- Last Updated:
HARO link building for SaaS refers to using the Help a Reporter Out platform to connect with journalists and bloggers who are seeking expert insights for their articles. By responding to relevant queries with valuable information and expertise, SaaS companies earn high-quality backlinks from reputable media outlets.
The benefits of HARO for SaaS businesses include access to high-authority backlinks, long-term SEO benefits, building lasting connections with journalists, increased recognition and awareness, cost-effectiveness, higher click-through rates, wider target market coverage, insights into niche trends, targeting contextual links, achieving thought leadership visibility, gaining high-trust ranking signals, scalable link prospecting, and increased domain authority.
To use HARO for SaaS websites, signup and log in on HARO, set up your profile, monitor HARO emails, select relevant queries, craft a compelling pitch, follow submission guidelines, track your pitches, respond quickly, build relationships, monitor media mentions.
The 10 tips to land big media links for SaaS business include checking the media outlet’s domain rating, only responding to relevant queries, showing your credentials, responding within 30 minutes, making your response quantifiable and/or quotable, don’t expecting every pitch to succeed, focusing on relationships, never using filler content, being concise.
This ultimate guide on HARO link building for SaaS websites provides an in-depth look at the process of using HARO, tips to land big media links through HARO, best tools and services for HARO link building, and everything in between.
What is HARO (Help a Reporter Out)?
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a popular online service that connects journalists and writers with sources for their stories. HARO operates as a platform where journalists post queries about topics they are working on, and potential sources respond with relevant information or quotes. The service is widely used in the media industry because the platform facilitates the process of finding credible sources, which is a time-consuming task. Both journalists and sources benefit from HARO, as the platform helps in the creation of well-rounded and informed articles.
HARO provides an efficient way to gather expert opinions and real-life experiences, enriching their articles with diverse perspectives. The accessibility to a broad range of sources helps journalists meet tight deadlines while maintaining high-quality content. For sources, particularly businesses and professionals, HARO offers a valuable opportunity to gain media exposure. Being quoted in reputable publications boost a source’s credibility and visibility, leading to increased brand recognition and potential business opportunities. HARO helps in natural link building by connecting sources with journalists, leading to opportunities for sources to be quoted in articles and receive backlinks from reputable media sites. The HARO backlinks enhance a source’s SEO, improving their online visibility and search engine rankings.
What is HARO Link Building for SaaS?
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) link building for SaaS (Software as a Service) companies involves responding to journalist queries relevant to the SaaS industry. By providing expert insights or information, SaaS companies earn mentions and backlinks in authority publications. The process begins with monitoring HARO queries, identifying those that align with the company’s expertise, and crafting well-informed responses that demonstrate authority and value.
HARO link building is particularly important for SaaS companies because the platform helps them gain visibility and credibility in a highly competitive market. SaaS businesses often rely on a strong online presence to attract and retain customers, and earning backlinks from reputable media outlets potentially enhance their SEO efforts. The high-quality HARO backlinks make the company’s website more authoritative, improving search engine rankings and making the process of finding SaaS easily.
Additionally, HARO link building allows SaaS companies to establish themselves as niche leaders in their industry. By providing valuable insights and expert opinions to journalists, SaaS companies showcase their knowledge and expertise. Showing expertise builds trust with potential customers and sets the company apart from competitors who may not be as proactive in engaging with the media.
Does HARO Work for SaaS Link Building?
Yes, HARO works for SaaS link building by getting high authority natural links from authority websites by providing a direct response to journalists looking for expert opinions and insights. The HARO backlinks from reputable media outlets boosts SaaS Link Building efforts and improve backlink profile of SaaS company. Being quoted and mentioned in authority publications serves as a powerful connection, helping to build trust with potential customers.
Many SaaS products solve specific problems or serve niche markets, making their teams knowledgeable in areas that journalists frequently cover. By responding to relevant queries, SaaS companies showcase their expertise, which not only leads to valuable backlinks but also increases their credibility and visibility within their industry. The combination of improved SEO, enhanced credibility, and greater visibility makes HARO a highly effective tool for SaaS companies looking to grow their brand and reach a wider audience.
How Does HARO Work?
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) operates as a bridge between journalists seeking sources and individuals or businesses willing to provide expert insights.
The process of the working of HARO is as follows:
- Sign-Up: Both journalists and sources (like SaaS companies) sign up for HARO. Journalists use the platform to request information, while sources subscribe to receive these requests via email.
- Query Submission: Journalists submit their queries to HARO, specifying the type of information they need, the deadline, and the media outlet they are working for. These queries range from needing expert commentary on industry trends to seeking real-life examples or case studies.
- Query Distribution: Sources receive daily emails from HARO containing a list of journalist queries, usually categorized by industry. SaaS companies scan these emails to find queries relevant to their expertise.
- Response Submission: If a SaaS company finds a relevant query, they respond directly to the journalist via email. The response must be concise, on-topic, and provide valuable information or insights. It’s important to include credentials or a brief bio to establish authority.
