Monday: Stepping out of your comfort zone -- and into the ocean?!

Good morning!

Er…I think it’s probably afternoon by now…

Sorry about that!

I hope everyone reading this email had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend.

I’m in transit this morning, en route to Miami!

Recently, I posted in this newsletter amidst a really difficult stretch these past few months that one of my tactics for staying motivated when it feels like the world is falling apart around us is to….try something new.

Stepping out of our comfort zone can sometimes be a bit of a mental (and emotional) reboot, and help us refocus with fresh eyes and resolve.

I’m taking my own advice this week and I’m doing something that while not new, is absolutely outside my comfort zone! I'm flying to Miami today because tomorrow I’m going on to attend (and be onboard) the christening of a cruise ship for the rest of the week…(I’m so unfamiliar with the world of cruising, I’m not even sure if that’s the correct lingo!).

I haven’t been on a cruise in a decade (and historically have not been what you would call a cruise person), and so it’ll be an exciting departure for me..quite literally!

The last time I was on a cruise (we’re talking around 2010), cruise wifi was not much to write home about (in fact, you would probably get your message across faster if you tried to send a letter…) but I am happy to report that has changed in the last decade and I’ll be posting nonstop over the next week!

Don’t forget there’s still time to register and RSVP for mine and Alice Dubin’s V-Day gift guide AMA next week. More information can be found here!

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!

• Forbes.com: Las Vegas Is Readying For A Lavender Haze As Raiders Play Chiefs

• Yahoo: How to safely store leftovers

• Southern Living: Can You Freeze Cabbage?

• Southern Living: Can You Eat Underripe Avocado?

• Southern Living: How To Boil Potatoes

• Clean Plates: 10 Trader Joe’s Frozen Appetizers Perfect For Holiday Parties

• Food Network: Rao’s Is Getting In On Ketchup

• Food Network: Popeyes Officially Launches Wings As Permanent Menu Items

• Food Network: You Can Buy Just About Anything Inside an Olive Garden – Including Its Cheese Graters

• Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Gifts For The Meat Lover

• Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Gifts For The Sushi Lover

• Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Pink Kitchen Gifts For Barbie Lovers

• RetailMeNot: Where to Get Free Food Today (and Every Day of the Week)

• Travel & Leisure: I'm a Longtime Solo Traveler, and These Are The 12 Best Personal Safety Devices on Sale at Amazon

• Travel & Leisure: Travelers Are Using This Flight Attendant-approved Gadget to Get More Space on Planes — and It Only Costs $13

• Travel & Leisure: The Flight Attendant-approved Hack I Swear by for Getting Through the Airport Stress-free Is Just $10 Right Now

• Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and I Swear by This $9 Trick for Keeping My Feet Comfortable While Sightseeing

Travel & Leisure: Frequent Fliers Say This Genius Hack Makes It Feel Like They've Upgraded Their Seat — and It's Only $35

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.

Job Leads

(Ironically, considering where I’m heading today!) — Quinn PR has jobs open in Miami. Here’s the deets: Account Executive – Miami, FL.

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

For RetailMeNot, I’m updating my New Years store hours guide from last season. I’m looking to maintain the same format and the same stores, just needs to be updated for 2023. So: If you or your client was included in last year’s guide, I would so appreciate if you can drop me a quick note and confirm the open/closed/modified hours info is still the same - or if it’s not. Otherwise, I’ll be reaching out soon!

I’m ALSO updating my Stores Open Christmas Day + Christmas Eve Store Hours guide from last year. Same guidelines as above applies!

Forbes.com

For Forbes, I’m rounding up creative Hanukkah-themed dishes and cocktails at restaurant and bars around the country. If you have any, please send details (usual format!)

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’m available for PR team virtual meetings to answer questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective.  Note: I’m also available to travel for consulting sessions as long as travel expenses are covered. We can chat! This is available for entire agencies or smaller group lunch and learn type concepts.

Have a great day!

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