Tuesday: How that load of laundry can be perfect productivity inspiration - for real! + my biggest subscriber sale ever.

Also: Can we chat about messenger deliveries for a second?

Good morning!

I have a lot to get into today but I wanted to take a moment to have a quick discussion about messenger deliveries, and how we can use them more effectively.

A few days ago, when I was away from home for the day, I got a phone call from an annoyed messenger who was trying to deliver something and was flummoxed I was not answering my door. The reason I was not home to receive is because, well, I had no idea he was coming and was…not home.

I hate the idea of any brand or agency wasting anyone’s time, not to mention their budget or product, on sending a messenger to someone who is not there to receive. This is especially true as so many of my packages tend to be of a perishable nature.

I realize this was a habit born when most couriers were going to offices, where it was likely to always find someone there — but that’s just not feasible when delivering to someone’s home. Especially since most of us do not have room mates or doormen to receive a package for us.

Easiest solution? Just check in and ask first — does this person want to receive what you are sending? And when will they be available to receive it? It’ll make everything easier — and more seamless! — all around!

OK, off that soap box. Now, to more fun stuff!

Valentine’s Day is coming up and I know I’ve written a bunch of stories about gift ideas and cocktails and all that — but I want to share the love right here in a tangible way.

So, in honor of Valentine’s Day being next week (as well as Galentine’s Day, as well!), I’m going to be offering 50% off paid subscriptions for the remainder of the month of February. This is the biggest discount I’ve ever done and is good on either annual or monthly subscriptions — meaning that upgrading and getting the value of AMAs and industry insights emails and all the other subscriber benefits will now cost you roughly as much as a monthly cup of coffee, as my Valentine’s Day gift to you!

In other sweet (and romantic!) deals: You can still get 25% off any item from my RPZLxALY headband and bow capsule collection for Valentine’s Day with code ALY25. You’ll have it in time for V-Day date night!

So honored to see Muck Rack included me in their 2024 list of top ten most popular freelance journalists. Check out the list here.

Today’s productivity tip

What if I was to tell you, this laundry is actually rather symbolic of that pile of work we need to get done in order to stay productive?

We look at that pile, and it grows and grows, and we hate it. Yes, sometimes it may feel so overwhelming to just get started and get it done when we have so much else we need to be doing. There's the sorting and the washing and the drying. And, even when the laundry is done, there's the folding, the putting away. 

And, so the laundry doesn't get done. And then we feel SO CRAPPY about it not being done that you feel pretty badly about yourself because of it. And that feeling grows. And then you wonder ...maybe I'm just not good enough to get this done. Maybe I just can't do it. Maybe I should just give up.

This is all getting rather dramatic for the pursuit of clean undies but clearly I'm going somewhere with this...

Don't look at that big mound of laundry as a symbol of everything you can't do or haven't done or what is wrong with you or not enough about you.  Stop treating it like an example of your shortcomings, and then just treat it like any other project - make a plan, move forward, get it done.

Maybe that's creating a better organization process, with different bins or bags for sorting so that it never becomes a big chore to first sort when you are two weeks in. Or maybe it's doing laundry the same day/same time every week so it's so much a part of your routine that you don't avoid it or forget it, but just do it?

Ultimately, my larger message here is not about laundry. It's about how projects that we are working on become a lot more manageable when when break them into smaller, simpler and more manageable tasks and conquer them one by one. 

Here's another productivity tip: Use the laundry (we're not using a metaphor here, but actual laundry!) to help you do your actual work, too.

Think about it. It's Saturday morning, and you are putting a load in the washer or dryer. You now have, what? 45 minutes? An hour? Before you need to change out your clothes to the other machine. That time is a gift!

Remember Parkinson’s law from school? “Work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” 

Use that time allotment that your clothes are in the washer/dryer to finish a task. The limit of time on the laundry timer is actually your time limit to get that task done. It'll be your motivator because time will pass and expire no matter what you do or don't do. You are making your work a priority and creating an intention. Your brain will totally work this out for you, and use that time as best you can to complete what you can before the timer goes off. It's a great challenge and the reward is checking something off your to-do list.

And then, the timer goes off and you get a break! Actually that break is to switch your laundry, which isn't actually a break. But it's a brain break.  But that physical activity gives the mental activity a break (and vice versa) and that's actually both beneficial for you. Then, you've switched from washer to dryer...you can do another 45-60 minute work cycle now. Change it up to something different, but still make it a priority with a timer expiration.  Win-win!

Hey, even if it DOESN'T work, you still get clean laundry. That's an accomplishment too! But it'll work. I promise. And then, you and your clean laundry (i.e. actual clothes you can wear because you have clothes again) can go get your nails done, you've earned it.

Job leads

Quinn PR is looking for an Account Coordinator in LA as well as an Account Executive in LA.

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: In-flight Theft Is Unfortunately a Thing, but These 12 Items Give Me Peace of Mind When I'm Traveling by Plane

• Forbes.com: 25 Creative Pies To Try On National Pizza Day

• Forbes.com: 25 Cocktails Perfect For A Super Bowl: Taylor’s Version Viewing Party

• Forbes.com: 30 Hot Pink Cocktails For A Fetch ‘Mean Girls’ Viewing Party

• RetailMeNot: 5 Superstar Ingredients for Your Meal-Stretching Pantry Starter Pack

• Forbes.com: 40 Romantic Cocktails That Will Add A Little Love On Valentine’s Day

• Today.com: Say goodbye to wrinkles with these expert-approved drugstore creams — starting at $12

• Food Network: Oreo’s New Cookie Will Take You to Outer Space

• Clean Plates: The Healthy Trader Joe’s Sauce I Use in *Everything*

• RetailMeNot: Affordable Valentine’s Day Gifts That Show Lots of Love on a Budget

• Martha Stewart: 8 Storage Mistakes That Are Keeping Your Home From Being Organized

• Forbes.com: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2024: The Most Romantic Kitchen Gifts

• Today.com: 27 healthy fast food items at popular US chains, according to dietitians and doctors

• Southern Living: Can You Freeze Brussels Sprouts?

• Forbes.com: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2024: The Best Heart-Shaped Food Gifts

• Forbes.com: Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2024: The Best Bougie Culinary Gifts

• Clean Plates: 7 Mediterranean Diet Dinner Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less

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.

Clean Plates

In preparation for the spring holidays, I’m working on a story on how gathering with loved ones is good for our mental health (we all can relate to how big an issue loneliness can be!). For example, the Passover seder tradition — it’s very much about tradition and eating and drinking, but it’s foremost about gathering, and I’d love to speak to some experts about why that’s so important.

RetailMeNot

Grocery Saving Tips That Actually Work: I’m working on a detailed guide on ways you can save on groceries. Looking for experts to weigh in with actionable tips, anything from actions to take wherever you shop, to suggestions on particular stores/chains to shop.

Forbes

I’m looking for romantic dishes at restaurants nationwide in honor of Valentine’s Day. Perhaps something special on the menu just for the weekend or the month of February that SCREAMS date night. If you have anything that may be a fit on the menu at your restaurant, please email me by Thursday, Feb 8 and remember to include the name of the restaurant, location, description, quote about the dish from a chef, and an image of the dish. Thanks so much!

Also: is anyone doing any fun ANTI-Valentine’s Day cocktails or dishes at their bar/restaurant? If I have enough of those I’d love to do a roundup!

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’m available for PR team virtual meetings to answer questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective.  Note: I’m also available to travel for consulting sessions as long as travel expenses are covered. We can chat! This is available for entire agencies or smaller group lunch and learn type concepts.

Have a great day!

<3