- Selection: The journalist reviews the responses and selects the most relevant or insightful ones to include in their article or report. If the SaaS company’s response is chosen, the answer is often cited in the published piece, typically with a backlink to the company’s website.
- Publication: The article or report is published, featuring the SaaS company’s input. The publishing provides exposure and often includes a backlink, which boost the company’s SEO and online visibility.
What are the 9 Tips to Land Big Media Links with HARO for SaaS Business?
HARO is important for SaaS businesses as the service provides a platform to gain high-quality backlinks from reputable media outlets, which boosts their search engine rankings and online visibility. By responding to relevant queries, SaaS companies position themselves as industry experts, enhancing their credibility and trustworthiness. The increased exposure of SaaS business attracts potential customers and drives traffic to their website. Additionally, being featured in authoritative publications strengthens their brand reputation and differentiates them from competitors.
9 Tips to Land Big Media Links are as follows:
Check the Media Outlet’s Domain Rating
Checking the media outlet’s domain rating means assessing the authority and credibility of the publication where you intend to secure a link. Domain rating (DR) is a metric that measures the strength of a website’s backlink profile on a scale from 1 to 100. A higher DR indicates a more authoritative and trustworthy site, which in turn provides more valuable and impactful backlinks.
Additionally, links from high-DR sites are likely to drive more organic traffic, leading to increased visibility and potential customer acquisition. Tools like Ahrefs or Moz help you gauge a website’s DR. By targeting media outlets with high domain ratings, SaaS businesses get their backlinks come from reputable sources, enhancing their own site’s credibility and improving the search engine rankings.
Only Respond to Relevant Queries
Responding only to relevant queries means focusing on media opportunities that align closely with your expertise and the content of your SaaS business. By selecting queries that are directly related to your industry, your SaaS business ensures that your interactions are efficient and effective, providing valuable and targeted information to journalists and media outlets. Responding to relevant queries saves time and positions your business as a credible and reliable source, increasing the chances of being featured in prominent authority publications.
Additionally, by addressing only relevant queries, you avoid the risk of diluting your message or overwhelming media contacts with unnecessary information. The relevant responding to queries process increases the likelihood of your pitch being accepted and featured. The process also ensures that backlinks you earn are from contextually relevant sources, which enhance your SaaS SEO efforts and attract a more targeted audience to your site.
Show Your Credentials
Showing your credentials means highlighting your expertise, experience, and achievements in your pitch for media outlets. The credentials include mentioning your professional background, notable projects, or any awards and recognitions you’ve received. Journalists and bloggers are more likely to trust and use information from sources with proven authority in their field.
Showing your authority on the relevant subject builds trust with journalists and editors, making them more likely to feature your insights and link back to your site. Displaying your credentials also sets you apart from other sources. Strong credentials provide assurance that the information your SaaS business provides is accurate and valuable, enhancing your chances of securing high-quality backlinks from reputable media sources.
Respond Within 30 Minutes
Responding within 30 minutes to media queries is necessary because journalists often work on tight deadlines. Journalists and content creators often work under tight deadlines, and quick, reliable responses make the difference between being featured or being overlooked. A quick response increases the chance that your pitch will be seen and considered before the journalist moves on to other sources.
Prompt replies help your SaaS business stand out as a reliable and responsive contact, developing better relationships with media professionals. The urgency not only enhances your chances of being featured but also shows your commitment and eagerness to contribute valuable information.
Make it Quantifiable and/or Quotable
Making your response quantifiable and/or quotable means including data, statistics, or memorable quotes in your pitch. Quantifiable information, such as specific figures or percentages, provides solid evidence that strengthens your arguments and makes your insights more compelling. Quotable statements, on the other hand, must be concise, impactful, and easy to cite.
By incorporating specific numbers, percentages, or unique insights into your content, you create a resource that is more likely to be cited and linked back to. The use of quantitative strategy enhances the authority of your SaaS brand and increases the chances of earning high-quality media links.
Don’t Expect Every Pitch to Succeed
Don’t expect every pitch to succeed; rejection is a natural part of the process when trying to land big media links for your SaaS business. Media professionals receive countless pitches daily, and even well-crafted pitches are turned down for various reasons, such as timing, editorial direction, or competition.
By accepting that not every attempt will be successful, you and your team stay motivated and continually improve your pitching strategy. Instead of getting discouraged, use each rejection as an opportunity to refine your pitch, identify what didn’t resonate, and improve for future attempts. Accepting the rejections mindset helps you focus on building a portfolio of successful placements over time, rather than getting discouraged by individual setbacks.
Focus on Relationships
Focusing on relationships involves building connections with journalists, editors, and influencers in your SaaS industry. Rather than approaching each interaction as a one-time transaction, view the opportunity as the start of a long-term partnership. Establishing rapport and trust lead to more opportunities for media coverage and backlinks.
Regular communication, offering valuable insights, and showing appreciation for journalists and bloggers’ work help build good relationships. The relationship-building makes media professionals more likely to consider your pitches and feature your brand in their stories. Over time, a strong network of media contacts lead to more frequent and high-quality media coverage, solidifying your SaaS brand’s reputation and increasing your link-building success.
