I identify new earned media opportunities by combining proactive relationship-building with the strategic use of modern tools. However, platforms like Featured.com and Qwoted have become essential for connecting with journalists actively seeking sources. For example, I recently used Qwoted to secure an interview opportunity for a client in the sustainable packaging industry, which resulted in a mention in a Fast Company article. Additionally, Prowly's spokesperson marketing tools have been instrumental in positioning clients as go-to experts. By creating detailed, media-friendly profiles for clients, I've generated interest from journalists looking for authoritative voices in areas like packaging and energy. Outside of these tools, I lean heavily on relationships I've built over time. For instance, attending industry events like Pack Expo allows me to connect with reporters directly, often leading to immediate opportunities. At the last event, I coordinated interviews with trade journalists following a client's presentation on sustainable materials, which led to coverage in Plastics News. These efforts combine technology and personal outreach to ensure coverage is achieved and aligned with the client's strategic goals.
Since HARO's closure, media relations professionals have found success with several direct outreach methods. NewsGrab has proven valuable for our team, generating 12 media placements in the past quarter through its journalist-PR matching system. Building relationships with journalists on social media, particularly LinkedIn and Twitter, has also yielded strong results. PR professional Sarah Chen reports securing three feature stories in industry publications by engaging meaningfully with reporters' posts and sharing relevant expertise. Media monitoring tools, like Muck Rack, alert you when journalists write stories in your industry. Our agency tracks 15 key reporters monthly and successfully pitched eight stories into publication last quarter. Other sources include joining industry-specific Slack communities where journalists seek sources. The HR Technology Slack channel connected us to three trade publication writers who were looking for expert commentary. Pitchbox is different from other media databases because it gives you contact details with rich relationship tracking capabilities. Teams that use Pitchbox report a 30% higher response rate when compared to cold outreach. Quoted allows you to show off your knowledge and get contacted directly by journalists; we've used proactive profile management and swift responses to media queries for coverage in business publications. These require effort, but the outcome is always valid. Remember to customize every pitch and build actual relationships with media contacts.
Identifying media opportunities and securing coverage is crucial, especially now that HARO has shut down. As the CMO of a marketing agency, I've navigated this landscape and found some effective alternatives that can help you keep your media game strong. First up, SourceBottle is a fantastic tool, particularly if you're targeting Australia and New Zealand. It sends daily emails with media opportunities tailored to your industry. I tried it for a client in the health sector, and within just a day, they secured a feature in a major health magazine. The key here is its regional filtering, allowing you to hone in on what's most relevant. Another great option is ProfNet, which connects you with journalists looking for expert insights. It's less crowded than HARO, which means higher quality opportunities. For example, one of my clients in tech got quoted in a prominent industry report simply by sharing their expertise on emerging technologies. Then there's Featured (formerly Terkel), which operates similarly to HARO but with a twist. You can answer questions posed by journalists to get featured in articles. The platform boasts impressive conversion rates, making it worth considering. Lastly, don't underestimate the power of direct contributions. Building relationships with journalists can lead to ongoing opportunities. I often advise clients to search for "become a contributor + [your industry]" to find publications that welcome expert insights. One of our clients reached out directly to a popular blog and became a regular contributor, significantly boosting their visibility.
Director, Marketing and Performance at Soda PDF ( Owned By Avanquest Software )
Answered a year ago
Well, since HARO's changes, finding earned media opportunities takes a bit more digging. First, I actively monitor industry-specific hashtags on social media, especially Twitter and LinkedIn, to see what journalists are discussing. Then, I use Google Alerts to track keywords related to my niche and potential media outlets. I have also had success in reaching out to journalists directly on LinkedIn and building actual relationships with them. For instance, I was recently able to secure coverage in one of the leading industry publications simply by catching a journalist's call for sources on LinkedIn and then messaging them directly with a relevant pitch. It turned out to be a great article feature and really boosted traffic to the website.
