Comments on: Boomerang Research or Can They Really Be This Lazy?

By: Sasha H. Muradali

Sasha H. Muradali — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:00:29 +0000

That's interesting, to say the least.

I don't think HARO is a "horror" first of all. I think it's an excellent resource for journalists who are really seeking specific experts. Experts like, someone who is great at music, but ended up in Med School and how music is helping them be a better doctor.

That's what HARO offers...if used correctly.

But whether or not this question came through there or ProfNet is neither here nor there.

That question, whichever outlet it came from, shouldn't have been let through the radar because it's ridiculous.

Even if the reporter was THAT lazy, they could have just ventured over to Wikipedia. It's not that hard.

This person, whoever they are, really gives journalist a bad rep. Like the commenter above me, I hope this person was a newbie rather than a seasoned vet.

If it's the latter, rather than the former...well, that would be a huge problem and concern.

By: Sasha H. Muradali

Sasha H. Muradali — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:00:29 +0000

By: PRCog

PRCog — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 17:18:40 +0000

Hi -

Thanks for your comment. True, moronic may be more appropriate as going this route is certainly not the simplest (i.e. indicator of laziness).

The other major service is ProfNet, which is slightly different in structure and schedule than HARO. There are a few sector specific lists I've heard of.

Cheers

By: Tweets that mention Boomerang Research or Can They Really Be This Lazy? :PRBreakfastClub -- Topsy.com

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 13:13:04 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by PRCog and Christina K. Christina K said: Sick, working from home today. Blaming the rain. New posts from @PRCog "Can they really be that lazy" http://bit.ly/qbMDn #prbc [...]

By: Name

Name — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 05:41:15 +0000

I'm a journalist and I don't feel this request is lazy. I feel it's moronic. I can't imagine any real media professional voluntarily submitting themselves to the horror that is HARO just to get one very basic answer. In the amount of time it took this person to submit the request, they could have emailed the local zoo and gotten the quote. Instead, they basically raises their hand and say, “Yes, please! Inundate me with random off-topic queries and interview candidates that will do nothing but fill up my inbox and waste my time.”

All I can say is, I hope the journo is a brand newbie. I personally used HARO once and never will again…and I don't even know what the other “journalist seeking expert” services are.