Never Use Filler Content
Never using filler content means ensuring that every part of your pitch is relevant, informative, and adds value. Filler content, material that adds no real value, dilutes your message and damages your credibility. Instead, focus on creating high-quality, impactful content that offers unique insights, data, or solutions that genuinely help your audience. Journalists receive numerous pitches, and those that contain unnecessary or irrelevant information are likely to be discarded. By providing concise content that is informative, original, and directly relevant to their audience you capture the journalist’s attention and increase the chances of your pitch being accepted.
Be Concise
Being concise means presenting your information clearly. Be concise when pitching to media outlets to improve your chances of landing big media links for your SaaS business. Journalists often have limited time to review pitches, so a brief, well-structured response is more likely to be read and considered. Avoiding lengthy explanations and getting straight to the point makes your pitch more effective. Concise communication shows that you convey important information efficiently, by making the process easier for journalists to incorporate your input into their work.
What are the Benefits of HARO for SaaS Websites?
The benefits of HARO for SaaS websites include access to high-authority backlinks, long-term SEO benefits, building lasting connections with journalists, increased recognition and awareness, cost-effectiveness, higher click-through rates, wider target market coverage, insights into niche trends, targeted contextual links, achieving thought leadership visibility, gaining high trust ranking signals, scalable link prospects, and increased domain authority.
Access to High-Authority Backlinks
Access to high-authority backlinks refers to the opportunity to acquire links from well-established and reputable websites that point back to your SaaS website. The backlinks are considered “high-authority” because they come from sites with strong domain authority, credibility, and trust in the eyes of search engines like Google.
When a SaaS website gains backlinks from high-authority sources, the search engines get the signals that the content on the site is valuable, reliable, and worth ranking higher in search results. HARO facilitates the process of getting quality backlinks by connecting SaaS businesses with journalists and bloggers who are often associated with high-authority publications. By providing expert insights, data, or quotes through HARO, SaaS companies earn mentions and backlinks in articles published on the reputable platforms.
For SaaS websites, the benefits of acquiring high-authority backlinks through HARO enhance the website’s SEO performance, helping the website to rank higher for relevant keywords. Higher rankings lead to increased organic traffic, which results in more leads, conversions, and ultimately, revenue.
Long Term SEO Benefits
Long-term SEO benefits refers to the sustained improvements in search engine rankings that result from ongoing SEO efforts, such as acquiring high-quality backlinks, publishing valuable content, and optimizing website performance.
When a SaaS website consistently gains backlinks from authoritative sources through HARO, the links contribute to the long-term SEO benefits. Search engines like Google view HARO backlinks as insertion of the website’s content, signaling that the site is providing reliable and valuable content. Over time, as more high-authority sites link back to the SaaS website, the site’s overall domain authority increases, by ranking higher for competitive keywords. The gradual accumulation of SEO equity leads to sustained improvements in organic traffic, visibility, and search engine rankings.
By consistently earning high-quality backlinks, SaaS businesses achieve and maintain higher search engine rankings, which leads to a steady stream of organic traffic. The increased website traffic helps in attracting new users but also supports customer retention by reinforcing the brand’s credibility and authority in the industry.
Builds Lasting Connections with Journalists
Build lasting connections with journalists refers to the establishment of ongoing, mutually beneficial relationships between a business and journalists.
Using HARO, SaaS websites have the opportunity to engage directly with journalists who are seeking expert opinions, data, or commentary for their articles. By responding to queries with valuable and relevant information, SaaS companies position themselves as reliable sources. Over time, the repeated interaction helps build trust and rapport with journalists, who may then reach out directly for future stories or consider the SaaS business as a go-to expert in the industry. The lasting media connections lead to more regular media mentions, features, and opportunities to be quoted in industry publications.
For SaaS websites, regular media coverage through HARO helps to increase brand visibility and recognition, positioning the SaaS company as a leader in the field. Additionally, the media relationships result in more high-quality backlinks and mentions in authoritative publications, further enhancing the website’s SaaS SEO and overall online presence.
Increases Recognition and Awareness
Increased recognition and awareness refer to the process of making a brand more familiar and noticeable to the target audience and the broader market. Recognition means that when people see or hear about the brand, they immediately know what the brand offers. Awareness goes a step further, indicating that not only is the brand recognized, but the key messages, values, and offerings of the brand are also understood by the audience.
For SaaS websites, using HARO to connect with journalists and provide expert insights increase recognition and awareness. When a SaaS company is regularly mentioned or featured in articles, blogs, and news stories, the company becomes more visible to potential customers, industry peers, and even competitors. Each mention in an authority publication reinforces the brand’s presence in the market.
The benefits of increased recognition and awareness for SaaS websites are substantial. Higher visibility leads to more website traffic, as potential customers are more likely to click on links or search for the brand when they repeatedly encounter your website in trusted sources. The repetitive searches, in turn,lead to more leads, sign-ups, and conversions. Additionally, a well-recognized and widely known SaaS business is more likely to be trusted by customers, which improves customer retention and encourages word-of-mouth referrals.
Cost Effective
Cost effective refers to achieving effective results or benefits without requiring a large financial investment.
