With Connectively's closure, I've focused on leveraging Quora as an alternative for building media connections and gaining exposure. By actively engaging with targeted questions and providing insightful answers, my clients have reached niche audiences effectively. For example, a tech startup I worked with used Quora to establish thought leadership, leading to a 20% increase in qualified leads within three months. Another strategy I recommend is utilizing podcasts as a platform for PR. Through Podcorn, I've coordinated guest appearances for several clients, allowing them to tap into engaged audiences. One client, a B2B service provider, saw a 30% boost in website visits and a noticeable uptick in conversion rates after a series of podcast features. These platforms offer unique, valuable opportunities that can rival traditional PR methods.
With Connectively closing its doors, many of us in the PR and marketing world are looking for new ways to connect with journalists. One strategy I'm excited about is diving into Qwoted. This platform has been gaining traction as a solid alternative, and I've seen some real success stories that make it worth considering. Qwoted stands out because it allows you to pitch directly to journalists, rather than just responding to their queries. This proactive approach gives you more control over how your brand is represented. For example, at our marketing agency, we use Qwoted to share expert insights on a trending topic in digital marketing. We receive quite a number of responses from journalists looking to feature our perspective, which results in several high-profile mentions and backlinks. Another platform that's worth checking out is SourceBottle. It's designed to connect journalists with sources in a straightforward way. A friend of mine, who runs a small business, started using SourceBottle after feeling frustrated with HARO's overwhelming volume of requests. He pitched a case study about his product and received 12 thoughtful responses within a day! This quick turnaround led him to become a regular contributor to several reputable publications, significantly boosting his brand's visibility. While these platforms are fantastic, it's also crucial to focus on building genuine relationships with journalists. Engaging with them on social media, especially Twitter, which can open up opportunities for collaboration. Interacting with journalists regularly on Twitter helps me secure interviews and features that I wouldn't have found through traditional platforms.
As someone who actively used HARO to build our agency's authority and secure valuable backlinks, I'll share how we've successfully pivoted our PR strategy. We've shifted focus to SourceBottle and found unexpected success. Last month, we secured three high-quality media mentions for our web design expertise, including a feature in a prominent digital marketing publication. The key was optimizing our pitch angles to match their more internationally diverse journalist base. Our adapted strategy: Monitor queries daily at specific times Customize responses for each platform's style Focus on unique industry insights Include data from real client results The metrics tell the story: 40% response rate (compared to 25% on HARO) 3 secured features in first month 2 new client relationships from media exposure Don't limit yourself to one platform. We've found success spreading efforts across multiple sources while maintaining quality over quantity in responses. Media relationships built through these new channels often lead to direct outreach opportunities. Professional networking platforms like LinkedIn have also become valuable for connecting with journalists directly, though this requires a more personalized approach.
VP of Demand Generation & Marketing at Thrive Internet Marketing Agency
Answered a year ago
We've found success with Featured.com as our main platform for media opportunities since Connectively's announcement. The platform has helped us secure more relevant opportunities not just for our agency, but for many of our clients looking to build their industry authority. Featured.com has improved our media outreach process and efficiency. While Connectively often meant sorting through numerous unrelated queries, Featured's focused approach means we can provide detailed responses to journalists specifically covering digital marketing topics. This has led to higher-quality placements for both Thrive and our clients. At the same time, we've maintained regular contact with writers who quoted us through HARO, sharing industry insights and updates directly. Building media relationships isn't just about using platforms - it's about consistently providing valuable expertise through whatever channels work best. While Featured.com effectively serves our immediate needs, maintaining direct connections with journalists ensures we have multiple ways to share our insights with relevant audiences. My top tips: Tip 1: When transitioning between media platforms, take time to review your past successful pitches and identify what made them stand out. This helps maintain your response quality regardless of which platform you use. Tip 2: Focus on building a mix of platform-based and direct media relationships rather than relying on a single source for opportunities. This diversity helps ensure consistent coverage even when platforms change.
We're now prioritizing Qwoted as our main media outreach tool while using Source of Sources and Featured for more specialized opportunities. Qwoted has been especially effective because of how well it matches journalists and experts, making it easier to secure high-impact placements that used to be harder to achieve. For instance, through Qwoted, we helped a fintech client connect with a Forbes contributor, which resulted in a feature highlighting their innovative approach to digital payments. Another great success was when one of our healthcare experts was quoted in a CNN article about telehealth trends-an opportunity we found within minutes of it being posted. Qwoted's efficiency and relevancy have made it an essential part of our PR strategy. At the same time, we've been using Source of Sources and Featured to tap into niche opportunities and explore new formats. Featured, for example, recently helped one of our wellness clients land a guest appearance on a popular podcast, which led to a spike in website traffic and more engagement on their social media. Similarly, Source of Sources helped a tech startup client of ours secure a feature on a regional morning show, which significantly boosted their visibility with a local audience. These tools have been great additions to our outreach efforts as we adjust to the changes.
