Thursday: HUGE subscription discount for one day only + pending stories, what is going on this week, and more.
Also: The sky has its own Instagram filter...and...ew...
Good morning!
My day started in the sweetest of ways — I got an email from an agency who had placed a job lead in this Substack a few months back. They wanted to tell me that someone who responded to the job lead from here ended up being hired and she was a perfect fit.
I get emails like these from time to time, and it’s so rewarding. As journalists, we don’t get a whole lot of positive feedback, or even always get to close the loop. We may get emails asking for updates or changes or complaining, but being told that something worked out so well and that people are happy and doing well as a result? It means more than all the cocktails in all the martini glasses.
(And, you can send me your job leads any time - no charge, ever. I publish this six days a week, so you’ll always get that lead shared within 24 hours of when you send it. That’s better than Amazon Prime these days!)
Which brings me to a special deal I am offering for today only — just because, well, for many of us the air quality index is telling us to stay indoors, you have more reading time, spend it reading all my archives of Industry Insights content! (I mean, just a thought…) - for ONE DAY ONLY, I’m offering 50% off an annual subscription to the paid version of my newsletter. This is a deal you don’t want to miss — because I never do a sale this big.
Had the most amazing time last night at a dinner hosted by Anguilla Tourism. Got to spend time with a very dear friend, and eat some amazing plant-based food, and was reunited with some lovely souls from different areas of my like who I had met while traveling over the years.
And this week…we’re back to masking! Oy vey.
As I’m sure a lot of you have seen, the northeast is looking pretty much like the sky has its own instant Instagram filter built in and everything is a disturbing apocalyptic shade of sepia. Though I was pretty impressed at how quickly all those mask and air purifier pitches started to come through….y’all really know how to jump on a news cycle!
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!
PS: I love doing podcasts! Check out my guest appearance on the Italian Wine Podcast this week, where we discussed all things Substack. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we chatted about everything from press dinners and events and trips to, well, sippin’! I’ve recorded a few others that should be live soon as well and I’m always open to doing more — email me at alywalansky@gmail.com.
RetailMeNot: The Best Father’s Day Sales and Deals to Shop in 2023
Food Network: I Tried TikTok’s Dirty Martini Pasta – And It Belongs in Your Weeknight Pasta Rotation
Food Network: Coca-Cola’s Newest Flavor ‘Ultimate’ Tastes Like Leveling Up
Food Network: Taco Bell Unveils Its First Fully Vegan Entrée Item – No Modifications Needed
Food Network: Pizza Hut’s New Pickle Pizza Is a Big Dill for Pickle Lovers
Food Network: This Distillery Is So Proud of Their Gin, They Found a Way To Wear It
Forbes.com: This Retreat Is The Perfect Getaway For Meat Lovers This Father's Day
Forbes.com: Martini Lovers Headed To NYC Have Found Their Dream Retreat
Forbes.com: 9 Cocktails To Celebrate Dad This Father’s Day
RetailMeNot: Father’s Day Gifts for Every Type of Dad
Forbes.com: Father's Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts To Stock His Freezer
Forbes.com: Father's Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Dad Who Loves To Grill
Forbes.com: Father’s Day Gift Guide: The Best Cookbooks To Add To His Collection
Forbes.com: Father's Day Gift Guide: The Best Gifts For The Culinary Traveler
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.
Southern Living
I’m doing stories right now on both English cucumbers and white peaches (different stories!). Looking for produce experts, chefs, farmers, dietician/nutritionist and a botanist or similar professional etc, to weigh in on both. Please do not send commentary without emailing me first, I have a specific list of questions for each. Thanks!
RetailMeNot
All the Best Fourth of July Sales to Shop Now: I’m working on an update of this story from last year. A lot of these might change, so note any run-through dates IF the retailer has those when pitching me. Otherwise, it's OK to describe the sale as "for a limited time." I’m going to try to include spots such as Home Depot, Lowe's, Best Buy, Amazon, Target, Walmart, Ancestry, 23andMe, Fitbit IF they are throwing a sale. If pitching me for this one, please be sure to include what's on sale, how to shop it, the promo code (if any). Maybe the promo code is storewide, so that makes it super flexible. Whatever the shopper needs to know about how and WHY to shop the sale.
I’m also updating this story from last year: Stores Open Fourth of July + Fourth of July Store Hours. Please look at last year’s version for an idea of format and what I’m looking for - and if I included your store hours or sales last year, feel free to reach out and give me updates!
Forbes.com
For Father’s Day, I’m looking for chefs to share one way their own dad or a father figure in their life inspired their work as a chef. Perhaps it’s a kitchen technique or recipe or even a philosophy about an ingredient or food or cooking in general. Please email me at alywalansky@gmail.com if you have chefs open to giving commentary (even better if they can share some sweet photos of them and their dad in the kitchen!)
Outlander is coming back soon (and droughtlander is finally ending!) so I was wondering if there’s any bar/restaurants doing fun cocktails in celebration of the return? 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!