Using HARO is a highly cost-effective strategy for SaaS websites looking to gain media coverage, backlinks, and increased brand visibility. HARO operates as a free platform, allowing businesses to connect with journalists and contribute to their stories without the need for expensive PR agencies or advertising campaigns. The main investment required is time, responding to queries and providing valuable insights. By earning high-quality backlinks from reputable sites, gaining media mentions, and increasing brand visibility, SaaS companies achieve many of the benefits associated with more expensive marketing strategies.
For SaaS websites, the cost-effectiveness of HARO allows them to compete with larger players in the industry by gaining access to the same high-quality media opportunities. By using HARO, SaaS businesses effectively boost their SEO, increase brand recognition, and drive organic traffic.
Higher Click-Through Rates
Higher click-through rates (CTR) refers to the increased likelihood that users will click on a link to your website when they see your website in search results, emails, advertisements, or other online content. A higher CTR means that a larger percentage of people exposed to your link are interested enough to visit your site.
For SaaS websites, using HARO leads to higher click-through rates by positioning the brand as a trusted and authoritative source in the industry. When a SaaS company is featured or mentioned in reputable publications through HARO, the credibility of the sources positively influence how users perceive the company. When users encounter a link to the SaaS website within a respected article or blog, they are more likely to click on the link, driven by the trust they have in the publication. The clicks result in a higher CTR compared to links from less credible or unknown sources.
The benefits of higher click-through rates for SaaS websites are significant. Increased CTR leads to more visitors to the website, resulting in more leads, sign-ups, and conversions. High click rate also signals to search engines that the content and links are relevant and valuable to users, which further enhance SaaS SEO rankings.
Wider Target Market Coverage
Wider target market coverage refers to the ability to reach and engage a broader audience within your desired market segments. The increased coverage means expanding the visibility of your brand, products, or services to include more potential customers who may not have been aware of your business previously.
For SaaS websites, using HARO effectively expands target market coverage by connecting the brand with diverse media outlets and authority publications that cater to different audiences. When a SaaS company responds to HARO queries, the business has the opportunity to be featured in a variety of publications, ranging from niche industry blogs to mainstream media outlets. Each of the stated platforms may reach different segments of the market, including those who are actively searching for SaaS solutions and those who are just becoming aware of them. The diverse exposure helps SaaS companies tap into new customer bases, increasing their overall reach and influence in the market.
The benefits of wider target market coverage for SaaS websites result in attracting more potential customers, leading to increased lead generation, higher conversion rates, and more revenue. Additionally, by being featured in a variety of publications, the brand gains credibility and recognition across different market segments, further solidifying the business’s position as a leader in the SaaS industry.
Insights into Niche Trends
Insights into niche trends refers to the understanding and awareness of emerging patterns, preferences, and developments within a specific, specialized segment of the market. Niche trends are often more specific and focused than broader market trends, providing valuable information about the behaviors and needs of a particular target audience.
For SaaS websites, using HARO is an effective way to gain insights into niche trends. By engaging with journalists and responding to queries, SaaS companies observe the types of questions being asked and the topics that are gaining attention in the media. The interaction with media allows SaaS companies to identify emerging trends within their niche, such as new technologies, customer preferences, or industry challenges. Additionally, by participating in conversations with journalists who are at the forefront of reporting on the niche trends, SaaS companies stay informed about the latest developments.
The benefits of gaining insights into niche trends enables SaaS companies to adapt their products, services, and marketing strategies to better meet the needs of their target audience. The better understanding of customer preferences leads to more effective product development, more targeted marketing campaigns, and a stronger competitive advantage.
Targets Contextual Link
Targets contextual link refers to the process of securing links from sources that are highly relevant to the content or industry of a website. In the context of SaaS (Software as a Service) websites, targeting contextual links means obtaining links from authoritative sites or publications that cater to a similar audience or industry, thereby enhancing the relevance and value of the link.
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a valuable tool for achieving the contextual links. HARO connects journalists with expert sources, allowing SaaS companies to contribute insights or expert opinions in exchange for a backlink. SaaS websites provide valuable information to a reporter or publication that is directly related to the industry, ensuring that the link the website earns is not only authoritative but also contextually relevant. The relevance boosts the SEO value of the link, as search engines prioritize links that are inserted in content related to the linked site’s industry or niche.
For SaaS websites, targeting contextual links through HARO drive qualified traffic, i.e., the visitors who are genuinely interested in the SaaS product because they encountered the link in relevant content. Second, contextual links enhance the credibility and authority of the SaaS website in the eyes of search engines, improving search rankings of the site. Finally, by regularly contributing to high-quality publications through HARO, a SaaS company builds strong relationships with media outlets, leading to ongoing opportunities for visibility and link acquisition.
Achieves Thought Leadership Visibility
Achieves thought leadership visibility refers to the process of establishing a company or individual as a leading authority in a particular industry or field. In the context of SaaS websites, becoming the thought leader means positioning the company as a trusted expert whose insights and opinions are highly valued by others in the industry.
