Monday: Sourcing for several stories tied to the upcoming spring holidays!
Good morning!
I spent the weekend finally getting all my odds and ends together for taxes (those of you who are self-employed know what a process THAT can be), and let me tell you…as anxiety-inducing and stomach-clenchng as a chore this is, it does feel really good to get it over with.
I also sent out the weekly Industry Insights edition of the newsletter this weekend — and it’s on a topic many of you will be interested in. I get loads of emails each day asking why someone was not included in a story — so I figured it’s about time I round up some reasons for you. Check out this post on potential reasons why you were not included in a story here.
Also freshly published this weekend was my roundup of creative variations on hamentaschen, just in time for Purim!
Since sending the last edition of the daily free newsletter, I went to a super-fun event that I had to share with you here. Leah Cohen hosted a intimate dinner party at her restaurant, and I couldn’t get over how intimate it all was - especially considering this is a world-class chef. We all sat at one table and shared incredible food family style and had some great conversations — so often press dinners can feel large and anonymous and impersonal, but this one, I truly left feeling like I had made some great new friends.
Maybe there’s a takeaway in this — Try to find a way to make a personal, meaningful connection in all your events. It makes a difference is is sure to make a lasting impression.
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: 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 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!
Thanks Aly!