The HVAC and Plumbing Contractors Guide To HARO Link Building
Introduction
If you’re an HVAC or plumbing contractor looking to improve your website’s SEO and authority, you’ve probably heard about backlinks. But not all backlinks are created equal and many links can actually hurt your rankings. High quality links from authoritative sources can significantly boost your search rankings, and one of the best ways to earn them is through HARO (Help a Reporter Out) link building strategy. Now for those of you who are thinking helpareporter.com (known as HARO) that unfortunately was discontinued December 9, 2024 but the term HARO and the link building strategy itself are exactly the same.
You’d be surprised at how many journalists and bloggers seek expert insights for their articles and are willing to give you a link for an extremely well written article. By providing valuable responses, you can land high quality mentions and backlinks from high authority websites without spending a dime on link building services
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how HVAC and plumbing contractors can use HARO to build powerful backlinks, improve SEO, boost your rankings and increase the number of HVAC Leads booking appointments.
1. Why HARO Link Building Matters for HVAC & Plumbing Contractors
1.1 Backlinks Boost Your Search Rankings
Google sees backlinks as votes of confidence and a sign of authority. The more high quality websites linking to your business, the more search engines trust your site helping you rank higher for competitive keywords like “best plumbing company near me” or “emergency AC repair Atlanta.”
1.2 Get Featured on Authoritative Websites
HARO opportunities come from well-known media outlets, industry blogs, and news sites. Earning a backlink from these sources builds credibility, positioning your business as a trusted expert in the HVAC and plumbing space.
PRO TIP: Almost all manufacturer websites like Trane and Rheem have pages dedicated to their dealers, that’s you. It lists all the registered dealers in a directory with your company information, phone and sometimes a link to your website. Even if there’s not a backlink it’s considered a citation or mention which also have a value. Contact your manufacturers and I’m sure they’d be happy to guide you through the process.
1.3 Free PR and Brand Exposure
Beyond SEO, HARO provides brand exposure that puts your business in front of thousands of potential customers. Getting quoted in an industry article can lead to more website visits, social media mentions, and even direct customer inquiries. There are certain times of the year like in Chicago for example where local TV stations want to do a segment about the winter heating season. If you’re one of the top ranking contractors on Google search the journalists will find your website and give you a call asking to meet you at a customers service appointment and shoot the segment. It’s basically a $5,000 TV spot spotlighting your HVAC and plumbing company for free. Keep in mind you could always reach out them!
2. Best Platforms for Expert-Driven Link Building
2.1 Qwoted
Qwoted is a media connection platform where journalists seek expert sources. As an HVAC or plumbing contractor, you can sign up for free, respond to journalist queries, and get featured in relevant publications. Make sure your profile is complete and looks professional.
2.2 Featured.com
Featured is another platform connecting industry experts with journalists. Unlike traditional outreach, this service allows professionals to submit insights and get featured on high-authority websites.
2.3 Direct Outreach to Journalists and Bloggers
I am still a big believer in making genuine connections and highly recommend that you reach out directly to journalists, podcasters and bloggers covering the home services industry, HVAC technology, or plumbing news and trends. Trade schools and other local businesses are another great source. Building relationships with media professionals can lead to ongoing PR opportunities and high-quality backlinks if done well. AI SEO tools can be really helpful and save time but It takes a lot of human touch and personalization to get the great links from high authority websites.
3. Setting Up Your Profile
To increase your chances of getting featured, you need a strong Linkedin profile that establishes your expertise. You want to make sure you are posting valuable well written articles once a week if you’re just getting started and twice a month if you’re already established. Make sure your business and personal profiles are complete and look professional. You should also have a professional bio on your company website.
3.1 Create an Expert Email Signature
An email signature with your company name, website, and contact details helps build credibility.
🚀 Example Email Signature:
John Smith
Owner, Smith HVAC Solutions
📍 Dallas, TX
🔗 www.smithhvac.com
📞 (123) 456-7890
4. Writing the Perfect Pitch
Journalists receive hundreds of responses, so your pitch needs to stand out. Here’s how:
4.1 Keep It Short and Relevant
Stick to the point and avoid unnecessary fluff. Journalists are on tight deadlines, so they appreciate clear, concise answers.
4.2 Provide Unique and Expert Insights
Share real-world experiences, industry trends, or expert tips that journalists can’t find with a simple Google search.
🚀 Example Response to a Query on “Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems”:
Subject: Expert Insight: Energy-Efficient HVAC Systems
Hi [Journalist’s Name],
As an HVAC contractor with 15+ years of experience, I’ve seen firsthand how energy-efficient systems have evolved. One of the biggest trends right now is smart thermostats paired with high-SEER units, which can reduce energy consumption by up to 30% annually.
Another overlooked factor is proper ductwork insulation. Even with a high-efficiency unit, poor duct insulation can lead to 20-30% energy loss. Homeowners should also consider zoning systems to optimize airflow and reduce wasted energy.
I’d be happy to provide additional insights. Let me know how I can help!
Best,
John Smith
Owner, Smith HVAC Solutions
🔗 www.smithhvac.com
📞 (123) 456-7890
5. Best Practices for High-Quality HARO Links
5.1 Respond Quickly
Journalists work on tight deadlines. Try to reply within an hour of receiving a relevant HARO request.
5.2 Follow the Journalist’s Instructions
Some requests may ask for specific word counts or formatting. Always follow their guidelines to increase your chances of being selected.
5.3 Don’t Spam Unrelated Queries
Only respond to relevant queries. If you reply to off-topic requests, journalists may ignore future pitches.
5.4 Be Available for Follow-Ups
Sometimes, journalists may need additional quotes or clarification. Be responsive and provide extra details if needed.
5.5 Track Your Backlinks
Use tools like Ahrefs, Moz, or Google Search Console to track which websites have linked to you. If a journalist mentions your business but doesn’t include a link, send a polite request for a backlink.
Avoid These Mistakes
Ignoring Formatting Requests – If a journalist asks for bullet points, use them.
Overselling Your Business – Journalists want expert insights, not a sales pitch.
Using Generic Responses – Tailor each response to the specific query.
Submitting Too Late – If you respond after the deadline, your pitch won’t be seen.
Conclusion
HARO is one of the most effective and free ways for HVAC and plumbing contractors to build high-quality backlinks and gain industry recognition. By consistently providing valuable, expert insights, you can land mentions and backlinks on authoritative sites, boost your SEO rankings, and generate more leads.
Next Steps:
✅ Sign up for platforms like Qwoted, Featured, and Terkel
✅ Create a strong expert bio and email signature.
✅ Respond quickly with concise, valuable insights.
✅ Track backlinks and follow up when needed.
Remember to track your backlinks in SEMrush or other SEO backlink tool and follow up when needed. Sometimes pages get broken or some other technical issue causes a problem with your link. Plus, they might not know about the problem and you’re doing them a favor which creates trust and builds relationships.
By leveraging these strategies, you’ll boost your Google rankings and establish yourself as an industry leader at the same time. HVAC Leads provides HARO link building services. If you need more information Contact Us. For all of our lead generation services visit https://hvac-leads.com/hvac-lead-generation-services/
