Happy Friday!
What a WHIRLWIND of a week this has been for a holiday week. This week, I co-hosted two hugely successful webinars (one for Substack subscribers, one a privately booked session), got my flight details for two big upcoming work trips, confirmed my first gig playing guest (home) chef at a real-life event (can’t say anything further about that one just yet, but will when I can)…
and….
I hit a major Substack subscriber milestone a few days ago that has me very excited and humbled.
I send out these newsletters every day, and sometimes it can feel like I’m writing into a vacuum. I try to be informative and helpful and also interesting and entertaining but I don’t actually know — really know — if I’m truly hitting the mark. It’s so easy for imposter syndrome to set in and feel like I’m bothering people or being annoying or not actually contributing anything. Those demons are in my ear a lot.
But when I see the subscriber numbers steadily grow, and engagement grow (each week, this newsletter has steadily been getting more likes and comments and shares but also higher link clinks and open rates), it just makes it so rewarding. And I’m so grateful. I know you are all so busy and have so many ways you can be spending your morning, so that you take time out of your morning each day to have a coffee and browse what I am working on, it just means so much to me. I just wanted to take a moment to say that.
Also, to all that observed Passover — we did it! Go enjoy that grilled cheese now you have been fantasizing about since last Wednesday! I feel like as much as we struggle at points during that long week (and to be honest, I missed my daily oat milk creamer in my coffee more than any food), it’s so incredibly fulfilling to get to the other side and know you DID IT. Like it feels like reaching the finish line in a marathon.
I ended the holiday last night by ordering some delish Indian fare from Shef, which hires a network of local "shefs" in an area (get it? she-chef?), and you can order a homemade meal delivered to your door. 85% of “shefs” are women and 80% are people of color representing nearly 100 countries.
The story of Passover is just as much about a story of exodus as it is a story of unleavened bread, and it was a beautiful way to transition out of the holiday.
(PS: The saag I ordered from a local “shef” in my area was delightful!)
Tonight I have a media reservation at a steakhouse I’ve been wanting to try for a long time — what better way to mark the end of this week and the beginning of a weekend than time with friends and also time with a perfectly chilled martini (also a friend, to be honest!).
I’m sure all of us had wins this week, big and small. Celebrate those wins and yourself and do something special for yourself this weekend.
Newly published or freshly updated
Since people are often asking about the status of stories from a while ago, and I only share stories in this newsletter that were published or updated in the current week, I have created a list of my author pages at various publications to which I contribute. Bookmark it and make your life a bit easier.
This list will live on my Substack URL and be updated as necessary. That way, you can see what I’m doing at any publication, at any time, from types of stories to general structure of stories to even volume and frequency of my content at that outlet.
This can also help you to target pitching a bit better. That makes your job easier, and mine too!
In case you missed it, I was recently a guest on a podcast. Check it out here — I share some easy-to-follow tips on how emerging brands can get the attention of busy editors.
Speaking of podcasts, I was a guest on the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast last month (I ADORE Lexie Smith!), and you can still catch it here. We chatted at length about pitching, the ever-changing landscape of the editorial process, and more.
(Also, if you host a podcast that has anything to do with media/PR/writer content or food/bev/travel content and are interested in me coming on as a guest, I’d love if you reach out!)
Forbes.com: The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie May Exist, And It's From A Baking Mix
YourTango: The Perfect Gift For Your Boo, Based On Their Love Language
The Kitchn: Tupperware May Be Going Out of Business Soon — Here’s Why
Food Network: Fortnum & Mason Launches New Collection In Celebration of Coronation of King Charles III
Forbes: Nyetimber Launches Bottle In Honor Of The Coronation Of King Charles III
Forbes: New York City Is Getting A Malibu Barbie Cafe This Summer
Clean Plates: The Best Whole Foods Salad Dressings, According to Nutritionists
Best Life: 1 in 3 People Are Against Splitting the Dinner Bill Evenly—Here's How to Handle It
Best Life: 6 Things to Put Away When Guests Come Over
RetailMeNot: 13 Stores That Let You Bring in Old Clothes for Recycling
Eat This, Not That: 6 Steakhouse Chains That Serve the Best Fries
Best Life: 6 Items You Should Always Have in Your Kitchen When Guests Come Over
Clean Plates: The Healthiest Tomato Sauces You Can Buy at the Grocery Store
Bicycling: 10 Smoothie Recipes for Cyclists to Fuel Their Rides
If you or your client are featured in any of these stories, I super appreciate any social media shares! Please remember to tag @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.
