Monday: The most annoying perishable delivery mishap story I'll ever tell you + new content news!
Good morning!
Lots to chat about today…but first, happy National Mac and Cheese Day!
(FYI: My most favorite of comfort foods.)
For Forbes, I wrote this weekend about 10 Variations To Try On National Mac And Cheese Day, and other past mac-related content, for Eat This, Not That: 7 Fast-Food Restaurants That Serve the Best Mac & Cheese. For Clean Plates: The Ultimate Guide to Healthy Store-Bought Mac and Cheese.
(I’ve even taken some pretty creative spins on mac and cheese cooking classes as you’ll see below!)
In short, if you love mac, there’s lots of ways to have it, and here’s hoping all of our days today involve just a little bit of awesome mac and cheese…however you may like it.
In other news, I was quoted today in this really interesting Agility PR piece on: The authenticity arbitrage: Why being human is your biggest competitive advantage in 2025 (obviously a hill on which I’m very proud to rest my laurels!).
Those of you who have been subscribers for a while know that the whole issue of perishable deliveries is one that comes up pretty often here.
(So much so that I know when I hit send on this, I’m going to get a flurry of text messages from friends: “I can’t believe you wrote about that topic AGAIN.”)
But the reason I do write about it often? And that it keeps coming up? It’s because — honestly — people keep on sending these deliveries in a way that are incredibly frustrating for me, and wasteful for you and your client’s budget, not to mention a waste of product and resources.
A few weeks ago, I had received an pitch asking to send me a recipe kit box. The shipment would ultimately be from the recipe kit company (one that I work with often), but it was part of a collaboration they were doing with another brand - so the pitch and mailer would be, while involving a meal kit, be organized and sent by the third party brand and not the recipe kit brand itself.
(Which is, I think, where the problem was about to occur…)
Anyway, at this point - which was, again, a few weeks ago, when I was offered this recipe kit, I said yes. But in that very same email response (which I sent one minute after the initial pitch email was sent, FYI), I asked the publicist to confirm the date (or at least a tentative date), the package would arrive, as I wanted to ensure that I’d be available to receive.
No response.
Two weeks later, I actually followed up, because we all know how much I hate the idea of perishable deliveries just hanging about.
No response.
Three days ago, I finally got a response back, saying that this shipment (which involved fish - because of course it did…) had …already been shipped and would arrive at my home on Saturday.
I wrote back, mentioning how this is the reason that people really really do need to know these things BEFORE shipping a box of fish to them, and that I’d not be home this weekend and there’d be no one to receive this package and could it possibly be re-routed to a second address. (The address that would find…a person to receive it!)
The publicist replied yes.
Except…the next day I received an email alert that it was…still en route to my address and had not been re-routed.
I emailed again and asked what happened and was told it was too late to make that change (lets ignore that change wouldn’t have been needed if they had checked in before sending)…meaning that my package was just going to sit and rot for the weekend…
But wait, then there was an another update. It was re-routed! But…to be held at a FedEx warehouse and redelivered on Monday. Today. …After sitting all weekend and being in transit since…Thursday?
Fish. FISH.
So that’s gonna be a fun unboxing for me later.
(Did I mention the people facilitating this mailing in conjunction with the recipe kit company were HEALTH SUPPLEMENTS?)
This could have all been avoided. (And, true story, this isn’t the only perishable delivery mishap I had this week. In fact, it’s one of three I had THIS WEEKEND.)
I’m not a complainer, and I know people work hard. I respect that so much. But doing this means now that this package because smelly trash — and not something I can cover. It also puts a bad taste in my mouth for this company and pitch (thankfully, not literally, but anyway). And all of this could have been avoided if they had been better at planning ahead and communicating.
I think the topic of perishable deliveries comes up A LOT in my conversations - both consulting calls and private text threads with friends in the industry - especially those of us who focus mainly on food and travel often — and I think we need to have a larger conversation.
Getting this right is all about communication and planning ahead — this is what is coming…this is when it’s coming…do you want it? will you be there to receive? — and this is true whether we’re discussing unsolicited perishable mailings (don’t do that), or mailings/deliveries/couriers that we may have discussed but don’t know the where/when/what.
The inverted pyramid of deliveries, if you will! (Couldn’t resist, J-school friends!)
As my grandma would have said, waste not, want not.
It breaks my heart to have to throw out good food when there’s so many hungry people out there, not to mention everyone’s budget is tight — why waste budget on samples that have to be discarded? All that waste can be avoided if we learn to communicate more effectively!
I say this to help you and help your bottom line at a time that we’re all trying extra hard to make all those dollars and cents count. And this is not to call out the aforementioned meal kit people — I’ve had the same happen with everything from sushi to cheese plates, and it all the same factors remain true — why waste your client’s budget on spoiled, lost food, and messengers (or mailings) that arrive when there’s no one there to receive them and instead — lets all work together to make more effective use of your time, budget, and product. See first if someone is available to receive and if they even want to receive before proceeding.
