Peter Shankman
Last week, Vocus launched a premium version of Help a Reporter Out (HARO), which brings journalists together with potential sources for a story. Since the original free version was founded in 2008, membership has grown to over 100,000. While the free version will continue to exist as-is, a premium paid version now provides new features, including publicity alerts, SMS alerts, journalist details and user bios. inVocus talked with HARO founder about what inspired him to originally create HARO and what makes him happy.
inVocus: How did you get the idea to initially launch HARO? What factors came into play?
Peter Shankman: I am a huge fan of helping. LOVE helping. HARO started as a way to help reporters and sources. It was a good thing to do. I was getting calls on a regular basis from reporters, since they knew I know everyone. They’d ask who I knew, how I could get them a source … over time, it started taking way too much of my time. [I] figured if I could create a repository, everyone would win.
inVocus: When launching it, why did you decide to make it free?
PS: I’d never planned on making money at it. I did it to be a nice person, and also get my name out.
inVocus: Did you ever think it would be as successful as it is?
PS: Not at first. As it started to grow, I was amazed by how many people continued to use it and talk of it. Still happens each day. It’s awesome.
inVocus: How much do you think journalists and PR pros have benefited from it?
PS: I’ve heard thousands of people who’ve emailed me (I probably get five “success stories” per day, explaining how HARO has helped.) Makes me so happy.
inVocus: How do you think HARO has impacted the PR/journalist relationship?
PS: I like to think I’ve helped users grow and learn their craft better – I enjoy teaching sources how to use HARO, and how to pitch better. That helps the relationship.
inVocus: How will the premium service differ from the free service?
PS: We’ll still have the free model. That’ll never go away. The premium service will help those who want more.
inVocus: What’s your ultimate goal by offering the premium service?
PS: To please everyone, in every way possible.
inVocus: What’s next?
PS: Always have new ideas. Primarily, though, I listen to my audience. Whatever they want, I’ll give them.
–– Katrina M. Mendolera
