's listed there. It takes only a minute to scan and see if there are any opportunities to get some free press. Simply respond to the writer, editor, or reporter requesting the information to get a chance at being interviewed.

Why join HARO?

In case it's not obvious, the idea of free press is crucial to small businesses, who can't afford to always pay for TV commercials or print advertising. The amount of time saved and the connections a small business can make (especially an Internet business!) are incredible. 

One stay-at-home mom who was running an online store from home got her products in L.A. Parent magazine just by casually responding to a HARO inquiry with a picture of one of her products, leading to a boom in sales from California.

What to Remember:

When responding to a media inquiry, it is important to keep a few things in mind. These tips and advice will help you maximize your efforts and reduce wasted time responding to inquiries that won't turn into publicity:

1. Read inquiries carefully, and only respond to the media inquiries that suit your expertise or business exactly.
2. Be timely. Many reporters work on very tight and strict deadlines, given to them by their producers or editors. If you see an opportunity, don't waste time.
3. Include all of your contact information in your response. Be especially sure to include a website or e-mail address, but also your phone number and any other pertinent contact information. Don't miss an opportunity because the reporter can't contact you.
4. Supply photos. Often the deciding factor in why a blogger, editor, or publisher chooses one source over the other is the availability of photos. Attach one or two, and provide a link to more if you've got them.
5. Follow up: if you don't hear from an editor within a week, respond with a very quick check to ensure they got your original email, and let them know you're available as a future source if they should need.
6. Keep the editor/writer's contact information in your media file for future reference, with the name and basic description of their publication.

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What's Next

Next In This Guide
Part 31:
Stay Trendy and In Style by Offering Something New - By offering a new product, service, or re-vamping an existing one, small businesses can stay relevant and well perceived by customers.

Previous In This guide
Part 29:
Don't Turn Down the Press - Free press is usually the best press a small business can ask for.  Even if it's a 30-second TV segment, chances are you have more to gain than lose.

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