Using HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is an effective strategy for achieving thought leadership visibility. By responding to journalists’ requests for expert opinions, insights, or data, a SaaS company showcases the business’s expertise on a broader platform. When a SaaS business provides valuable input that is published in reputable media outlets, the company gains exposure and builds reputation as a reliable source in the industry. The repeated association with credible publications enhances the company’s profile, making your SaaS website a go-to resource for industry-related knowledge.
For SaaS websites, the benefits of achieving thought leadership visibility through HARO leads to enhanced brand credibility, as being featured in respected media solidifies the company’s status as an industry leader. Second, leadership visibility attracts a more engaged and loyal audience, as customers are more likely to trust and engage with a brand that is recognized as an expert. Finally, the visibility lead to increased media opportunities and partnerships, as other outlets may seek the company’s expertise.
Gets High Trust Ranking Signals
Getting high trust ranking signals refers to the process of earning indicators that signal to search engines that a website is trustworthy and authoritative. For SaaS websites, the trust ranking signals are essential for achieving higher rankings in search engine results, as search engines prioritize sites that show reliability and credibility.
Using HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is an effective way for SaaS companies to obtain high trust ranking signals. When a SaaS business contributes expert insights to reputable media outlets through HARO, the backlinks the site receives from the authoritative sites act as an approval of the website’s trustworthiness. Search engines, like Google, view links from well-respected sources as strong indicators that the SaaS website is a reliable and valuable resource.
For SaaS websites, the benefits of getting high trust ranking leads to improved search engine rankings, making the website more visible to potential customers. Second, the trust ranking signals enhance the overall credibility of the site, which increase user trust and conversion rates. Lastly, consistently earning trust signals through HARO helps establish the SaaS company as a leader in the industry, attracting more media coverage, partnerships, and customer loyalty over time.
Prospects Scalable Link
Prospects scalable link refers to the process of identifying and securing opportunities for acquiring links that is scaled over time. In the context of SaaS websites, prospecting scalable links means establishing a consistent and repeatable method for gaining high-quality backlinks that contribute to the site’s long-term SEO growth and visibility.
By regularly responding to journalists’ queries with valuable insights, a SaaS company steadily accumulate backlinks from diverse and authoritative sources. As a SaaS website consistently provides expert commentary, the website becomes known to journalists and publications, increasing the chances of being contacted directly for future stories.
For SaaS websites, the benefits of prospecting scalable links through HARO are substantial. The strategy allows for the gradual and consistent growth of backlinks, which is essential for long-term SEO success. Scalable link prospecting reduces the reliance on one-off link-building tactics, providing a more sustainable and efficient method for acquiring links.
Increases Domain Authority
Increased Domain Authority refers to the process of enhancing a website’s overall strength and credibility in the eyes of search engines, particularly through the accumulation of high-quality backlinks. For SaaS websites, a higher domain authority means a greater ability to rank well in search engine results, increasing organic traffic.
Using HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is an effective way for SaaS companies to increase their domain authority. By regularly contributing expert insights to journalists and publications, a SaaS website earns backlinks from reputable and authoritative sources. The HARO backlinks signal to search engines that the site is a trusted and valuable resource. The more authoritative the linking site, the more significant the impact on the SaaS website’s domain authority. As the domain authority increases, the website becomes more competitive in search rankings, improving the site’s visibility across various keywords and topics relevant to the industry.
For SaaS websites, the benefits of using HARO leads to higher domain authority which leads to improved search engine rankings, which in turn drives more organic traffic to the site. A strong domain authority enhances the website’s credibility, making the site more appealing to potential customers and partners. Finally, as the SaaS website’s domain authority grows, the site becomes easier to rank for competitive terms, leading to sustained growth and visibility in the marketplace.
What are the Different Uses of HARO?
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is used by journalists and bloggers to find credible sources for their stories, enabling them to gather expert opinions, insights, and data on a wide range of topics. For businesses and professionals, including SaaS companies, HARO serves as a valuable tool for gaining media exposure, building authority, and securing high-quality backlinks to their websites.
The platform is also used to enhance brand visibility, establish thought leadership, and improve search engine rankings. Additionally, HARO helps companies connect with journalists, allowing them to contribute to industry discussions, showcase their expertise, and reach new audiences through media coverage. For SaaS businesses, the media coverage leads to increased trust and credibility in a competitive market.
How to Use HARO for SaaS Websites?
To use HARO for SaaS websites carefully perform the following steps:
Sign Up and Log In
To sign up and log into the HARO (Help a Reporter Out) platform, visit the HARO website. Once there, you’ll begin by signing up as a source, which involves providing your email address and other necessary information, such as your name and business details. During the sign-up process, you’ll also be prompted to create a password for your account, which you’ll use to log in later.
After entering your basic information, you’ll be asked to choose the types of queries you’re interested in by selecting relevant categories. HARO offers a range of categories like Business, Health, Technology, and more. Selecting categories that align with your expertise ensures that you receive relevant media queries that match your SaaS business’s focus. Once you’ve completed the sign-up process, you log in to your HARO account using the email and password you provided.
