Thursday: Save-the-Date for our most popular Zoom AMA event of the year: Everything You Need to Know About Pitching Holiday Gift Guides for 2024
Good morning!
I have big news to share in today’s newsletter, but first, I wanted to open the floor to a bit of a discussion: Are you getting everything you should be getting out of reading this newsletter?
I ask because yesterday I shared a call for specific types of sources — and within that prompt, I suggested scrolling down to my pending assignments section to see specific details about the assignments…
However, I then got close to 100 responses…most of which did not know the stories I was working on, why I needed these experts, or what the outlets were…meaning I was pitched many experts that were not a fit, and would clearly not have been a fit if those people had read through to the part where I shared what the assignment asks and parameters were.
Why am I sharing this? I promise, it’s not to scold anyone - but rather - your time is at least as valuable as mine. Take the time to read from beginning to end and see what I’m looking for before pitching me. You have a way better chance of being a fit that way, and your time will be put to better use — as will mind. It’ll also help you avoid pitching for stories that have since wrapped up or published (we move quickly around here!).
But, the reason for this particular introduction today — please tell me if there’s a way I can organize this newsletter that would be more effective for YOUR needs. If I can make it easier for you to read through and navigate and see what I’m sourcing — I’m HAPPY to make those adjustments. I’m here for you, as much as I’m here for me. We’re in this together.
Thanks for attending my TED talk. Now onto today’s exciting news!
Announcing our next Zoom AMA session: Everything You Need to Know About Pitching Holiday Gift Guides for 2024
Join in on the fun on Tuesday, August 27 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET (Zoom link to come!)
In what’s become something of an annual tradition, I’ll be joined by fellow lifestyle writers (and two of my closest friends!) Alice Dubin and Jill Schildhouse for a comprehensive Q&A session covering all the most pressing questions and newest developments in all things holiday content, gift guides, and all that jazz.
Because this is typically our most popular Zoom collab of the year, and because Zoom caps our attendance at 100 attendees, we’ll open the session to paid subscribers of all three of our Substack newsletters.
HOW TO RSVP: Scroll all the way to the bottom of this email (beneath the paywall) to RSVP and ask your highest-priority questions in advance so we make sure we get to them.
(Please, only RSVP to this one if you are a paid subscriber. We will be checking, and unfortunately we’ve noticed people try to skirt the rules before…honesty is the best policy!)
PS: Can’t make that date/time? We’ll be recording this session and you can ask for it afterwards (but again, you’ll still need to be a paid subscriber to all 3 of us for access)!
I’m offering a BOGO deal on new paid subscriptions!
As I mentioned recently, it’s tumultuous times all around. And we’re all feeling it pretty deeply.
If you show me some love (and this community some love!) by upgrading your free subscription to a paid one right now (either monthly OR annual), I have a gift for you: you can choose any friend or colleague to get the same upgrade — free.
How do you claim? Just upgrade your subscription (or upgrade a group) at the links below and email me at alywalansky@gmail.com — then give me the name and email address of a person you wish to upgrade. Buy an annual, give a free annual. Buy a monthly, get a free monthly.
Just my way of supporting the community and sharing the love whenever we can.
We all could use it.
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: Breads Bakery Has Partnered With Legendary Celebrity Chef For Latest Babka Collab
RetailMeNot: Which Stores Are Open and Closed on Labor Day 2024?
Forbes.com: Alaska Airlines Adds Taste Of San Francisco To Popular Route
Plate Magazine: There’s Not One But Two Fillings in the Cheese Course-Inspired Ravioli at Dario
Yahoo Life: The best cooling fans of 2024, tested and reviewed
Travel & Leisure: These Arch Support Sandals Are the Only Shoes I Wear in the Summer — and They’re Only $47
Forbes: I rounded up some of the most creative potato dishes across the country.
Food Network: Erewhon’s Newest Smoothie Is an Energy Drink
Parade Magazine: This No-Tears Method Is How You Should Actually Cut an Onion, According to Chefs
RetailMeNot: Why Costco Is the Ultimate Place to Shop (And Save) on Spices
Apartment Therapy: I Sent a Pro Organizer a Photo of My Cluttered Medicine Cabinet, and Here’s How She Fixed It
Travel & Leisure: You Don't Want to Step Foot in a Waterpark Without These 18 Essentials From Just $9
Yahoo Life: What is a siesta? The history of the afternoon nap and its benefits
Apartment Therapy: We Asked 8 Pro Travelers What They Never Pack in Their Carry-On and Here’s What They Said
Plate: Vinyl Record Bars Are Taking Over and We’re Not Mad About It.