I think the best strategy right now is to focus on building and maintaining direct connections with journalists in your industry. For example, I've built relationships with journalists who have chosen my pitches on HARO, Qwoted, and similar platforms. They often reach out to me when they need insights or resources I can provide, which has been incredibly valuable. It's definitely disappointing to see Connectively shutting down, especially since HARO has been such a reliable tool for over a decade. But if you haven't already started building relationships with journalists, creating media resources, or doing outreach to the press, you're really missing a big opportunity. One of the key aspects of using platforms like HARO effectively is keeping those connections alive even after a successful pitch. I believe this is essential. It's also why we've been featured in outlets like CNN and Yahoo!-we've made it a point to continuously collaborate with the media professionals we've worked with in the past. Maintaining those relationships is what keeps the opportunities coming.
Since Connectively shut down-since it was, anyway, called HARO-we have been focused on various other services to connect with journalists and land media placements, such as Qwoted. The strategy that works is to set up comprehensive expert profiles in advance and also set up alerts when journalists post queries into industries relating to ours, property management in London, Ontario. For example, through Qwoted, we responded to a single reporter's question about the trends in the pricing of rental markets. By providing the data at a local level, with expert opinion, we placed our appearance in a regional outlet. The payoff, in extra company visibility and market credibility, was a number of property owners who called wanting our management services. What worked for Qwoted was the timeliness, specificity, and professionalism of the responses, adding up to the needs of the journalist. To anyone considering other alternatives, my advice would be to create a great profile and approach every query as if it were a pitch-a relevant and high-value response to the journalist. Sites like Qwoted, or even LinkedIn as a means of reaching out directly to the media, can be its worthy alternative if used judiciously.
One strategy we are adapting is continuing to widen our outreach efforts by utilizing multiple HARO alternatives - platforms like Featured, Help a B2B Writer (HAB2BW), and Qwoted. We started this process last April and have since gotten about 109 mentions in a variety of articles. We then set up keyword alerts and track each success rate for each platform via a spreadsheet. Specifically, we have noted 29.5% success from Featured queries, 24.8% from HAB2BW newsletters, and 21% from the Qwoted platform. Recently, we started answering queries found on Peter Shankman's newsletter and wrote a few bylined articles relevant to our niche. Because of this, it diminished the impact of Connectively's impending loss and has enabled us to remain focused at securing more relevant and quality backlinks that serve to increase our site's traffic and brand's visibility. Such strategies also made us more efficient at scraping relevant queries to our niche, which really helps a small business like us make a name for ourselves in the coffee industry.
Professional Roofing Contractor, Owner and General Manager at Modern Exterior
Answered a year ago
Honestly, ever since HARO transitioned to Connectively's platform last year, we've been putting less effort into it. Instead, we've shifted most of our digital PR work to platforms like Featured and Qwoted. It's been a great move for us. Thanks to these platforms, we've gained hundreds of backlinks, improved our domain rating, and seen a noticeable increase in leads and traffic. We've been featured in some really big names in the industry, including USA Today, Homes and Gardens, Fixr, CNN Underscored, Yahoo!, MSN, and Family Handyman. These placements have been incredibly valuable for building credibility and driving results. While both Featured and Qwoted have been great, I'd say Qwoted has a slight edge when it comes to the quality of publications. With Connectively closing, I'd highly recommend giving Qwoted a try. Another platform to watch is Source of Sources. It's growing fast and has a model that's similar to the old HARO. We're planning to revisit it and ramp up our pitching efforts there as well.
I'd say Featured is currently the best alternative to HARO, especially now that Connectively is shutting down. We've tried other platforms like Qwoted and Source of Sources (SOS), but Featured has been the most effective for us. For context, our placement rate with Connectively was around 10%, even lower with Qwoted, and about 15% with SOS. With Featured, we're getting up to a 25% placement rate, which I think is absolutely worth the $50 per month we spend on it. In just five months, we've secured backlinks from major sites like Inc.com, Hubspot, and Entrepreneur. That alone makes it worth the investment! Honestly, I don't think we could've gotten those links from Qwoted, HARO, or anywhere else without spending a lot more money. If you break it down, for $50 a month, we're landing at least 10 links. Sure, not all of them are from big sites, but even if just one major publication features us each month, that's a win. Plus, the DR50+ placements are a great bonus. These links have really helped us boost our website metrics and drive more sales. It's been an incredible ROI for us.
Our law firm found value in Featured and JustReachOut, platforms tailored for small businesses and niche practices. It allows us to connect directly with journalists who cover legal topics, streamlining the outreach process. Using these platform, we shared insights for an article on personal injury claim myths, earning a spot in a regional legal publication. The personalized connection opportunities have proven crucial for maintaining visibility post-HARO.
The way I see it, Connectively's closure pushed us to get creative with how we approach backlinks. At our agency, we decided to turn press releases into a tool for ourselves, not just our clients. We've started sharing milestones, insights, and even new services through well-crafted press releases. It's been a great way to secure placements on respected platforms while keeping our visibility strong. For example, one release highlighting a client's success story landed us features in niche publications and brought in new inquiries. It's been a simple but powerful shift that keeps us building links and staying top of mind. Honestly, press releases have become one of our favorite tools in a post-HARO world.
