Thursday: Pull up a chair.
Good morning!
If you’ve been here for a while, first of all, thank you. You are SO appreciated!
Whether you found this newsletter last week or you’ve been opening it every morning for years, the fact that you choose to spend a few minutes of your day with me is something I cherish and I’ll never take for granted.
This community we have built has become one of my favorite parts of my workday.
Every morning, we talk shop. We dissect pitches. We celebrate wins. We laugh about the absurd things that happen in journalism and PR. We turn my life’s moments—whether it’s airport delays, burnt cookies, hospital waiting rooms, tree removal outside my apartment, or champagne-fueled movie nights—into lessons we can actually use in our work.
I honestly wouldn’t change a thing. One thing that’s really important to me is that this daily newsletter stays free.
I want someone who’s just starting their career, someone between jobs, someone whose company won’t fund professional development, or someone who’s simply curious about this industry to have access to these conversations.
That’s always been the goal. But if the free newsletter is where we have coffee together every morning, the paid community is where we pull up another chair after everyone else has headed home.
That’s where we slow down, that’s where we host live Ask Me Anything sessions and webinars, and gift guide pitching workshops (more of those coming very soon!). It’s where we have done office hours (and that too, more soon!) where I’m just here to take on anything you have to bring to the table, as well as a resource library of previous archived webinars, chats, and exclusive content. That’s where we go deeper into pitching strategies, media trends, story ideas, and all the little nuances that don’t always fit into a daily post. It’s where you can ask the question you’ve been wondering about for months, it’s where I can answer it. It’s where we build this community together.
I’ll be honest with you about something. I’ve noticed paid subscriptions have softened over the past year. From talking with other newsletter writers, I know I’m far from alone. Budgets are tighter. Every subscription gets scrutinized a little more carefully than it used to.
I completely understand that. So this isn’t a guilt trip. It’s not an ultimatum. And it’s certainly not me threatening to put the daily newsletter behind a paywall. That’s not happening. That will NEVER happen. There will ALWAYS be a free newsletter going out to you daily (which I don’t think ANY of my peers, as much as I adore them, can say!).
This is simply an invitation. If these daily posts have helped you write a better pitch, or land a story, or avoid a mistake, or navigate a difficult client, or simply made your morning coffee a little more enjoyable...
I’d love to invite you to become part of the paid community.
Not because you’ll be “unlocking content,” because it’s SO important to me that the free members are already getting a ton of content and value and always will, but because you’ll be pulling up a chair.
You’ll be helping support the work that goes into keeping this newsletter going every single day, while also getting access to the conversations, webinars, Q&As, and resources that happen beyond these daily emails. We have a lot of fun, too, from happy hours when I’m in your city, to priority access to town halls, and so much more.
If now isn’t the right time, that’s okay too.
Seriously.
I’m forever grateful you’re here either way, and I’ll still see you tomorrow morning with another free newsletter waiting in your inbox.
But if you’ve been thinking about upgrading—or wondering what happens after the daily email ends—I hope you’ll come join us. There’s always room for one more chair at the table. And I’d love to save you a seat.
P.S. If you're already a paid subscriber: thank you. Truly. You're the reason I get to keep showing up here every morning, and I appreciate you more than you know. ❤️
Upcoming travel: I’ll be in Dallas for a few days in October. If you want to try to meet up for a drink or coffee or have a client you are hoping I can check out (or general recommendations) - drop me a line! (Note: Thanks so much but where I’m staying is all set!)
Job Leads
Work with some of my dearest of dear friends! BrandBomb PR is hiring a full-time PR Coordinator to join their award-winning agency. If you’re ready to gain hands-on experience pitching local and national media, supporting red carpet events and working with an exciting mix of clients across hospitality, entertainment, healthcare, lifestyle and more, they’d love to hear from you. Candidates must have 1-2 years of PR experience and either live in Las Vegas or be willing to relocate. (Side note: I love these ladies so much and anyone who work with them will have a THRILLING experience.)
Book your consulting session!
I still have some space available the remainder of 2026!
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 :)
We can switch it up in any way you or your team needs. While most of my calls do end up being virtual, I just did one where we did our session over a martini lunch! I’m available for whatever your team prefers. Lets chat.
Be sure to follow me on the Yahoo Creators platform. I’m 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 well over 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
The Recipe for Press Media Directory is an essential and affordable database that targets the right magazine editors and freelance writers for pitching products and projects in food, fashion, interiors, travel, business and lifestyle. Created by former editor, Amy Flurry, the directory features emails, titles, active social media addresses, and a notes section with submission guidelines for each contact. This is why leading publicists, editors, and entrepreneurs across the country, including me, widely use and recommend it! Annual subscription price is just $195 and absolutely packed with value. Another perk of the subscription: you receive a Pitch Tip newsletter once a month highlighting the updates and newly added editors and serves as a reminder of the movement and shifts happening in the industry. This is PR gold for publicists!
