How do journalists find expert sources?
Where do journalists find expert sources for articles? From official government websites to universities to Terkel, here are 15 answers to how journalists find expert sources:
- Official Government Websites
- The Help a B2B Writer Website
- Google Scholar
- HARO
- Communities On Reddit
- Terkel
- Universities
- ProfNet
- Social Media
- Leverage Search Engines
- Call or Email An Expert from Various Institutions
- PR Newswire or Qwoted
- Use #journorequest on Social Media or Check https://www.expertsources.co.uk
- ExpertFinder
Official Government Websites
Government websites are one of the most trustworthy sources of information on the internet. If you’re looking for public data or searching for confirmation on certain legal matters, government websites are second to none in providing you with accurate and current information. They are frequently updated, and public announcements, instructions, and FAQs are written in such a way that every citizen can access and understand.
Natalia Brzezinska, PhotoAiD
The Help a B2B Writer Website
“Help a B2B Writer” is one of the best websites for journalists looking for experts in a given field. It connects them with knowledgeable sources who can provide them with reliable information for their stories. The big advantage of “Help a B2B Writer” is that sources have access to journalists’ email addresses, which enables them to attach files such as images, screenshots, and so on.
Michal Jonca, Passport Photo Online
Google Scholar
Journalists who want to get expert sources for their articles should look to Google Scholar. Google Scholar is a wide range article publishing site where leading experts share their views, you can get help from there for any topic — or get details of experts that are also available, from where you can contact them. You can easily get new ideas and information about your topic by contacting these experts.
Adam Fard, Adam Fard Studio
HARO
HARO (Help a Reporter Out) is a great platform that allows journalists to connect with expert sources. By sending out queries, various experts from all over the world give their responses. Journalists can also specify which type of experts they are looking for and limit the length of responses they’d like to receive.
Debbie Meeuws, Nature’s Arc Organic
Communities on Reddit
Reddit lets you connect with communities that have experts in particular fields.
To obtain a list of the communities related to your topic, type a generic term into the search engine. From there, you can find specialized Reddit communities that match your area of the article. There are more than 900 members in each group, and they discuss everything relating to a particular field. This helps journalists to find expert sources for articles.
Madhurima Halder, Recruit CRM
Terkel
Terkel is a platform that has succeeded in connecting journalists and bloggers with experts and is one of the best places to get expert sources for your article. All you need to do is sign up and post your questions. Terkel will connect your question with experts in the field, and also narrow down the number of answers to the best ones. Then, you can decide to go with any of your preferred answers.
Simon Bacher, Simya Solutions
Universities
Universities are great places to find expert sources, as universities have many experts who can give you many ideas for your topic. And these experts have a wide range of connections. So contact any of these experts who are the best for your topic. Even if the guy you’re talking to doesn’t understand what you’re asking, he’ll still provide you with expert sources.
Andrew Priobrazhenskyi, Discount Reactor
ProfNet
If you’re looking to connect with credible experts to write about, I highly suggest using ProfNet. Input a question or sign up for an “expert alert” newsletter that features information sources for breaking news. Typed out your question? Specify the locations and organization’s that will receive your message, and provide some information about the people you’re trying to reach and when you need to hear back from them. Through this system, I’ve discovered a wealth of informational resources.
Daniel Foley, Daniel Foley Consultancy
Social Media
Finding expert sources is not as easy as it looks. But social media can be your best friend for expert sources. Social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and others you’re using are best for finding expert sources.
You can simply put a question on your story and ask for recommendations from followers. For example, if you want to know how a small business survived in pandemic, you can put a question in the story ” Hey friends, any of you have a small business?
I am writing an article on this topic, how small businesses survived, and what were their strategies”. Moreover, you can join different groups and get expert sources for different topics.
Scott O’Brien, PPC Ad Lab
Leverage Search Engines
I think sometimes it’s better to use basic techniques to find a subject. You can use Google or other search engines. Go to Google, and simply write the topic you want to know about. For example, if your topic is ‘Man’s Best Daily Routines’, simply search it on Google. You’ll find the links about your topic on the first page where you can get expert sources for your article — or you can get help from Google recommendations. So, I think search engines are an easy, and simple way to find expert sources for your topics.
Robert Warner, Virtual Valley
Call or Email An Expert from Various Institutions
It seems old-fashioned, but it is effective. Mailing or calling various institutions for any of your topics can easily provide you with expert sources for your topic. Therefore, it helps to create a strong relationship with different organizations from which you keep getting new ideas through emails or calls. Also, you get the benefit of strengthening bonding with different organizations as they get ideas from you on different topics, which is very beneficial for you.
Joe Troyer, Digital Triggers
PR Newswire or Qwoted
Sending out a request using a platform like PR Newswire for Journalists or Qwoted is another option to find sources. Both of these services let you submit a request describing the kind of expert you’re looking to interview, and they subsequently distribute that request to their subscribers in the public relations sector. They are both free for reporters to use.
A skilled public relations professional will answer your request with the name of a client who fits the requirements you provided. Many specialists hire PR consultants to secure media attention for them.
Keep in mind that these sources may be doing so to gain recognition for their company, a book they just published, or for any other business purpose. If a source asks you to “guarantee” something, such as a link to their website or a mention of their book, you should consult your editor before granting the request.
Hamza Usmani, BuyWeGovyOnline
Use #journorequest on Social Media
The best goldmine of expert sources depends on your subject. If you have a broad question and want to access a hivemind of connections and ideas, try the social media platforms you use most frequently, using the hashtag #journorequest. You can also ask your connections to share your question. This is a great way of getting an intro to potential sources. If your subject matter is very specific, try a website like https://www.expertsources.co.uk, which lists experts according to their subjects and interests.
Sue Moore, Virtual Gold Dust
Besides the obvious HARO and Terkel platforms, journalists can reach out to expert sources via Muck Rack, Pr Newswire, Prowly, or Linkedin. Linkedin hosts a ton of content from various sources, CEOs, professionals, and like-minded individuals who share their knowledge on various topics daily. If you’re a professional journalist on the hunt looking for more quotes from those with real-life experience, you may want to scour that site for credentials and content that could be useful in your next piece.
Haley Wood, The Look
ExpertFinder
ExpertFinder has a network with over 30,000 industry experts that journalists can contact directly. Each expert is categorized according to their niche, which makes it easy for journalists to locate sources with credentials and qualifications relevant to their article.
They can narrow down their search according to the specific topic they are looking for, making the process more efficient. The platform’s database is mainly composed of professors and academics across the United States and Canada.
The advantage of ExpertiseFinder is journalists are less likely to get pitches from bloggers or marketers with irrelevant credentials. It’s less work for them if they don’t have to scan through irrelevant pitches.
Jim Campbell, Epic Carribean
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