Created from this YouTube video (using the “YouTube Video to Blog Post” article type) with GPT-4 in Third-Person Plural
Utilizing the Help a Reporter Out (HARO) platform is a valuable way to obtain high-quality backlinks for your website free of charge. By signing up as a source, you’ll receive daily emails from journalists seeking information and expertise. If your responses are valuable, journalists may mention you and link to your site in their articles on reputable platforms like Forbes, The New York Times, Entrepreneur, and Inc.com. This article will discuss three simple steps to maximize your chances of acquiring high-quality backlinks using HARO: filtering for relevant queries, choosing the right question to answer, and crafting a compelling pitch.
Additionally, since HARO has become more popular and thus saturated with pitches, we will explore alternative platforms that can provide opportunities for backlinks and apply the same principles for link-building success. Moreover, we will address the importance of obtaining backlinks not only to your homepage but also to deeper pages for ranking higher on Google.
Key Takeaways
- Optimize HARO usage by filtering for relevant queries, selecting appropriate questions to answer, and crafting engaging pitches.
- Consider alternative platforms like Terkel, Help a B2B Writer, and PressPlugs for backlink opportunities.
- Aim to acquire backlinks to both homepage and deeper pages for improved Google rankings.
Step 1: Filter for Relevant Queries
To maximize your chances of getting high-quality backlinks through HARO, the first step is filtering for relevant queries. Since most requests may not be applicable to your niche, it’s crucial to identify potential opportunities that suit your expertise. To achieve this, follow the steps below:
- Set up a filter in your Gmail: Navigate to your inbox and click on the search options button beside the search bar.
- Filter by sender and subject: Input [email protected] in the “From” field, and add “HARO” within square brackets in the “Subject” field. All HARO emails include this in their subject line.
- Add keywords: Enter relevant keywords into the “Has the words” field. For example, if your website is about workout plans, you could use “fitness OR gym OR workout”.
- Test your filter: Click on the search button to preview the results. If the selected emails match your criteria, click back on the search options and create the filter.
Bear in mind that the quicker you respond to queries, the higher your chances of catching the journalist’s attention. Choose the questions wisely, focusing on those where journalists seek multiple contributors. This increases the likelihood of your response being included in their articles.
When crafting your pitch, stick to the following four components:
- Subject line: Incorporate the query’s title to ensure the journalist can quickly locate your response.
- Expertise showcase: Start by highlighting your background and qualifications relevant to the topic.
- Answer the query: Keep your response concise and to the point, addressing the journalist’s query in a straightforward manner.
- Outro: Offer your availability for further questions, providing your contact information for easy communication.
To increase backlink opportunities, consider trying other platforms like Terkel, Help a B2B Writer, and PressPlugs. These sites can yield excellent results, following the same principles as HARO for link building success. Keep in mind that while HARO primarily gives you homepage links, it’s essential to secure backlinks to deeper pages for better Google rankings.
Step 2: Choose the Right Question to Answer
When using HARO, it’s essential to select the most appropriate question to answer to maximize the chances of being included in the journalist’s article. Keep in mind that not all queries will be a good fit, and it’s wise to prioritize those where journalists are seeking multiple contributors.
For instance, look for queries in which the journalist specifically asks for advice from experts in the field. In these cases, they are more likely to include multiple sources, which increases the chances of someone’s pitch being featured. An example of such a query would be when AskMen requests fitness industry professionals to share the advantages of working with a personal trainer. Not only does the journalist imply the need for multiple opinions, but there are also multiple questions within the query – a clear sign that they may use a combination of sources to answer them.
In order to increase the odds of being noticed and mentioned in an article, it’s important to:
- Focus on queries that are relevant to one’s expertise and niche.
- Look for opportunities where multiple expert opinions are needed.
- Act swiftly as the faster a response is submitted, the higher the chances are of catching the journalist’s attention.
Once the right question has been identified, proceed to create a compelling pitch by crafting an appealing subject line, demonstrating expertise in the opening line, providing a concise yet valuable answer, and offering availability for additional questions or clarifications.
While HARO can be a powerful platform for obtaining high-quality backlinks, it’s crucial to explore alternative platforms as well, such as Terkel, Help a B2B Writer, and PressPlugs. By leveraging these resources and applying similar principles as mentioned above, getting valuable backlinks will become a more achievable goal.
Step 3: Write Your Pitch
In order to maximize your chances of getting high-quality backlinks using HARO, it’s essential to craft an effective pitch. This can be accomplished in three simple steps, including filtering for relevant queries and selecting the right question to answer. The third step, writing your pitch, requires careful attention to detail and structure. Here, we’ll cover four key sub-sections to include in your pitch email:
Subject Line
The subject line is crucial for capturing the attention of journalists. It should clearly state the topic of your response in a concise manner. For instance, if a journalist is seeking information about the benefits of working with a personal trainer, your subject line might read: “Benefits of working with a personal trainer”.
Introduction
The first sentence of your introduction should establish your credibility and expertise on the topic. By introducing yourself and your qualifications, you set the context for your response. An example might be, “I am the owner of a fitness center in Barcelona and a certified physical trainer with over 15 years of experience.”
Answering the Query
The main body of your pitch should provide a succinct and relevant answer to the journalist’s query. Aim to keep it short and focused while covering the key information related to the question. In the case of the personal trainer query, you could mention the various benefits of working with a personal trainer, such as custom training, expert guidance, and accountability.
Outro
Conclude your pitch by signaling your availability for further questions or clarifications. This demonstrates your commitment to engaging with the journalist and your willingness to provide additional insights. An example outro might be, “Should you have any further questions on this topic, please don’t hesitate to contact me at [your email address].”
By incorporating these four elements – subject line, introduction, answering the query, and outro – into your email pitch, you’ll increase your chances of capturing the interest of journalists and obtaining high-quality backlinks for your site. Keep in mind that although HARO is a great resource, you should also explore other platforms, such as Terkel, Help a B2B Writer, and PressPlugs, to broaden your link-building efforts.
Testing New Platforms
Apart from HARO, it’s essential to explore other platforms where the principles of link building can be applied, providing more backlinks with fewer pitches. This section focuses on three such platforms: Terkel, Help a B2B Writer, and PressPlugs.
Terkel
Terkel is an excellent platform for demonstrating one’s expertise while contributing to content creation. By responding to questions relevant to their industry, participants not only share their knowledge but also increase their chances of earning backlinks to their website.
Help a B2B Writer
Help a B2B Writer connects businesses with writers looking for sources in specific B2B topics. This platform offers an opportunity to showcase one’s expertise in a professional field, which can in turn lead to valuable backlinks. By providing valuable insights and information, businesses increase their chances of being mentioned and linked in articles.
PressPlugs
PressPlugs is another platform that connects professionals with journalists searching for expert opinions and sources. Similar to HARO and Terkel, participating in PressPlugs can result in valuable backlinks to one’s website, especially if they consistently offer relevant and engaging content.
It’s essential to keep in mind that while participating in these platforms might lead to acquiring more homepage backlinks, it’s also crucial to gain backlinks to deeper pages for better rankings on search engines.