The Dawn of the New HARO
Updated with more info in bold! We didn’t know if this part would make it in time, but it will! Scroll down to the bold part!!
When I first launched HARO on the web in March of 2008, I never ever could have imagined that in under two years, we’d become the de-facto standard for how crowd-sourcing is done. I never imagined over 50,000 journalists would send queries out to over 150,000 sources – that people would wind up in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Oprah, Shark Tank, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, Fortune, Forbes, the NY Daily News… You name it – Almost every media outlet in the country has used HARO – and here’s one of the best parts – 93% of all journalists that have used HARO, come back to use HARO again. We’ve really grown up.
Along the way, I brought on some wonderful brains to help me grow a little more – our Editor-in-Chief, Michael Griffin, his loyal partner in crime Laura Spaventa, and of course, the wonderful Meagan Walker, who offers me read-only access to my calendar, and for good reason. I’m so proud of what we’ve created, that it can only be surpassed by what’s coming next.
On Tuesday morning you’re going to receive the HARO as normal – But we also encourage you to head over to http://helpareporter.com and check out the fundamental changes we’ve made to HARO.
First off, you’ll create a password. This will allow you to do many things – You can determine what emails you want to get – See, on Tuesday, we’ll also be launching “Vertical HAROs” – Every section of the Master HARO you receive today will also be available as an individual list – It’s the number one request we’ve had – “Can I just get the tech queries?” “How about just feeding me lifestyle queries?” Now you can get them. From the feedback we’ve gotten, we know you won’t leave the master HARO list – but rather, will keep the Master HARO to look at when you have time – We know that the beauty of HARO is not only the queries you can answer for clients or your company, but also the ones you can forward to friends, colleagues, family, and the like. And we want you to keep doing that. So you’ll be able to subscribe to the individual HARO emails, as well as the master list.
You’ll also, if you desire, be able to answer queries directly from the website – which, if reporters choose to do, will allow them to rate your pitches – did they like them? What did you miss? How could you have improved your query? We hope this will become a valuable tool in helping you to learn how to pitch reporters.
And get this – Reporters who use us will no longer have to worry about SPAM – EVERY SINGLE QUERY WILL HAVE THE REPORTER EMAIL MASKED!! For reporters, this means that instead of joe@theoprahshow, sources will now send queries to 34531@haro.net, or something similar! AND, even MORE, reporter email addresses will SELF-DESTRUCT as soon as their query deadline is reached! No SPAM! No harvesting emails! We’ve officially created the largest SPAM FREE/HARVEST FREE source repository in the world! CAN I GET A WOOT!!
Best part? Nothing here is mandatory – You can do nothing, and continue to get the Master HARO, three times per day. These are all added features we’re building in, for you.
Finally – Are you, or do you want to be an advertiser? Now, instead of going through me to book an ad, you can sign up, see a specific calendar for your list (want tech only? Master and lifestyle, etc.) and see what’s available, when. Pick a date, choose how many you want (with discounts for multiple buys) and simply enter your credit card. It honestly doesn’t get any easier to reach a large, listening audience, ready to buy! And hey, let’s not forget about targeting! Only want tech sources? Only lifestyle? Done!
One final thing – Every single upgrade we’ve made to HARO has come from you – You told us what you wanted – So we listened.
Check us out on Tuesday morning, January 19th – Let us know what you think – either here, or at http://getsatisfaction.com/HARO – And thank you. We can’t WAIT to share the second phase of our HARO lives with you.
Much love, happiness, and of course, blue skies,
The HARO Team (Peter, Thom, Laura, Meagan, and Mike)
January 15th, 2010 at 3:09 am
Congrats on all the new changes Peter and Team HARO! It looks like it’s going to be a wild new ride and we all love coming along.
January 15th, 2010 at 5:12 am
You’re such a shining example of how attention, professionalism, and good will create valuable working space. I’m so happy to be part of HARO, and hope, one day, to be one of your advertisers as well as an admirer and occasional source.