Set Up Your Profile
After signing up and logging into HARO, the next step is to set up your profile for your SaaS business. Begin by completing your profile with accurate and detailed information about your expertise, business, and contact details. Setting a profile is necessary because journalists and media professionals will review your profile to verify your credentials before featuring your input.
Include relevant keywords that highlight your industry expertise, the specific problems your SaaS product solves, and any notable achievements or credentials. Also add any relevant links, such as your website, LinkedIn, or social media profiles, which provide additional context and allow journalists to easily explore more about your business. Additionally, ensure that your contact information is up-to-date, so journalists easily reach out to you if they’re interested in featuring your insights.
A well-set-up profile increases your credibility and improves your chances of being selected for media opportunities, leading to potential backlinks and media exposure for your SaaS website.
Monitor HARO Emails
After setting up your profile on HARO for your SaaS business, actively monitor HARO emails. HARO sends out three daily emails (morning, afternoon, and evening) that a list of queries from journalists categorized by industry. The HARO emails are your main source of potential media opportunities, so review them promptly.
Each email will include queries that align with the categories you selected during your profile setup. By quickly scanning the HARO emails, you identify relevant opportunities where your expertise adds value. Timely responses are key since journalists often work under tight deadlines and may select sources on a first-come, first-served basis. Monitoring the emails on HARO regularly ensures that you don’t miss out on valuable opportunities to gain media coverage and build backlinks for your SaaS business.
Select Relevant Queries
Within each HARO email, you find a variety of queries across different industries. Start by scanning the list of queries in each email and selecting the queries that align with your SaaS business or the specific topics you’re knowledgeable about. Choosing relevant queries ensures that your responses are credible and useful, increasing the chances of being featured in authority publications.
Additionally, focus on queries from reputable publications or well-known journalists. The publication opportunities offer the potential for high-quality backlinks and allow you to build relationships with media professionals who become long-term contacts. By carefully selecting relevant queries, maximize the impact of your HARO efforts, securing valuable media coverage and enhancing your SaaS brand’s visibility.
Craft a Compelling Pitch
When crafting a compelling pitch for a query related to your SaaS business on HARO, make sure to start your pitch with a clear and relevant subject line that grabs the journalist’s attention. The subject line directly reflect the query you’re responding to, making the journalist understand the content of your pitch at a glance. In the introduction, briefly introduce your SaaS business. Mention your expertise in the area relevant to the query. The introduction establishes your credibility from the outset and sets the stage for your response.
Next, answer the query with a concise, well-structured response. Focus on providing clear and informative answers that directly address the journalist’s question. To enhance readability, use bullet points or short paragraphs, making the process of understanding the pitch easier for the journalist. Include your contact information at the end of your pitch. The contact information consists of your email address, phone number, and relevant links, such as your website or LinkedIn profile. Providing the details makes the process easy for the journalist to follow up with you if they need more information or decide to feature your insights.
Finally, offer additional value by suggesting extra insights, resources, or data that might help the journalist with their story. The additional information is a link to a relevant blog post, a whitepaper, or a unique perspective on the topic. Adding the extra layer of value not only increases the chances of your pitch being used but also helps build a stronger relationship with the journalist. Be sure to conclude with a call to action, such as offering further information or making yourself available for follow-up questions.
Follow Submission Guidelines
Every query on HARO comes with specific submission guidelines set by the journalist, such as word count limits, deadlines, and format requirements. Following submission guidelines is necessary when responding to HARO queries. Carefully read the journalist’s query to identify any specific instructions they’ve provided. Adhering to the instructions shows that you respect the journalist’s time and increases the chances that your pitch is considered quickly.
Ensure that your pitch is well-written and free of errors. A polished pitch reflects professionalism and enhances your credibility. Double-check your grammar, spelling, and overall clarity before submitting. Finally, make sure to submit your pitch within the specified deadline. Ignoring or overlooking the submission guidelines result in your pitch being discarded, regardless of the quality of your pitch.
Track Your Pitches
Tracking your pitches is an important step in managing your HARO efforts effectively for your SaaS business. Keep a detailed record of every pitch you send out. The tracking record includes the specific query details, the date you submitted your pitch, and any relevant notes about the publication or journalist. Maintaining the log helps you stay organized and ensures you don’t lose track of potential opportunities.
Tracking also allows you to identify patterns in which types of pitches are successful and which need improvement. If you don’t hear back after a reasonable amount of time, consider following up on your pitch, especially if you believe your response was highly relevant. However, it’s important to avoid being overly persistent; a single polite follow-up is usually sufficient.
Respond Quickly
Timeliness is critical when using HARO for securing media coverage for your SaaS business. Journalists often operate under tight deadlines and finalize their stories within a short time frame, so they prioritize pitches that arrive early. Therefore, submitting your pitch as soon as possible after receiving the HARO email greatly increases your chances of being selected as a source.
A prompt response positions you as a reliable expert and ensures that your pitch is one of the first seen by the journalist. Responding quickly is beneficial if the journalist is choosing sources on a first-come, first-served basis. By prioritizing speed without compromising quality, you enhance your chances of gaining valuable media exposure and backlinks.
