GlossaryOutreach and PR
Journalist requests
Also called: HARO-style requests · Expert quote requests
Journalist requests are public calls from reporters for expert quotes. Answering well can earn a mention and often a link in an article.
Journalist request services connect reporters who need sources with people who can supply quotes. HARO, short for Help a Reporter Out, was the best known, and similar services and social media hashtags took over the same role. A reporter posts a question, and experts reply with a short answer.
If your reply is used, you may get a mention and sometimes a link from a news or industry site. It's competitive. Reporters get a flood of replies, and they pick the ones that are fast, specific, and quotable. Generic answers written for SEO purposes get skipped.
Practical point: only answer requests you can really speak to, reply quickly, and lead with the answer. Include a short credential line and your name and role. Don't promise yourself a link, because many outlets don't add them. Treat the result as press coverage first and a link second.
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