Tuesday: Here's the reason you didn't make it into that story (and how to get in next time) + everything going on this week!
Plus: LOTS of job leads. And: Cooling fans has wrapped up. Final reminder to pitch me your sleep trackers!
Good morning!
Sending this out a bit early today because I have a busy day in store. I’m headed to New Jersey for the day where I’ll be working from the cutest little boutique property and being hosted for a tasting at their exciting new celebrity chef helmed restaurant tonight (more info on that soon!).
(Oh, and San Francisco: I’m headed your way next week! I’ll be in town Mon-Wed, and it looks like I may have some free time Monday evening!)
But that means I have to get all my ducks in a row here before I head out…
Some fun new pieces to share today. For Travel & Leisure, I wrote about the sandals I have been living in all summer (and the rather unexpected way I came across them!), and for Forbes, I rounded up some of the most creative potato dishes across the country.
I thought I’d take a little break from business as usual today and touch on something inspired by my inbox.
Sometimes, I will get emails requesting ‘feedback’ for why a product or expert was not included in a story…a lot of things could have happened. Or nothing could have happened at all!
Lets address a few of those issues here:
1. You didn't meet the deadline.
Those deadlines aren't arbitrary. If I'm working on a story on Monday, chances are I hardly even remember it by later in the week. And pitches that come in after I'm done writing it and submitting it are much like adding cheese to a burger after it's been eaten. It's over. It's done.
Your best bet to be included in a story is not to pitch me after the deadline, but before the deadline. And, in fact, the earlier the better. Once I get everything I need, I wrap things up.
2. You didn't follow directions.
I try my best to be extremely specific about the parameters I need for a particular story. If you are pitching me a cocktail, and I ask for 5 specific questions to be answered about it and you only answer 2 of them, that means I can't consider it.
Just this week, I worked on a few food/cocktail stories where there were items I really wanted to include…but a crucial element was missing (say a photo, attribution for the quote, etc)…when you receive 1,000 pitches and have room for 50 items…those that don’t fulfill the requirements don’t have much of a shot.
3. It wasn't a fit.
It happens, I'm sorry!
If you give me a banana and I'm writing about oranges, this won't work. I love a Negroni. But If I'm working on a roundup of pink cocktails...it's not going to be a fit. Unless of course it's a very cool and unique spin on Negronis that actually IS pink, in which case I want to know!
4. You did everything right.
Wait, what?
Yes. For the average story, we get HUNDREDS, sometimes thousands of pitches. We may have 10 or 15 or 20 spots available for inclusion. That means 90% of those pitches are NOT included. I go for the best fits. Not all the fits. There may be absolutely nothing wrong with the item you pitched, it just wasn't AS good as another. It doesn't mean it won't work out next time!
5. Oh, and about updates...
No, we can't squeeze your client into a story that already happened. It's not an option. (See the comment about post-burger cheese above.) If you want to be included, follow tips 1-4 next time.
6. You were difficult to work with
This is something we don’t often talk about, but it bears repeating. I don’t need to be thanked, I don’t need you even to be friendly and pleasant. I know you are just doing your job.
But if you are rude and aggressive or demanding, it doesn’t mean that I won’t work with you in the future. (See: Sending me the wrong information, and then sending a barrage of IMMEDIATE CORRECTION NEEDED NOW emails after, blaming me when I only used your information.)
But it does mean I won’t be as eager if there’s someone else offering exactly the sort of commentary/product you are offering, but not offering stress and aggravation in the process. Be a person who is easy to work with (or at least not HARD to work with) and people will jump on your emails faster!
About those email interviews….
If I send you interview questions, no, it’s not a slam dunk you or your client will be included.
If you try to respond with one word answers…there’s no way I’m going to be able to use.
And if you don’t give me a specific name and credentials vs. “team at xyz bar…” - that’s a no as well.
Also, if you give me commentary you’ve used elsewhere, I cannot use that — and that’s a MAJOR no no that will lead to me likely never reaching out again. (And I’m nice. I take a lot of crap…but that’s a biggie.)
It's important that an expert is credible to the topic that is being discussed, and is credentialed in their field, if it is applicable. Also, in most instances, we need to avoid brand affiliations in responses. If I need a nutritionist, sometimes I can't use a nutritionist that works with a brand, as that may be a conflict of interest.
Never submit responses you have submitted elsewhere. This SEEMS obvious, but there’s been more than a few times I’ve received bunch of responses that my spider sense told me were being repurposed. A simple cut and paste of the quotes to Google confirmed my suspicions. Never submit anything you have submitted to another journalist, or has been published elsewhere. This includes your website, book, or blog.
Including all relevant info re: title and credentials. If I am interviewing Jane Smith about her nutritional advice, I want to know if she's a RD. I also want to know if she's affiliated with a brand or company or not, and her website, and other credentials. If she wrote a book on a related topic, I want to know that too. I can't tell you how often I get pitched a person, then use them in a story, and then after the fact, someone asks me to drop in a URL or affiliation. Send it in the first place.
One quote per person. This is a weird one but I've noticed sometimes I'll receive commentary and then there'll be a whole team or more than one person credited with it. "The Smith team" or "John and Jane Smith." - words can only come out of one mouth at a time, so If you are sending me commentary, it needs to come from a person. One person.
