Monday: From this week's travels to a poignant new piece, a lot to share!
Good morning!
It’s another busy week ahead of us as this week I have dinners or events nearly every night, and then later this week I leave for Nashville for a few days.
My trip is work related and my plans are pretty tight (including time with some dear old friends) - but if you are in the area and want to try to meet up or have suggestions on where I should try to stop by, let me know. I only have a few days in town, and I haven’t been there in FOUR YEARS, so I won’t have a lot of venturing out beyond my schedule time - but if I can make it work, I will!
In other news, really excited about this story that published since my most recent newsletter - for Forbes, I pay tribute to Tony Bennett by sharing a little story about his favorite dish at his favorite Astoria Italian restaurant — and include the recipe so you can attempt to recreate it at home (it’s simple and delicious!).
This weekend’s industry insights edition was about how important it is to check the calendar for upcoming holidays and cultural observances before scheduling trips and events — you’d be surprised how often this doesn’t happen. This is not inclusive and not good business practice - and, sadly, will result in not only taking away the option to attend from some attendees but also impacting your event’s potential for success.
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!
PS: I love doing podcasts!
Last week, I was a guest on the Eat.Drink.Social podcast, and we chatted about my upcoming travel, recent press trip experiences, and so much more. Check out my guest appearance last week on Jamie Stone’s A Little Too Much podcast. We had SO much fun discussing everything from the changing landscape of events and trips to our thoughts on some emerging food and cocktail trends.
Some of my latest podcast appearances include Media Circus Podcast with Taiisha Bradley, as well as the Italian Wine Podcast, where we discussed all things Substack, and the Coffee N° 5 podcast, where we chatted about effective strategies for promoting emerging brands to journalists and securing media coverage. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we covered everything from press dinners and events and trips to, well, sippin’!
I’ve recorded a few others that should be live soon as well and I’m always open to doing more — email me at alywalansky@gmail.com.
TODAY.com: The best drugstore eye creams to tackle wrinkles, dark circles and dryness, according to experts
Forbes.com: Remember Tony Bennett By Recreating His Go-To Pasta Order From His Favorite Astoria Italian Restaurant
The Kitchn: Sam’s Club Just Brought Back This Bakery Favorite and It’s the Best $4 You’ll Spend All Week
Clean Plates: Ordering in? Dietitians Share Their Go-to Healthy Takeout Orders
Yahoo!: 5 Reasons You Need to Try Dry Brushing Right Now—& Our Top Affordable Choices to Shop
Forbes.com: Sam Heughan’s New Sassenach Gin Promises ‘A Trip To Scotland In A Glass'
Food Network: Magnolia Bakery and Ess-a-Bagel Pair Up to Make A Banana Pudding Bagel
Food Network: The Weeknd Launches His Own Instant Coffee with Blue Bottle
Parade: The 17 Best Bagel Shops In NYC for Lox and a Schmear or Perfect Bacon, Egg and Cheese
Parade: Clueless About How To Use an Air Fryer? Consider This Your 101 Guide
Forbes.com: 11 Spud-Centric Dishes To Enjoy On National Potato Day
Reader’s Digest: What 11 Mysterious Flight Codes Really Mean
Southern Living: Can You Safely Eat Sprouted Potatoes?
Food Network: Mustard Skittles Will Take You on a Confusing-Yet-Somehow-Makes-Perfect-Sense Flavor Journey
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
I’m getting started working to update my Labor Day Store Hours roundup piece from last year. Please check the link and if you were a chain mentioned, please email me and tell me if your hours for that day are the same or need to be modified from last year’s info. (And if you are another chain with Labor Day store hours info, please do send! Thanks!)
Forbes
National Cheeseburger Day is in a few weeks, and I’m looking for creative and unique spins on the cheeseburger around the country, found on menus at bars and restaurants. Have one? Please send me:
1 - name of dish, as well as name of place it is served, as well as city, state and restaurant URL
2 - description of dish
3 - Quote about dish (please remember to include name and title of person being quoted)
4 - image (link please) and any appropriate photo credits
A reminder: If ALL these parameters are not met, I may not be able to consider your submission.
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!
The first thing I ever learned when I was hired by my first PR agency was to always check the calendar for the holidays in September before scheduling an event. I can't believe more people don't do this.