How to Use HARO to Get PR

Public relations has changed a lot in the past year. If you’ve been in the PR world, you probably know how valuable HARO for PR used to be for getting media mentions and building credibility. 

But mostly people know how to use HARO to get PR. That’s why we’ve created this guide. 

We’re going to share how to use HARO to get PR. 

Step 1 – Setting Up Your HARO Account 

Source: HARO

Getting started with HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is simple. But no doubt, setting up your account properly can help a lot in the quality of PR opportunities you receive. 

First, head to the HARO website and sign up as a “Source.” During registration, you’ll provide basic details such as your name, company, and areas of expertise. 

Be specific here — HARO will send you media queries based on the categories you select, so choosing the right topics ensures you receive only relevant opportunities. After signing up, you’ll start receiving three daily emails filled with journalist requests. 

Each request includes a brief description of the story, the type of expert needed, and the deadline for submission. To maximize success, monitor your inbox regularly and respond quickly with clear, concise, and valuable insights tailored to the query. 

Over time, you can refine your profile and responses to increase your chances of being quoted. With a well-optimized HARO account and consistent effort, you’ll be able to secure high-quality media mentions, build authority in your field, and boost your digital PR strategy.

Step 2 – Monitoring Emails and Finding the Right Opportunities 

Once your HARO account is set up, the real work begins with monitoring the emails you’ll receive three times a day — morning, afternoon, and evening. 

Each email contains dozens of journalist queries across different categories, from business and technology to health, lifestyle, and more. The key to success is consistency. 

Make it a habit to check these emails as soon as they arrive, since many journalists work on tight deadlines and early responses are more likely to be considered. Not every query will be relevant, so scan and focus only on those that match your expertise and align with your brand’s message. 

Quality over quantity matters here — responding to the right opportunities with tailored, valuable insights will always beat sending generic pitches to every request. To save time, you can use filters in your email client to highlight the most relevant categories or even create alerts for specific keywords. 

This ensures you never miss a high-value opportunity. By actively monitoring HARO and being selective about which queries to pursue, you’ll increase your chances of earning meaningful media placements that enhance your authority and support your overall PR goals. 

Step 3 – Writing a Winning HARO Pitch

Your pitch is your one shot to stand out, so it needs to be clear, concise, and valuable. Journalists receive dozens — sometimes hundreds — of replies to each query, so you have to make yours worth reading. Start by addressing the journalist by name if it’s provided, and reference the specific query to show you’ve read it carefully.

Next, briefly highlight your credentials. Keep it short — one or two sentences about who you are, your expertise, and why you’re qualified to answer. Then, get straight to the point with your response. Make it specific, actionable, and easy to quote. 

I’ve found that closing with a short bio and a link to my website helps journalists verify my credibility. A strong HARO pitching tip — keep it human, helpful, and on time. 

Step 4 – Building Ongoing Journalist Relationships

Getting quoted through HARO is great. But the real long-term value comes from the relationships you build with journalists. When you’re featured in a story, always send a quick thank-you note. 

It doesn’t need to be long — just a genuine acknowledgment that you appreciate being included. This small gesture can make you more memorable and open the door for future collaboration.

If it feels natural, connect with the journalist on LinkedIn or follow them on social media. Engage with their content from time to time so you stay on their radar without being pushy. I’ve had journalists reach out months later simply because I stayed in touch.

You can also offer to be a resource for future stories, even if they’re outside the original topic. This keeps the conversation going and positions you as a reliable source, strengthening your public relations with HARO over time. 

Step 5 – Tracking Your HARO PR Results

Responding to HARO queries is only half the job — you also need to track your results. Keeping a simple spreadsheet of the pitches you send, the journalists you contact, and whether you were featured will help you see what’s working and where you can improve. 

I usually note the query date, topic, outlet, and the outcome. Over time, patterns start to emerge, and you can adjust your approach accordingly.

When you do get featured, check if the article includes a backlink to your site and track any boost in traffic or inquiries that follow. These HARO outreach results can help justify the time you’re investing.

It’s also important to be patient. Even with a solid process, not every pitch will land. Consistency is key — the more relevant, high-quality responses you send, the more opportunities you’ll create for PR wins down the line. 

Conclusion

So… finally we’ve covered how to use HARO to get PR. In short, HARO is the most effective platform for getting media exposure, building authority, and earning quality backlinks. 

With the right setup, quick responses, and value-packed pitches, you can turn journalist requests into real PR wins. If you’re ready to boost your visibility, start checking those HARO emails, pick the best opportunities, and send sharp, personalized replies. 

And if you’d rather have experts handle it for you, our team is here to help — just reach out and let’s get your brand in the headlines.

FAQs 

1. How do I start using HARO to get PR?

Sign up for a free HARO account and subscribe to the daily journalist queries. Three times a day, you’ll get emails with reporters looking for expert sources. The key is to only reply to topics that fit your expertise and to provide clear, quotable insights journalists can use.

2. What makes a HARO response stand out to journalists?

Journalists get dozens of pitches per query, so yours must be short, relevant, and credible. Start with a one-line intro showing your authority, then share 2–3 strong points that answer the request directly. 

3. How often should I respond to HARO queries?

Consistency matters more than volume. Instead of replying to every email, pick a few queries each week that perfectly match your expertise. Responding regularly increases your odds of being quoted, while spamming irrelevant pitches usually wastes time and reduces credibility. Quality responses beat quantity every time.

4. Can HARO really help small businesses get PR?

Yes. HARO is especially powerful for small businesses because it gives you direct access to journalists from major outlets without needing an expensive PR agency. A single well-placed quote in a trusted publication can build credibility, attract leads, and even bring high-authority backlinks that improve SEO.

5. How can I track results from HARO PR efforts?

Keep a simple log of the queries you’ve answered, and monitor when your name or brand appears in published articles. Set Google Alerts for your name or company, check referral traffic in Google Analytics, and track new backlinks. This helps you measure which types of pitches bring the best results.