If you are looking at different ways for creating content submitting to HARO (Help a Reporter out) is another tool in your promotional tool belt. HARO connects bloggers with journalists who work with highly respected media outlets. These journalists are looking for assistance from bloggers who can help them with their stories and deadlines.

These journalists will reach out to bloggers through a daily email looking for contributions to the topic they are writing about.  If chosen, your response can be part of the article adding credibility to you and the topic. Having several articles that reference you writing and knowledge begins to share the perspective that you are a subject matter expert or influencer in that topic. This is very relevant but not exclusive to nonfiction authors. Minimally, having an article written by a respected media source provides content for you to share with your followers.

Setting up your HARO account to receive daily emails is simple. Here is how you can set up your account to receive HARO queries.

Step one: enter URL https://www.helpareporter.com

Step two: sign up for your HARO account

Step three: sign in using your email

Step four: receive your confirmation for joining HARO

Step five: click on the confirmation email to verify your account

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Step six: update your account details

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Step seven: pick which categories you want to received inquiries from by ticking the boxes. (You can change this over time)

Once you finish the process, and depending on how many categories you pick, you will start to receive daily emails. (sometimes several times a day). You can scan these emails quickly to see if there are inquiries that you qualify to respond to. If you find something of interest, follow their direction exactly and keep an eye out on the deadlines. Some of these inquiries require immediate turnaround. Since these reporters don’t usually disclose which media outlet they work for you’ll never know if the inquiry you are responding to (or not responding to) is a top magazine. Reply to all of the ones you have something to contribute to. Good luck!