Do you have a small business and are looking for ways to expand your reach on the web? Then HARO Backlinks could be the answer! Get ready to learn how to create successful pitches with HARO (Help A Reporter Out) in 7 simple steps. With these steps, utilizing this free publicity tool can become an integral part of your content marketing strategy, giving you more exposure online and strengthening your SEO ranking. So whether you’re already experienced in creating pitches or just starting out – let’s dive into how easy it can be to gain effective backlinks from reputable publications with HARO!
Step 1. Get Set Up
First things first, you need to create an account on the HARO website. Head over to www.helpareporter.com and click on the ‘Sign Up’ button at the top of the page. From here, you will be directed to fill out a form that includes your contact information such as name, email, company website, and more. Once your account is confirmed, you’re ready to begin using the HARO platform!
Step 2. Understand the Different Types of Queries
The next step in creating successful pitches with HARO is understanding the different types of queries that appear on the platform. There are three main categories:
- Journalist Query where reporters ask questions related to the specific topic they’re writing about
- Expert Query where you provide advice, expertise or opinion on a subject
- Opportunity Query where companies look for stories related to their products and services.
By understanding the different kinds of queries, you can ensure that your pitches are tailored specifically to what the requester is looking for.
Step 3. Familiarize Yourself with the Platform
Now it’s time to get acquainted with how HARO works! On the platform, all queries are listed under three tabs: ‘Journalist Query’, ‘Expert Query’ and ‘Opportunity Query’. Each tab provides a description of the query and allows you to either respond directly or open a window where you can submit a pitch. It’s important to note that some queries require an email response while others are sent directly through their platform.
Step 4. Take Time to Read Through Queries Carefully
When searching through the queries, it can be tempting to just quickly skim over them. But it’s important to take your time and read through each one carefully in order to determine if it’s a good fit for you and your company. Consider the following questions before responding:
- Does the query directly relate to my company or industry?
- Is this an opportunity I can genuinely provide insight on?
- How can I make my response stand out among the others?
Step 5. Write Your Pitch!
Once you’ve identified a query that is relevant to your business, it’s time to create an effective pitch. When submitting your response, be sure to include all of the necessary information and keep it concise yet comprehensive. According to Ron Evan del Rosario, a HARO link building expert – make sure to include a few sentences about yourself and how you are uniquely qualified to provide the insights that were requested. If possible, try to add in an anecdote or personal experience related to the topic at hand as well. This will make your response more memorable and stand out from the rest!
Step 6. Follow Up
It’s important to follow up after submitting your pitch to ensure that the media outlet received it. This also shows professionalism and respect, as well as an eagerness to answer their questions. You can do this by sending a brief email or tweet directly to the reporter citing your original pitch – just make sure not to be overly pushy!
Step 7. Manage Your Inbox
The final step in creating successful pitches with HARO is to manage your inbox. As your account grows, so will the amount of queries that you receive. It’s important to stay organized and prioritize responses according to their deadlines as well as relevance to your company. This way, you can ensure that all queries are answered efficiently and within a timely manner – giving you the best chance of being featured in a publication.
HARO Backlinks is an incredibly powerful tool to increase your online presence and SEO ranking, while also providing an opportunity to work with reputable media outlets. With these 7 simple steps, you can easily start creating successful pitches that will help expand the reach of your small business – so what are you waiting for? Get out there and start building those backlinks!