Ever heard of HARO?
Sure you have. HARO, now known as Connectively, is a fantastic way to build your brand through PR, score high-quality backlinks, and build lasting relationships with journalists. But it only works if you use it the right way.
This guide will show you exactly how to do that, covering:
How Connectively benefits your brand
How to set up an account
How to pitch properly and get better results with less work
How to overcome the challenges of Connectively pitching
With a lot to cover, let’s dive right in.
What is Connectively and How Does it Work?
Connectively (formerly HARO, short for "Help a Reporter Out") connects journalists, reporters, and bloggers with subject matter experts. It serves as a middleman between journalists looking for quotes and experts ready to contribute their knowledge.
Experts aren't the only sources journalists look for. Real-life experiences from everyday people are just as valuable. This means both a business expert and a single mom with a compelling story can get featured. These diverse perspectives enrich journalists' pieces, making them more credible and valuable.
Connectively helps both parties find each other. Journalists get timely, exclusive information delivered to them via email, and sources build their brands and earn links by getting quoted.
Here's a simple breakdown of how Connectively works:
Journalists send in their queries.
Connectively emails these queries to sources with relevant expertise.
You receive these queries three times a day, Monday through Friday.
You select the queries that align with your expertise and respond.
Each request generally includes:
The main topic of the story
Inclusion criteria
Deadline for submission
An anonymous email to submit your pitch
Benefits of Connectively for Marketers
Using Connectively the right way offers several exciting benefits:
1. High-Quality Backlinks
Quality backlinks are crucial for a successful SEO campaign. They act as endorsements from other sites, vouching for your content's value. Google and other search engines use these backlinks to help determine where pages will rank in search results. Connectively offers the chance to earn dream links from top sites like The New York Times, Forbes, and Entrepreneur.
2. Brand Building
Web users prefer doing business with reputable brands. Media mentions and press features are integral to building your brand. Using Connectively can help you score mentions on popular sites, boosting your brand's visibility and credibility. Responding to local queries can also drive more business from your physical store's vicinity, positively impacting your local search rankings.
3. Building Relationships with Journalists
Getting featured in the press is great, but it's even better to build relationships with journalists. Connectively connects you with journalists whose interests match your business or industry. Providing valuable responses can position you as a go-to expert, leading to more opportunities over time.
4. Connecting with Webmasters in Your Niche
Connectively isn't just for journalists. Bloggers, influencers, and non-profits also use it to find expert sources. This provides opportunities to connect with other webmasters in your industry, opening doors for guest posts and collaborations.
How to Sign Up for Connectively
Signing up for Connectively is straightforward and free. Here's how to do it:
Go to the Connectively Website:
Click the sign-up icon.
Fill in Your Details:
Enter your name, email, company, areas of expertise, and select your industry categories.
Confirm Your Account:
Connectively will send a confirmation link to your email. Click the link to activate your account and start setting up your profile.
Setting Up Your Connectively Profile
After creating your account, the next step is setting up your profile. Select the appropriate account type and make sure your basic details are accurate. Choose the right industry and areas of expertise to ensure you receive relevant queries. You can also subscribe to the Master Connectively email to review all daily queries directly in your inbox.
Responding to Connectively Queries
Your success with Connectively depends on the quality, relevance, and timeliness of your pitch. Here’s how to craft effective responses:
Be Timely
Journalists work on tight deadlines. Your response needs to arrive within the deadline, preferably much sooner. The competition is fierce, and being on time can make all the difference.
Be Direct
Your pitch should be concise and to the point. Stay within the recommended word count and avoid pitching products or services. Journalists prefer soundbites they can quote directly.
Be Relevant
Only respond to queries where you can genuinely contribute. Tailor each response to the specific query and avoid generic pitches.
Be Thorough
Proofread your pitches to avoid typos and errors. A well-polished response increases your chances of being selected.
Overcoming Challenges of Connectively
Despite its benefits, Connectively has its challenges, including high competition and vague queries. However, with practice and persistence, you can overcome these obstacles. Setting up Google Alerts for your brand and creating a dedicated email label for Connectively queries can help manage these challenges.
Now I know what you're thinking.
What if there was a way we could use AI to get HARO Backlinks?
Well. There is. Let me introduce you to PressPulse.io
Using PressPulse AI for Connectively Backlinks
For seasoned professionals eager to share their knowledge but lacking the time for active media engagement, PressPulse AI is the perfect solution.
This platform uses GPT-4 to generate personalized journalist inquiry leads, saving you time while ensuring your pitches are tailored and relevant. Start your free trial with PressPulse AI to see how it can enhance your link-building strategy and help you secure valuable media coverage.
By following these strategies and leveraging tools like PressPulse AI, you can maximize your Connectively link-building efforts and achieve better results in gaining valuable media exposure.