Build Relationships
Beyond just submitting pitches, HARO offers an opportunity to build long-term relationships with journalists. If your pitch is successful, take the time to thank the journalist and express interest in contributing to future stories. The simple gesture shows gratitude and helps establish a positive rapport with the journalist.
Staying connected with journalists who have featured your insights lead to future media opportunities. Engage with them on social media, comment on their articles, or share their work with your audience. Maintaining the media relationships ensures that you remain top of mind for journalists when they need expert commentary in the future.
Monitor Media Mentions
After successfully landing a placement through HARO, monitoring media mentions of your SaaS business is important. Set up tools like Google Alerts to track when your name, business, or specific keywords are mentioned online. The tools automatically notify you whenever your business is featured in articles, blogs, or other media outlets, allowing you to stay informed about your media presence.
Once you’ve identified media coverage, share the mentions on your website and social media platforms. Highlighting your features boosts your business’s credibility and showcases your expertise to your audience. The promotion also enhances your brand’s reputation, attracts more customers, and potentially leads to additional media opportunities. By actively monitoring and sharing your media mentions, use your HARO successes to build a stronger online presence and increase trust in your SaaS brand.
What are the Alternatives to HARO?
The alternatives to HARO include SourceBottle, Qwoted, ProfNet, JustReachOut, MeltWater, Terkel, Help a B2B Writer, and PitchRate.
Here are the details of popular alternatives to HARO (Help a Reporter Out):
SourceBottle
SourceBottle is a platform that connects journalists and bloggers with expert sources, similar to HARO. The platform allows professionals, including those from SaaS businesses, to offer their insights and expertise in response to media queries. By doing so, SourceBottle helps businesses secure media coverage and build valuable backlinks. The platform is free to use, making service accessible to a wide range of users. However, SourceBottle also offers premium options that provide additional features, such as the ability to prioritize your responses or access to more targeted queries.
One of the standout features of SourceBottle is the platform’s ability to target specific geographic regions. Targeting relevant geographical locations is particularly useful for businesses that operate in certain markets or want to focus their media outreach on a particular area. Additionally, SourceBottle covers a wide range of industries and topics, ensuring that no matter your niche, you find relevant media opportunities to showcase your expertise and connect with journalists interested in your field.
Qwoted
Qwoted is a platform designed to connect journalists with industry experts and PR professionals, making the process of collaborating on media stories easier for both parties. For SaaS businesses, the platform offers an opportunity to position their experts as credible sources in relevant media coverage. Qwoted offers a free basic plan, which allows users to create a profile and respond to journalist queries. However, premium options are available, providing additional features such as enhanced visibility, priority in search results, and advanced analytics.
One of the platform’s key features is the ability to create detailed profiles for experts. The expert profiles include information about your expertise, previous media appearances, and other credentials, which helps increase your credibility in the eyes of journalists. Additionally, Qwoted includes a direct messaging system that facilitates real-time communication between experts and journalists. The direct message feature allows for quick, efficient exchanges, by making the process easier to coordinate interviews, provide additional insights, and build strong professional relationships.
ProfNet
ProfNet, a service provided by PR Newswire, is a platform that connects journalists with expert sources, similar to HARO. However, ProfNet is part of a larger network of Haro tools and services, making the platform a comprehensive solution for businesses looking to enhance their media outreach. Being part of the broader PR network means that ProfNet users have direct access to a wide range of journalists and media outlets. The access to a larger audience is particularly beneficial for SaaS businesses aiming to secure high-quality media placements and build their brand’s credibility.
Unlike some other platforms, ProfNet is a paid service, with a focus on professional PR. The paid model typically ensures that the queries and opportunities available through ProfNet are of a high caliber, attracting serious professionals and established media outlets. For businesses invested in a robust PR strategy, ProfNet offers a powerful platform to connect with influential journalists and secure valuable media coverage.
Muck Rack
Muck Rack is a PR platform designed to help businesses, including SaaS companies, effectively connect with journalists, monitor news coverage, and build long-lasting relationships with media professionals. One of Muck Rack’s standout features is the platform’s extensive database of journalists and media outlets, which allows users to find and target the most relevant contacts for their specific needs.
In addition to the powerful search capabilities, Muck Rack offers tools for monitoring news and tracking media mentions. The tools enable users to stay updated on industry trends, see where their brand is being mentioned, and assess the impact of their PR efforts. The real-time monitoring is crucial for responding quickly to media opportunities and managing your brand’s reputation.
Muck Rack requires a paid subscription, which provides access to the full suite of features, making the platform a premium choice for businesses serious about their PR strategy. The platform’s combination of a robust journalist database, news monitoring tools, and relationship-building features makes Muck Rack a valuable asset for any PR-focused organization.
JustReachOut
JustReachOut is a PR platform similar to HARO in that the platform connects journalists with sources, but the JustReachOut service goes a step further by simplifying the process of finding journalists and media outlets that are specifically relevant to your industry or niche. The targeted approach helps ensure that your outreach efforts are more focused and effective, increasing the likelihood of securing media coverage for your SaaS business.