Hello there! My name is Nikola Baldikov. I'm an SEO and digital marketing expert and the founder of InBound Blogging-a company offering actionable advice on how to improve website visibility and earn income from blogging. I am a contributing author at Entrepreneur.com. Also, my insights have been featured on TheDrum.com, ContentMarketingInstitute.com, Business.com and TechnologyAdvice.com. I believe I have the expertise to answer your questions. Connectively was one of the main platforms I used for media coverage. More than half of all pitches I sent this year were to journalist requests from Connectively. So its closing announcement was certainly disruptive to my work. Fortunately, there are alternatives to turn to. Help a B2B Writer has been my next most-used platform. In terms of the range of business topics, I've secured niche media coverage through that platform. Also, I like that I receive the emails with questions directly to my inbox, since Connectively didn't have this option and I had to filter the opportunities manually. Then there is Featured, which actually gives me the best success rate-around 42%. The only issue with that platform is that it lacks practical filtering options; at the very least, I would love to see a filter by category. Plus, the platform is relatively new, and it might not have the same level of trust as some of its established competitors. Lastly, there's Qwoted, which I see as the closest alternative to Connectively. It's an excellent choice for professionals seeking exposure in major publications. Through Qwoted, I've secured mentions in outlets like HubSpot, Content Marketing Institute, Forbes, CMSWire, and The Drum. While the success rate is lower compared to some other platforms, I believe the payoff in terms of visibility and credibility is more significant. Moving forward, I plan to double down on what's already working. I'm also keeping an eye out for any new platforms that might emerge as alternatives, and I'm open to exploring those as well. That being said, we are currently testing Editorielle; however, for the past two months I received only two requests that were relevant to my niche. I hope that helps! Please let me know if you have any further questions. Cheers, Nikola Baldikov Website: https://inboundblogging.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikola-baldikov-7215a417/ Headshot: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DiSZ3Eh4eXTZVHrEWAWHm4RReQRbqJCa/view Email: nikola@inboundblogging.net
Through reddit. I am active on Reddit and comment on posts where people are looking for insights on SEO. I get DMs from journalists who ask me if I would like to be interviewed under my real name for their piece and offer to give me a backlink if I provide more insights on the topic. It is not as effective as HARO, but it works. On Reddit, when journalists post media requests as posts, it is considered low-quality content and the mods often ignore it. So, they ask questions and if your answer is good enough, they reach out privately with an interview request. I recently secured a high-quality link from a website with a DR of 91 from Reddit.
Hi, I'm Simon Elliott, Founder & Operations Director of CLIFTON, a leading U.S-based custom clothing brand. I'd be delighted to share my perspective on your query. With the closure of HARO/Connectively, identifying and securing earned media opportunities has become more challenging, particularly for niche industries like fashion. At CLIFTON, a custom clothing brand I lead, HARO was instrumental in securing coverage across lifestyle, fashion, and business media, allowing me to write personalized pitches myself while targeting diverse queries. Since HARO's shutdown, we've explored Qwoted and Featured as alternatives. Here's our experience: - Qwoted: While offering strong opportunities, the high monthly fees necessitated hiring a PR professional to pitch on my behalf. This shifted the dynamic, as I valued personally crafting responses to align with CLIFTON's voice and core values. - Featured: Unfortunately, the platform lacks sufficient queries for industries like fashion, focusing predominantly on Business, AI, and Entrepreneurship. For brands outside these sectors, its utility remains limited. During HARO, I was consistently securing 5-7 earned media placements per month, thanks to the diversity and accessibility of queries across various niches. Since its closure, I've had to rely on only 1-2 media links per month through platforms like Qwoted, reflecting both the cost barriers and reduced opportunities for fashion-specific coverage. Despite these challenges, we secured media placements through Qwoted, including coverage on topics like textile sustainability and slow fashion, aligning with CLIFTON's emphasis on quality and craftsmanship. However, these results came at a higher operational cost compared to the accessible and self-driven model HARO previously offered. If you're exploring alternatives, this shift highlights the importance of balancing accessibility, affordability, and industry-specific opportunities for brands seeking earned media. Let me know if you'd like further insights or specific examples of coverage we've achieved post-HARO. Best, Simon Elliott Founder & Operations Director, CLIFTON Website: https://www.cliftonclothing.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simontelliott/ Email: simontelliott73@gmail.com
The one strategy we're focusing on is using trend-monitoring tools. We use Google Trends, BuzzSumo, and social media listening tools to keep up with what's happening in the health and wellness industry. This gives us the opportunity to pitch stories that are timely and relevant. For example, a recent surge in searches for "gut health" inspired us to write a new blog on the link between Candida overgrowth and indigestion. We then pitched this to corresponding health and wellness magazines, landing a featured article on a popular website. By coordinating our posts with the current trends, we can provide valuable tips to the media and garner media coverage for The Candida Diet. HARO was an excellent platform, but we have adopted great alternatives like Profnet and Prezly. These sites link journalists to sources - just like HARO - but with larger journalist networks and niches. For instance, Profnet enables us to narrow down our pitches to journalists who write about health and wellness. This targeted style makes our pitches more likely to resonate with journalists seeking in-depth insight in our subject area. We've already had some success with Profnet - including a recent interview for a health magazine about the upsides of an anti-Candida diet.