In light of Connectively's closure, I've adapted by using the power of LinkedIn outreach and marketing automation tools to connect with new media opportunities. One approach I've implemented involves using marketing automation to streamline outreach, allowing a more targeted and efficient connection with potential collaborators. This tactic helped one client in the financial sector increase their email list by 400 emails per month, which subsequently boosted brand visibility and engagement. Additionally, I've successfully used retargeting strategies for clients who previously relied on HARO for media leads. By leveraging retargeting display advertising, we've managed to keep our clients top-of-mind for journalists and influencers who've shown interest in their industry. For instance, a B2B tech client saw a 278% increase in revenue over 12 months by using retargeting combined with a well-crafted PR campaign, demonstrating the potential to replace traditional media connection methods with strategic digital advertising.
I am Cody Jensen, the CEO of Searchbloom, an SEO and PPC marketing firm. With Connectively shutting down, we've shifted to platforms like Featured, a solid alternative for connecting with high-quality media outlets. We've already seen success, like featuring a client in a major business publication. That placement didn't just increase their visibility; it also boosted their SEO with a strong backlink from a high-authority site. Featured stands out because it keeps the pitching process targeted and efficient, and we've found the opportunities there more meaningful. It's been a seamless transition and a reminder to focus on platforms that deliver quality connections over sheer volume.
I turned to using SourceBottle as our main substitute for HARO/Connectively as CEO of an SEO company. SourceBottle's worldwide presence and wide range of media outlets have greatly enhanced our outreach initiatives. One very successful customer in the IT industry obtained a backlink from a high-authority magazine two weeks after SourceBottle was used. Along with raising their domain authority, this generated more organic traffic. We have maximized our outcomes by responding to callouts within the first hour of receiving them. This increases our chances of getting picked. We are also working on shorter, more evidence-based replies to meet the journalist's requirements. A key learning from the post-HARO scenario is the need to respond quickly and specifically on platforms that provide high-quality opportunities and worldwide visibility.
With Connectively closing, I'm adapting by using targeted media monitoring and PR strategies to secure meaningful media coverage. At Harmonic Reach, we use Prowly PR Software for distributing press releases and Brand24 for tracking media mentions, which has proven effective. For instance, one tech startup we worked with saw a 30% increase in media coverage within three months by leveraging these tools, leading to a surge in industry visibility and a 15% boost in sales. Additionally, I'm implementing AI-driven tools like Jasper and ChatGPT to craft compelling headlines for press releases, enhancing engagement rates with journalists. An example from my experience when Grooveshark needed to gain traction in competitive markets involved focusing on headline-driven campaigns, resulting in a significant increase in clicks and media attention. These strategic shifts help replace the gap left by Connectively, ensuring sustained visibility and growth in the industry.
In light of Connectively's closure, we've pivoted to using Featured.com as an alternative for generating media leads. This tool has enabled us to target specific journalists and bloggers covering the project management and SaaS industries. Recently, we leveraged Featured.com to get featured in a prominent article about agile work methodologies, which significantly boosted our brand awareness and provided valuable backlinks to our website. The key to our success with Featured.com has been consistent outreach, focusing on providing unique insights that resonate with journalists' audiences. By crafting tailored responses to each query, we have positioned NimbleWork as a thought leader in the Agile project management space. This approach has helped us secure multiple media placements, driving increased visibility and authority in the market. The results have been measurable, contributing both to brand recognition and website traffic through high-quality backlinks.
At our medical practice, we switched to SourceBottle and discovered it's particularly strong for health-related queries, connecting us with specialized healthcare journalists we weren't reaching before. I've had success focusing on their daily morning bulletins and responding within an hour of receiving alerts, which has already led to two feature articles in medical newsletters.
We are now using Prowly for media outreach post-HARO. The platform's integrated PR management tools allow us to track responses, build media lists, and pitch directly, all from one dashboard. One success story involved a campaign on evolving SEO trends. Prowly's analytics highlighted which journalists engaged with our pitch, enabling a follow-up that landed us coverage in a niche tech blog, boosting organic traffic significantly.
Following the shutdown of Connectively, one feasible tactic would be to switch over to other platforms that connect your media. One such option would be SOS, a new startup founded by Peter Shankman, who invented HARO in the first place. SOS seeks to replicate the member-driven feel of HARO while offering an enhanced experience. Some of the early adopters already claim to have been successful in picking up media placements and connecting with journalists. Another promising alternative is Press Hook, which focuses on connecting PR professionals with journalists in a very targeted manner. Press Hook's CEO, Michelle Songy, emphasizes the importance of creating efficient connections in today's crowded media landscape. The users have reported positive results with the streamlined way in which the platform offers media inquiries, which they say has led to successful collaborations and increased visibility for their brands. Such platforms not only fill the cavity left by Connectively but also provide quite innovative features that answer the changing needs of PR professionals and, hence, make them viable solutions for maintaining effective media relations.