What sources do you use to get in touch with people to interview?

[bronte83]

I've used HARO in the past, but I just looked at their revised query rules for 2012, and they are a lot more strict than I remember.

So what other sources do you guys use?

Thanks in advance.

[CurlyJoe]

I use ProfNet from PR Newswire

[beanandpumpkin]

I also use ProfNet, and I try to network as much as possible so I have acquaintances that I don't mind calling.

[karmicwindows]

It depends on the kind of interviews. For local politics and legal news make friends with the assistants for local politicians and clerks in the courts. They in turn can point you in the right direction to bigger fish. For most everything else, I make a phone call. Surprisingly, most people will take a phone call from a lesser known writer to answer questions. Emails work to.

[maryalene]

HARO, Profnet, Google (for professional associations and industry groups), LinkedIn and Facebook

[SuzieQueue]

Press release feed sites, Twitter, LinkedIn, About.me, press/media link on their website.

[msuggitt]

I would normally go the association associated with the specific targeted industry that you are looking for. Other places (outside of the common online sources listed above) that can bring good results are local Fraternal Organizations like the Elks or Masons where members represent the most prominent professionals in the area.

I have also used targeted forums, to locate people I needed to interview in the past. If you have built up a good reputation, they are way more likely to answer. (Internet Warriors has a lot of really successful people as members)

[SuzieQueue]

Originally Posted by msuggitt

I have also used targeted forums, to locate people I needed to interview in the past. If you have built up a good reputation, they are way more likely to answer. (Internet Warriors has a lot of really successful people as members)

Have you tried BoardReader.com for finding targeted forums? Can be quite useful.

[starbirdy66]

I've been doing research on places like HARO recently for an article I'm writing at BellaOnline. I found out HARO was bought out by VOCUS who owns PRWeb, but their intent is to remain a free service. I imagine they've made some changes though.

Other sites I've found similar to HARO and ProfNet to check out are:

ReporterConnection.com

PRManna.com

PitchforPR.com

[Mr.Shiro]

Since most of my interviews are on creative writing I tend to just utilise social media, my online friends, and a little extra research to find people. The great thing about interviews is that everybody wins. You get your interview and they get to have their ego stroked for a while!