Maybe you’ve experienced the daunting task of reaching out and making your first connection with a journalist, or maybe reading this blog is your first step. Knowing where to begin is often the hardest part. With the tools provided in this blog post, you will be able to start reaching out to and connecting with journalists.
It is essential to utilize the services readily available to you, so that can help you target the right media outlets. Below, you will see some highly recommended services, making it easier than ever before to connect with journalists, editors, and producers looking for someone with characteristics like yours!
The free subscriptions offered by the services below are perfect for those of you that are just starting out or looking for a low-cost way to start making some connections. We’ll also go through the prime benefits offered to monthly subscribers, who opt to pay a recurring fee for some fantastic features.
(Note: Prices listed are current as of October, 2022.)
HARO – Help a Reporter Out (helpareporter.com)
The benefits provided by this site should not be overlooked. Numerous publicists I know have used this site and seen some amazing results! The clients of these publicists were often featured in top-tier media, and they didn’t have to spend copious amounts of time searching to find the opportunities. This is all thanks to the site’s ability to connect journalists with knowledgeable sources quickly and easily. Just as quickly, it promises to match those knowledgeable sources with interested journalists, making it easier to form connections in half the time!
When you enter the site, you will be offered a free basic subscription followed by a monthly membership beginning at $19 a month. The subscription can get you all kinds of bells and whistles to help you streamline the process of building media connections.
Perhaps the most enticing feature is the ability to search keywords to further narrow down your searches and find exactly what you’re looking for. You will also receive a set number of emails each week to keep you up-to-date and informed about the latest opportunities for you. These emails provide great information on journalists looking for knowledgeable sources, and you can immediately respond and connect with them.
SourceBottle.com
SourceBottle is unique because it does focus on Australian media; however, I have gotten quite a few American clients media leads through using this underrated resource. In setting up your account, you will be asked to share information with the SourceBottle community about your area of expertise, allowing you to connect with journalists and bloggers whose work depends on your area of knowledge. The site is also commonly used by businesses to promote their products through giveaways for media outlets.
One of SourceBottle’s main features is the online “call out” function, used by journalists and bloggers to find various sources and experts. For the $25 monthly subscription, you can make your own expert profile to tout your knowledge to bloggers and journalists who need sources in your area of expertise.
Qwoted.com
Much like HARO, Qwoted is another golden ticket to connecting journalists with those experts who have credentials in the desired area of knowledge. Journalists post information about their current stories, while users are presented with the information and offer their own insights.
There are a few key features that make Qwoted a fan favorite, including the ability to see when a journalist reads your pitch. This feature offers the user a chance to see that their work is being read and considered, rather than lost in some inbox filled with thousands of emails somewhere. Yet another key benefit to this resource is the ability for users to track opportunities that they might not otherwise be represented – giving them the best chances of success. Qwoted also offers free membership, limiting users to two pitches per month. For those of you ready to invest, the pro version is available for $149 per month.
Terkel.io
Terkel is by far the most unique source I have come across because it offers users various opportunities for attribution in articles related to their areas of knowledge. Rather than connecting experts with journalists looking for sources, Terkel gives users the opportunity to be featured in an article based on their answers to a wide range of questions. All you have to do is fill out your answers, provide a headshot, and send your input to publishers who need it.
If a publisher chooses your answer, your quote will be included in their article, and you will be cited as a resource. If you’ve been looking for a way to build your online reputation and presence, users seem to agree, this is it.
Terkel’s free membership allows users to answer up to five questions per month. This resource also offers a monthly premium membership for $99 per month.
Start Connecting!
The resources I’ve provided for you here have made it easier than ever to reach out and connect with interviewers, publishers, and journalists who want to work with someone just like you! I recommend browsing through these resources, and others like them, to find the perfect fit for you.
