How to Find Expert Sources or Be an Expert Source for Blog Stories and Publicity

Did you know there are free resources that bloggers can use to find experts and professionals as sources for blog posts?  Did you know that these same free resources also allow you to offer your own services as an expert source, which gives you a great way to promote your blog both online and offline?

Consider this scenario — you’re writing a great blog post, but you need an expert to help you get the facts straight or provide a quote to take the post to the next level of authority.  Where do you find an expert?

Consider another scenario — you want to increase exposure for your blog, build your authority and your blog’s authority, and boost awareness and traffic to your blog by providing quotes and interviews to journalists, bloggers and publishers.  How do you do it?

The free online resources below can help you find experts and become an expert source for other publishers:

1. Help a Reporter Out (HARO)

HARO is a free tool that journalists, authors, publicists, businesses, and more use to find sources and offer services as topic or industry experts.  You can submit your requests for sources using the form on the HARO website.  Each day, members are sent emails listing requests for experts and sources.  You can respond to any request that you’re qualified for.  Just follow the individual response instructions published with each opportunity.  Follow the link to learn 5 tips to help bloggers maximize HARO.

2. ProfNet

ProfNet is a service offered by PRNewswire.  You can register for a free ProfNet account and then browse through submitted requests for experts and sources or publish your own requests. You can follow the link to learn how to create a ProfNet opportunity.

I have used both of the free tools listed above and recommend both to bloggers who want to find expert sources and promote themselves as expert sources.  For example, many of the real-world stories and case studies included in my book about social media marketing come from ProfNet and HARO calls for sources.  Through those requests, I met people and heard stories that I wouldn’t have found on my own, and I broadened my own online network in the process!

Have you used HARO or ProfNet?  Leave a comment and share your story.

5 Tips to Help Bloggers Maximize HARO

Peter Shankman founded the HARO mailer network many months ago. Since then, the Help a Reporter Out network has grown into perhaps the most powerful community of networkers, journalists and product marketers on the Internet. Not only is the network free to use, it is also very effective. Here are some tips to maximize the use of HARO.

Don’t confuse the “source” and “media” request pages

This is the most fundamental rule, and is something that Shankman highlights at least twice on the main HARO page, which is reserved for companies who are the source of information. If you’re a journalist or blogger looking for leads, use the other page.

Be brief and get to the point

When looking for sources, note that the HARO mailer comes in the form of a digest. If you’re smart you’ll probably use the search function to go through a ton of requests. If you had all the time in the world to look through a dozen of these queries then fine, but put yourself in the position of the person looking through your query: avoid run on sentences and long introductions (i.e. avoid lines that start with “may I request the permission of your good office…”) and simply, get to the point. If you need a sponsor for a prize, give the benefits of the sponsorship. If you need leads, ask for it.

Be concise in credentials and duration of requests

By credentials, I mean filling up the form with an email that looks authentic. Use your business email if possible. When asking for leads it is beyond a doubt reasonable to give ample time for a response. Don’t ask for a lead with a deadline the very next day. Not only will it cause attrition on your part, but it will also most probably not be sent due to the way the mailing list is compiled. Remember, mailings are not sent immediately, but are collated first, then sent. It also goes without saying that you should not spam the HARO network.

Note the Gift Bag page

There’s a special page within HARO that caters specifically for “goodie bag” sponsorships. This is by all means not a paid list and should be used with a lot of discretion and respect. If you make products and want them to appear in loot bags, this list is for you.

Build relationships

More often than not, PR contacts will often save your email addresses in queries after a successful engagement. Don’t be a stranger an do keep in touch. Provide updates to build your very own network of contacts to sponsor prizes and receive wires.