---
title: HARO and Source Platforms — PR & Earned Media Module 4 — RGM Training
url: https://realgrowthmatters.com/training/pr-earned-media/haro-and-source-platforms/
updated: 2026-06-10
source_html: https://realgrowthmatters.com/training/pr-earned-media/haro-and-source-platforms/
---

RGM° · Training

# 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.

### What you will learn

1. What HARO was and what replaced it
2. The source-platform landscape (Qwoted, Connectively, Featured, etc.)
3. How journalists actually use source platforms
4. Building a working source-platform program
5. The journalist query and how to read it
6. The 60-second response framework
7. Sourcing volume vs sourcing quality
8. SaaS spokespeople and source-of-record positioning
9. Source platforms for thought leadership
10. Common source-platform failures
11. Operating cadence

## 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

Generic responses copied across queries. Pitching your product when the query asks for expert commentary. Responding after deadline. Poor spokesperson preparation. Failing to deliver promised data on time.

## 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.

**How to use this module:** The platform list (Section 2), the response framework (Section 6), and the failure list (Section 10) are the planning artifacts.

### Sources & further reading

- [Connectively (Cision)](https://connectively.us/)
- [Qwoted](https://www.qwoted.com/)
- [Featured](https://www.featured.com/)
- [SourceBottle](https://www.sourcebottle.com/)
- [ResponseSource](https://www.responsesource.com/)
- Books: David Meerman Scott, *The New Rules of Marketing and PR*; Andy Crestodina blog
- [Cision resources](https://www.cision.com/resources/)
- [Muck Rack blog](https://blog.muckrack.com/)
- [Poynter reporting](https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/)
- [Nieman Storyboard](https://www.niemanstoryboard.org/)
- [Columbia Journalism Review](https://www.cjr.org/)
- [PR Daily Resources](https://prdailyresources.com/)

---

Part of the [PR & Earned Media](/training/pr-earned-media/) series · RGM Training