Working Titlez

The Internet offers a lot of helpful connections, but few reach the level of HARO in terms of effectiveness. Created by Peter Shankman, a PR guru of national renown, Help A Reporter Out is a 45,000 (and counting) strong group of public relations specialists, marketing mavens and corporate communications executives who receive a thrice daily email from Peter. The email lists all of the requests from editors, producers, and reporters looking for information and sources for stories they are researching. These 45,000 folks scan for matches to their client’s or company’s products or services. As an author, you, too can get in on this insider’s look at future news and feature stories in magazines, newspapers, and on television. If you’re an “expert” in your field, and your knowledge is a fit to the inquiry, you can make contact. Provide a link to your book’s web site in your initial email and you can also offer to send your speaker’s bio to outline your credentials. Most reporters understand quid pro quo and will include information ij their story about your book and a link if they possibly can. One caveat and it is a big one — DO NOT under any circumstances pitch anything unrelated to the query at hand. Just because it is a CNN or New York Times editor, if you pitch your book on widgets when they clearly were looking for experts on thingamajigs, you will destroy your credibility. What’s worse, Peter will kick you off HARO. Honest, I’ve seen it happen. Some amazing opportunities can arise from using HARO. I’ve seen our authors get ink or airtime in major news media and also book important speaking engagements. To sign up, simple visit Help A Reporter Out. PS: To my reporter friends, if you’re not posting queries on HARO, check it out.