Thursday: Finding encouragement in a pretty unexpected place
Good morning!
Apologies for today’s email coming a bit later in the morning — it’s a busy day.
I wanted to share a little anecdotal news today that I hope will be a bit of inspiration in what your day or agenda may hold for you.
Recently, I shared in this newsletter that I was working on a story for a new-to-me outlet about an area I wasn’t super familiar with. (This was a story for an outlet geared toward runners, and generally if you find me running? It means someone is chasing me.)
But the story itself wasn’t strictly about running but more about food as fuel and nutrition guidelines for maintaining energy — and that IS my comfort zone. So, I interviewed a few expert sources and wrote the story (came out to roughly 2,000 words, many of which I wrote during a long car ride a few days ago!) and emailed it to my editor early this morning, holding my breath the whole time.
Anyway, she wrote back to me just a little while ago and she said I did “a terrific job.” I’ll be sure to share the story when it publishes — but until then I wanted to take the moment to encourage you…don’t be afraid to try something different or new or scary or unfamiliar. We’re all constantly growing and adapting here, or at least…we should try to be. It’s when we get complacent that we get stagnated.
I get imposter syndrome a lot. I have a rich history of always feeling not good enough for…well, a lot of things. But push yourself to pitch that reach client or outlet or apply for that dream job. You never know until you try and you may just grow a little in the process.
PS: Still not going to try running. Sorry.
In other news…
I had two major deadlines this morning (but, success!), and later this afternoon I have a fun travel-related Zoom event I’m attending followed by a wine tasting/dinner this evening.
(i.e. Today is filled with some of my favorite things.)
Speaking of busy days, some of my latest stories published since yesterday’s email that should interest a lot of you — it covers food news happening from the clouds all the way to your breakfast cereal.
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: Delta Air Lines Has Finally Brought Back Kids Meals
The Kitchn: KitKat-Flavored Cereal Is Hitting Shelves Soon — But There’s Just One Catch
Food Network: Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed Doughnuts Go Bright Green for St. Patrick’s Day
The Kitchn: Wild Harvest Oysters Are Being Recalled in Multiple States Due to New Salmonella Outbreak
Taste of Home: What Is “Hero Meal Prep”?
Clean Plates: We Found the Healthiest and Best-Tasting Organic Peanut Butters
YourTango: How To Do An At-Home Facial In 10 Easy & Relaxing Steps
YourTango: The Secret TikTok Hack That Gets Rid Of Split Ends In Just 10 Seconds
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 (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!
I just sent you an email!! I'd love to have you on my podcast!! And way to go with all of the new stories out!
Kudos to you Aly for trying something new and kicking butt at it!
Also this:
PS: Still not going to try running. Sorry. LOL!!!! You and me both.