Thursday: One thing you can do in your follow up emails that make ALL the difference.
Also: Upcoming travel, and more!
Good morning!
Journalists get hundreds of emails each day (with that number exploding during HGG season), and while we try to read and address as many as possible, some do get buried. I get so many questions about follow ups and what does and does not move the needle…and I’d love to address that today.
(Read on to the bottom of the email for a deep dive — journalists are very much OK with followups and they are as big a help to us as they are to you — but there’s some important things to keep in mind before you do so.)
Oh what a busy few days I’ve had!
First of all, I’m happy to say that after suffering in semi-silence all summer, I’m finally a person with an air conditioner!
I wrote a little bit about all the factors that went into not having one (and finally getting one!) for Yahoo: Finding an air conditioner for a small apartment presents unique challenges: I discovered the perfect solution.
It’s also been a really busy few days of events and reconnecting with beloved friends I haven’t gotten to see much this summer.
You might say (based on that last shot), my cup runneth over!
Here’s some newly published content!
For Forbes new today: 15 Delicious And Creative Ways To Enjoy Potatoes. For RetailMeNot: 41 Best College Student Discounts (there’s lots of good ones in here!). For Travel & Leisure: This Portable Door Lock Is Traveler-loved, and finally, some exciting breaking news for Food Network: A Beloved KFC Side Is Finally Returning Nationwide!
And, of course, for my Yahoo Creators column: New stories every day, check out my author profile to see what I’ve been working on!
Upcoming travel: I’ll be in the greater LA area for a whole week in early September (the first half of the week will be in the Malibu area for Malibu Food &Wine (so excited!), and then I’ll move onto BH and WeHo).
I’ll also be in Fort Lauderdale (very briefly) in mid-November (just for about 24 hours or so before a cruise).
Hope to connect with some of you if itinerary and time allows. Other potential fall/winter travel is in the the works, and will share it here as well once confirmed.
Also: Who will be in NY for NYCWFF this fall? I’ll be here, there, everywhere and hope to see you, too!
(And yes, I’ll be in Miami for SOBEWFF this winter as well, of course!)
Book your summer consulting session!
I still have some space available for August!
I can join your team on Zoom, a phone call, or in-person and do a team Q&A and answer any of your questions about planning events, mailers, trips, pitching, followups, etc — giving you a very necessary media perspective. Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com if you are interested in chatting more and setting something up :)
I’m now contributing to the Yahoo Creators platform, writing a wide range of lifestyles topics: check out my author profile to see some of my most recent pieces! (This is updated daily - usually multiple times daily - so you’ll want to keep checking it out for new content!)
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!
Did you catch me on the Coffee with a Journalist podcast last week? You still can!
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.
Yahoo Creators: Check out my author profile (I have several new stories a day across the lifestyles umbrella, so that’s the best way to stay updated!)
Forbes.com: 15 Delicious And Creative Ways To Enjoy Potatoes
RetailMeNot: 41 Best College Student Discounts
Travel & Leisure: This Portable Door Lock Is Traveler-loved
Food Network: A Beloved KFC Side Is Finally Returning Nationwide!
Food Network: IHOP Brings an Extra Layer of Luxury to Dubai Chocolate
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and This Seat Cushion Is My Secret to Arriving at Destinations Pain-free
The Kitchn: The New Kraft Mac & Cheese Flavor That Has People So Excited (It's Very '90s!)
Southern Living: We Asked Southern Chefs Their Favorite Brand Of Baked Beans—And This Brand Won By A Landslide
Travel & Leisure: 15 Amazon Business Casual Clothes for Summer Travel.
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
Travel & Leisure: 6 Best Business Travel Airplane Outfits, From $12
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.
Southern Living
I’m working on a story on why early morning is the best time to go to the grocery store - even if it's the last thing your body wants to do. (I have my own reasons for this, of course!) - but I’d love if any experts want to weigh in as well.
Forbes
Before pitching: Please be sure to refer to my photo submission guidelines for help with photo submission best practices!
It’s NATIONAL SANDWICH MONTH. Also: National Hot & Spicy Day is approaching - please pitch me the best sandwiches or SPICY dishes at your restaurant or bar. To pitch, please always use this format and don’t skip any parameters:
Name of dish
Restaurant, city, state, website
Description of dish
Quote from chef about dish (plus name and title of person quoted)
Image and photo credit (I prefer links to attachments!)
Note, for spicy: I want hot and spicy with lot of flavor, not just a bunch of heat, please.