Introduction
Getting media coverage today is tougher than ever. While HARO's recent shutdown caught many off guard, savvy PR pros know the fundamentals of landing top-tier media coverage haven't changed. Every day, journalists at outlets like WSJ and Forbes wade through hundreds of pitches, but only a select few make the cut. The difference between getting featured and getting forgotten isn't luck - it's about understanding what journalists really need, regardless of the platform.
Looking back at successful HARO pitches provides valuable insights for modern media outreach. We are about to share real pitches that landed coverage in places like The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, Forbes, House Digest & Entrepreneur.
This is not theoretical "you should do this" advice, but actual examples that got results. This isn't about mourning HARO's end - it's about understanding timeless principles that work across all media relationships.
Note: In these examples, all names below and some identifying details are placeholder names for privacy reasons.
Example HARO Pitch for Health and Wellness Query
Topic: Memory & Travelling
Hi Journalist M,
I’m Dr. Milly Osborn, a clinical psychologist who has dedicated over two decades to studying how everyday fears, anxieties, and stress impact our mental well-being. After completing my doctorate at a leading research university, I've conducted extensive research on human emotion and behavior at various institutions, recently publishing a comprehensive guide on psychological well-being.
Understanding the Recency Effect:
The recency effect is our brain's natural inclination to remember data we come across most recently more precisely than it would from older stimuli. When our brain encounters new information, it maintains relatively high and stable activity levels that favor continuous learning. However, unlike traditional views suggesting simple memory capacity limits, this process is actually driven by the brain's neural networks actively managing information through recurrent inhibition.
The key finding is that newer memories don't just passively push out older ones - rather, the brain's neural activity levels actively optimize for recent information acquisition while allowing earlier memories to naturally fade through a process called retroactive interference. It's similar to writing on a whiteboard where new information is crystal clear while older marks gradually become less distinct.
Role in Memory Formation:
The recency effect is important in how our memories form and are accessed over time. It distorts our memories of former events by stressing the last moments disproportionately. Then, by giving the most recent information we took into account top priority, this recency bias feeds forward to affect decisions and behavior. In a learning environment, educational results depend most on material studied just before an assessment being consolidated into long-lasting memory traces. It also brings possible distortions, though, where recency dominates the whole temporal background. Strategic approaches can maximize its advantages by organizing data to highlight significant conclusions at the end so supporting retrieval and integration.
I hope this helps. If you decide to use my comments, I would appreciate a shout-out and link to Milly Osborn.
What Makes This a Winning Pitch:
Expert credibility
Dr. Milly Osborn's introduction as a clinical psychologist with extensive experience in fear and anxiety research, combined with her academic credentials, immediately establishes her as a trustworthy voice in the field.
Scientific accessibility
The pitch masterfully bridges complex neuroscience with everyday analogies, making intricate concepts digestible without sacrificing scientific accuracy.
Practical application
By connecting theoretical frameworks to real-world scenarios in learning and decision-making, the pitch offers tangible value to readers seeking to understand and enhance their cognitive capabilities.
Example HARO pitch for Human Resources Query
Topic: Things That Frustrate Senior Leadership
Hello Journalist E,
I am Kaleb Barron, CEO and co-founder of Prospector, an HR advisory firm that transforms struggling company cultures into thriving workplaces. After 15 years leading HR at Silicon Valley startups and Fortune 500 companies, I launched my firm in 2018 to help organizations navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of modern work.
How Bosses Can Get Angry During Downtime
Managers become very irritated when employees appear busy but don't maximize their downtime. One could argue that this behavior is lazy, a waste of valuable resources, and a missed opportunity for both professional and personal growth.
Managers expect effective time management from team members. They might take on more work, engage in professional development exercises, or search for methods to streamline processes and boost output. Workers who appear to be merely killing time or engaging in non-work-related activities during downtime could give the impression that they are not fully dedicated to their positions or the company's success.
The phrase "because we've always done it that way" should never be used.
Adopting innovation and questioning the status quo are crucial for maintaining competitiveness and promoting growth in the quickly changing business environment of today. Employers highly value adaptability, creativity, and a growth mindset, all of which can be demonstrated by employees who refuse to change or cling to antiquated practices just because they've always done it that way.