Well done, everyone!
January 15th, 2010 at 5:15 am
Many congrats to you and your team – HARO comes of age big time! An awesome achievement.
January 15th, 2010 at 5:23 am
Thank you for making something easy in our crazy, busy day.
January 15th, 2010 at 5:45 am
Thanks HARO…got my first feature in a blog about Valentine Gift ideas through you..terrific promotion for my etsy shop! look forward to the new features next week!
January 15th, 2010 at 6:49 am
It amazes how you continually improve on a great business model! Looking forward to the upgrades, Peter!
January 15th, 2010 at 8:01 am
Way to go Peter !!!!
Congratulations from your # 1 Canadian fan !!!!!
I can’t wait till Tuesday !!!
Nelson Hudes
January 15th, 2010 at 8:13 am
I can still remember the exact MOMENT when a colleague told me about HARO. It literally changed the way I do business and has increased my boutique PR firm business tenfold. Lord knows what it will do for me now! Thank you!
January 15th, 2010 at 8:18 am
As always Peter You Rock! I love that fact that you listened to the people who use this fantastic source. And when it was right you implemented the changes.
Bring on Tuesday.
Learning…Enjoying…Sharing
David Slocombe
January 15th, 2010 at 8:47 am
Peter & Team!
I am so excited about the new features. I am consistently & constantly amazed by your ability to anticipate the next level and get there before everyone else!
Peter, while you are obviously brilliant, you are even smarter for surrounding yourself with such an incredible group of people. As always, that is the mark of a true professional & leader.
Waiting on bated breath…
Jill
January 15th, 2010 at 8:53 am
Wow! Tuesday can’t come fast enough! I love the pitch rating feature. Congratulations on all your success!
January 15th, 2010 at 9:05 am
Congrats Peter! This is awesome news.
January 15th, 2010 at 9:24 am
Peter,
I am looking forward to Tuesday, but I think HARO is a great product as is. I can’t believe the number of times I’ve had a positive result using HARO — not just for my work, but for myself and for friends, as well. It’s truly amazing!
January 15th, 2010 at 9:30 am
SO excited for the site. HARO is really a great support system for media execs and indie business owners. Our grassroots clients have a very small budget so this is an excellent resource for us. Thanks to the Shank!!!
January 15th, 2010 at 9:31 am
Peter ~ It’s been a joy and a thrill watching you grow HARO from the March of 2008 when I joined to today! Every entrepreneur’s dream has been fulfilled in front of our very eyes. It’s all about good KARMA (and I am not just talkin’ cat talk!).
Thank you for all you do to unite other entrepreneurs and assist us with fulfilling our dreams.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:03 am
You practice exactly what you preach. Listen to what people want and then do it! Thank you for being an amazing teacher. I am always learning from you.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:08 am
Pure awesomeness. Great job!
January 15th, 2010 at 10:14 am
HARO is incredible! I’m a New York/Los Angeles based professional comedian. Thanks to HARO, my story of going from Intel to stand up comedy (who was nervous about speaking onstage as an Intel demo engineer for Andy Grove and took a comedy class to get over the fear of speaking) has been featured in Reader’s Digest (a full two pages including full-page photo), Crain’s Business Journal, the New York Post, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and many other publications!
A prominent financier read about me in the Crain’s Business Journal article and hired me to perform at a function in Palm Beach, Florida, where Donald Trump actually showed up and watched my act!
So HARO is the greatest, onwards and upwards!!!
Hey Peter, ever thought about charging a small fee for HARO? You could make a killing! :)
January 15th, 2010 at 10:29 am
Kudos Pete! Really looking forward to your new flight!!
January 15th, 2010 at 10:30 am
Looking forward to only getting a category subset of queries. One item we’d like to see is ability to receive queries for media or stories that will appear in a certain state or region. For example, we’d be interested in pitching writers targeting a story for the California media.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:31 am
[...] A Reporter Out) announced today that the service will become a little more personalized next week. In a blog post, Shankman reported that on Tuesday, HARO will begin offering users new ways to access the site, and [...]
