HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a platform connecting journalists with expert sources. For link building, HARO offers opportunities to earn high-authority backlinks by providing expert quotes and insights that journalists include in their articles, often with attribution links.
How HARO Works#
The Basic Process#
- Sign up as a source (free)
- Receive daily query emails
- Find relevant queries
- Submit expert responses
- Get quoted with link (if selected)
The Email Schedule#
HARO sends queries:
- 3 times daily (5:35am, 12:35pm, 5:35pm ET)
- Weekdays only
- Organized by category
- Deadline-based
Why HARO for Link Building#
Link Quality#
HARO links are valuable:
- From major publications
- High domain authority
- Editorial context
- Legitimate and natural
- Brand building benefit
Publications Using HARO#
Common outlets:
- Forbes
- Inc.
- Entrepreneur
- Business Insider
- Mashable
- Industry publications
- Local news outlets
Setting Up HARO#
Create Account#
Registration:
- Sign up at helpareporter.com
- Choose source account (free)
- Select relevant categories
- Confirm email subscription
Category Selection#
Available categories:
- Business & Finance
- Technology
- Lifestyle & Fitness
- Healthcare & Medical
- Education
- Entertainment
- And more
Choose categories matching your expertise.
Finding Good HARO Queries#
Query Anatomy#
Each query contains:
- Media outlet name
- Summary of what they need
- Requirements for sources
- Deadline
- Response instructions
Identifying Opportunities#
Good queries for link building:
- From recognized publications
- Match your genuine expertise
- Clear requirements
- Reasonable deadline
- Anonymous queries (often major outlets)
Red Flags#
Avoid queries that:
- Are clearly spam
- Request free work/content
- Have unrealistic requirements
- Are from obviously low-quality outlets
Crafting HARO Responses#
Response Structure#
Effective format:
- Brief introduction (who you are)
- Direct answer to their question
- Supporting insight or example
- Credentials establishing expertise
- Contact information
Example Response#
Subject: [Query Title] - [Your Name], [Title]
Hi [Journalist Name],
I'm [Name], [Title] at [Company]. I've [brief credential
relevant to query].
[Direct answer to their question - 2-3 sentences]
[Supporting example or additional insight]
[Optional: additional point or perspective]
Bio: [One sentence about you and your expertise]
Happy to elaborate on any of these points.
Best,
[Name]
[Email]
[Phone]
[Website URL]
Key Success Factors#
What makes responses succeed:
- Quick response (first matters)
- Direct, concise answer
- Genuine expertise shown
- Proper format followed
- Contact info included
HARO Best Practices#
Timing#
Speed matters:
- Respond within hours, not days
- Morning queries often need same-day response
- Set up email alerts
- Build response templates (customize!)
Quality Over Quantity#
Focus on:
- Only queries you're truly qualified for
- Thoughtful, valuable responses
- Building reputation with journalists
- Relevant opportunities
Personalization#
Even quick responses should:
- Address journalist by name
- Reference the specific query
- Add unique value
- Not be obviously templated
What Journalists Want#
The Ideal Source#
Journalists prefer sources who:
- Answer the actual question
- Provide quotable material
- Have verifiable credentials
- Respond promptly
- Are easy to work with
What to Provide#
Give them:
- Clear, quotable statements
- Specific examples
- Data when relevant
- Fresh perspectives
- Easy follow-up options
Common HARO Mistakes#
Don't Do This#
Common errors:
- Long, rambling responses
- Not answering the actual question
- Responding to irrelevant queries
- Obvious self-promotion
- Missing deadlines
- Poor formatting
Do This Instead#
Better approach:
- Lead with the answer
- Keep it concise
- Stay on topic
- Be genuinely helpful
- Meet deadlines
- Format professionally
Tracking HARO Results#
What to Monitor#
Track:
- Responses sent
- Placements received
- Links earned
- Domain authority of placements
- Response-to-placement rate
Typical Conversion#
Expectations:
- 5-15% of responses may be used
- Many result in mentions, not links
- Quality outlets have more competition
- Persistence pays off
HARO Alternatives#
Similar Platforms#
Other options:
- Connectively (spiritual successor)
- SourceBottle
- Qwoted
- ResponseSource
- ProfNet
- JournoRequests (Twitter)
Diversify Outreach#
Use multiple platforms to increase opportunities.
Link Outcome Realities#
Not All Placements Link#
Understand that:
- Some mentions have no links
- Some links are nofollow
- Some use branded anchors
- Some only mention you, not link
- All still have value
Beyond Links#
Additional benefits:
- Brand mentions
- Credibility building
- Content to share
- Journalist relationships
- Authority establishment
Summary#
HARO connects experts with journalists for link opportunities:
Process:
- Sign up as source
- Monitor daily queries
- Respond to relevant ones
- Get quoted with link
Success factors:
- Speed of response
- Quality of expertise
- Concise, quotable answers
- Consistent participation
Results:
- High-authority links
- Brand mentions
- Credibility building
- Journalist relationships
HARO requires patience and persistence but delivers valuable, legitimate links.