Team members who are willing to question accepted wisdom, embrace new ideas, and never stop searching for ways to improve processes are sought after by managers. "Because we've always done it that way" can be read as a lack of receptivity to novel and potentially more effective methods of accomplishing tasks. This type of thinking may limit an individual's opportunities for professional growth and make it harder for an organization to stay competitive.
By identifying and avoiding these bothersome behaviors and statements, job seekers can make themselves seem like more desirable candidates to employers and managers, who place a high value on dedication, dependability, flexibility, and creative thinking. Maintaining open lines of communication, actively seeking feedback, and embracing a growth mindset are all important ways to establish positive relationships with superiors and pave the way for career success.
I hope this helps. If you decide to use my comments, I would appreciate a shout-out and link to ProspectHR.
What Makes This a Winning Pitch:
Authority & Experience
Kaleb Barron's unique combination of Fortune 500 HR leadership and entrepreneurial success as a founder provides a compelling dual perspective that few others in the field can match.
Actionable Framework
The pitch cuts through typical HR theory by delivering a clear, implementable structure that addresses critical workplace challenges while demonstrating direct impact on business performance and growth.
Example HARO Pitch for Tech & AI Query
Topic: Business Challenges While Implementing Artificial Intelligence
Hi Journalist E,
I’m Alfred Jones, CEO of Nexxis. Before starting Nexxis, I worked as a former senior product manager at a leading tech company and as a software engineer at another major Silicon Valley firm. I specialized in AI and machine learning applications.
I gained firsthand experience navigating the difficulties of scaling AI for business impact and integrating it into real-world workflows through these roles.
Since AI is only as good as the data it processes, data quality is, in my experience, one of the most ignored obstacles. Even the most sophisticated AI models are undermined by the fact that many businesses find out too late that their data is fragmented, inconsistent, or inadequate.
Beyond data, there is a crucial human component: teams may be resistant due to concerns about job displacement, and employees may not be able to fully utilize AI tools due to a lack of thorough training. It takes two investments to integrate AI successfully. First, creating a strong data infrastructure that facilitates scalable insights; and second, encouraging a collaborative and ever-improving work culture. AI's adoption and impact are slowed down without these fundamental steps, which turn it from a transformative asset to a misunderstood tool.
I hope these insights provide valuable direction for your article. If you decide to include my thoughts, a mention and a link to Nexxis would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!
What Makes This a Winning Pitch:
Balanced Technical-Human Perspective
The pitch masterfully weaves together the technical complexities of AI implementation with the often-overlooked human factors, offering a refreshingly holistic view that acknowledges both the technological and cultural challenges of enterprise AI adoption.
Strategic Implementation Framework
The pitch's power lies in its concrete, actionable approach to AI integration, moving beyond theoretical discussion to provide a practical roadmap that connects data infrastructure and company culture to measurable business outcomes.
Example HARO pitch for Home Improvement Query
Topic: Transformative Landscape Design Styles
Hey Journalist S,
I’m Ronnie Everett, founder of Shieldworx, an exterior services contractor who has been providing services to Colorado and the surrounding areas. Many homeowners have benefited from our assistance in improving the aesthetics and usability of their outdoor areas. In order to ensure a unified and aesthetically pleasing outcome, we also provide advice on how to choose the best exterior colors and materials to go with the overall landscaping design.
Adaptive Landscape Design
Because of changing weather patterns and growing concerns about climate change, there is a growing movement to design landscapes that are resilient to extreme weather conditions. In order to effectively manage stormwater runoff, this strategy entails installing rain gardens or bioswales, adding drought-tolerant plants that require little water, and selecting hardy, cold-resistant plants that can withstand harsh winter conditions. By creating landscapes that are better suited to temperature fluctuations, precipitation, and other environmental factors, homes can reduce their environmental impact while preserving the visual appeal and practicality of their outdoor spaces.
