@BullyStickGuy

Michael, I agree with you that journalists should take the time to acknowledge the responses. I think this has been a PR issue for years, even before the birth of HARO. There are many journalists that I know who will get back to a PR person with a yes or no, and many who are just too busy to respond. Doesn’t make it right, especially when there are other avenues to pursue with new influencers and direct to consumer social media communications.

Janet, you raise some very interesting questions. I’m not a lawyer but I don’t think you can copywrite the idea of HARO. As a matter of fact, I’m seeing HARO type newsletters pop up, including Reporters Source. I can only hope that HARO as it grows maintains the integrity of the service. They have done a very good job so far! As for some of your other questions, I ask the community to respond and provide insight!

Dawn & Dee, glad you enjoyed the interview and thanks Dee for saying you like my blog!

What happens when someone starts a local version of HARO (but calls it something else)? And they get local sponsors. Is this idea copyrightable? What about if people put #HARO on Twitter and pitch people directly rather than through the email list?

Like many online marketers, the email list is how HARO makes money. (Sideline: HARO’s ads are my favorite part of the email, plus I’ve heard great results from running an ad. They are stories about the usefulness of a service. Peter does a good job at making them relevant to the audience).

As the list grows can you maintain integrity? Can you do it without alienating fans? What about confidentiality? How much of the replies will become spam or ads?

These are the questions I’d ask.
Janet

However, journalists and writers need to know that they are accountable for their own reputations as well as those of whom they write for too. They don’t hold the ONLY keys to the publicity kingdom any more. There are avenues around them to get noticed. So they should treat everyone with respect as well. For example, I’ve submitted over ten responses. I sent thoughtful, detailed, and appropriate to the topic responses. Not ONE journalist or writer even acknowledged me. Not one of them – not even a canned copy & pasted “thanks but i’ve got all the material I need now.”

I posted a query on HARO once, and we responded to EVERY single person who responded to us, even if we didn’t use them. It was important for us to stabilize our reputation and treat people well who took their time. Yeah, we’re busy too guys. No, I didn’t really want to respond to them each. But we did, and there is no excuse for you not acknowledging people who reach out to help you in this day and age. You may well one day be out of a job and find that people have long memories.