Aly's Newsletter: Exciting new projects, newly published gift guides, and what I'm working on today

Good morning!

It's been a really busy morning so far.  However, it's for a fun reason! 

Remember I mentioned in yesterday's newsletter that I was working on a side project and I would share more when I could? Well, a few weeks ago, a really fun retro-inspired hotel bar/lounge in NYC asked me to partner with them to create my own signature cocktail.

Recently, I spent the afternoon at their bar with their bartender and created a whole bunch of fun things together, and ultimately came up with one perfect signature cocktail that I feel really good about.

This morning, I was busy sending out invitations for a very intimate launch party we're going to do in a few weeks. I can't say more about what the cocktail is (or what I named it) but I am excited to share more soon! Just be assured: It's very very me.

It's funny, perspective. I've been attending media events for around twenty years now in varying capacities (God, it's so wild to put a number to it), and while I absolutely go to less events today than a decade ago, I've absolutely noticed an evolution in what I look for in a great event, that I'd want to attend, and that I will leave glad I had gone. 

Events can be fun and educational and informative and a really good way to connect with new and familiar faces all at once. But it can also be none of those things. That's why an open dialogue about what works and doesn't work is always so helpful (and absolutely something I will discuss in a future industry insights newsletter).

Some housekeeping

As it so happens, sometimes responses to my story leads have led to having to do a bit of housekeeping here in the newsletter. And responses to the last few leads have led to me having to do that. So some quick tips to help you shape your pitches going forward:

1 - If I say I am looking for an RD to discuss their favorite snacks at a retailer...I cannot accept a pitch from XYZ pudding, where they say they work with an RD who will tell me why XYZ pudding is the best. Quite frankly: If you are a brand, and you are paying an RD to work with you, if they say they like your product, it's because you are paying them to say so. What I'm looking for in that kind of story is RDs, who are unaffiliated, to give me their honest, professional answer, from an RD standpoint, as to their favorite products. Not brands to pitch me themselves. The same would be true if I was writing a story where I asked hairstylists to tell me their favorite flatirons. I'd not want to quote a hairstylist who does commercials for a specific flatiron. Get it?

2 - Please please please make sure your deals are finalized before pitching them. I had a BUNCH of people who pitched me for National Doughnut Day email me after the story published to say the deal had been changed. It saves us both time and stress if we get it right the first time.

3 - Reminder: Emails ONLY for pitches. My email is alywalansky@gmail.com. Save it to your contacts. When I get an assignment, I search my emails for the type of product or expert I'm looking for. Pitches sent to me via DM or text message or phone call won't be included in that search because they are simply...not in my inbox. Consider that before pitching in any way other than email.

Thanks!!! I hate so much having to EVER feel like a scolding teacher. But I really hope that we can learn from each other by calling these things out.

Newly published or freshly updated stories

The Kitchn: This Super-Cool Hack Offers Up a Major Upgrade for Summer Entertaining

Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Foodie Gifts For A Dad Who Loves History

Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Martini Lover

Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Aspirational Home Chef

HerMoney: Affordable Father's Day Gifts Under $100

HerMoney: How To Choose The Best Wine On A Budget

TODAY.com: National Doughnut Day: Where to score freebies at Dunkin, 7-Eleven and more

Clean Plates: The Best Plant-Based Meats for the Grill, According to Vegans

If you or your client are featured in any of these stories, I super appreciate any social media shares tagging @alywalansky and the outlet. 

Here's what I'm working on:

Be sure to read the below list carefully. Many are stories I posted about yesterday, but some of yesterday's stories are no longer listed and a few new ones have been added since yesterday. This (below) is everything that is still a currently open opportunity as of today.

Clean Plates

 Healthy Costco Store Brand Items That Are Surprisingly High Quality: Personally, I'm a fan of their olive oil (and I say that as someone who has visited Italy for the olive harvest and been to many olive oil tastings), but I'd love RDs and nutritionists to weigh in on this as well... what else is there? And why is it great? Focus on organics pls <3 

RetailMeNot

 1. The Best Father's Day Sales to Shop Now: I'm looking for the biggies for this one,  places like Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Ancestry, 23andMe, Fitbit IF they are throwing a sale. I'm looking for retail sales only for this one (NOT restaurants - I have a different story at a different outlet for that). TO pitch for this one, please include  what's on sale, how to shop it, the promo code.

2. Fourth of July Store Hours + Stores Open Fourth of July (similar to the Easter and Memorial Day store hours roundup I did for this same outlet). This is for major retailers, look at my versions for other holidays for an idea of what I'm looking for.

Today.com

For Today.com, I'm rounding up Father's Day and graduation related deals/freebies at chain restaurants (so if you happen to have those now feel free to send ahead!)

If pitching me restaurant deals/discounts for any of these holidays, please be sure to include what the deal is, how to claim the deal, and any disclaimers, as well as exactly how long it lasts and where it’s good. (I run into A LOT of last minute changes on these deals, so please be sure what you are pitching me is actually the deal being offered before proceeding…it helps us BOTH down the line.)

Virtual consulting sessions...

I've been popping into a lot of PR team virtual meetings and making myself available to answer all sorts of questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective.  If you are interested in setting anything up for your own team in the coming months, please email me and we'll get something on the books! This is available for entire agencies or smaller group lunch and learn type concepts. If you are a freelance publicist and want to join in with a few other freelance publicist friends and set something up, we can do that as well!

Are you confused about affiliate marketing?

If you are having trouble learning how to navigate issues of affiliate marketing (trust me, we've all been there!), you may want to try out my friend Sarah Karger, a publicist, and former editor Dana Baardsen (and all-around fab girl!)'s Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists. It's a brilliant course and it'll answer all your questions (including some you didn't know you had!)

Download the Substack App!

Good news! This newsletter is now available via app. That means you can keep up with everything you are reading from your phone. Download the app for iPhone and iPad here. For Android users, sign up for the waiting list here.

That's all for today - have a lovely holiday weekend, and try to spend some time with friends and family. There's nothing more important! 

<3

aly