Comments on: How to Handle an Overload of Sources http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/06/17/how-to-handle-an-overload-of-sources/ Living and loving the freelance life—on your own terms. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:46:01 +0000 hourly 1 By: Anne http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/06/17/how-to-handle-an-overload-of-sources/comment-page-1/#comment-149019 Anne Fri, 26 Jun 2009 04:29:37 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1209#comment-149019 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. 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.

]]> By: Debbie http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/06/17/how-to-handle-an-overload-of-sources/comment-page-1/#comment-148188 Debbie Thu, 18 Jun 2009 17:46:13 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1209#comment-148188 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. 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.

]]> By: June http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/06/17/how-to-handle-an-overload-of-sources/comment-page-1/#comment-148141 June Thu, 18 Jun 2009 01:04:41 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1209#comment-148141 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 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!

]]> By: LindaFormichelli http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/06/17/how-to-handle-an-overload-of-sources/comment-page-1/#comment-148118 LindaFormichelli Wed, 17 Jun 2009 16:25:36 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1209#comment-148118 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. 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.

]]> By: Jan http://www.therenegadewriter.com/2009/06/17/how-to-handle-an-overload-of-sources/comment-page-1/#comment-148115 Jan Wed, 17 Jun 2009 15:29:19 +0000 http://therenegadewriter.com/?p=1209#comment-148115 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,

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.

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