Free Publicity for Your eBay Business

Today's post is brought to you by my colleague Miriam Otto. She is a joy to work with and a very knowledgeable eBay seller and teacher. She told me about HARO and I have already signed up.

Interested in getting some free publicity for your eBay store or blog? Sign up for HARO. HARO (which stands for “Help A Reporter Out”) is a free resource that connects people with reporters and bloggers who are looking for sources to quote. Once you sign up for HARO, you will receive emails a few times a day featuring queries sent in by members of the media. For example, a reporter might be looking for someone in Oregon who became an eBay seller after losing his or her job.

According to the HARO website, “from The New York Times, to ABC News, to HuffingtonPost.com and everyone in between, nearly 30,000 members of the media have quoted HARO sources in their stories. Everyone’s an expert at something. Sharing your expertise may land you that big media opportunity you’ve been looking for.”
Here are some tips to help you make the most of HARO:

1. Check your email often. The last time I was quoted, I answered a query moments after receiving a HARO email. Once a reporter has found a source they like, they may stop looking.

2. Be clear and concise when responding to queries. Let the reporter know why you should be quoted. What are your credentials? I like to point out that I am a Top-Rated Seller and an eBay trainer.

3. If you are quoted, keep in touch with reporters via Twitter, Facebook, or email. They may need you again in the future.

4.Be sure to provide all of your contact information. Give them your phone number and email address so that they can get in touch with you immediately .

Sign up today at helpareporter.com, and take advantage of this free resource!

Miriam Otto writes the blog "The eBay Life," is an eBay Powerseller, and teaches eBay classes in Northern California.