Monday: I'm back from Miami and there's SO much to talk about!

PLUS: All my newly published stories and everything I'm working on going into this week.

Good morning!

I got back from Miami last night and after a VERY rare instance of not opening my computer all weekend, my inbox looks like a bomb hit it.

To everyone I owe a response to…and there are…so many of you…I’m going to try to dig myself out of that email quicksand today!

It was an incredible weekend though. I didn’t have time to do a formal meetup but I saw so many people I love in and around the festival — and ran into some amazing subscribers from this Substack community, who I didn’t even know I’d get to encounter), and that was such a fabulous surprise!

I created some highlight reels on Instagram that I’d LOVE for you to check out but I have so many more photos and stories to share in the days ahead.

alywalansky

A post shared by Aly Walansky (@alywalansky)

And…for one of the most EPIC moments…check THIS short video out:

alywalansky

A post shared by Aly Walansky (@alywalansky)

It’s a busy day though and I actually have events/dinners every night this week (actually, this is such a busy week that I have two nights with multiple events…eeeekkk)…so we should get right to what I’m currently working on!

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 did 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!)

• Yahoo Life: Prince Harry loved this salmon recipe Meghan Markle made for a dinner party. I tried it at home and here's my honest review.

• Yahoo Life: Do you really need to wash lettuce before eating it? Experts weigh in.

• YourTango: How To Prevent (And Treat!) Razor Burn In 9 Easy Steps

• YourTango: How To Exfoliate Your Lips & 5 DIY Lip Scrubs You Can Make At Home

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

• Taste of Home: This Butter Hack Is Going Viral and You Need to Try It

• Taste of Home: We’re Obsessed With This Easy Viral Air Fryer Pizza Sticks Recipe—Here’s Why You Will Be Too

• Clean Plates: 11 Trader Joe’s Foods Nutritionists Love for Winter Meal Prep

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.

Her Money

TikTok Made Me Buy It - Sketchy challenges aside, this social media site is known as a go-to spot for trendy attire and accessories, beauty products, sports gear, you name it. I am looking to round up 10-20 low-cost/cheap items popularized on TikTok and popular with women. 

Runner’s World

New-to-me outlet! I’m working on a story about glucose levels/energy/fueling. You know how we sometimes wonder if we are tired in the late afternoon because we’re hungry or because we’ve eaten too much? I can’t always tell, and I think the same is true for runners. They can’t tell if they get tired during a run (or cyclists during a ride) because they need a little more fuel or if because they have eaten a little too much and their body is trying to digest. So, basically, I want to chat with a nutritionist or two and a sports doctor and ask them how runners can time their meals and snacks for energy for exercise. Also, if there are ways to distinguish between energy drops due to too little food or too much food (the assumption is those reading this story eat pretty healthfully and, if anything, tend to underfuel, not overfuel). One of the issues, I think, I’d love to discuss with an expert is figuring out if you’re tired because you’re hungry or tired because you overate? Like… how to listen to your body.

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

St. Patrick’s Day is just a few weeks away and I’m looking for fun cocktails and desserts that restaurants and bars nationwide have on the menu or as a special in honor of the occasion. If you have anything brewing, I’d love if you could send me:

1 - name of dish or drink, where it is served (name of restaurant, city, state, URL)

2 - description

3 - quote about it from bartender/chef/owner (don’t forget to tell me the name of the person you are quoting)

4 - LINK to image

Also for Forbes, with Purim around the corner, I’m looking for fun Purim-themed desserts, treats, and cocktails. This can be inventive spins on hamantaschen, or anything else brewing. Please use the same format as the story above when pitching!

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 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 (Recently I even joined in on an agency’s team retreat right here in Brooklyn — it was so fun and I made so many new friends!) 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.

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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