Duct Tape Marketing - Latest Comments in Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Janell Moon — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 01:13:07 -0000

I've been working with clients using hypnotherapy and hypnosis for 25 years in my San Francisco office combining it with Enneagram of Personality knowledge and 12 steps work. It is of great help to clients. I write spiritual nonfiction books and, according to client's value system, add messages about peace of the spirit and compassion in client's work. The work is all about releasing old untrue and unhelpful messages and strengthening what is more true and helpful about the client.
It's good work making for a good life.

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

margiezablefisher — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:14:48 -0000

I recently posted an update to my comments here. It's titled "Why You Weren't Picked as a Source," when pitching to HARO. There are 10 reasons and readers have told me that it was very helpful in helping them refine their pitches. You can read it here:

http://zfpr.com/blog/wordpr...

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Bridgette Mongeon — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 09:26:13 -0000

I LOVE HARO!
I read your article on (HARO) Help A Reporter Out. I created a video on the subject and I thought I would send it. Here is a blip.tv rendition http://www.creativeendeavor... or a You Tube version http://www.youtube.com/watc... that you can share with your readers and even embed in your blog. Each give you code to do just that.

GO HARO!

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Holly Michael — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:52:35 -0000

I was an early HARO subscriber after Peter visited us in Dayton, Ohio. I even sent him soup when he was sick one time. I have NEVER been tempted to send soup to anyone at PR Newswire.

I have been doing some freelance work lately, so HARO has been a valuable tool. And a great opportunity to impress clients.

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

veronika — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:08:37 -0000

I've been "following" Peter since he was gracious enough to come to little old Utica, NY to be the speaker at our Ad Club meeting... this is such a cool resource - as Margie and Jodi said: keep on topic and forward to your clients - mine think I'm a "networking queen" and all I do is forward the pertinent info to them!
The only thing I wish we could do is track when the stories get published - so many of them are fascinating sounding - I'd love to read several of them!
Peter Rocks!
V-

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Chad — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 15:09:58 -0000

Peter makes all of his emails so personable even if I don't find a topic in a related category, I still really enjoy reading what he is doing.

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Joe — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:59:51 -0000

Thanks for the tip on HARO. As a small business entrepreneur, we don't have the $$$s to hire a publicist. HARO looks like a tool to let the little guy get into the game of promoting yourself / business via news outlets.

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

ducttape — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:09:05 -0000

@Margie - brilliant set of guidelines - thanks so much for adding this to the conversation - everyone, please read the comment above!

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Margie Zable Fisher — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 14:03:24 -0000

Hi John,
I agree – HARO is amazing.

As someone who has pitched many clients for opportunities, both through ProfNet and HARO, may I offer a few pitching tips?

Here goes:

1. Always follow the media contact’s specific requests. So, if you are told to put “Jane Doe Story” in the Subject Line, do that. Why? Because the reporter might have a filter that sends all of those queries to a specific e-mail folder. Otherwise, those replies might get lost.

2. Don’t pitch unless you are truly a good candidate for the story. If you make fat-free dog biscuits, and that’s what the reporter is looking for, then by all means reply. But if you make great-tasting ones and want to prove that yours are just as great as the fat-free ones, don’t bother. You’ll just annoy the reporter, making it unlikely that that person will consider you for a future piece that would be a perfect fit for you.

3. Include all of your contact information in your e-mail pitch. That includes your full name, business name, title, day, night and weekend telephone numbers, location (for time zone purposes and in case the reporter is looking for a specific geography) and e-mail address. Including your Web site is also good – it shows credibility and can provide additional info that the reporter might use.

4. Do not send attachments, unless they are specifically asked for. E-mail filters sometimes delete e-mails with attachments automatically. If a picture if requested, send a link to a .jpg on your Web site.

5. Put the title of the query in the Subject Line, if no specific title is given by the reporter. Something like “Source and Information for Credit Crunch – John Doe” should work.

6. Give ‘em some information. If a reporter is looking for ways employers are helping employees with high gas prices, don’t just say that you have the answers, and can be contacted any time. Give a couple of bullet points with your ideas. Enough to whet a reporter’s appetite, without writing the entire piece.

Hope this helps. Good pitching!

Margie Zable Fisher
Zable Fisher Public Relations
www.zfpr.com

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Heidi Miller — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 12:15:37 -0000

I joined HARO a few weeks ago and have got in the habit of scanning the daily emails. I just replied to a particularly relevant one today: a reporter looking for fit women living with arthritis. Since I've had arthritis for 25 years and teach water aerobics, I definitely fit into that category! I don't usually publicize that fact too much, though, so I doubt I would have found this reporter otherwise.

For me, it's a nice way to give back a bit. Sure, I can use it to promote my business, but I also just enjoy participating whenever I can.

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

ducttape — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:55:37 -0000

@Jody - yes, thanks for that tip, that's a great way to use this - getting your client featured in a story is a great loyalty builder and Peter really encourages passing it along.

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Jodi Kaplan — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:51:13 -0000

I joined a few weeks ago too. I haven't responded to a query yet, but I have found a few that were appropriate for clients and contacts (so I sent them on, with a note about the source and the rules). I figure it's a good way to keep in touch and provide an extra "service".

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

Missy Blankenship — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 11:13:50 -0000

HARO is amazing. My 2nd info request just went out this morning (~6AM EST) and in less than 5 hours later, I have 20 responses. Phew! I'd say that Peter has stumbled onto a REAL NEED and potential goldmine!

Re: Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

tinku gallery — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 10:10:21 -0000

I joined HARO a few weeks ago and it has a great variety of topics and media. This service is great at levelling the playing field for small/solo businesses that cannot afford to subscribe to ProfNet.