Thursday: Are you getting everything you can out of this email? It's all in the details!
Good morning!
I received a whole bunch of emails yesterday pitching me for National Fried Chicken Day (which happened nearly a week ago, and that story has been wrapped up and published for a while) and National Caviar Day, which wrapped up days ago and published days ago - and the links to both of these stories were included pretty close to the top of yesterday’s email.
I actually made a point of addressing this in a few of my responses, whereupon I received a reply along the lines of “oh, I didn’t see it.”
I say this for a reason, and not to scold anyone, because I never would ever think I have the right to do that - we’re all professionals here - but as a means of perhaps being of some help.
This newsletter exists as a service to the community. It’s only as good as what you get out of it, so I implore you - please take the time to read through each email from top to bottom before pitching.
I make a point each and every day in the email (and this is why I send it out so often) to update on what stories are newly published, what is wrapped up, and what I’m newly working on - as well as specifics for sourcing for each pending story. This is to make your job easier, as you know exactly how I need to be pitched, and for what, when. If you are not reading through to that information, you’re not getting what you need, and what you deserve to receive, out of this newsletter.
So, the devil is in the details!
(Or, as one of my best friends just said in a text message, it’s the little things that are the big things. It is so true in this instance as well. Those details make all the difference.)
This newsletter goes out to well over 8,000 engaged publicists, business owners, and journalists each and every day. If you are looking to sponsor a daily installment of this newsletter or have a dedicated section about your client or product (assuming it’s an organic fit for the interests of my audience!), that is now available. Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com to discuss.
The steepest discount I’ve ever offered on consulting sessions
In exciting news, I’m doing something I’ve never done before: I’m currently offering 20% discounts on my virtual consulting/lunch & learn sessions. Times are really tough and I am hoping to make these insights as accessible as possible to any of you who are interested. If you want to schedule a session for yourself or your team, to discuss anything from planning an event, media dinner, or press trip to mailers, pitching best practices, followups to…well… anything else…drop me an email at alywalansky@gmail.com and lets chat!
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: 50 Creative Ways To Celebrate National Caviar Day
RetailMeNot: 55+ College Student Discounts
Forbes.com: 15 Delicious Dishes To Enjoy On National Fried Chicken Day
Travel & Leisure: I'm Stocking Up on Comfy Travel Pants Thanks to These Sweet Fourth of July Deals on Amazon
Today.com: Do drugstore wrinkle creams really work? Experts weigh in
RetailMeNot: How Bulk Buying Helps Me Maintain My Household Grocery Budget – and Stay Well-Stocked
Travel & Leisure: This Genius Gadget Is the Travel Accessory Everyone's Wearing to Stay Cool in the Heat — and It's 20% Off
Clean Plates: 7 Cookout Faves from Trader Joe’s That Dietitians Love
Clean Plates: 11 Best Seafood Picks at Trader Joe’s, According to RDs
Apartment Therapy: We Asked 6 Travel Writers for Their Best Packing Hacks, and Their Tips Are Ingenious.
Travel & Leisure: I Always Wear These Comfy, Wide-leg Amazon Pants on Flights — Plus, 13 More Pairs I'm Eyeing From $12
Travel & Leisure: Frequent Fliers Say This Genius Hack Makes It Feel Like They've Upgraded Their Seat — and It's Only $35
Apartment Therapy, I’m a Travel Writer and This Is My Time-Saving Packing Hack
RetailMeNot: Don’t Spend a Fortune at Those Salad Places: How I Build My Own Salads At Home
Travel + Leisure: The One Safety Item You're Likely Forgetting to Pack, According to a Longtime Solo Female Traveler
Saatva’s Sleep Enlightened: 6 Surprising Sleep Mask Benefits
RetailMeNot: How Using My Air Fryer Makes Cooking on a Small Budget (and In a Small Space) Possible
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! Health
I’m going to be working on two roundups - best cooling fans and best sleep trackers. I don’t have all the details on these assignments yet but will update when I have that info in the next few days. But this is going to be a “tested” best sort of roundup in both cases, so I will be sourcing some to try out for consideration for these stories…and will know more about what I’m looking for shortly. But meanwhile, feel free to email me if you represent products in either of these categories!
Food Network
I’m putting out feelers for a roundup of restaurant chains/food brands doing fun/cute Olympic tie-in food/drinks/products. If you have anything, please email me :)
RetailMeNot
This month, I’m working on a story regarding how to stock up on spices and save at Costco, as well as some general tips on how to stock up on spices and streamline your spice cabinet and spend less but have more, make your own blends, and so fort. I’ll have updated details as far as what exactly I need very soon, but will be open to both expert sources and products to link to for this one.
Apartment Therapy
I’m working on two kind of personal projects!
I Sent a Pro Organizer a Photo of My Cluttered Medicine Cabinet — Here's How They Fixed It: I’m looking to get advice from a pro organizer on how to fix my "cluttered" medicine cabinet, then fix it! Email if you are game and I’ll send a photo to give them a better idea of the space.
I Sent a Pro Organizer a Photo of My Messy Kitchen Junk Drawer — Here's How They Helped Me: Similar! Also..about me. And being messy. I’m looking to get advice from a pro organizer (just one) on how to fix my messy kitchen junk drawer, then fix it! I will send them a photo to give them a better idea of the space.
Forbes.com
I’m looking for fun cocktails and dishes inspired by or in honor of the upcoming Paris Olympic games. These must exist on a menu at a bar or restaurant, even if only for a limited-time special. Please email me if you have anything that may fit!
Going forward, I’m also working on roundups for National Oyster Day and National Tequila Day. Let me know if you have a dish/cocktail that may be a fit. These must exist on a menu at a bar or restaurant, even if only for a limited-time special.
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<3
aly