Please remember when pitching me: Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com - do NOT just hit reply on this newsletter, or there’s a good shot your email will be lost in the heap. Give your email a subject line that makes it clear which story you are pitching me for — it’ll help you in the long run.
Please consult my industry insights guides on submitting expert commentary, sending emails that will catch a journalist’s attention, how to craft pitches journalists will say ‘yes’ to, and the right and wrong way to submit photos, if you need any extra guidance before sending your pitches.
RetailMeNot
Father's Day Gifts for Every Type of Dad: This is an update of last year’s story, and I’m looking for great gifts that are affordable ("affordable" obviously varies by budget, but I’m trying to stay under $200 and have a wide range of prices) for a variety of categories. The categories I’m going for in this guide include: Foodie dad, Techie dad, The dad who has everything, fashionable dad, outdoorsy dad, indoorsy dad, bookworm dad, handy dad, the Dad who's trying to downsize and doesn't want clutter, for the fitness-obsessed dad, so keep this in mind when pitching.
Cheap Baby Shower Favors (Under $5 per Person): Shower favors aren't a requirement, but if you're hosting a shower and find them fun, or you've been put on favor duty, you are likely on a budget and looking for some inexpensive options. "Cheap" is relative, but I’m trying to stay under $5 per favor. Note: Consider when pitching that these favors do not need to be a single product – can be several items put together. Could be "Bags of Candy" (which requires you to buy some candy and bags) or "Cute Baby Succulents")
Eat This, Not That
What a Professional Chef Orders at McDonald’s: I’d love to round up some chefs sharing their favorite orders and why it’s their go-to.
Fast-Food Restaurants That Serve the Best Mac and Cheese: I want to cover what makes a good fast food mac and cheese and the history of fast food mac and cheese, as well as chefs weighing in on their fave fast food mac and cheese and why.
TODAY.com
I’m rounding up Cinco de Mayo food deals at chain restaurants. I’m not looking for free delivery or reward point type of deals at this time but more BOGOs, freebies, discounts, etc. Please be sure to tell me how to claim the deal (i.e. coupon code, downloading app, etc) when responding.
Forbes.com
I’m working on the following three Mother’s Day gift guides:
The Best Mail-Order Dinners — I’m looking for dinners that can be ordered and shipped to their door. This can be complete meal/recipe kits or readymade meals she just had to pull together or reheat and can have a full beautiful gourmet dinner ready without even having to leave home.
The Best Pantry Staples For From-Scratch Cooks - . This is the mom who doesn't love meal kits or semi-homemade meals but wants to do everything from scratch -- so this could be the ingredients to help her do that, from rare and exotic spices to high-end flours and great olive oil. Like she's the mom that won't buy the readymade simmer sauce but rather source the 12 different spices she needs to make it herself.
The Best Grilling Gear: Why do dads get the premium on grilling gifts? Lots of women love to grill, whether it's a gorgeous steak or lobster tails and veggies. This will be both grilling accessories and also items to put on the grill.
For any of these gift guides, please pitch in this format:
Product name
URL where sold, price
description of why it’s a fit for this guide
LINK to image
I’m also looking for home entertaining experts to send some commentary over email about how to plan your own at-home coronation watch party.
Finally, I am looking for bars/restaurants around the world that have created specialty cocktails in honor of the coronation of King Charles III this May. I’ll need the usual — where it is, what’s in it, why it’s a perfect cocktail for the occasion, a quote from a bartender/owner/chef, and a high res image. I’m really excited about this one, so lets try to find some great cocktails!
Looking to up your affiliate marketing game?
Affiliate marketing is complicated, and it seems that the landscape keeps changing. If you are looking to be prepared for gift guide season and all other shopping-related content, you may want to try the 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!)
Virtual (and now in-person!) consulting sessions...
Looking for a consult as you plan your next event or trip? Or just want someone to take a look at the pitches you’ve been sending and give some feedback?
I've been popping into a lot of PR team virtual meetings and some other fun stuff and making myself available to answer all sorts of questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective. I like to keep these things chill and comfortable and relaxed all by sharing perspective and learning from one another. Note: I’m also available to travel for consulting sessions as long as travel expenses are covered. We can chat!
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!
Have a great day!
Thanks for the great Retail Me Not article on recycling clothes!!
Everyone struggles with imposter syndrome at some point - you’re not alone! You’re doing a great job, Aly! I always find your newsletter (and content in general) engaging and informative. Proud of you!!