My.SilverAge and HARO
Last spring I attended a California Writers Club – Tri-Valley Branch meeting at which the guest speaker addressed out-of-the-box ways to get to know new people. One method was Help-A-Reporter-Out (HARO) www.helpareporter.com.
The speaker explained that by subscribing to HARO she has contributed to several articles, picked up some publicity, and best of all she developed a long-time friendship with an editor at a large New York newspaper.
HARO is easy. Go to the web site and sign up. Once on the mailing list I receive one or two emails each business day. If busy, I just hit delete, but I hate to miss out. Reporters from all forms of media need people to interview on countless topics. When I open HARO email I skip Biotech and Healthcare and head for the other eight to ten categories. Sometimes I find interesting requests in several categories.
In May I saw a subject line that caught my attention, Looking for seniors who started something new after 65.
I sent the reporter an email describing two things I started after 65, zip-lining and writing. I heard back the next day. The reporter already had a writer, but she was interested in my fear of heights, and zip-lining. We exchanged a few emails. Today, I’m one of six senior citizens featured in a slide show on my.SilverAge http://mysilverage.thebegroup.org/Retirement/6-Fearless-Seniors-Tackle-Their-Bucket-Lists. I’m number three.
This was the first tower we climbed. The reporter used two other photographs for her slideshow.
It’s takes five to ten minutes a day, less than an hour a week to check HARO. I’m sure that everyone who reads this blog could help a reporter. I guarantee you’ll have fun doing it.
I’m corresponding with a reporter now who is doing a piece on the difficulties faced by people in their sixties trying to find a job.
My motto: “Don’t act your age. Just because we’re old in the eyes of society doesn’t mean we have to sit in a rocker and act like old people. Be young in mind and spirit. If you want to try something new, do it.”
George,
Interesting advice, I’ll look into it. Zip lining! Go for it!
Tom
Nice story, George. Makes me want to give zip lining a try.
Sky diving, next.
Sky diving. No, that will never happen.
Love it Buddy!!! Good on you.
George, I’m reading this blog a bit late. I was gone for a few days and catching up is hell. But zip lining? I can relate. I, too, am afraid of heights and Bob signed us up to go zip lining in Costa Rica. Loved it. I’m going to the HARO sight and sign up. Thanks for the tip and keep trying new things.