Friday: Learning to move away from that scarcity mindset

This morning, I was texting with a close friend, and we were discussing the scarcity mindset.

Basically, and I think this is something any freelancer or self-employed person in any field can relate to, our work goes through periods that we are juggling a million deadlines. We're swamped. And then we hit that one day we're all caught up and we have nothing that needs to be done immediately.

Time for celebration, right? Time to enjoy some well-deserved R&R. Go out for lunch. Get a blowout.

Except...no. That nervous voice starts nagging in the back of your head. We're so used to working ourselves to the point of exhaustion that when we come up for air and realize we have room to breathe, we start to think that we've done something wrong. That we're not working hard enough. It's why all of us go through periods of never saying no to ANY opportunity for fear that opportunities may dry up. In our minds, there's only so many opportunities and jobs and so much money out there, and if we're not constantly pursuing them...they will go away.

(It’s looking at life as one pie with only a certain amount of slices vs. what it truly is — many pies with endless slices.)

So, anyway, I was talking to my super-smart friend about my own scarcity complex -- I had finished some big deadlines this week and I had a pretty quiet weekend ahead of me, and that made me UNCOMFORTABLE. And she was like "But you need to flip your mindset." We spoke about how rather than focus on -- why do I not have six deadlines on my plate today?" - you can focus on the abundance. That you got so much done this week that you earned yourself a much-deserved weekend off.

It's a really hard switch to flip. But it’s all about getting outside of our own head. In my case, I have like a half dozen assignments pending — just none due TODAY. That means I can take a few hours this afternoon to watch the newly dropped episodes of YOU and actually relax.

(But chances are I’ll do it while doing laundry and opening packages because…well…what does one do with themself if they go five minutes without a chore to get done?!)

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: Delta Air Lines Has Finally Brought Back Kids Meals

• YourTango: How To Tell If A Diamond Is Real Or Fake

• YourTango: 17 Clever Hacks To Take The Pain Out Of Wearing High Heels

• The Kitchn: KitKat-Flavored Cereal Is Hitting Shelves Soon — But There’s Just One Catch

• Food Network: Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed Doughnuts Go Bright Green for St. Patrick’s Day

• The Kitchn: Wild Harvest Oysters Are Being Recalled in Multiple States Due to New Salmonella Outbreak

• Taste of Home: What Is “Hero Meal Prep”?

• Clean Plates: We Found the Healthiest and Best-Tasting Organic Peanut Butters

• YourTango: How To Do An At-Home Facial In 10 Easy & Relaxing Steps

• YourTango: The Secret TikTok Hack That Gets Rid Of Split Ends In Just 10 Seconds

• Forbes.com: Celebrate Purim With Fun And Inventive Hamantaschen Variations

• Forbes.com: Cocktails Perfect For Sipping On St. Patrick’s Day

• Forbes.com: Nobu Has Launched A Limited-Edition Tequila And It’s Very Special

• The Kitchn: This Super-Simple Recipe for Homemade Biscoff Twix Bars Deserves All of Your Attention

• Forbes.com: Have A Sweet Saint Patrick’s Day With These Festive Desserts

• Taste of Home: You Need These 4 Simple Tricks to Make the Crispiest Air Fryer French Fries Ever

• Eat This, Not That: 7 Best Fast-Food Sandwiches, According to Chefs

• HerMoney: The Top Ways To Travel For Free in 2023

• Taste of Home: What Is a Reverse Grocery List? Here’s How to Save Time at the Store With One

• YourTango: What Dietitians Have To Say About How Healthy It Is To Eat Sushi

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.

TODAY.com

I’m beginning to round 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

Looking forward, I’ll be working on a story on great wines, snacks, and products to buy for Passover 2023. It is IMPERATIVE for this story that everything I include be certified as kosher for Passover (not just kosher - it’s a distinct certification). Please be sure to confirm before pitching.

I’m also looking for Passover-inspired cocktails you can find at bars and restaurants. This one is trickier because I realize for this one a lot of submissions will probably come from places not kosher for Passover or even kosher — that’s fine for this story (but not the other one). This one, I need name of drink, where served, a description, a quote about it, (how is it inspired by Passover?), and an image of the cocktail.

Also for Forbes, I’m looking for Easter-inspired cocktails found at bars and restaurants (same parameters as above, please!).

Finally, I’m rounding up creative Easter baskets brands are doing (must be food or spirits related) — are you a bakery that is doing a basket of fun cookies and pastries that is shippable, in honor of Easter? Or a chocolate shop doing the same with a basket of fun confections? Please let me know!

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!

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