January 15th, 2010 at 10:35 am
Peter and the HARO team, congratulations! This is very exciting news all around.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:55 am
Mazel Tov! This is great news!
PS Nelson, I’m the #1 Canadian fan…Aw OK you’ll be #1 male fan :)
Peter, you have surrounded yourself with great staff , no doubt and thank you to Meagan Walker for being such a sweetheart :)
January 15th, 2010 at 11:11 am
Peter and gang,
Bravo, can’t wait til Tuesday but it all sounds brilliant, efficient, and just what your market has asked for–what a concept! Thank you for creating a positive space within a very competitive arena. Not to mention you make it fun and keep it interesting.
Roll on Tuesday.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:21 am
Congratulations! We’ve been fans of HARO since its inception. You do a great job so we can too.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Peter-
All great improvments to an already great service. I never cease to be amazed at your ingenuity and business saavy. I know you are doing excessively well on the business side of HARO, and these changes will only improve that. When the new site launches I hope you will continue to remind subcribers that yes, indeed, this fabulous service is FREE! But for those of so inclined to depart with our hard-earned cash, you encourage donations to two incredibly deserving non-profits.
KEEP UP THE GOOD KARMA!!!
Thanks, and best wishes for a great launch on Tuesday.
-Carrie
January 15th, 2010 at 11:28 am
Peter and Crew-If I have to profess “Religion” on the Census form, I’ll check Other and write in HARO. Your service has allowed me to place wonderful stories for clients, share queries with colleagues, friends, family, and people who are acquaintances and with whom I just want to share the bounty of HARO.
Thank you for leading the way with how to do great work, be civil, be professional and to lift each other up.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:30 am
Peter, you have made such an impact on the industry, and I can’t tell you how much it is appreciated. Very, very well done.
Ever consider putting together a team of ambassadors in major cities to grow the local use of it and encourage media in their cities to participate more heavily? If so, and you want someone in Phoenix, sign me up! LOVE IT. Thank you a thousand fold.
Can’t wait to see the new interface! Rating the pitches as a learning tool is brilliant. An easy way for reporters to encourage getting what they want and reduce garbage that isn’t relevent and reflects poorly on agencies as a whole. That is, assuming people are smart enough to listen and follow the advice! Bring it on.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:39 am
You have to love HARO! They were already the best at what they’re doing, but of course, that wasn’t enough. A better HARO…it’s almost unimaginable…Thank you HARO for all of your hard work.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:51 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Peter Shankman, Gregg Morris, Brent Nau, Wayne Liew, Amy Patti and others. Amy Patti said: RT @skydiver: The new HARO launches on Tuesday. It's gonna be TIGHT. Sneak Preview here: http://is.gd/6jpnQ [...]
January 15th, 2010 at 11:59 am
This is great news, Peter and team. Thank you so much for all that you do! We appreciate it.
@juliebonnheath
January 15th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
These are some really bad ideas and HARO is the king of all bad ideas. Just kidding. There is such a love fest going on in all the comments, I didn’t want you to get a big head. Seriously though, congratulations on how you’ve evolved HARO. It is a great service. My only request would be to archive advertisers in some sort of database. I don’t always need their service right away, but it would be nice to be able to quickly find them when I do need their service, without having to search through a ton of old emails. Thanks.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:06 pm
I love your big mission. Horo is one of the top resources/models for my Group Collaboration online training and membership site. Way to go!
January 15th, 2010 at 12:13 pm
Peter and Crew, you have made a molehill out of a mountain.
Your streamlining of the process, tongue-in-cheek headlines that remind me you’re there, and fount of inquiries is like PRWeb in reverse: Disintermediation at its best. Direct-to-the-media doesn’t get any better than this.