One of the key features of JustReachOut is to create customized and targeted outreach campaigns. The customization functionality allows you to personalize your pitches to specific journalists or media outlets, improving the chances of your story being picked up. By focusing on the right contacts, your outreach efforts become more efficient and impactful.
JustReachOut also provides access to a vast database of journalists, bloggers, and influencers across various sectors to find the right people to pitch your story to. The extensive network increases the opportunities for your SaaS business to gain visibility in the media.
In addition to the powerful outreach tools, JustReachOut offers educational resources and guidance to help users craft effective pitches and press releases. The resources are designed to help you improve your PR skills, ensuring that your communications are polished and persuasive, further enhancing your chances of success.
Meltwater
Meltwater is an outreach and brand management platform that provides powerful tools for monitoring and enhancing your media presence. Meltwater allows businesses, including SaaS companies, to track media mentions across various channels, such as news outlets, social media platforms, and blogs. The multi-channel tracking ensures that you stay informed about how your brand is being discussed across the web.
One of Meltwater’s key features is the ability to receive real-time alerts and updates on relevant news and trends. The alerts help you respond quickly to emerging stories, allowing you to engage with your audience or media opportunities in a timely manner.
Meltwater also offers detailed analytics and reports that measure the impact of your media coverage. The insights enable you to understand the reach and effectiveness of your PR efforts to adjust your strategy as needed. Additionally, Meltwater allows you to compare your media presence with that of your competitors, helping you identify your strengths and uncover opportunities to improve your brand’s visibility.
Terkel
Terkel is a unique content creation platform designed to produce community-driven content enriched with expert insights. By connecting users with industry experts, Terkel provides access to valuable knowledge across various fields, which is used to create high-quality content.
For businesses, especially those in the SaaS industry, Terkel enables the generation of well-informed blogs, articles, and social media posts by tapping into the expertise of professionals. The creation of high quality content enhances the quality and credibility of the content and helps in building a reputation as a thought leader in your industry.
Beyond content creation, Terkel facilitates connections between users and experts, building relationships that lead to further collaboration and professional growth. The relationships are invaluable, opening up opportunities for future projects, partnerships, and continued learning. By using Terkel, businesses enhance their content strategy while building meaningful connections within their industry.
Help a B2B Writer
Help a B2B Writer is a platform similar to HARO, but the service is specifically customized for B2B topics, making the platform particularly useful for SaaS companies and other B2B industries. The platform is targeted towards professionals and experts within the B2B sector, offering a more focused approach to media outreach.
Help a B2B Writer platform directly connects users with writers who are actively covering B2B topics, allowing you to share your expertise with journalists who are interested in your niche. By engaging with writers who specialize in B2B content, you increase the chances of being featured in articles that are relevant to your industry.
Help a B2B Writer is also free to use, providing an accessible way for businesses to contribute to industry discussions and gain media coverage without any financial investment, making the service an ideal tool for SaaS companies looking to expand their visibility and credibility in the B2B space.
PitchRate
PitchRate is a PR tool platform designed to help businesses, including SaaS companies, find experts in their field using targeted keywords. The keyword feature makes the process of connecting with the right professionals who provide valuable insights for media opportunities easier.
PitchRate offers a cost-effective tool for gaining media exposure, making it an attractive alternative to traditional PR services. The affordability allows businesses to reach a broader audience without the high costs typically associated with PR campaigns.
The platform is user-friendly, simplifying the process of creating and sending pitches, tracking responses, and managing media contacts. The platform’s intuitive interface ensures that even those with limited PR experience can effectively navigate and utilize the tool.
In addition to the outreach features, PitchRate provides analytics and reporting tools that allow users to measure the effectiveness of their pitches and track media coverage. The useful insights enable businesses to refine their strategies and maximize the impact of their PR efforts
How to Connect with Journalists Using HARO?
To connect with journalists using HARO (Help a Reporter Out), sign up for the HARO service, set up your profile, then you’ll receive daily emails containing requests from journalists looking for sources on various topics. The requests are organized into categories, making the process of finding relevant opportunities within your industry or area of expertise easy. When you find a query that matches your expertise, respond promptly and concisely, ensuring that your pitch is well-crafted and directly addresses the journalist’s needs. Include any relevant credentials, data, or insights that demonstrate your authority on the subject. By consistently providing valuable and timely responses, you increase your chances of being featured in media outlets, thereby building relationships with journalists and enhancing your brand’s visibility.
Is HARO Link Building a White-hat Link Building Technique?
Yes, HARO (Help A Reporter Out) link building is considered a white-hat link-building technique. The reason HARO is a white-hat link budding method is because the service aligns with the following principles:
- Legitimate and Ethical
HARO involves providing genuine expertise to journalists in exchange for a mention or link, making the technique a legitimate and ethical approach to building links. - Value-Driven
HARO technique focuses on creating meaningful content that benefits both the journalist and the audience, ensuring that the link-building process is based on value rather than manipulation. - Transparency
HARO promotes an open and clear process, with both parties understanding the mutual benefits, fostering trust and credibility in the link-building strategy.
Relevant Content
