How to use HARO — In a world overflowing with content, real media exposure still feels like striking gold.

Not because it’s impossible but because getting credible exposure requires showing up the right way, in the right place, at the right time.

Enter HARO (Help A Reporter Out), one of the simplest, most powerful platforms for connecting with journalists without needing an expensive PR firm or years of networking.
Now under the stewardship of Featured.com, HARO is back—and it’s streamlined, faster, and ready for those willing to move smartly.

If you know how to use HARO strategically, you can unlock media opportunities that build trust, credibility, and visibility for your brand.

At TargetLink, we guide businesses through understanding the media landscape and crafting PR strategies that actually align with their growth goals, not just chasing random features.

Here’s your essential guide to using HARO effectively and pitching in a way that gets you noticed.

What Is HARO and Why Does It Matter?

HARO connects journalists on tight deadlines with sources who can provide valuable commentary and expertise. For businesses and individuals looking to build authority, it offers a streamlined path to getting quoted in respected outlets like Forbes, Inc., Business Insider, and many others.

As Forbes notes, earned media remains one of the strongest drivers of trust and brand authority in today’s market. With HARO, you don’t need an extensive PR background—you need clarity, speed, and strategic pitching.

How to Start Using HARO

Getting started with HARO is refreshingly straightforward:

• Visit helpareporter.com.
• Sign up with your email address to start receiving journalist queries directly in your inbox.
• Select the categories that best match your expertise, such as Business, Finance, Technology, Health, and Lifestyle.

Professional Tip: Always use a business or personal brand email address when signing up and responding. It enhances credibility from the outset.

How to Use HARO Effectively: A Strategic Approach

Succeeding on HARO isn’t about sending the most pitches—it’s about sending the right pitches, at the right time, to the right journalists. Here’s how to approach HARO strategically to maximize your chances of securing credible media features:

1. Monitor HARO Alerts Promptly and Regularly

Timeliness is critical on HARO. Journalists often post queries for stories that are already in production, which means deadlines can be extremely short—sometimes just a few hours.

The earlier you respond, the better your chances of being seen before their inbox is flooded with other pitches.

Actionable Tips:

• Check HARO emails at least twice per day—preferably once in the morning and once in the afternoon.
• Skim quickly but carefully. Identify which queries match your expertise without spending too much time deliberating.
• Set email filters or alerts for keywords related to your niche (like “startup funding,” “health tech,” “leadership tips”) so you can prioritize faster.

Why it matters: Responding within the first few hours after a query goes live can significantly improve your chances of being selected.

2. Choose the Right Opportunities

Not every journalist request is meant for you and that’s perfectly fine.
It’s far better to be highly relevant to a few queries than barely relevant to many.

Actionable Tips:

• Be selective. Only respond to queries where your expertise truly fits the story angle.
• Respect the journalist’s time. Irrelevant pitches damage your credibility and waste their time.
• Focus on alignment. Ask yourself: “Would I genuinely add meaningful insight to this story?” If not, move on.

Why it matters: A well-matched pitch is not only more likely to be selected, but it also builds your reputation as a reliable expert for future media opportunities.

3. Write a Professional, Compelling Pitch

Your pitch is your first (and sometimes only) impression. It should immediately show the journalist why you’re the right source, without making them work to figure it out.

Effective HARO Pitch Structure:

• Personalized Greeting: If the journalist’s name is listed, use it. A simple “Hi [Name]” creates immediate familiarity.
• Brief Credentials: In 1–2 lines, explain why you are qualified to speak on the topic. Stick to facts and credibility points.
• Direct Insight: Deliver your answer or commentary clearly and succinctly. Focus on providing real value, not just promoting yourself.
• Short Bio: End with a brief, non-salesy bio that includes a link to your professional website or LinkedIn profile for reference.

Actionable Tips:

• Lead with value, not background. Get to your insight quickly—journalists will scan, not read deeply.
• Avoid jargon. Use clear, everyday language unless the query specifically calls for technical detail.
• Format wisely. Break up longer paragraphs into 2–3 short sentences to enhance readability.

