Wednesday: A reminder how in media relations, it really is the little things that make all the difference
Also: Did you register for next week’s Zoom workshop on all things pitching gift guides?
Good morning!
Had a lovely dinner with friends last night, and what happened at the end was so special I realized it was an impetus for today’s newsletter.
Check out the moment the server brought out the “check” and what happened instead:
And, then, shortly after, when I got home to Brooklyn and checked my mail, this card was waiting for me in my mailbox.
It was from a lovely winemaker who sent me some samples earlier in the week, who I am actually going to connect with in person at Malibu Food & Wine in a few weeks…
These two notes are from two completely unrelated incidents, but they share a common message: When it comes to media relations, making that personal connection isn’t only special and classy, but it makes all the difference.
We all know what a transactional relationship feels like — we’ve all been there. It’s probably all over all our inboxes right now. But when people take that time to write a note, to see you as a person and let you see them as a person, it makes everything a lot more meaningful.
I know I said this already, but it bears repeating: Our relationships are the foundation to getting our job done.
Don't only reach out when you need something (or want something) and disappear until you need something again. Journalists and publicists are not each other's means to an end. Treat each other like real people, and remember to check in even just to say hello sometimes. It's appreciated, and it shows your relationship means something -- and that relationship will be one that lasts the long haul.
And the same thing goes in reverse, as well. Remember the golden rule we were taught as children. No one will want to work with you if you are not nice to them! So, journalists, don’t be demanding or rude to publicists. Everyone should be kind to everyone else, and no one should act ever like they are better than anyone else. Full stop.
But also: You know what, I may receive a lot of wine samples in a given week, but the one that came with a beautiful, thoughtful handwritten card? I’m going to remember that one.
On a related note: I’m not saying you need to write out personal cards when sending journalists mailers or hosting them for dinner, though it’s lovely to do so. But do remember to include your contact information in those mailers if nothing else at all. You don’t know how often I get a package and need to contact someone for further information or imagery and I have no idea who sent it or how to contact them. It may seem small, but sharing those details is essential to helping us close the loop.
Reminder!!! Did you register for next week’s Zoom workshop on all things pitching gift guides? You’ll learn everything you need to know about 2025 holiday gift guide pitching, and get all your questions answered about just about everything else too. Get all the info you need to register here. This is our most popular webinar of the year and you don’t want to miss out.
Already registered? You’re all set! We’ll send out a confirmation and Zoom link a few days before the event,
Here’s some newly published content!
Lots of new content published since yesterday!
For Food Network, Popeyes Is Revamping Its Wings and Crumbl Reimagines Dubai Chocolate as a Brownie and for Travel + Leisure: These $15 Earplugs Relieved My In-flight Ear Pain.
For Apartment Therapy, The $6 Office Supply a Travel Pro Always Puts in Their Suitcase
And, of course, for my Yahoo Creators column: New stories every day, check out my author profile to see what I’ve been working on!
Upcoming travel: I’ll be in the greater LA area for a whole week in early September (the first half of the week will be in the Malibu area for Malibu Food &Wine (so excited!), and then I’ll move onto BH and WeHo).
I’ll also be in Fort Lauderdale (very briefly) in mid-November (just for about 24 hours or so before a cruise).
Hope to connect with some of you if itinerary and time allows. Other potential fall/winter travel is in the the works, and will share it here as well once confirmed.
Also: Who will be in NY for NYCWFF this fall? I’ll be here, there, everywhere and hope to see you, too!
(And yes, I’ll be in Miami for SOBEWFF this winter as well, of course!)
Book your summer consulting session!
I still have some space available for August!
I can join your team on Zoom, a phone call, or in-person and do a team Q&A and answer any of your questions about planning events, mailers, trips, pitching, followups, etc — giving you a very necessary media perspective. Email me at alywalansky@gmail.com if you are interested in chatting more and setting something up :)
I’m now contributing to the Yahoo Creators platform, writing a wide range of lifestyles topics: check out my author profile to see some of my most recent pieces! (This is updated daily - usually multiple times daily - so you’ll want to keep checking it out for new content!)
Limited-time deal on ad placement!
I’m offering a seasonal special on advertising in this newsletter. I’d love to place your sponsored posts and advertising in this Substack, which goes out to nearly 10,000 media professionals every single day.
Note: I do limit advertising to only what would be of interest to my readers, but am open to both short paragraph blurbs and dedicated posts - if you are interested in chatting details and scheduling something, please email me at alywalansky@gmail.com today!
