HARO and Source Platforms

HARO is gone; the source platforms that replaced it are now the operating channel for earning quote placements. This module covers Connectively, Qwoted, Featured and the response framework that wins placements.

1. HARO and what replaced it

HARO (Help a Reporter Out) was the original journalist-source matching platform. Cision shut it down in late 2024. Replacement platforms include Qwoted, Connectively (Cision's successor), Featured, JournoRequests, Source of Sources, ResponseSource.

2. The source-platform landscape

• Connectively — Cision's HARO replacement; broadest journalist participation.
• Qwoted — Higher-tier journalist focus; subscription-based.
• Featured — Pitch-driven Q&A format.
• SourceBottle — Australian/UK origin, lifestyle-heavy.
• ResponseSource — UK-focused.
• JournoRequests — Twitter-aggregated journalist asks.

3. How journalists use them

Journalists post specific source needs ("I need a small business owner who automated their accounting in 2024"). Sources respond. Journalists pick. The platforms handle the matching at scale.

4. Building a program

• Subscribe to the relevant platforms.
• Filter queries by category relevance.
• Set up alerts.
• Maintain pre-approved spokesperson profiles.
• Maintain quote libraries on common topics.
• Speed-respond within the first hour.

5. Reading the query

• The outlet (tier).
• The angle (what story are they trying to tell?).
• The source type required (executive, customer, expert).
• The deadline.
• The format (quote, full interview, data).

6. The 60-second response framework

1. Acknowledge the query specifically.
2. Establish the source's relevance in one line.
3. Provide a quotable quote.
4. Offer to expand if useful.
5. Include contact info for follow-up.

7. Volume vs quality

The temptation: respond to every relevant query. The better discipline: respond to queries where you have something distinctly useful. Quality of responses matters more than quantity for building real placement rate.

8. Source-of-record positioning

Over time, journalists in a beat develop a "go-to source list." Earning a place on that list is the highest-leverage PR outcome. Source platforms are a path in.

9. Source platforms for thought leadership

Featured, Quora, Substack DMs, LinkedIn DMs from journalists, Twitter/X mentions: all are sourcing channels. The integrated source program covers all.

10. Common failures

11. Operating cadence

• Daily: query monitoring and 60-second responses.
• Weekly: response-rate analysis, journalist outreach.
• Monthly: placement rate review, spokesperson rotation.
• Quarterly: program ROI vs other PR investments.

Part of the PR & Earned Media series · RGM Training