Hardscaping
In addition to using various plant materials, hardscaping—that is, the outdoor design's non-living components—is also gaining popularity in landscaping trends. Materials like composite decking, natural stone, and concrete pavers are becoming more and more popular because they are long-lasting, low maintenance, and can add texture and visual interest to the overall design. These hardscaping elements can be creatively incorporated into the landscape to produce patios, retaining walls, walkways, and other functional and decorative elements.
Fire Features
Examples of features that not only warm and enliven outdoor areas but also enable their use into the evenings and during the winter months are firepits, chimeneas, and firebowls. These components create a focal point for the outdoor space and make it a cozy gathering spot for loved ones. Because propane-fueled models eliminate the need to move and store firewood, they are particularly attractive due to their low maintenance requirements. Fire characteristics contribute to the creation of cozy, all-year outdoor areas.
I hope this helps. If you decide to use my comments, I would appreciate a shout-out and link to Shieldworx.
What Makes This a Winning Pitch:
Market Authority
Ronnie Everett's position as Shieldworx's founder, combined with their proven track record in Colorado's distinctive landscaping market, establishes immediate credibility through demonstrated regional expertise rather than theoretical knowledge.
Solution-Focused Structure
The pitch brilliantly weaves together environmental sustainability, practical design elements, and lifestyle enhancements into a cohesive narrative that delivers actionable insights while demonstrating deep industry understanding.
Example HARO pitch for Business & Entrepreneurship Query
Topic: Tips to Maximize Startup Capital
The idea of accomplishing more with less wasn't merely a tactic when I founded Bizzlink; it was a necessity.
Since we lacked the luxury of limitless funds, every choice we made had to be well-considered, deliberate, and economical. In my opinion, adopting what I like to refer to as purposeful minimalism was the most significant way we maximized capital.
We deviated from the norm rather than attempting to match major players feature for feature. We purposefully reduced the product to its most basic function, which is to give brands and creators a simple, elegant method of combining several links in one location. Overengineering a product is easy to do in today's world, but it typically depletes capital quickly. We avoided hiring an excessive team and significantly reduced development costs by restraining ourselves from the temptation to overbuild.
Our choice to forego the launch of a significant feature that we initially believed would change the game is one instance that demonstrates this strategy. We chose to beta-test with a small group of users who were more concerned with functionality than with fancy features. Their suggestions helped us simplify the product so that we could concentrate our efforts on what really mattered—user satisfaction. I learned from this that sometimes the way to capital efficiency is about paying close attention to what your users actually need and knowing when to scale too quickly.
Not only did that choice save us money, but it also provided us with a more lucid road map. I think that being strategic with every dollar spent is more important for a lean startup to survive and thrive than simply reducing expenses. If what you're doing actually benefits your users, you can grow by doing less.
What Makes This a Winning Pitch:
Authentic Experience
The founder's personal narrative about "purposeful minimalism" transforms abstract capital efficiency concepts into tangible actions through real-world business decisions that resonate deeply with fellow entrepreneurs.
Concrete Impact Story
By detailing the counterintuitive choice to forgo a "game-changing" feature in favor of focused beta testing, the pitch powerfully demonstrates how strategic restraint can lead to greater success than ambitious feature expansion.
Strategic Vision
The pitch elevates beyond basic cost-cutting rhetoric by presenting a sophisticated understanding of strategic capital deployment, challenging conventional startup wisdom with the powerful insight that intentional minimalism can drive stronger growth.
Final Takeaway
Exceptional media pitches share three fundamental traits that transcend industry boundaries: authentic expertise, actionable insights, and strategic storytelling. The winning examples demonstrate that successful pitches aren't just about credentials - they're about connecting genuine experience with practical value through compelling narratives.
What truly sets these pitches apart is their ability to bridge the gap between expert knowledge and practical application. They don't just inform - they transform complex concepts into actionable frameworks that journalists can easily translate for their readers. This approach consistently proves more effective than traditional "spray and pray" pitching methods.
The key is to remember that journalists aren't just looking for experts - they're looking for storytellers who can make expertise meaningful to their audience. When you combine deep domain knowledge with clear, practical insights and wrap it in an engaging narrative, you create the kind of pitch that not only gets read but gets published.
