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HARO is a Good Media Resource

If you're looking for for media exposure, one good place to turn is the site HARO . What Peter Shankman has done with the HARO site is nothing short of phenomenal. But Peter can only do so much. He can get the word out for you but then it's up to you to do the rest.

Here are some tips I recommend when responding to HARO:

1) Include your contact information. This includes phone number(s) and an email address.

2) Do not tell someone to google your name during the initial screening process, especially if you haven't supplied any other information.

3) If the reporter has included their name in their query, you should address them by name when responding. It makes it more personable. And make sure it's the RIGHT name. Someone responded to my query with a "Hi Barbara" when my real name was clearly indicated right above their response.

4) Do not direct someone to your website if you haven't included other contact information. People do not have time to search out your contact information.

5) Keep your response simple and to the point. If you've written a book or spoken on a topic that has nothing whatsoever to do with the subject matter, it's not important to mention it. In my case, I wanted to know what would make you a good social media panelist.

The important thing to remember is to make sure you put your best message out there with the best contact information.

Tags: beverly, help a reporter out, mahone, media, tips

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Comment by Beverly Mahone on August 12, 2010 at 8:15pm: You are spot on Dr. Taffy!

Comment by Dr. Taffy Wagner on August 12, 2010 at 1:28am: HARO is a great resource and I've been contacted several times from inquiries that I responded to. Sometimes it is overwhelming to read them when they come; however I set aside a morning where I will go through several days worth and see what fits. It is worth it to put your best message out there with the best contact information!

Comment by Beverly Mahone on August 5, 2010 at 4:45pm: Regina,
If you ask someone to "google me" without providing any additional information about yourself, that is tacky. I actually had someone send me an email in response to my inquiry and this is what they said:

"I'm interested in being a panelist for your social media summit." You can google me for more information."

Now, if they had offered me some more information--like a website and a brief explanation of why they were qualified (as I had asked), then I would've been more inclined to give them a second look.

Journalists are busy. Give them what they ask for in the initial email and let them decide whether or not they want to follow up with a google search. Chances are pretty good they will anyway :)

Comment by Regina Baker on August 5, 2010 at 3:31pm: I agree Beverly. Although I'm subscribed to HARO, I don't always look at every email I receive from them and almost missed something for one of my clients! A friend of mine emailed me and asked me had I seen something in HARO that I might be interested in for my client!

Got a question, why would you not have someone google your name?

Great tips.