How to Handle an Overload of Sources
To find sources, I sometimes use Help a Reporter Out (HARO), a free service for writers that sends their source requests to thousands and thousands of members.
When I put out a request for sources, I like to thank all the people who get back to me. But with the overwhelming response I have gotten from HARO, it’s been difficult for me to answer every person — even pasting in a standard reply takes forever when you have 80 responses.
So I set up a separate gmail account just for HARO requests: lindasources@gmail.com. Then I set up the vacation autoresponder to say something like:
“Thanks for responding to my HARO request! The response I get from HARO is usually overwhelming, so please forgive the standard reply. I just wanted to let you know I received your e-mail and will be in touch if I’d like to interview you or your client. Thanks!”
I have the lindasources gmail account automatically forward to my regular e-mail account, but you could also not forward the e-mails and just check the account periodically when you do a HARO request.
Having a separate account also helps me avoid getting stuck on random press lists…if someone harvests my address from HARO to send junk to, I know where they got my address because I use it only for HARO. Then I can write to Peter and let him know that someone is abusing HARO.
The form e-mail is probably not the ideal solution because it lacks the personal touch, but it does save time.
When I shared this solution with some writers, one of them responded that at the end of every HARO request, he adds a note that he’ll reply only to those respondents that are a good fit. Another good solution.
Do you ever get an overload of potential sources? Do you try to thank them all? Why or why not? [lf]
Hi,
I’m brand new to freelancing, and I’ve heard about HARO. I was scared to try it but because of your blog, I just did. I sent up a free email account and sent in my question.
How specific should you be with HARO? I kept my question and explanation extremely short.
Hi, Jan,
Welcome to freelancing!
For HARO, I’d give enough details that you won’t be overwhelmed with almost-but-not-quite-right replies, but not so much that you’re giving away too much info on what a magazine plans to run. For example, instead of naming the magazine, you might say “for a national health magazine.” Also, be clear if you’re looking for “real people” or experts. And if you don’t want to hear from people pushing products, be clear that you don’t need to hear from vendors.
I like Linda’s advice: Be clear that you don’t need to hear from vendors pushing products. That was my experience unfortunately on a recent source search through HARO for a health-related article. I did ultimately find a couple of sources I could use but only after weeding through all the pitches for products! Wish I’d thought to include that caveat. Next time, for sure!
I used HARO once and got overloaded with agencies and vendors who were trying to push their services. They were reaching to say they were expert in my topic, and many that I followed up with didn’t have any ‘real’ information to share, they just seemed to want to get their name & company in print. Of all the responses I got, nothing was usable, so I decided not to go that route again.
However, you raise a good point, and I think I’ll give them another try and this time specify ‘no agencies, no vendors’, professionals with firsthand knowledge only need apply. Setting up a separate account is another good idea.
Perhaps these steps will keep the overload to a minimum, and generate responses I can use.
In theory I think HARO is a great idea.
The UK equivalents give you a dreadful overload, often offering something completely unrelated. I just wrote a piece on this actually. I know writers who’ve been offered the most absurd, irrelevant things. I find it’s helpful to be as specific as you possibly can.