Tuesday: The Phrases You Never Want To Include In A Pitch Email + How You Can Gift A Paid Subscription -- For Free!
Plus: Final days to pitch me your sleep trackers! More info within.
Good morning!
I’m sourcing for A BUNCH of stories - so scroll down below for more on that and please be sure to read completely before pitching.
To that end, lots of newly published content to share this week.
Newly published in the last few days, for Food Network: Hungry for the Paris Olympics? Here’s How Some of Your Favorite Chains Are Celebrating, and Forbes.com: 20 Delicious Ways To Honor National Oyster Day and for Travel & Leisure: You Don't Want to Step Foot in a Waterpark Without These 18 Essentials From Just $9.
For Southern Living: How To Store Cut Cantaloupe So It Stays Fresh And Delicious Longer, Saatva: The Best Nighttime Dental Routine for a Healthy Smile. and a deep dive into blackout curtains.
And, here’s a fun one: for Apartment Therapy: I Sent a Pro Organizer a Photo of My Cluttered Medicine Cabinet, and Here’s How She Fixed It.
I wanted to chat a bit about some phrases you want to avoid using in your pitches and emails to journalists.
Never use phrases such as “in exchange for” or “gifting” in your pitches or invites. (i.e. “We’d love to send you this toothbrush in exchange for a feature.” Or: “We’d love to invite you in to try our new oyster special in exchange for coverage.”
It’s not appropriate and it’s not an accurate representation of the journalist/PR relationship. Ethics are the forefront of our world and these phrases and expectations make legit journalists feel gross.
Remember that journalism is earned media, not a quid pro pro. The best way to have a great story written about you is to have a great story to be told.
As for phrases such as “gifting” or “we’d love to gift you this…” - that doesn’t seem to always mean the same thing to all the people to say it or read it. Gifting and samples and review units are not all the same words.
Take this recent note I received as an example:
“Hi, Aly. Following up on the salmon you were gifted from XXX seafood. When can we expect to see this featured in a story?”
I wrote back to this person and gently broached the topic of how samples for consideration and gifting are completely different terms — and those terms really shouldn’t be used interchangeably because not only do they come from a different place of intent.
These terms are said, we assume, with different sorts of goals and expectations.
Now, in the case of the salmon, I fully interpreted the salmon I had been sent as a media sample and considered it in that context — and had every intent to do what I always do. Evaluate it, try it, and consider it for upcoming coverage opportunities.
It was suddenly pivoting the terminology to call what a sample a gift — but also following up on it regarding coverage expectations simultaneously — that left a bad taste in my mouth.
Let us take a second to delve into that.
Historically, a gift is something given with no transaction (or, well, anticipated result other than relationship building) expected.
A gift is a gift. A review sample, though, is more: “We’re sending you this salmon so you can try it out and consider writing about it if you enjoy it and it ends up a fit for an upcoming story.”
Now, have I ever written about something that I was given as a gift?
Of course! TONS OF TIMES.
If it’s a fit, it’s a fit - it won’t ever be excluded or not considered because of how I it came into my possession.
BUT when someone calls something a gift that was meant as a sample (or vice versa, really) it muddies the waters.
The issue comes in the expectation and the wording. Whether you are sending a gift to improve a relationship, raise awareness, or just because, remember — it’s only a gift if you don’t expect anything in return. No strings attached. Otherwise, the intention and spirit behind it is lost.
Something to consider in all areas of our life.
(I realize this post may ruffle some feathers, but I hope some also find it helpful!)
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 lead!
Quinn is looking for an Assistant Account Executive - 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!
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 best mattresses and best apres ski spots. 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 dishes for National Potato Day. These must exist on a menu at a bar or restaurant, even if only for a limited-time special. Please send - name of dish, description (No recipe is necessary!), quote about the dish + person being quoted, and a high res image of the dish - this is being wrapped up this Friday am!
Soon, I’ll be 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.)
Yahoo! Health
Best sleep trackers: I’m rounding of the best sleep trackers of 2024. First, I’m looking to interview sleep experts (scientists/researchers, MDs specializing in sleep, etc.) to discuss the use of sleep trackers, how they do/don't help, how to know if your tracker is accurate, etc., and then test in various categories such as sleep tracking ring, wristband, 2-in-1 fitness and sleep tracker, mattress sensor, contactless, app - i’m looking for most accurate, most comfortable, best value, best for tracking sleep stages, best for sleep coaching, and best for babies (this is a slightly different category, so for this one, when pitching, keep in mind that sleep tracking devices for babies have a different reason/purpose, and the insights are important for parents' use/information/may be helpful to provide to pediatricians.).
Saatva
For Saatva, I’m working on a story on sleep pods (AKA nap pods)…I’ll have a bit more information on what I need and am looking for shortly (probably by tomorrow’s email!), but meanwhile, I will be needing sleep experts to weigh in on this one if you want to reach out!
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