By Marisa Palmieri
Senior Editor
Golf Course Industry
Via Seth Godin’s blog, I came across this relatively new give-and-take service for journalists and sources called Help a Reporter Out. I hear it’s similar to the PR Newswire/Profnet service, which I have never used myself, but what I like about Help a Reporter Out is its grassroots-ness. Founded by a publicist and run as a free service, HARO allows journalists to query the site’s database of some 23,000 potential sources. These folks have signed up to receive HARO’s query e-mails, and they’re supposed to honor an unofficial code that says “don’t waste a journalist’s time if you aren’t an expert on a requested topic.” I can’t attest to how well this service works yet – I just came across it today – but it seems uncomplicated and useful. I’m curious if any ASBPE members have ever used it?
I have not used it, but I am going to send this link to my coworkers. >>Thanks for the lead!
Interesting post Erin. Seth Godin is one of my favorite bloggers.
I haven’t used it yet either, but will if a broad enough topic comes up. The problem I’ve had with similar sites is that my information needs are generally too niched for their experts.>>I’d also urge B2B editors to sign up as experts in their topic area. That way, consumer media folks can get more nuanced information about our fields, something that’s all-too-often lacking right now.
Good point, Sue! I would never have thought of doing that.