How One Startup Increased Website Traffic by 21% Using a Free Tool
Yep. You read that right.
Help a Report Out (HARO) is a FREE online service for journalists to receive helpful feedback from the public.
KOYA, a startup delivering magical moments, steadily increased website traffic by 21% through one successful HARO pitch.
Have I piqued your interest? Great. Let’s walk through how to get free publicity for your startup.
Let me be frank. At first, HARO can feel a bit daunting. Queries (journalists looking for sources) arrive in your inbox three times a day by the dozens.
When it comes to pitching, less can be more.
Make a habit of quickly scanning through each query to see if there is a good fit for your startup.
Once you find something interesting, read up on the publication and the journalist. If it still feels like it could be a good fit, spend some time crafting your pitch.
HARO Checklist:
- Be Personable and Helpful
Start with a brief, yet friendly introduction. Your pitch should feel as though it is adding value.
- Make it easy for the journalist to skim
If your pitch is longer, use bullet points or a brief recap at the end.
- Double-check the query
Make sure you give the journalist what they ask for and you meet their qualifications.
- Email Signature
If you haven’t already, make a simple email signature. This will make it easier for writers to find the sourcing details that they need.
- Make sure your subject line is attention-grabbing
Your subject line is the first (and maybe only) thing the journalist will read. Make it count.
- Create a Document to help you craft pitches quicker.
While the pitch should be personal and unique to the journalist//publication, it is helpful to keep a running document of previous pitches to speed up the process.
Aim to add value and make the journalist’s job easier.
You’ve sent your pitch. Now what?
- Create a Google Alert for your company name to be notified of any mentions.
- Use Ahrefs’ FREE backlink checker to find recent backlinks.
- Wait patiently. Don’t follow up. Seriously.
- If you were used as a source, be sure to share the piece (tagging both the publication and writer).
- Thank the journalist for including you.
If you found this to be helpful, you can find me on Twitter or read more over at The Littlest Startup. I am happy to answer your questions.