And it works. I have used HARO for both inquiries and response. Incredible response (28 professional, bona fide responses to my first query). And phenomenal selection of topics and reporters to work with as well.
Keep it going. Real-time media is your domain.
Best in 2010,
Mark Alan Effinger
Chief Evangelist
http://www.RichContent.com
January 15th, 2010 at 12:55 pm
I am looking forward to Tuesday with excitement. Caught your interview on http://www.socialmediaexaminer.....a-network/
Nice interview–Nice media tool–Keep up the great work. I remain a fan.
January 15th, 2010 at 12:57 pm
AWESOME! Congrats to you and everyone at HARO!
You are a huge inspiration, and inspired me to get moving last January, and we are growing in our own way as well!
Thank you for all you do for everyone Peter!
HARO Rocks! :)
January 15th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Congrats on the upgrades, and for listening to those who use your services!
woot woot
January 15th, 2010 at 12:59 pm
Right on HARO team, right on.
January 15th, 2010 at 1:03 pm
Thanks for changing our lives. We use HARO for sourcing, pitching clients and we have convinced our biggest client to advertise.
Perfect product!
January 15th, 2010 at 1:13 pm
Congrats on the new changes! You continue to be a great model for all of us in terms of content, customer service and continuously evolving to meet the needs of your clientele.
- Derek Beckwith
Beckwith PR Group
January 15th, 2010 at 1:15 pm
Congratualtions on your evolving site! Thanks to HARO, Nicole-Leigh flip flops have been featured in luxuryspot.com and blissfullydomestic.com.I am always referring friends to HARO. Thank you!
January 15th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Peter,
Look forward to the new HARO and participate in it.
- Adwait
January 15th, 2010 at 2:06 pm
HARO has helped me out many times – the service absolutely ROCKS. So happy to see you doing this the right way and letting it grow just like it was meant to. Looking forward to seeing the NEW HARO.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Sweet!
January 15th, 2010 at 2:18 pm
I’m a 14-year-old entrepreneur, creator of Pencil Bugs, and because of your HARO list, I’ve been able to get more media attention and find out about new opportunities. I hope my business explodes like your has.
Thanks!
January 15th, 2010 at 2:43 pm
All I can say is WOW. You continue to WOW me. Cant wait for tuesday.
I think you have to start thinking about that Moon flight!–
January 15th, 2010 at 2:49 pm
By the way, does anyone else feel the need for a support group for those who are addicted to HARO? Do you plan your day around 5:50, AM 12:55 PM and 5:52 PM?
Have you ever delayed going to the bathroom because you saw HARO come in on your e-mail?
HARO-Anon, anyone?
In any case, thank you so much Peter for obviating the need for a high-priced publicist… I can pay a publicist $2000 a month to do nothing, or I can use HARO for free!!! Here is a perfect example of the leveling of the playing field and the elimination of the middleman, thanks to the Internet!
January 15th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Peter,
While I thought HARO couldn’t get any better, the changes you’re about to make sound incredible! Thanks for being such an great example of listening to what your subscribers need, then acting on it. That’s what true leaders are all about!
Congrats on what I know will be another huge success for you.
Wishing you, the HARO family, the journalists and experts all the best,
Debi Silber, MS, RD, WHC “The Mojo Coach”
January 15th, 2010 at 3:10 pm
HARO is my new best friend! I launched my lunch box business only last month, and the interest in my company from the HARO journalists I have contacted is truly fantastic! Thank you Peter for this remarkable program your obvious care and passion for what you do. So appreciated!
And to Dan Nainan above – My name is Kelly and I’m a HAROaholic.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:21 pm
While I appreciate the protection afforded to people asking questions (which I’ve done happily and successfully), it bothers me that there’s no consideration given to sources (which I’ve also done with good results). Often, we’re asked to throw ideas into a dark hole, with no idea if the alleged author has received it, cares, will make money writing about the idea, or will steal the idea to launch a business (i.e., “tell me how you raise money fast for small businesses – anonymous”).
