Platform context, checked 9 September 2026: Cision discontinued its Connectively platform in December 2024. Featured later acquired the brand and relaunched Connectively in 2026 on its expert-publisher platform. Read the official migration explanation and Featured's company history for current context. Older HARO-era interfaces and pricing should not be assumed to apply.
Connectively is a platform connecting journalists with expert sources, positioned as the evolution of services like HARO. It allows experts to respond to journalist queries and potentially earn backlinks when quoted in articles from major publications.
Understanding Connectively
What It Is
Platform purpose:
- Connects journalists with sources
- Facilitates expert commentary
- Enables earned media opportunities
- Successor to HARO-style services
How It Works
Basic process:
- Create a source profile
- Browse or receive journalist queries
- Submit relevant responses
- Get quoted in articles (when selected)
- Earn links from attribution
Connectively for Link Building
Link Building Potential
Opportunities:
- Major publication links
- High domain authority
- Editorial placement
- Natural link profile enhancement
- Brand visibility
Publication Quality
Typical outlets:
- National news sites
- Industry publications
- Business media
- Lifestyle magazines
- Trade publications
Setting Up on Connectively
Creating Your Profile
Profile elements:
- Professional credentials
- Areas of expertise
- Past media appearances
- Contact information
- Social proof
Expertise Areas
Select categories:
- Business and finance
- Technology
- Health and wellness
- Marketing
- Legal
- And industry-specific areas
Finding Opportunities
Query Discovery
How to find queries:
- Browse open opportunities
- Email notifications
- Filter by category
- Search by keyword
- Check deadlines
Evaluating Queries
Good opportunities:
- Match your genuine expertise
- From quality publications
- Clear requirements
- Reasonable timeline
- Worth your time
Responding Effectively
Response Best Practices
For success:
- Answer the actual question
- Be concise and quotable
- Show genuine expertise
- Respond quickly
- Follow their format requirements
Response Structure
Effective format:
- Direct answer
- Supporting context
- Credentials
- Contact for follow-up
What Journalists Need
Provide:
- Specific, quotable statements
- Unique perspectives
- Real-world examples
- Verifiable expertise
- Timely responses
Competition and Conversion
The Reality
Expect:
- Many responses per query
- Low selection rates (5-15%)
- Some queries get hundreds of responses
- Quality matters enormously
Improving Your Odds
Stand out by:
- Responding early
- Providing unique angles
- Being genuinely qualified
- Formatting professionally
- Adding specific value
Links and Attribution
How Links Happen
When quoted, you may receive:
- Contextual link in article
- Link in author bio/attribution
- Mention without link
- Link with nofollow
- Various anchor text
Not Guaranteed
Understand that:
- Not all quotes include links
- Some publications don't link
- Nofollow is common
- Mentions still have value
Best Practices
For Response Success
Do:
- Only respond when genuinely qualified
- Lead with valuable insight
- Keep responses focused
- Meet deadlines
- Include credentials
Don't:
- Spray and pray approach
- Obviously templated responses
- Self-promotional answers
- Miss the point of queries
- Ignore requirements
For Building Relationships
Long-term approach:
- Be consistently helpful
- Follow up professionally
- Build journalist relationships
- Track successful interactions
- Nurture connections
Connectively vs Other Platforms
Comparison
| Feature | Connectively | Traditional HARO | Other Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Query frequency | Ongoing | 3x daily | Varies |
| Interface | Platform-based | Email-based | Varies |
| Profile options | Detailed | Basic | Varies |
| Targeting | Category-based | Category-based | Various |
Using Multiple Platforms
Consider also:
- Qwoted
- SourceBottle
- ProfNet
- JournoRequests
- Direct journalist outreach
Tracking Success
Metrics to Monitor
Track:
- Queries responded to
- Placements achieved
- Links earned
- Domain authority of placements
- Response-to-placement rate
ROI Assessment
Consider:
- Time invested
- Links earned value
- Brand mention value
- Relationship building
- Long-term benefits
Beyond Direct Links
Additional Value
Non-link benefits:
- Brand awareness
- Credibility building
- Content for marketing
- Social proof
- Journalist relationships
- Portfolio building
Using Placements
Leverage coverage:
- Share on social media
- Add to press page
- Include in marketing
- Use in proposals
- Build authority
Summary
Connectively connects sources with journalists for earned media:
How it works:
- Create expert profile
- Find relevant queries
- Submit quality responses
- Get quoted (when selected)
- Earn links and mentions
Success factors:
- Genuine expertise
- Quick, quality responses
- Professional approach
- Consistency
Realistic expectations:
- Low conversion rates
- Not all placements link
- Value beyond just links
- Patience required
Quality participation builds reputation and earns valuable media links.