How to Get High-Quality PR Backlinks?

Getting PR backlinks isn’t as easy as slapping together a blog post. So how do you do it?

Let’s dive into the strategies, and by the end of this guide, you’ll have a roadmap for landing those game-changing PR backlinks.

1. Create Newsworthy Content Journalists Can’t Ignore

Newsworthy content is your ticket to getting journalists’ attention.

When a journalist quotes or links to a story, they want unique insights or data – something fresh that adds value to their piece.

How to Create Newsworthy Content:

• Conduct Surveys and Publish Results: Say you’re in the health industry. Conduct a survey about popular fitness habits in 2024 and share the results. Journalists love citing original data and will often link back to the source – your site.
• Publish Industry Reports or Studies: Original studies pack a punch for backlinks. Think of HubSpot’s annual marketing reports – they’re a go-to for journalists because they provide comprehensive data in an accessible way.
• In-Depth Guides on Trending Topics: Writing detailed, highly relevant guides (like “The 2025 Guide to Sustainable Fashion”) makes your site a resource journalists can link to for years.

2. Use Connectively (former Help a Reporter Out) to Get Featured in the Press

Connectively (HARO, or Help a Reporter Out), is a goldmine for earning PR backlinks if you know how to use it effectively.

HARO connects journalists with experts like you who can provide insights for their stories.

In exchange, you’ll often get a backlink from a high-authority publication.

Steps to Win at Connectively (HARO):

• Sign Up for HARO Alerts: Sign up as a source on HARO and select relevant categories to receive email alerts with journalist queries.
• Act Fast: Journalists get tons of replies, so time is of the essence. Respond quickly and keep your response brief and valuable.
• Be Credible: Journalists want quotes from credible sources, so highlight why your expertise is relevant.
• Offer Real Value: If you’re an expert in cybersecurity, for example, don’t just say, “Cybersecurity is important.” Offer insights like “The top three cyber threats to watch out for in 2025 are…”

Pro Tip: Make sure to respond to HARO requests regularly. The more you respond, the better your chances of getting quoted.

3. Leverage “Newsjacking” to Join Trending Conversations

When big news breaks, journalists scramble to find experts who can add context and insights to the story.

By jumping on these trends – also known as newsjacking – you can position yourself as an expert and potentially earn backlinks from high-authority sites.

How to Do Newsjacking:

• Stay on Top of Trends: Use tools like Google Trends, Twitter Trending, and industry news sites to spot breaking stories relevant to your niche.
• Add Value, Don’t Just Comment: Journalists are looking for unique takes, not generic statements. If you’re in finance and there’s news about a stock market dip, offer a perspective on what this means for the average investor.
• Reach Out to Journalists Directly: You can pitch your perspective directly if you have a relationship with journalists. A short, insightful email offering your take on the news can go a long way.

Example: Let’s say there’s a breaking story about a new digital privacy law. If you’re a cybersecurity expert, you could pitch an angle about how the law affects small businesses and online retailers, offering insights that are immediately valuable to readers.

4. Build Relationships with Journalists (Networking Pays Off!)

Building relationships with journalists is like building a friendship – it takes time, effort, and genuine interest.

Once you’re on their radar as a trustworthy source, they’re more likely to reach out for future stories.

Networking Tips:

• Follow Journalists on Social Media: Twitter and LinkedIn are ideal for connecting with journalists. Engage with their posts thoughtfully – retweet, comment, and show that you’re interested in their work.
• Personalized Pitches: If you’re reaching out with a story idea, make it personal. Address the journalist by name, reference recent work, and explain why your pitch is relevant to them.
• Offer to Be a Source: Sometimes a simple message like, “If you ever need insights on [your expertise], feel free to reach out!” can establish an open line of communication.

Quick Example: Imagine you’re a tech entrepreneur. Start engaging with tech journalists covering topics relevant to your industry. Over time, they may approach you for comments on startup trends, which could result in quality backlinks.

Pro Tip: Building relationships isn’t just about making connections but maintaining them. We help clients establish and nurture these connections in ways that create long-term PR and backlink opportunities.

5. Create Expert Roundups to Attract PR Backlinks

Creating a roundup of expert insights on a hot topic is a win-win for everyone involved.

Experts get exposure, and you get a reason for journalists to link back to you.

Not only do these roundups attract PR backlinks, but they’re also super shareable content, helping you build a network of contacts in your field.

Steps to a Successful Expert Roundup:

• Choose a Hot Topic: The topic should be something your audience is eager to learn about. In marketing, for example, a roundup on “Top Content Marketing Trends for 2025” would be highly relevant.
• Reach Out to Industry Experts: Find experts on LinkedIn or Twitter, and politely ask them for a brief insight on your topic.
• Compile and Publish: After gathering responses, publish the roundup on your site, showcasing each expert with a backlink to their site.
• Share with Participants: Send the link to the experts once it’s live and encourage them to share it, boosting visibility.

Example: If you’re in the food and beverage industry, you could create a roundup like “15 Experts Share Their Top Beverage Trends for 2025.” Journalists covering similar topics might pick up the roundup, linking back to your content as a resource.

6. Utilize Press Release Distribution Strategically

Press releases still work, but it’s essential to use them strategically for PR backlinks.

The trick is to create a newsworthy press release and target your distribution effectively.

When done right, a press release can result in links from major news outlets.

How to Do It Right:

• Write a Compelling Headline: Journalists receive tons of press releases, so your headline has to stand out. Make it concise, specific, and intriguing.
• Focus on Value: What’s the hook? If you’re launching a new product, explain how it solves a problem or meets a unique need.
• Target the Right Outlets: Choose press release distribution services that target specific journalists or use services like PR Newswire for wider distribution.

Example: If you’re launching a new eco-friendly product, highlight the sustainability benefits. Not only does this make it newsworthy, but it also increases the chances of journalists picking it up and linking back to your site.

7. Develop Seasonal or Holiday-Specific Content to Attract Timely Backlinks

Holidays and seasonal events are popular with journalists, who are often looking for relevant angles and data for timely articles.

By creating content that ties into these themes, you increase your chances of being cited during the season.

Steps to Create Seasonal Content:

• Plan Ahead: Research the editorial calendars of media outlets to align your content with upcoming holidays or seasons.
• Create a Unique Angle: Instead of generic “holiday gift guides,” focus on a specific audience or trend, like “Sustainable Holiday Gift Ideas for 2024.”
• Update Annually: Repurpose and refresh your seasonal content each year to keep it relevant and easy to pitch to journalists.

Example: A financial blog could publish a guide on “Year-End Tax Tips for Small Business Owners.” During tax season, journalists may refer to or link to this type of resource in their coverage of tax preparation tips.

Final Thoughts: Make PR Backlinks a Core Part of Your SEO Strategy

Getting PR backlinks is about more than just link-building – it’s about crafting stories, building relationships, and positioning yourself as an industry leader.

These seven strategies can set you up for success and help drive the kind of authority-boosting, traffic-driving backlinks that SEO dreams are made of.

Need help implementing these strategies?

Our team is ready to support you, whether you need expert guidance or hands-on support.

Let’s work together to secure those high-value PR backlinks!