The burden and the risk are all on the shoulders of the people trying too help, which seems like the wrong direction, given who gets the benefits.
January 15th, 2010 at 3:28 pm
Peter,
Nothing you do surprises me any more. You make this old pro proud!
Bravo from Mr. Mentor
January 15th, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Congrats to you and your team, Peter! Can I be you when I grow up?
January 15th, 2010 at 4:37 pm
The new changes look exciting! Looking forward to Tuesday…
Thanks for this awesome resource!
January 15th, 2010 at 5:05 pm
Oh, NICE!!!!!!
No more spammy spam. No more pitches about lawn mower tools when you were looking for relationship experts. As a journo, I think it’s a great move and look forward to the new, improve HARO :) Love it.
January 15th, 2010 at 5:37 pm
Awesome, Peter. I’m excited to do a “review” of the NEW HARO this week on the show. And that is great news going anonymous for us journalists. No more random press releases making me what to shoot myself. Hug!
January 15th, 2010 at 5:38 pm
Awesome, Peter. I’m excited to do a “review” of the NEW HARO this week on the show. And that is great news going anonymous for us journalists. No more random press releases making me what to shoot myself. Hug!
January 15th, 2010 at 5:59 pm
Hot diggity dog. This just got even *more* useful for me.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:05 pm
Eeeee! Girlie squeal!
January 15th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
Thanks for all of the hard work to the team. You make everything look so smooth and easy, but we all know that this service takes a lot of time and effort.
I’m not a PR professional … just someone trying my best to promote my company. I’ve learned a lot from HARO and know I’ll learn more with the NEW HARO format, since my real focus is B2B.
Thanks again and Peter, you’ve got to go somewhere fantastic will all of those Frequent Flyer miles you’ve earned. We all should give you some suggestions about the great places to consider for your next vacation that we’ve been fortunate to experience. Entrepreneurs need to vacation too!
January 15th, 2010 at 6:12 pm
What amazing improvements to an already incredible service! As a small business owner, HARO has become my PR firm and has been so amazingly helpful. Big thanks to you and all of your team!
January 15th, 2010 at 6:34 pm
You are the champion! It’s Karma, chameleon! Believe it or not, against all odds, you are up where you belong! Enjoy the celebration of your sweet dreams, and all of the seasons in the sun to come! Don’t stop believing – and keep HARO free, bird! You’ll be flying like an eagle! Tuesday’s gonna be a ballroom blitz! Who says you can’t always get what you want? {Looking forward to your return visit to Omaha later this month! Congrats on your continued success, Peter!}
January 15th, 2010 at 6:43 pm
Fantastic! Love this service. Love your creativity. Delighted with the upcoming changes. Thanks, Peter and kudos to all the rest of the team.
January 15th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
As your parents, we know how terrific you are, but we still want to say congratulations on this next exciting chapter of HARO!
Love,
Mom and Dad
January 15th, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Peter,
Congratulations!!!!! Your success is everyone’s success. Thanks for sharing!!!
Dara Blaker
January 15th, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Hats off to you and your team, Peter.
Congratulations on your well-deserved success. Thank you for making it possible for all of us to be a source. :D
Heather Allard
p.s. That is *the sweetest* that your mom & dad commented. Love it.
January 15th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
LOVE IT!
January 15th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
Per your request………w00t!
Congratulations on entering the next chapter for HARO!
January 15th, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Hey Peter, you got my WOOT! Thank so very much for your hard work!!!
I love getting your emails and can’t wait for HARO.2010 :D
Ariane
January 15th, 2010 at 10:45 pm
OK, you asked for it, and of all the wonderful comments above, I think I am the first to give you that WOOT!! Well-deserved! I’m never sure whether to smile or yawn when I see that first morning HARO coming in … since I am on the West coast, and often still up!
