HARO (Help a Reporter Out) Is Discontinued? We Found Several Alternatives for You

As PR professionals, we know how vital it is to connect with journalists and share our expertise. For years, Help a Reporter Out (HARO) has been a go-to platform, enabling journalists to tap into a vast pool of experts across various fields. It bridged the gap between reporters seeking information and professionals eager to provide insights.

However, with the evolving landscape of media and PR, changes are inevitable. Cision, the company that acquired HARO back in 2014, has announced plans to shut down the platform along with Connectively by December 2024. A representative from Cision mentioned that this decision allows them to focus on their flagship product, CisionOne.

So, what now? Are we all doomed to scramble for media opportunities? Despair not. I bring good news. The creator of HARO has launched a new platform that carries the torch forward.

1. SOS (Source of Sources)

Meet SOS, accessible at sourceofsources.com. This platform, build by the creator of HARO himself, operates on a similar concept to HARO. Experts sign up, and journalists reach out with inquiries on topics that match your expertise. It's a seamless way to continue sharing your knowledge and building media relationships.

I've personally signed up for SOS and am eager to see how it works compared to the old HARO. I'm contributing my insights on podcast database and search. If you're looking to find an alternative to HARO, SOS might just be the perfect avenue.

2. PressPulse.ai

Now, let's talk about innovation. PressPulse is a platform that leverages AI to match journalists' queries with the most suitable experts. I've signed up for their service, and as it's a paid platform, the potential for precise matching is promising. My expertise in podcast technology—from databases to search algorithms—means I often get matched with relevant media opportunities.

The AI-driven approach minimizes the time spent sifting through irrelevant requests. It's not perfect yet—I've received some invites to appear on podcasts, which is great for publicity but not always aligned with my primary PR goals. Still, the platform is evolving, and the personalized matches are getting better.

I've also found the founder on Twitter and follows him. He goes by as Elvis and @GlitchPhoton on Twitter. From his twitter posts, it looks like he's passionate about the PR space and that's a very good sign.

Why These Alternatives Matter

In our fast-paced industry, adaptability is key. With HARO being shut down, platforms like SOS and PressPulse offer valuable alternatives to keep our PR efforts thriving. They provide fresh opportunities to connect with journalists, share our expertise, and stay relevant in our respective fields.

With the fast pace growth of AI, "traditional" digital communications is changing so we adapt or get left behind.