How to Get Free PR Leads by Subscribing to HARO

Friday October 23, 2009

If you follow HARO (Help a Reporter Out) you may have recently read a listing for an opening for a senior PR account manager at Boston company (due to HARO rules I cannot tell you the name of the company or risk getting booted off HARO's list myself.)

The listing queried for prospects with flair: "You must have sick consumer experience, consider yourself a social media junkie and kick-butt at getting media coverage (traditional and social). "Company Name Removed" has a culture that rocks the house -- from Sam Adams on tap in the office (for after hours) to "Bring Your Parents To Work Day" to smart, fun and accountable employees, they got it all goin' on. Their hip new crib overlooks Bostons sky-line, harbor and airport..."

A little unconventional? Yes. Effective? Only "Company Name Removed" can tell you for certain. But if you are not already using HARO you should. It is free to join and to use. Advertising for "sick PR media junkies" does cost, but you can reach tens of thousands of people via HARO much cheaper than other advertising sources.

But HARO is more than a possible advertising venue for your business...

What is HARO?

HARO is a free email subscription for reporters and others seeking articles and contacts. This list is not for posting calls for clients, but it can help you connect with reporters to get your business some positive publicity. You can also use this list to call for content and list your own interview opps with others to build articles for your website or publications.

Peter Shankman, owner of HARO, sends out off-beat and humorous emails two to three times each day with dozens of leads. He opens each post with a sponsored advertisement. All ads are peppered with fun and off-beat pitches by Shankman to make them more appealing (unconventional) and more likely to be read.