There’s Such a Thing As Free PR!
There's such a thing as free PR on HelpAReporterOut.com
Like my previous posts, I’m not going to tell you anything new! Instead, I’m just going to rip off of Christopher S. Penn a social media tactic that has just paid off for me (I don’t think he’ll mind):
Signing up for, sharing, and responding to HelpAReporterOut.com (HARO) emails.
Peter Shankman has re-defined PR by providing a free way for reporters to connect with potential sources of information. Here’s how it works:
- Go to HelpAReporterOut.com and signup to receive free emails that list out requests for sources/information from reporters.
- 3 times-a-day you will receive a HARO email listing about 50 specific requests from reporters under the following topics in addition to more general/miscellaneous requests:
- Biotech and Healthcare
- Business and Finance
- Energy and Green Tech
- Entertainment and Media
- High Tech
- Lifestyle and Fitness
- Public policy and Government
- Travel
- Scroll down the lists of requests and if you find something that fits your area of expertise, there are instructions on how to respond.
- If the reporter likes what you have to say, it’s free PR!
Recently I responded to a request from Linsey Knerl, Senior Writer for Wisebread.com, for marketing lessons learned from a mentor. So I responded, and got prominently featured in her article 20 Important Lessons I Learned from My Marketing Mentor – check it out! What a great way to promote my personal brand and my company, along with Jim Kukral, the marketing mentor I mentioned.
However, many times you’ll find that the HARO requests for expertise don’t apply to you. This is where Chris Penn in one of his University of San Francisco’s online Internet Marketing lectures, suggests something so simple it’s brilliant:
If you see a request that matches the expertise of someone in your network, email it off to them.
I’ve started doing this with some of my clients and business partners. It gives me a reason to stay in touch with them besides, “Uhhh… just wanted to see how you were doing,” and can help them promote their business if they act on it.
Until next time, get out there, be empowered, and try something old in a new way!
And don’t worry, the 10 Internet Marketing Lessons from Thomas Paine series will resume next week.
Everett Reiss
Internet Marketer for Small Business
Connect with me on:
- Twitter: http://twitter.com/everettreiss
- Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/everettreiss
05 May 2010, 11:18 am
So glad it worked out for you! HARO has been such a blessing when it comes to promoting my own writing projects, and I can’t say enough about the FREE PR it has generated for me, too. Thanks again for contributing to the article. It’s because of people like you that “sharing the PR love” continues to stay free — and effective!
10 May 2010, 7:03 pm
[...] RSS The Old School Internet Marketing Blog for Small Business Old Ideas with New Applications for Your Small Business « There’s Such a Thing As Free PR! [...]
05 June 2010, 2:37 am
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