Tuesday: Timely story sourcing -- please send me all your National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day deals ASAP (Plus everything else I'm working on!)
Good morning!
I’m going to try to keep this email short and sweet this morning because I’m absolutely SWAMPED schedule-wise today (which, if we’re being honest, is not common during the summer months so I’m happy and grateful!)
I have a handful of current pending assignments as well as a few stories new published since yesterday. One of the stories I’m working on right now include content for National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day I’d love to be able to source and turn-around ASAP — plus some other fun stuff.
And, I need to try to wrap this all up by mid-afternoon because I’m doing a podcast guest recording later on this afternoon and I really rather prepare my space than do it in the current looks-like-an-earthquake-hit setting I’m currently in…
Newly published since yesterday morning’s email includes a story for Her Money about something I feel rather strongly - The Foods. You Need To Buy In Bulk To Save Money. I live alone and cook mostly just for myself, but I often buy family-sized packs or in bulk to store or freeze — I do this for many reasons, but most of all, it’s how to get the most value for your buck. For Her Money, I explain why I do this, and how you can do this too.
Speaking of grocery shopping, though, yesterday for The Kitchn, I wrote about how a very popular packaged soup has been recalled (and what to do if it happens to be in your fridge).
And (as the late Steve Jobs used to say…)…but wait, there’s more… Here we go!
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!
PS: I love doing podcasts! Check out my guest appearance on Media Circus Podcast with Taiisha Bradley last week, as well as the Italian Wine Podcast recently, where we discussed all things Substack. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we chatted about everything from press dinners and events and trips to, well, sippin’! I’ve recorded a few others that should be live soon as well and I’m always open to doing more — email me at alywalansky@gmail.com.
Southern Living: Can You Safely Eat Sprouted Potatoes?
Food Network: Mustard Skittles Will Take You on a Confusing-Yet-Somehow-Makes-Perfect-Sense Flavor Journey
Forbes.com: 40 Delicious Ways To Celebrate National Oyster Day
Forbes.com: Fine Dining At Sea Gets An Upgrade With The Return Of Nobu Matsuhisa’s Umi Uma
The Kitchn: More than 10,000 Cases of This Popular Trader Joe’s Soup Are Being Recalled — Here’s What You Need to Know
The Kitchn: Joanna Gaines’ New Line of Internet-Famous Stanley Tumblers Just Hit Target, and It’s Already Flying Off the Shelves
The Kitchn: Costco’s Giant Peanut Butter Chocolate Pie Is Back and Flying Off Shelves
Taste of Home: Costco Sells Chicken Nuggets That Taste Exactly Like Chick-fil-A’s
Popsugar: What to Know About Bananas' Carb Content
Travel & Leisure: Mosquitoes Love Me, and This Is the Surprising Gadget I Swear by to Get Instant Bug Bite Relief
RetailMeNot: 65+ College Student Discounts
Forbes.com: 30 Cocktails To Enjoy When Celebrating National Tequila Day
Clean Plates: Is Cottage Cheese Healthy? We Asked The Experts
Clean Plates: The Best Trader Joe’s Items for Easy, Healthy Summer Entertaining
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.
The Kitchn
I'm working on a roundup of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day (8/4) deals. I'd love if you represent any chains or brands offering deals, if you could please email me with what the deal is, how to claim it, where available, etc, by tomorrow AM.
Clean Plates
Alkaline water is all over TIkTok lately and is the latest health trend — but really what is it, and does it have any value? Is there truly a point to it? Is there anyone better off avoiding it? Alkaline water is known to be a bit less acidic than regular drinking water and contains alkaline minerals, but really, are we that worried about the acid level of our water? Would love some experts to weigh in on this one! (Medical, credentialed, unaffiliated is ideal here.
RetailMeNot
I’m getting started working to update my Labor Day Store Hours roundup piece from last year. Please check the link and if you were a chain mentioned, please email me and tell me if your hours for that day are the same or need to be modified from last year’s info. (And if you are another chain with Labor Day store hours info, please do send! Thanks!)
Forbes.com
National Potato Day is coming up — and I love potatoes! I’m looking for some unique and creative dishes on restaurant/bar menus involving potato as a central ingredient. To pitch for this piece, please include the following:
Name of dish, where served (name of restaurant/city/state)
description of dish
quote about dish + name of person being quoted/title
image of dish + any appropriate photo credits
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've been popping into a lot of PR team virtual meetings and some other fun stuff and making myself available to answer all sorts of questions about pitching, events, and trips from a media perspective. I like to keep these things chill and comfortable and relaxed all by sharing perspective and learning from one another. Note: I’m also available to travel for consulting sessions as long as travel expenses are covered. We can chat!
If you are interested in setting anything up for your own team in the coming months, please email me and we'll get something on the books! This is available for entire agencies or smaller group lunch and learn type concepts. If you are a freelance publicist and want to join in with a few other freelance publicist friends and set something up, we can do that as well!
Have a great day!