Top HARO Alternatives for Earned Media Opportunities Peter Shankman is back in business! The original creator of HARO (Help a Reporter Out) has launched a new, totally free platform called Source of Sources (SOS). As a podcast host and producer back in the day, HARO was my go-to spot for discovering incredible guests, including celebrities. When Peter sold HARO, the quality and accessibility took a hit, and losing a resource like that was a real blow for smaller productions like mine. Thankfully, with a little sleuthing (and some help from ChatGPT), I found SOS. It's free, easy to use, and has already breathed new life into my guest search process! Plus, as an expert in sustainable agriculture and food security, I can also respond to media queries, keeping my name in the mix and building valuable media relationships. I've also started testing out other HARO alternatives. One standout is Featured.com, which lets you answer three media queries for free each month before needing to upgrade. My first month, I answered all three-and so far, two have been published! That's a huge boost to my credentials and voice in the marketplace. Then there's Qwoted.com, which has been...interesting. One query asked whether using chicken manure as fertilizer could spread bird flu. Now, as a farmer and farmer's daughter, I've gotten my hands into worse things than chicken manure and probably eaten a few hundred pounds of dirt in my lifetime, so let's just say I'm not exactly squeamish. In fact, I've got bags of certified chicken manure sitting in my storage shed right now, and I'm not at all worried about them hatching a pandemic. But instead of flying the coop or getting myself into a flap over the topic, I decided not to respond. Why? Because the internet loves to troll, and I'd rather not be the one squawking on social media about the finer points of poultry poop. Still, the query gave me a good laugh and reminded me that both myself and Qwoted have quirks-but I'm optimistic I'll find my perfect match soon! The takeaway? There's life beyond HARO! Whether you're seeking sources or looking to establish yourself as an expert, SOS, Featured.com, and Qwoted.com are fantastic options to explore. Siobhan Shaw is the co-founder and catalyst behind the sustainable farming and gardening nonprofit GrowingtoGive.org, an advocate for women in agriculture, and the host and co-producer of "Real Talk," a Feel Good Share Good community health and wellbeing show.
I identify new earned media opportunities by actively participating in industry networking events and maintaining relationships with content makers and bloggers in my niche. A strong professional network often leads to direct media inquiries or referrals. For example, I collaborated with a YouTuber by creating content around the topic of DIY home studio sound insulation. I created a long form article for my website and they produced a YouTube video version on their channel. This brought traffic exchanges which helped with exposure for both of us, as well as improvement in ranking for our respective content. It also increased trust for each other's brands.
I use ChatGPT to search for and create lists of podcasts in a niche. First I ask for a short list of 10 - then I check them and refine the prompt to dive deeper seeking podcasts who have already featured certain topics, speakers or cover themes/geographies we want.
In the quest for a viable alternative to HARO, one standout option I've recently discovered is the use of dedicated Slack communities like Superpath. Their resource, Help A B2B Writer, has proven to be one of the highest-quality alternatives I've encountered this year. Additionally, some established Digital PR agencies are leveraging their own journalist databases to launch independent platforms. A prominent example is Fery Kaszoni of Search Intelligence, who is set to debut a direct competitor to HARO in February 2025. I've already signed up for early access to the platform, as their impressive case studies highlight the potential to connect with journalists without the hefty price tag of having to use premium tools like Roxhill Media.