You’ll save so much time and effort on all ends…not to mention, someone not coming home to a sometimes rather spoiled and stinky surprise.
Did I mention I’m now a contributing journalist on the Yahoo Creators platform?
It’s an exciting program where the journalists who are accepted maintain creative and editorial control over their own content, all within and with access to the huge audience and network that Yahoo embodies. It’s an amazing way of telling the stories I really want to tell and writing the content I really want to write, and I’ve been having a blast. I’ve been involved for just a few weeks now but you can already see I’ve been writing a pretty wide range of fun content, from commerce to fun features — check out my profile to see some of my most recent pieces!
Obviously I still have all my other outlets as well, and none of that is changing (we pray ever!), but at a time where publishing feels pretty tenuous and scary a place, it’s always exciting to have, well, new news that’s positive!
Limited-time deal on ad placement!
I’m offering a seasonal special on advertising in this newsletter. I’d love to place your sponsored posts and advertising in this Substack, which goes out to nearly 10,000 media professionals every single day.
Note: I do limit advertising to only what would be of interest to my readers, but am open to both short paragraph blurbs and dedicated posts - if you are interested in chatting details and scheduling something, please email me at alywalansky@gmail.com today!
Tools of the trade
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!)
Press Hook is where journalists, newsletter writers, and podcasters source expert quotes, hi-res images, product samples, affiliate info, and brand story angles — all from vetted brands in one searchable hub. It connects journalists and brands in what feels like a really user-friendly, organic way and I use it often to browse for sources and products aligned with my current projects and I’ve often found precisely what I need, when I need. Give it a try!
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.
Forbes.com: 10 Variations To Try On National Mac And Cheese Day
Forbes.com: Expert Ideas For Your Summer Picnic Charcuterie Board
Apartment Therapy: I Bring These Brilliant Insect Repellent Wipes Everywhere I Go (They’re Travel-Friendly!)
Southern Living: The One-Pan Cheesy Meal I Make Whenever I'm Too Tired To Cook
Forbes.com: 13 Delicious Ways To Enjoy Caviar
HerMoney: The Best Timing for Hotel Bookings: How To Save On Your Stay
Apartment Therapy: 10 Things I Got Rid Of After 45
Apartment Therapy: Summer Packing Tips from People Who Travel for a Living
Clean Plates: 11 Best Seafood Picks at Trader Joe's, According to RDs
Travel & Leisure: 6 Best Business Travel Airplane Outfits, From $12
YourTango: Frequent Travelers Are More Likely To Succeed At Work Because They Share These 7 Traits, Experts Say
YourTango: 14 Budget-Friendly Home Upgrades That Instantly Transform Your Space, According To Experts
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and This Seat Cushion Is My Secret to Arriving at Destinations Pain-free
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and I Swear by These Packable Ballet Flats for Comfort, Support, and Long Days on My Feet
Travel & Leisure: I Found the Perfect Walking Shoes to Prevent Sore Feet During Travel — Score Styles on Sale Up to 62% Off
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.
Yahoo
I’m looking for chefs to weigh in on factors that will make them instantly be turned off when they enter a restaurant or fast food spot or even a grocery store. Have something to share? Email me! You obviously don’t have to share which restaurants turned you off, but more, what you saw there that made you not want to eat there.
You may have noticed over the days leading up to Amazon Prime Day, I had been doing a ton of new content on Yahoo across the lifestyles umbrella. Currently working on a story on how to choose a budget-friendly sofa/loveseat for a small space (i.e. a tiny apartment, studio apartment, dorm, etc), as well as suggestions about ones that will do fit the role (good sofa at a good price but also handles the takeaway/delivery, for those of us who live in walk-up situations where there’s just no other way). Pitch me any thoughts as far as products that may be a fit but also expert input on the process!
Also, because we’re in the cycle of never-ending infernal heat waves, I’m doing a roundup of the best deals online on compact air conditioners for small spaces (ideally those that people can have delivered and installed).
I’m working on a roundup of must-have toiletries, beauty, hair, skin, and otherwise to keep as staples in your carryon when you travel. This, too, will have a first person element and there’s some of my faves I travel with non-stop that I’m absolutely including.
Forbes
I’m accepting pitches for fun and unique presentations of CHICKEN WINGS in honor National Chicken Wing Day and BURGERS in honor of National Hamburger Day at restaurants/bars nationwide. To pitch me for any of these, please make sure your pitch includes ALL of the following in this specific below format.
Name of dish
Where found (so: restaurant name, city, state, URL)
Description of dish
Quote about what makes this presentation special (plus name and title of person being quoted)
Image of dish and appropriate photo credits
<3
aly
Luckily I don’t work in perishables but I do mail a lot of samples and from the PR side I have to say it most often goes wrong when the brand itself and not the pr company decide they want to be in charge of deliveries instead of letting us dispatch them. It’s so frustrating to me too! I get a request from an influencer I’m dying to work with, pass along the address, follow up and the person never received the sample. Now I’ve damaged my relationship with this person!