Give me something to work with. Sometimes I'll ask interview questions via email and get bullet pointed phrases or single words in a list as responses. That is not something that can be quoted. Often I'll respond and ask them to flesh out the answers to complete sentences with some better explanation. Something with meat to it. Unfortunately, I don't always have time to do this.
Please self-edit before emailing me. Make sure you spell everything correctly, including people's names and locations, and if you are linking to studies or research, make sure that link works. If you mention dates, or facts, or figures, or stats, back those up, and fact check yourself before submitting to me. If you are a publicist typing responses from an expert - especially if it's a health or medicine related subject - have them go over the answers before you submit it as well. No one wants to pass on wrong information.
Be available for follow-up questions. Traditionally, phone interviews would be ideal. In person interviews, even better. That's how we were all trained in our journalism programs while we were in school - phone or in-person interviews are the way to get organic answers and take the conversation in new directions based on those answers and where the interview goes. However, the fast-paced method we all work in these days means email is the way we have to go most of the time. So, it's so helpful that if I have followup questions or need clarification, you are available for me to reach out to in a quick manner.
Deadlines. Please please please don't ignore my deadlines. And don't wait until the deadline to submit. If I need to chat with a podiatrist for a story, and I get great responses from a podiatrist an hour in, I'm not going to wait till the deadline to hear from someone else. The early bird DOES get the worm. So, meet the deadline, but get it in as early as possible if you can. And if it so happens you discover your client can’t meet my deadline, don’t just ghost me. Please. Let me know so I can find someone else — or I’ll miss my deadline, too.
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!
Job Leads
Magrino PR is hiring for multiple roles for their NYC office. Candidates must be based locally and able to be in-office 3 days a week. Qualified candidates can send their resumes directly to Stefanie.berman@magrinopr.com.
Current open roles:
Associate Account Coordinator: Travel, Consumer, Food, Wine & Spirits
Account Executive: Food, Wine & Spirits
Account Supervisor: Wines & Spirits
Digital Account Supervisor: Travel, Consumer, Food, Wine & Spirits
BON Communications is hiring a remote Account Coordinator based in Los Angeles or Denver. Previous agency experience is required and the starting base salary is $45,000. Email your resume to hello@boncomms.com.
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!
Travel & Leisure: I wrote about the sandals I have been living in all summer
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
Food Network: Hungry for the Paris Olympics? Here’s How Some of Your Favorite Chains Are Celebrating
Forbes.com: 20 Delicious Ways To Honor National Oyster Day
Southern Living: How To Store Cut Cantaloupe So It Stays Fresh And Delicious Longer
Saatva: The Best Nighttime Dental Routine for a Healthy Smile
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
Food Network: You Can Now Get IHOP’s Famous Syrups by the Bottle
Forbes: 20 Cocktails That Will Win At Any Olympics Games Viewing Party
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
RetailMeNot: How Bulk Buying Helps Me Maintain My Household Grocery Budget – and Stay Well-Stocked
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.
Travel & Leisure: I Always Wear These Comfy, Wide-leg Amazon Pants on Flights — Plus, 13 More Pairs I'm Eyeing From $12
Travel & Leisure: Frequent Fliers Say This Genius Hack Makes It Feel Like They've Upgraded Their Seat — and It's Only $35
Apartment Therapy, I’m a Travel Writer and This Is My Time-Saving Packing Hack
RetailMeNot: Don’t Spend a Fortune at Those Salad Places: How I Build My Own Salads At Home
Travel + Leisure: The One Safety Item You're Likely Forgetting to Pack, According to a Longtime Solo Female Traveler
RetailMeNot: How Using My Air Fryer Makes Cooking on a Small Budget (and In a Small Space) Possible
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 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!
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.)
Southern Living
Working on two ingredient/food safety type stories — how do you tell if steak has gone bad? and can you freeze feta cheese?. Would love chefs, food safety experts, etc to weigh in over email! (I have specific questions for this so please save us both time and don’t send commentary without receiving the questions first.)
Yahoo! Health
Best sleep trackers: I’m rounding of the best sleep trackers of 2024. (NOTE: I NOW HAVE ALL THE SLEEP EXPERT COMMENTARY I NEED FOR THIS STORY.) - However, I am still open to sleep trackers to test in various categories such as sleep tracking ring, wristband, 2-in-1 fitness and sleep tracker, contactless, app, and more - I’m looking for most accurate, most comfortable, best value, best for tracking sleep stages, best for sleep coaching…etc.
Saatva
For Saatva, I’m working on a story on nap pods. And, I actually DO need sleep experts/sleep coaches or THIS one. This story is going to focus on how afternoon naps can help you power through the day - so enter nap pods. These are currently being offered at spots such as schools, offices, and airports to make napping easier, and I’d love to have everyone know everything about them, what a nap pod is, how they work and what special features they might have, a few benefits of using a nap pod to get in some extra sleep, who might benefit most from using a nap pod. I have a lot of specific questions - so if you have an expert who can give some commentary, please email me!
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.
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<3
aly