Identifying new earned media opportunities and securing coverage requires adaptability and a proactive approach, especially with HARO/Connectively shutting down. One of my go-to platforms now is Featured.com, which simplifies the process of connecting with journalists and securing quality coverage. It's been a reliable alternative, helping me maintain a steady pipeline of media opportunities. For example, while working with a tech startup, I used Featured.com to pitch their innovative take on AI in customer support to a leading tech publication. The platform allowed me to match their story to the right journalists quickly, and within weeks, they were featured in an article that brought in a 300% increase in referral traffic and positioned them as a thought leader in their space. Alongside Featured.com, I've also had success with Qwoted and direct LinkedIn outreach. For an eco-friendly eCommerce client, I connected with a journalist on LinkedIn covering sustainability and pitched a piece about the client's innovative biodegradable packaging. The result was a feature in a niche industry blog, which doubled their organic traffic within two months and strengthened their SEO authority. The key to success in earned media is delivering value with every pitch. Whether it's through Featured.com, Qwoted, or direct outreach, I always tailor pitches to the outlet's audience and ensure they address timely, relevant topics. For example, the AI startup pitch wasn't just about their product-it tied into broader industry trends that made the story more compelling. The shutdown of HARO is a reminder that earned media is constantly evolving, but it's also an opportunity to explore better tools and approaches. Platforms like Featured.com, paired with personal outreach strategies, allow for more targeted and impactful media connections. At the end of the day, securing coverage isn't just about the tools-it's about creating stories that matter and aligning them with the right platforms to generate meaningful results.
Featured We've been testing Featured for a month and already achieved significant results: 9 backlinks built, 8 in review, 1 bylined article, and 1 interview in review. The yearly business plan is surprisingly accessible and offers robust features compared to pricier competitors. Featured automates journalist connections, streamlining the process, though it doesn't allow direct messaging with reporters. Still, its platform design prioritizes simplicity and speed, which has made it easy to scale outreach quick. Source of Sources (SoS) SoS offers a familiar HARO-style experience with daily email queries covering diverse topics. While it's free, the email-only format means you won't know if your pitch is read unless you get a response. That said, with consistent effort, SoS can yield results across industries. For instance, responding to multiple queries daily has led to some solid placements. Its zero-cost model makes it an excellent resource for smaller businesses or those just starting out, but its lack of tracking features can be limiting. Qwoted Qwoted brings a polished, interactive platform that lets you directly message reporters, ask for clarifications, attach files, and track progress. It offers a mix of free and premium opportunities, and the ability to send longer, more personalized responses adds flexibility. Our Strategic Pete team found Qwoted to be effective, securing 7 media coverages out of 70 pitches submitted, with a great media response rate and 16 solid connections. The interface and interactive options set Qwoted apart, though the free plan offers limited submissions compared to Featured's cost-effective business model. SourceBottle SourceBottle is another free tool, but it comes with limitations. Its interface feels dated, and there's no way to track responses unless the journalist contacts you. It's prone to unreliable sources, as we experienced when a scheduled media call resulted in a no-show. However, SourceBottle can uncover unique opportunities, such as webinars and event collaborations. For example, we secured a webinar presentation slot for Bx Team next year. Feel free to reach out for screenshots, examples and more specific features we liked about these tools.
To identify new earned media opportunities post-HARO, the key is to diversify outreach efforts while leaning into tools and strategies that provide targeted journalist connections and industry relevance. At Centime, we've shifted focus to platforms like Qwoted and Featured, which offer direct access to journalist requests in niche markets like fintech. These platforms not only replicate HARO's functionality but often provide more precise filtering options, making it easier to identify relevant queries. For example, using Qwoted, we secured coverage in a B2B payments publication by responding to a journalist's request for cash flow management insights, which drove measurable traffic back to our site. Beyond these platforms, leveraging social media, particularly LinkedIn, has proven effective. We track relevant hashtags like #journorequest and build relationships with journalists in our industry by engaging with their posts and sharing valuable insights. For instance, by directly pitching to a journalist we connected with on LinkedIn, we landed a feature in a leading accounting blog discussing AP automation trends, resulting in a 12% increase in referral traffic over a month. The strategy now focuses on combining alternative platforms with proactive, relationship-driven approaches to earned media, ensuring consistent coverage even in a post-HARO landscape.
Our most effective earned media strategy involves direct outreach to niche industry publications. Instead of relying on platforms like HARO, we create targeted content packages for local business journals and tech publications. For example, we secured coverage in three major GTA business magazines by packaging our client success stories with actionable insights. A case study about increasing an immigration firm's leads by 437% turned into a featured article about digital transformation for traditional businesses. Key approaches that work: Building relationships with local business reporters Creating data-driven story angles from client results Participating actively in industry LinkedIn groups Offering expert commentary on trending topics Leveraging existing client networks for introductions The results speak volumes - this approach generated 12 media mentions in the past year, driving qualified leads and establishing our authority in the web development space.