Professional Tip: Keep your entire pitch under 300 words whenever possible. Brevity, clarity, and relevance win every time.

4. Personalize Your Outreach

Whenever possible, tailor your pitch beyond just answering the query. Journalists are humans too and they appreciate when you show you’ve taken the time to understand their work.

Actionable Tips:

• If the journalist’s name or outlet is provided, reference it respectfully.
• Compliment recent articles they’ve published that are relevant to your pitch or your expertise.
• Mirror their writing style (conversational vs. formal) if you can tell from their previous work.

Why it matters: Personalization shows genuine engagement, helps build relationships, and distinguishes you from mass-pitched responses.

5. Ensure Your Online Presence Supports Your Authority

Even if your pitch is excellent, many journalists will Google your name before quoting you. They need to confirm you’re credible, reputable, and aligned with their publication’s standards.

Actionable Tips:

• Update your LinkedIn profile to highlight your current role, key achievements, and media-friendly expertise areas.
• Maintain a professional website or landing page where journalists can quickly learn more about you if needed.
• Keep your public-facing bios and professional photos current—especially if you’re positioning yourself as an expert source.

Why it matters: A polished online presence reinforces your credibility and reassures journalists that you’re a trustworthy source.

6. Respond Swiftly to Journalists’ Follow-Ups

If a journalist reaches out asking for more information, additional quotes, or clarification, treat it as urgent. They’re on a deadline and fast, thoughtful responses show professionalism and reliability.

Actionable Tips:

• Reply within an hour if possible when a journalist follows up.
• Stay ready. Keep a few extended talking points prepared if a quick follow-up or even a full interview opportunity arises.
• Be flexible—offer to hop on a quick call or provide written answers depending on their preference.

Why it matters: Quick, professional responsiveness can turn a small quote into a major feature, or even open doors for future opportunities.

Pro Tips for Long-Term HARO Success

Consistency is Critical:

Pitch regularly and refine your approach based on feedback and results. Visibility builds through persistence.

Track Your Submissions:

Maintain a simple record of the pitches you’ve sent, which outlets you engaged with, and any responses or successes. Patterns will emerge over time.

Prioritize Value Over Promotion:

Your role is to make the journalist’s story stronger but not to overtly promote yourself. Focus on providing insights first; credibility will naturally follow.

How to use HARO: Common Mistakes to Avoid

Even with the best intentions, it’s easy to misstep when pitching through HARO. Avoid these common mistakes that can damage your credibility with journalists:

Sending identical pitches to every query

Mass-blasting the same generic response shows a lack of care and understanding. Every pitch should be tailored to fit the journalist’s specific question, tone, and publication.

Submitting verbose, unfocused responses

Long, rambling answers bury the value you’re trying to offer. Journalists need concise, immediately usable quotes and not essays that require editing just to understand

Pitching topics far outside your expertise

Stretching your experience just to fit a query weakens your authority. Journalists are looking for true subject matter experts, and relevance is critical to being selected and trusted.

Ignoring deadlines or media etiquette

Late responses or casual, unprofessional communication signals unreliability. In PR, meeting deadlines and maintaining a respectful tone are non-negotiable for building strong media relationships.

Transform Opportunities into Authority

In an era where attention is the currency of influence, earned media exposure through HARO can be transformative; but only with the right strategy behind it.

Knowing how to pitch is important. Knowing when, where, and why to pitch is crucial.

At TargetLink, we empower businesses to understand PR not as a series of random tactics, but as a strategic tool for brand building and sustainable growth. Through personalized consultations, we help you uncover the right opportunities, sharpen your messaging, and design a path that positions you for lasting visibility and authority.

📩 Ready to align your PR strategy with your bigger goals?

Book a consultation with TargetLink today.

Let’s craft a media strategy that moves your brand forward—intentionally and strategically! 🚀