I partnered with Pitchcraft to be able to share a special offer just for my readers: Use code ALY200: new users will get $200 off their first month of the monthly PR Membership or code ALY400: This one offers new users $400 off their first year of the annual PR Membership. This is a great network to join because it’s a community of both PR professionals and journalists working together to find better ways to work together and share opportunities, and you know how much I believe in all of that
Exciting news from our friend Sarah Karger (who you’ve seen as the star expert panelist for several of our gift guide pitching workshops!) - she launched her new course, Affiliate Marketing & Performance-Based PR for Publicists - It’s built specifically to help PR pros and agencies add affiliate management as a core capability, something we all know is completely essential in today’s media landscape.
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!)
Southern Living: I Tried Trader Joe’s New $2 Seasoning—And Now I’m Putting It On Everything
Yahoo: A legendary Nashville hotel just opened up the city’s first music-inspired spa, and I’m obsessed.
Forbes.com: 11 Delicious Ways To Enjoy Chicken Wings
Forbes.com: 30 Delectable Ways To Appreciate Caviar
Southern Living: 5 Store-Bought Salad Dressings Chefs Always Keep In Their Kitchens
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Frequent Business Traveler, and I Found 6 Comfy Airplane Outfits That Still Look Put Together—From $8
Apartment Therapy:The 18 Best Prime Day Travel Deals, Vetted by Pro Travelers (Starting at $8!)
Travel & Leisure: This Plane Seat Cushion Is My Secret to Arriving at Destinations Pain-free
Food Network: 25 Little Treats You Can Score for Free on Your Birthday
Travel & Leisure: I Travel for Work, and These Are the 5 Genius Hacks That Save Me From Luggage Messes and Spills—From $4
Travel & Leisure: I’ve Been Solo Traveling for 25 Years—12 Mistakes That Cause the Biggest Headaches, and How to Prevent Them
Forbes.com: 20 Great Variations On The Classic Martini
Southern Living: I Tried Trader Joe’s New Marinated Mozzarella Balls—Now I’m Using Them In Nearly Every Meal
Southern Living: I’m A Travel Writer, And This Cruise Hack Gets Me An Empty Pool, No Buffet Lines, And A Better Vacation
Southern Living: I’ve Tried Every Way To Bake A Potato—This 1 Wins Every Time
Travel & Leisure: Frequent Fliers Say This Genius Hack Makes It Feel Like They’ve Upgraded Their Seat—and It’s Only $35
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Frequent Solo Traveler, and This Genius Safety Device Gives Me Peace of Mind in Every Airbnb
Southern Living: I’m A Travel Writer, And My Friends And I Are Obsessed With This App For Tracking Each Other’s Flights
Travel & Leisure: I Fly Around the Country for Work, and This Roomy Tote Is My No. 1 Airport Essential for Looking Put Together.
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Solo Traveler of 25 Years, and These Are the 18 Products I Swear By for Personal Safety in 2026
Travel & Leisure: Traveling Alone Can Be Expensive—Here Are 15 Budget-friendly Hacks That Save Me Money
Southern Living: The One-Pan Cheesy Meal I Make Whenever I'm Too Tired To Cook
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.
Before pitching: Please be sure to refer to my photo submission guidelines for help with photo submission best practices!
Yahoo Creators
I’m looking to round up gifts for Knicks fans who are all about the Knicks commemorative memorabilia. If you have anything you think may work, please pitch me!
I’m also loving for great ways to stay cool this summer - think cooling items for your apartment, cooling sheets, lightweight summer dresses/shoes, and so forth.
I’m working on back-to-school (leaning more toward college/young adulthood than kids) gift roundups. Think return to dorm more than return to recess. Email if you have anything that may be a fit!
In answer to all the queries I’ve been receiving, yes, these are all unsponsored, no fee associated gift guides.
Dining Out NYC
I’m a contributor to Dining Out NYC (see a recent story I did for them on the Las Vegas influence on NYC’s culinary scene), and always open to pitches related to NYC dining trends, and openings, news, and so forth.
Apartment Therapy
I’m sourcing for product pitches and expert commentary related to thrifting wisdom, hosting and etiquette tips, methods/tips to save money at the grocery store, cozy, shoppable finds or things that can upgrade life in some way, reusable/greener swaps for your everyday home finds, low-tech heating/cooling tricks. If you have any pitches, send them my way!
Forbes.com
It’s almost National Oyster Day, and Hot & Spicy food day, and I’m looking for creative, interesting, delicious dishes and cocktails.
To pitch, please include:
Name of drink/dish
Restaurant/bar where it can be ordered (as well as city, state, URL)
description
quote from chef/bartender about dish (and name and title of person being quoted)
and LINK to image, with an identifying file name, and any appropriate photo credits included
(I know I give these guidelines over and over, but every day I get dozens of pitches that disregard them, so it bears repeating! <3)!
Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com asap please! All the same parameters will apply when emailing.
Thanks!