Southern Living: This Free Packing Spreadsheet Is Going Viral — Here's Why
Travel & Leisure: This Genius Gadget Is the Travel Accessory Everyone's Wearing to Stay Cool in the Heat — and It's 20% Of
Apartment Therapy: We Asked 6 Travel Writers for Their Best Packing Hacks, and Their Tips Are Ingenious.
Apartment Therapy, I’m a Travel Writer and This Is My Time-Saving Packing Hack
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.
Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards
I’m participating once again in the panel of experts for the Newsweek Readers' Choice Awards (you may recall I recently participated in nominations in the Best Mattress, best gourmet subscription box category and best outdoor grill. As part of this program, I’m part of panel of travel/food experts who helped to create nominee lists for the Readers Choice Awards in a variety of categories, and my next categories will be packing cubes and sheets. If you have any you think should be on my radar, drop me a line!
Apartment Therapy
Sorry But Your Luggage Is Disgusting, Here's Why You Need to Clean It: Ahead of Labor Day travel, I’m working on a post dedicated to the fact that your luggage is actually really gross and you need to be cleaning it — here's why. I’m looking to speak to pro travelers on their thoughts/advice/tips about cleaning luggage before, during, and after travel plans.
We Asked TK Pro Travelers How They Keep Their Luggage Clean, and Here’s What They Said: A related but distinct story on a similar topic: This one will be focused on the one key thing travel pros do to keep their luggage clean, like this story.
I Sent a Pro Organizer Photos of My Messy Cord Clutter, Here's How They Fixed It: My small apartment is OVER RUN with chargers and cables, and it's not only messy, it's dangerous and a safety hazard. I’m looking to speak to an organization expert about how I could go about (as someone who works from home and has a lot of tech) getting rid of extra chargers and consolidate, and then follow their advice (with before, after, during photos, much like my medicine cabinet story recently). Also open to product pitches as to products that may help with this messy cord clutter.
Clean Plates
For Clean Plates, I’m working on a piece on smarter grocery shopping and why you should be adding Ceylon cinnamon to your cart. I’m looking for a RD to chat with over email, as to how/why Ceylon is better than cassia, along with some other health/wellness benefits, and we can chat, nutritionally, about savory as well as sweet applications, too.
Forbes
I’m rounding up creative/interesting avocado-centric dishes (or drinks!), so start thinking on those if you have anything that may be a fit! Note: ANYTHING pitched for these stories MUST exist on the menu at a bar or restaurant (I got about a dozen pitches for both in the last 24 hours that seemed to miss that part.)
I’m also rounding up fun cheeseburgers to check out for National Cheeseburger Day on Sept. 18.
For both, please keep in mind the following parameters: Name of dish, name of restaurant (city, state, URL), description, quote about dish (and who to credit for the quote), and an image (with photo credit) — via dropbox link, not as an attachment. (Please make sure to have ALL these components before pitching.)
Plate Magazine
I’m putting out bites/drinks of the week feelers, which is sort of a drink/dish spotlight piece. (Some examples are this Peruvian-inspired sweet potato in Savannah and a molecular banana daiquiri in Chicago.) Basically if you are pitching me something for this, think along the lines of: Is this dish/bite something new? What interesting techniques are used to make it come together? If the technique is simple, what’s the hook? An interesting ingredient? Something being made in house or in an interesting way? What’s the story behind the dish? What inspired it? Is there a cultural/family story behind the dish? An ingredient the chef got their hands on? Love to hear what you might have for me!
I’m also seeking pitches along the theme of embracing imperfection. We all have discovered that we can learn rather than hide, from mistakes, and hopefully grow from it —so I’m looking for food/restaurant pitches along these lines - unexpected substitutions that worked better than the original plan—be it a space, a dish, a city, or a team member. Maybe “ugly” dishes or last-minute modifications in a pinch that made all the difference. Basically how restaurants and chefs are using imperfect solutions to make magic happen.
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!)
<3
aly