Did you know that HARO, also known as Help a Reporter Out, is moving? Yes, that’s right! This popular platform that connects journalists with sources is ready to make some changes. As a professional or expert in your field, it’s important to stay updated on these changes to continue using HARO to its full potential.
But, is it really worth it? Let’s dive into the details and discuss changes that they are now implementing.
What’s New?
HARO has announced that they will change from FREE to PAID subscription. This move has sparked some user debates and discussions- is it worth the investment?
The answer is IT DEPENDS! If you rely heavily on HARO for sources or PR opportunities, the answer is a resounding YES. However, if you only use it occasionally, the FREE plan may suffice.
Before diving into the plans, we emphasize that HARO experience in Cision’s new app, Connectively, is worth mentioning.
In this platform, you can access additional features that can improve your overall HARO experience.
Now, let’s take a closer look at the 2 different plans available:
Lite Plan
The Lite does not require any payment, which is ideal for occasional users. This plan provides only 5 media opportunities per month, which is shocking compared to the free version. This means that you only get 1-2 media opportunities per week, which may need to be more for those who use HARO frequently for their off-page SEO strategies.
Core Plan
This is the paid version of HARO. At $19 per month, you can get 15 pitches per month. This is significantly higher than the Lite plan and can be a great option for those who need more media opportunities regularly. However, $19 per 15 pitches is quite expensive since we all know that a link is not guaranteed even if we submit an excellent pitch.
What do you think? Is the Core plan worth it for you? Do the additional features on Connectively make up for the cost?
Ultimately, it all depends on your business needs and how much value HARO brings to your PR and marketing efforts. If you have a solid strategy in place and can effectively utilize HARO’s resources, then investing in a paid subscription may be worth it. You can still add or buy pitches if you frequently use HARO.
Here’s a breakdown of cost per pitch for every account:
- 1 pitch – $0.99
- 6 pitches – $5.00
- 15 pitches – $10.00
Consider how often you use HARO and its potential benefits to your brand. It may also be worth experimenting with both plans to see which one suits your needs better.
Is It Worth Your Money?
To answer this question, let’s look at the bigger picture. HARO has been a valuable tool for businesses and professionals to gain media exposure and establish themselves as thought leaders in their respective industries. With the move to paid subscriptions, HARO can provide better quality leads and filter out spammy pitches, making it more efficient for journalists and sources alike.
For example, the Connectively platform allows users to filter media opportunities based on categories, making it easier for sources to find relevant pitches and for journalists to receive high-quality responses. This could increase the success rate of pitches, making the investment in a paid subscription worth it.
With a paid subscription, we expect an improvement in HARO’s overall quality, making it a more reliable and valuable resource for businesses and professionals. So this means that only those paying higher for a frequent HARO experience can have a higher chance of getting quality media opportunities.
Let’s remember that HARO is not just about gaining backlinks or media mentions. It’s also a great way to network with journalists and build relationships, which can lead to future collaborations and opportunities.
Ultimately, the decision to invest in a paid HARO subscription boils down to your business goals and how much value you place on PR and media exposure. It may be worth considering if you have the budget and are serious about utilizing HARO for your PR efforts.
Pros and Cons of new HARO subscription plans
Most of us know that HARO has been a free service for years, and the shift to paid subscriptions may take time to accept for some users. To help you weigh the pros and cons, here are some key points to consider:
Pros
- Higher quality leads and pitches: With paid subscriptions, we expect a decrease in spammy pitches, resulting in higher quality leads for journalists and better source opportunities.
- Improved filtering options: The Connectively platform offers more advanced filtering options, making it easier to find relevant media opportunities.
- Better chances of success: With fewer users on the paid subscription plans, your pitches have a higher chance of standing out and being selected by journalists. This can increase your chances of securing media mentions or backlinks.
- Email alert: You can get alerts anytime a new query matches your saved queries. This means you don’t have to constantly check for new media opportunities, saving time and effort.
Cons
- Cost: The biggest downside to the new subscription plans is the cost. Transitioning from a free service to paid one is a big change, and not everyone may be able to afford it.
- No guaranteed results: Despite investing in a paid subscription and submitting quality pitches, there is still no guarantee that journalists will select your pitch. This means you may be paying for pitches that do not result in media mentions or backlinks.
Now, it’s up to you to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons for your business. Suppose you believe that HARO is a valuable resource and can contribute significantly to your PR and marketing efforts. In that case, you are doing yourself a disservice by not investing in it. However, if budget is a major concern for your business, you may need to evaluate whether the paid subscription plans are worth it for your specific goals and needs.