I've developed a systematic approach to Featured.com that has transformed it into my favorite HARO alternative. As a daily user spending at least an hour responding to queries, I've learned that thoughtful, detailed responses within the deadline consistently outperform rushed early submissions. This methodical approach while building my social media marketing blog has proven far more effective than racing to be first. The platform's robust matching system regularly connects me with relevant opportunities that align with my expertise in social media and golf content creation. I dedicate focused time each day to craft thorough, well-researched responses that draw from my actual experiences managing multiple successful online platforms. A standout success came through a Featured opportunity with a major tech publication. My in-depth response about scaling social media engagement across different platforms, backed by real metrics from my accounts, led to a featured quote and valuable backlink. This single placement drove over 2,000 referral visits to my blog. The key to success on Featured isn't speed - it's quality and relevance. By dedicating an hour daily to writing detailed, experience-based responses that meet (not beat) deadlines, I've maintained a strong acceptance rate that makes the platform's investment worthwhile.
We've been testing HARO alternatives since early this year, and honestly, some have outperformed it. For a small agency like ours, earned media isn't just a nice-to-have-it's what builds trust and credibility. Recently Help a B2B Writer landed us on Yahoo Finance: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/don-t-pay-bills-days-200020532.html That single placement gave us solid visibility, a high-value backlink, and real credibility. What I love about B2B Writer is that the requests are clean, targeted, and-unlike Cision-not buried under a pile of commercial fluff. We've also had success with Qwoted. It's like HARO's streamlined cousin: fewer pitches, better opportunities. One of our wins came from a niche marketing publication that brought in a solid spike in referral traffic. It's not as overwhelming as HARO was, but the quality makes it worth it. Surprisingly, Facebook Groups and Slack communities have also been huge. In smaller, more focused groups, journalists share opportunities that most people miss. We landed a feature from a private marketing group that was a perfect fit for our expertise. The biggest lesson? There's no one-size-fits-all replacement for HARO, but that's okay. Platforms like Help a B2B Writer, Qwoted, and Twitter give you the tools to win-if you're willing to move fast, pitch smart, and stay proactive. For a small agency, it's proof that being scrappy works.
One strategy that has worked well is partnering with niche industry influencers who have strong engagement but are overlooked by larger brands. For example, collaborating with a local sustainability blogger helped us reach an eco-conscious audience for a client. Their endorsement, combined with a custom SEO strategy, increased web traffic by 35% over three months. I also focus on building strong relationships with digital publications within specific industries. One campaign involved a SaaS startup in the education sector; by securing guest spots in respected ed-tech blogs, they saw a 40% uptick in sign-ups. These placements are invaluable for brand authority and are achieved through consistent, high-value pitches that speak directly to the publication's readership. Leveraging AI tools for market trend analysis provides another edge. During a campaign for a fitness brand, AI insights highlighted an emerging yoga trend. This allowed us to pitch timely, relevant content to health publications, leading to features that increased the client's lead generation rate by 50%.
When it comes to finding new earned media opportunities, it's about being proactive and creative. After HARO shut down, I focused on alternative platforms and ways to get my brand mentioned in the media. A good example of this was when I started exploring Help a Reporter Out (HARO) alternatives like SourceBottle and Qwoted. These platforms are similar but often feature different types of journalists looking for quotes or insights. On SourceBottle, I managed to secure a spot in a lifestyle article about remote work trends after responding to a journalist's query. That coverage drove a 30% boost in website traffic from organic sources, proving the value of tapping into these alternatives. Another strategy I used was building relationships with journalists directly on social media platforms like Twitter and LinkedIn. By engaging with their posts and sharing relevant insights, I was able to create a rapport. This eventually led to being included in a tech industry roundup, which resulted in both media coverage and a significant increase in leads. To make this approach work for your blog post update, you could highlight these new tools and share examples of successful placements from these platforms. Show how journalists are still actively looking for expert input and how these alternatives can fill the gap left by HARO. Offering specific results-like how you secured coverage and the impact it had-will help make the updated post more actionable for your audience.