Tools of the trade
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!)
Press Hook is where journalists, newsletter writers, and podcasters source expert quotes, hi-res images, product samples, affiliate info, and brand story angles — all from vetted brands in one searchable hub. It connects journalists and brands in what feels like a really user-friendly, organic way and I use it often to browse for sources and products aligned with my current projects and I’ve often found precisely what I need, when I need. Give it a try!
Did you catch me on the Coffee with a Journalist podcast last week? You still can!
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.
Yahoo Creators: Check out my author profile (I have several new stories a day across the lifestyles umbrella, so that’s the best way to stay updated!)
Food Network: Popeyes Is Revamping Its Wings
Food Network: Crumbl Reimagines Dubai Chocolate as a Brownie
Travel + Leisure: These $15 Earplugs Relieved My In-flight Ear Pain.
Apartment Therapy,:The $6 Office Supply a Travel Pro Always Puts in Their Suitcase
Forbes: 17 Must-Try Hearty Sandwiches For When The Basic Options Just Won’t Do
Southern Living: Southern Bartenders Reveal The Summer Cocktails They Actually Drink Themselves
Food Network: Olive Garden’s Never-Ending Pasta Bowl Is Back, and It’s a Better Deal Than Ever
The Kitchn: This “Brilliant” $10 Le Creuset Storage Gem Is a Game-Changer for Your Pots and Pans
The Kitchn: T.J. Maxx Is Selling the Cutest Dinner Plates for Fall, and They’re Only $5 Each.
Southern Living: Chick-fil-A's First Seasonal Soda Brings A Popular Flavor Back In A Refreshing Way,
Forbes.com: 15 Delicious And Creative Ways To Enjoy Potatoes
RetailMeNot: 41 Best College Student Discounts
Travel & Leisure: This Portable Door Lock Is Traveler-loved
Food Network: A Beloved KFC Side Is Finally Returning Nationwide!
Food Network: IHOP Brings an Extra Layer of Luxury to Dubai Chocolate
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and This Seat Cushion Is My Secret to Arriving at Destinations Pain-free
Travel & Leisure: 15 Amazon Business Casual Clothes for Summer Travel.
Southern Living: The One-Pan Cheesy Meal I Make Whenever I'm Too Tired To Cook
Travel & Leisure: 6 Best Business Travel Airplane Outfits, From $12
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and I Swear by These Packable Ballet Flats for Comfort, Support, and Long Days on My Feet
Travel & Leisure: I Found the Perfect Walking Shoes to Prevent Sore Feet During Travel — Score Styles on Sale Up to 62% Off
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 Reader’s Choice: All Things Wine nominees
As a reminder, I’m on the panel of travel and food journalists who chooses the nominations for Newsweek’s Readers Choice Awards — current topic I’m working on nominees for are all things wine (one of my favorite topics, as we know!). So, if you want to send any suggestions my way for me to consider as far as nominations, I’m working on the following categories:
Best Winery Tour
Best Tasting Room
Best Wine Bar
Best Wine Club
Best Overall Wine
Yahoo
I’m looking for back to school and/or Labor Day weekend restaurant chain deals. If you have anything that may be a fit, please email me the restaurant, what the deal is, and how to claim it, and if you have a link to any social media promoting it, even better!
Also doing a roundup of great gift ideas for back to school/back to dorm. If you have anything, please send them my way! For this, to make both our lives easier, could use pitches in format of:
Name of item
Link where sold (ideally Amazon but open to other online retailers, but must be currently in stock)
LINK to image of the product (Before pitching: Please be sure to refer to my photo submission guidelines for help with photo submission best practices!)
Price
Description of item and why you are pitching it for this particular guide
Forbes
Before pitching: Please be sure to refer to my photo submission guidelines for help with photo submission best practices!
One of my favorite comfort foods is queso - you’ll always see me ordering it when my soul needs a hug, and National Queso Day is in a few weeks. So, I’m looking for fun queso presentations at bars and restaurants around the country. What fun things are you doing with YOUR queso? Please pitch in this format:
Name of dish
Restaurant, city, state, website
Description of dish
Quote from chef about dish (plus name and title of person quoted)
Image and photo credit (I prefer links to attachments!)
thanks so much, and have the best day <3
aly
I love seeing your calls for products and freelance assignments--do you know other product-focused writers I should be following? Thanks!