How To Build Backlinks To Your Websites With HARO

Introduction.

If you’re running a website, you probably already know that one of the most important factors for improving your search engine rankings is having backlinks.

The more quality backlinks you have pointing to your site, the more likely search engines are to view it as trustworthy and authoritative.

But building backlinks is no easy task. Sure, you can reach out to other websites and ask for links, but that doesn’t always work out the way you want. Here’s where HARO (Help a Reporter Out) comes in.

HARO is a powerful tool that connects journalists and media outlets with experts (like you!) who can provide valuable insights for their stories.

By using HARO, you can earn high-quality backlinks from reputable websites, boosting your website’s credibility and helping you get noticed by Google.

If you’ve been looking for a reliable way to build backlinks, this could be the solution you’ve been searching for.

In this article, I’ll show you step-by-step how to use HARO effectively to build backlinks to your website, some tips to improve your chances of getting featured, and answer some common questions about the process. Let’s get into it!

What is HARO?

First off, let’s take a closer look at what HARO actually is. HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a platform that connects journalists and bloggers with people who have expertise in a specific field.

If you’re an expert in something, you can sign up to receive daily emails from HARO, where reporters share queries they are working on.

These queries are open requests for expert opinions, interviews, or content to help with their articles.

As someone who wants to get backlinks, your goal is to respond to these queries and offer your expertise.

If a reporter uses your input in their article, they often give you a backlink as a thank you. It’s a win-win: you help a journalist, they get valuable content, and you get a link back to your website.

How HARO Helps With Backlink Building

HARO offers a fantastic opportunity to gain backlinks, especially from high-authority news outlets. When journalists mention your insights in their articles, they typically include a link back to your website as a source.

These links are often very valuable because they come from trusted sites like Forbes, The Huffington Post, or other industry-leading publications.

Having backlinks from authoritative sources can do wonders for your website’s SEO. The more quality links you have pointing back to your site, the better your chances of ranking higher in search engine results.

This is because Google views backlinks as a vote of confidence in your content. So, the more journalists use your quotes and insights, the more links you’ll get—and the more your website can climb the rankings.

But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. To make HARO work for you, you need a clear strategy. Here’s how to make it happen.

How Do I Get Started with HARO?

1. Sign Up for HARO.

The first step is to sign up for a free account on HARO. Once you’ve registered, you’ll start receiving emails with queries from reporters who need help with their stories. These emails are sent three times a day: morning, afternoon, and evening.

2. Choose Your Niche.

HARO covers a wide range of industries, so make sure you select the categories that are relevant to your expertise.

For example, if you’re an expert in digital marketing, you’ll want to select the “Business & Finance” or “Marketing” categories.

3. Respond Quickly.

Journalists are often on tight deadlines, so it’s important to respond to queries as soon as you can. The faster you respond, the better your chances of being included in the article.

HARO gives you a 24-hour window to submit your response, so keep an eye on your inbox and be ready to act quickly.

4. Craft a Compelling Pitch.

Your response needs to be concise, professional, and, most importantly, valuable. Journalists receive tons of responses, so you need to stand out. Here are a few tips for writing a pitch that will get noticed:

• Be relevant: Make sure your response directly addresses the query. If the journalist is asking for tips on digital marketing, don’t talk about SEO alone—offer specific advice that relates to the topic they’re writing about.
• Be concise: Journalists don’t have time to read long responses. Keep it short and to the point, while still providing useful information.
• Include a link: Always include a link to your website or your blog if it’s relevant to the query. This gives the journalist an easy way to verify your credentials and gives you that all-important backlink.
• Personalize your response: Avoid sending generic responses. Mention the reporter’s name and reference the specific query to show you’ve read it carefully.

Keep in mind that journalists are looking for credible experts. If you have experience, credentials, or a solid online presence, be sure to mention that. It helps build trust.

Tips for Getting Featured on HARO

1. Respond to Relevant Queries.

Focus on queries that match your area of expertise. Responding to irrelevant or out-of-context requests will hurt your chances of getting a backlink.

2. Be Brief, But Specific.

Journalists often skim through dozens of pitches. A short, well-crafted response is more likely to grab their attention.

3. Offer Insight, Not Just Answers.

Journalists are looking for expert insights, not just simple answers. Offer unique perspectives that will make the article stand out.

4. Follow Up.

If you don’t hear back, don’t be afraid to follow up. Politely remind the journalist about your pitch and express your interest in being part of the story.

5. Use HARO Consistently.

Don’t just try HARO once and give up. Building backlinks takes time. Keep responding to queries consistently, and over time, you’ll build relationships with journalists and land more opportunities.

How to Track Your Backlinks from HARO

Once you start getting featured in articles, it’s important to keep track of those backlinks. You can do this using tools like Google Search Console, Ahrefs, or SEMrush.

These tools can help you see where your backlinks are coming from and how they’re affecting your site’s performance.

If you notice that certain types of responses are getting you more backlinks, focus on improving those types of pitches.

And always keep an eye on your rankings to see how your backlink profile is impacting your SEO efforts.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to be a well-known expert to get backlinks on HARO?

A: Not at all! While having established authority can help, HARO is all about providing valuable insights. If you have useful knowledge or experience in your field, you have just as much chance of being featured as anyone else.

Q: Is HARO free to use?

A: Yes, HARO offers a free plan where you can receive daily queries. If you want access to premium features (such as being able to send more responses), there are paid options, but you can absolutely build backlinks without spending a dime.

Q: How often will I get backlinks from HARO?

A: It varies. Some reporters may feature your insights right away, while others may take time or decide not to include your pitch. Keep responding to queries regularly, and you’ll increase your chances over time.

Q: Can I use HARO for any type of website?

A: Absolutely! Whether you’re running a personal blog, an e-commerce site, or a business website, HARO can help you build backlinks. Just focus on responding to queries that align with your niche.

Conclusion

Building backlinks is an essential part of any SEO strategy, and HARO makes the process easier than you might think.

By offering your expertise in response to journalist queries, you not only get a chance to build backlinks from reputable websites, but you also increase your visibility and credibility in your industry.

Have you tried using HARO to build backlinks yet? What’s been your experience?