January 15th, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Looking forward to the new site Peter. Thanks. Keep em coming.
January 15th, 2010 at 11:29 pm
Peter and Team–You all have done an awesome job for a long time, keeping it interesting, informative and spirited. Now it’s getting better. Good luck with the new HARO.
Jack Goldenberg
January 15th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Customer-driven feature development! My favorite is the vertical subscriptions. Looks like there is everything to love about the new HARO. Looking forward to Tuesday. Congratulations on your success and remember while you have an amazing team now it all started with you.
-C
January 16th, 2010 at 12:13 am
Can’t wait for the next generation of HARO. Love the pitch rate system. Congrats on a great product!
January 16th, 2010 at 9:04 am
Bravo from your always proud parents! You are our inspiration!
January 16th, 2010 at 9:12 am
A great idea originally, about to become a sizzling pan of perfection!
I must thank you for such a great service contribution to the exchange of valid information.
Best wishes
Live Long and Prosper
Roger Ellman
January 16th, 2010 at 11:16 am
Peter—You are to be commended; using HARO, I’ve touched sources and writers I could never have achieved, otherwise. You must be proud of your accomplishments, but let me share something with you—coming from someone who no longer has a Mom and Dad, the note signed “Mom and Dad” on the comments page should be considered one of the most special comments you’ve received. Value and cherish it among all others.
alan
January 16th, 2010 at 11:24 am
[...] first reported the news in October, but now it’s official: changes to the popular match journalists with sources service Help A Reporter Out (HARO) are [...]
January 16th, 2010 at 11:05 pm
WOOT!
January 17th, 2010 at 6:16 am
Peter,
Wow! You told me that some of what we discussed what going to come soon but this BLOWS IT ALL AWAY!
Amazing work. You truly deserve all the success you have!
January 17th, 2010 at 10:25 pm
Way to go, team HARO! Huge W00t congrats to all of you, and to Peter a special ‘thank you’ for following your passions, embracing your personality, and listening to your users. Nicely done, and I love that your folks call you their ‘inspiration.’ That has to be the biggest ‘W00t’ of them all!
January 18th, 2010 at 12:19 pm
New to the HARO community… what a great service.
Looking forward to all the new functions rollin’ out tomorrow.
January 19th, 2010 at 9:33 am
Great job, Peter! Clearly you and your people understand your market and are willing to make changes to satisfy said market. Do realize how unusual that is?
This is why people love you! Best of luck – the sky’s the limit!
January 21st, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Wonderful! I have used HARO several times, and have been quiet happy with the outcome. Easy to use, quick, and an excellent way to connect people.
Thanks
January 31st, 2010 at 4:38 am
Thanks Peter…
It’s amazing the number of radio shows, blogs, magazines, etc. I’ve been on or quoted in or had my articles published since I found HARO in 2008.
Maria Marsala
Business Coach
http://www.ElevatingYourBusiness.com
February 3rd, 2010 at 1:14 pm
HARO has guaranteed I will have the sources I need on virtually any topic. Thanks!
March 15th, 2010 at 8:55 am
Thank you so much HARO… a friend in New York City referred me to HARO many months ago after I published a book of daily affirmations for single mothers, and your service has enabled me to be interviewed on radio numerous times to help promote “Everyday Single Mom.” Also, it’s expanded my ability reach media leads I wouldn’t have known about any other way. HARO is truly excellent, exceptional and extraordinary… and I recommend it to others often!
Blessings for continued success!
Brian K. Shell
March 17th, 2010 at 11:42 am
It was great meeting YOU Peter at South by South West!! I meant it when I said HARO gave me a whole new branch of my business interviewing two time Oprah guests, national charity directors, three time best selling authors with the help of an Emmy Award Winning film maker for my documentary, “Live Your Peace”.
March 25th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
This is a wonderful service, extremely helpful. Thank you, Peter!
April 15th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
From a Canadian editor to Peter,
Keep up the excellence, my good man.
Lp