So much going on this week -- time to have a productive Monday!
Good morning!
Happy Monday, friends…
Super excited to share my latest piece for Southern Living, which published over the weekend and may be a very helpful tool if you find yourself invited to a Passover seder this year.
In very unrelated news, in my latest piece for Food Network, I cover some breaking news is the fast food fried chicken wars…
I have so much going on this week. I have media dinners and events almost every night this week (which is fun and exciting as far as seeing people I love and having new experiences but means you won’t be getting a ton of cooking videos from me this week) - I did post a tutorial on my Instagram stories last night though for how I make easy 20-minutes Massaman curry with salmon and eggplant, though. It came out delish and it’s a new recipe I’m playing around with, so check it out before it expires!
Later this week, I am scheduled to do something I’m kind of humbled but also excited about. I was asked to be a guest speaker at a workshop for college journalists. My section will be on how get started with freelance journalism after graduation, and I’m already prepping some talking points basked on my own life experiences. It is crazy to believe it’s been more than twenty years since I earned my own journalism degree — but as my own journalist trajectory began with running my college newspaper (beginning with my sophomore year!) and I learned so much I’d take with me into my future during that tenure, I fully understand the huge responsibility in taking on a project like this. I can’t wait! Of course, it’s pretty humbling as well. You want to give advice that helps to set students on the right path and toward success and fulfillment — and these are rather tumultuous times!
This weekend’s Industry Insights edition was a bit of a deep dive on considerations before pitching related to April Fool’s Day. You can still check it out here.
Reminder: Our next AMA is coming up soon — and will be co-hosted with my dear friends and industry colleagues Jill Schildhouse and Alice Dubin … we’re talking all things press trip related.
This AMA will be a bit different in a few ways. While we will have a Q&A period, it’ll be so much more than that. We’ve actually been working for weeks on planning and preparing a full presentation. We just have THAT much to say on the topic.
We’ve all been traveling for a very long time and have seen first-hand what does and does not work, and we are here to put all that good/bad/otherwise experience to use.
Here’s what we’ll be covering:
Press trip invite do’s and don’ts
Press trip red flags and turnoffs
Press trip hidden costs
How to host the perfect group press trip
Q&A at the end
When: April 12 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET
Want to attend? It’s only open to paid subscribers of all three of our newsletters (and yes, we’re checking), and you can see more information on how to RSVP and where 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!
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!)
Southern Living: Invited To Your First Passover Seder? Here's What You Should Bring
Food Network: KFC Brings Its Fried Chicken Nuggets Nationwide
Food Network: Magnolia Bakery’s Legendary Desserts Are Coming to Your Local Grocery Store Aisle
Forbes.com: Capture The Spirit Of The Season With Whimsical Easter Cocktails
Forbes.com: Food-Themed Easter Baskets Add A Touch Of Whimsy To The Celebration
YourTango: 15 Best DIY Hair Masks To Get Soft, Moisturized Hair
YourTango: 40 Best Energy-Boosting Foods & Drinks To Make A Part Of
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
The Best Easter Sales for 2023: I’m updating this article from last year. For this story, I’m trying to focus on last-minute sales, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be pegged to Easter, as there’ll also be a ton of spring sales going on, too. So, really anything that helps you get Easter Basket stuffers, clothes, table decor, spring decor or whatever else for Easter is fair game. Trying to include some major retailers in this, such as Target, CVS, Walmart, Michaels, Macy's.
Stores Closed on Easter Sunday (+ Easter Store Hours for 2023): You may recall this is a giant guide I do for RMN every major holiday, and Easter is getting the treatment again this year. I’ll be updating this story from last year — so if I included you in last year’s story and you have updated info for me, or want to tell me the info is not updated and is the same, please email me. I’m looking to mostly keep the same format, and simply adjust for 2023.
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
I’m 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’ve gotten HUNDREDS of pitches for things where the sender will insist it is “kosher” but when I look into it, it’s kosher but not kosher for Passover - please understand the difference before pitching me.
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.
Looking forward, I am looking for bars/restaurants around the world that have created specialty cocktails in honor of the coronation of King Charles III this May. I’ll need the usual — where it is, what’s in it, why it’s a perfect cocktail for the occasion, a quote from a bartender/owner/chef, and a high res image. I’m really excited about this one, so lets try to find some great cocktails!
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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!
Thank you for including commentary from Carmen at Freemodel in your Best Life story on things to avoid having in your bathroom when guests come over!!
Thank you for the Mother's Day gift ideas ... and the reminder that I needed to get my mom something! Just bought us matching bracelets ... then purchased a necklace for myself. ;-)