Generate your HARO response
Paste any HARO query and AI writes a complete, professional response that gets you quoted.
Generate your HARO response
River's HARO Response Writer generates complete responses to Help A Reporter Out queries. You paste any HARO query, and the AI writes a professional response that addresses the journalist's question, establishes your credibility, and includes a quotable expert statement. Whether you're building media coverage for yourself or clients, securing backlinks, or establishing thought leadership, you get responses that make journalists want to quote you.
Unlike generic templates that sound stiff and robotic, we create responses that actually answer the question with specific insights. The AI understands HARO best practices (lead with credentials, answer the specific question directly, provide quotable statements, keep it concise), writes in a natural voice that journalists can use, and includes all required elements (quote, credentials, contact info structure). You get responses that feel professionally written and relevant, not obviously templatized.
This tool is perfect for freelance bloggers building authority through media mentions, PR professionals responding to HARO at scale, consultants establishing expertise, and small business owners pursuing press coverage. If you see HARO queries you can answer but don't respond because writing takes too long, or if your responses never get used, this tool helps. Use it whenever you find relevant HARO queries and want quality responses written fast.
What Makes HARO Responses Get Quoted
HARO responses get quoted when they directly answer the journalist's question with specific, usable insights. Journalists are on deadline and receive 50 to 200 responses per query. They use responses that make their job easy (clear credentials, quotable statement, no fluff). Weak responses are vague (success depends on many factors), overly promotional (let me tell you about my amazing company), or don't actually answer the question asked. Strong responses give journalists exactly what they need: expert credentials and a specific, quotable insight they can drop straight into their article.
The best HARO responses follow a tight structure. Subject line repeats the query topic so they can find your email. Opening establishes credentials in 1 to 2 sentences (who you are and why you're qualified to answer). Next paragraph answers their specific question with concrete detail. Include a quotable statement (write 1 to 2 sentences in first person that they can attribute to you). Add any supporting detail or examples. Close with your contact info and availability. Total length 150 to 300 words. Journalists want substance without having to dig through paragraphs to find the useful part.
To improve your inclusion rate, respond fast (within 2 to 4 hours if possible, as journalists often use early responses). Answer the actual question asked, not the question you wish they asked. Make one part obviously quotable (a clear, concise statement of insight or advice). Avoid jargon and marketing speak. Include credentials that directly relate to the topic (not your entire resume). Follow up only if they request it. Track which responses get used so you can refine your approach. Getting quoted 20% to 30% of the time you respond is solid. The real value compounds as media mentions build credibility over time.
What You Get
Complete HARO response directly answering the query
Clear credential establishment for the specific topic
Quotable expert statement ready for journalists to use
Professional structure with all required elements
Ready-to-send response you can submit immediately
How It Works
- 1Paste HARO queryCopy the complete HARO query including the question and details
- 2AI writes responseOur AI generates a complete, quotable HARO response in 1 minute
- 3Review and copyRead through the response and copy it to your clipboard
- 4Add details and sendAdd your contact info, adjust credentials if needed, then email to the journalist
Frequently Asked Questions
Will journalists know I used AI to write this?
The response sounds natural, but you should personalize it before sending. Add a specific example from your experience, adjust the credentials to match your exact background, or refine the quotable statement to sound more like your voice. Journalists care about getting useful expert quotes, not about your writing process. What matters is providing valuable, accurate information they can use. The AI drafts the structure and content. You ensure it's authentic to your expertise.
Can I use this if I'm not a perfect match for the query?
Only respond if you genuinely have relevant expertise. The AI can write a response to any query, but journalists want actual experts, not people faking credentials. If you're adjacent to the topic (not a perfect match but still qualified), make that clear in your credentials. Journalists appreciate honest framing (I'm not a doctor, but I've worked with 50 healthcare companies on this issue). Never misrepresent your expertise. Getting quoted once with fake credentials hurts your reputation permanently.
How fast do I need to respond to HARO queries?
Respond within 2 to 4 hours for best chances. Many journalists use responses from the first 20 to 30 replies. If you're responding 24 hours later, your odds drop significantly. This tool helps you respond quickly when you see relevant queries. Set up HARO alerts for your expertise areas and check email regularly. Speed plus quality beats perfect responses sent too late.
What if I don't get quoted?
Most responses don't get used, and that's normal. Journalists may get better responses, change article direction, or face word count limits. Don't take it personally. Keep responding to relevant queries. Track your response rate over time (20% to 30% is good). The media mentions you do get create compounding value (Google your name shows credibility, backlinks help SEO, credentials build trust). It's a volume game where consistent effort over months pays off.
Should I follow up if I don't hear back?
No, unless the journalist specifically requests it. They're busy and not responding means they went another direction. Following up clutters their inbox and hurts your chances in future queries. Submit your response and move on. If you get quoted, thank them briefly. Building reputation with journalists happens by consistently providing good responses when relevant, not by pushing for inclusion.
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