Aly Walansky's Newsletter

Our Next AMA Has Been Scheduled!

You’ve asked, we’ve teased, and now there’s a save-the-date!

My next AMA will be on a topic that’s very popular and will be co-hosted with Jill Schildhouse and Alice Dubin … we’re talking all things press trip related.

This AMA will be a bit different in a few ways. While we will have a Q&A period, it’ll be so much more than that. We’ve actually been working for weeks on planning and preparing a full presentation. We just have THAT much to say on the topic.

We’ve all been traveling for a very long time and have seen first-hand what does and does not work, and we are here to put all that good/bad/otherwise experience to use.

Here’s what we’ll be covering:

Press trip invite do’s and don’ts
Press trip red flags and turnoffs
Press trip hidden costs
How to host the perfect group press trip
Q&A at the end

When: April 12 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET

Note: We’re expecting a major turnout for this one, and it’s a pretty special sort of AMA. So, in order to RSVP for this event, you must be a paid member of ALL 3 of our Substacks. We will be double-checking, so please be sure your subscriptions are up-to-date. I’ll be adding the sign-up form at the bottom of this email, after all the regular daily stuff, under a pay wall, so only paid subscribers can see.

This is a FREE opportunity, as an added value to our paid subscribers. If you want to attend this event and others like it, now is a great time to upgrade your subscription.

We look forward to seeing you then!

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.

Newly published or freshly updated

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!

In case you missed it, I was recently a guest on a podcast. Check it out here — I share some easy-to-follow tips on how emerging brands can get the attention of busy editors.
Speaking of podcasts, I was a guest on the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast last month (I ADORE Lexie Smith!), and you can still catch it here. We chatted at length about pitching, the ever-changing landscape of the editorial process, and more.
(Also, if you host a podcast that has anything to do with media/PR/writer content or food/bev/travel content and are interested in me coming on as a guest, I’d love if you reach out!)
Forbes.com: Delta Air Lines Has Finally Brought Back Kids Meals
Clean Plates: 20 Quick and Healthy Air Fryer Snacks You Can Make in a Snap
Mashed.com: Mistakes Everyone Makes When Making Cinnamon Rolls
Mashed.com: Mistakes You're Making With Homemade Icing
Taste of Home: Lay’s Cheesy Garlic Bread Chips Will Be Back for 2023
The Kitchn: This Copycat Recipe for Birthday Cake Truffles Is One of the Best You’ll Find
Pawp.com: What Can I Give My Cat For Pain? Signs Your Cat's In Pain & How To Help
Food Network: What Does Chipotle’s New Chicken al Pastor Taste Like?
Food Network: Krispy Kreme’s Original Glazed Doughnuts Go Bright Green for St. Patrick’s Day
Taste of Home: What Is “Hero Meal Prep”?
Clean Plates: We Found the Healthiest and Best-Tasting Organic Peanut Butters
Forbes.com: Cocktails Perfect For Sipping On St. Patrick’s Day
Forbes.com: Have A Sweet Saint Patrick’s Day With These Festive Desserts

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.

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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.

RetailMeNot

Mother’s Day Jewelry Under $100: This is an update of the story I wrote last year. In your pitch, please include a product description, stones used, etc, as well as the general aesthetic of the piece, as well as retailer and price. I’m totally fine with including some small businesses and lesser-known brands because I want to include cool and unique things that will make great gifts — but obviously also would love pitches from items available on Amazon, Walmart, Target, Kohl's, Macy's, Kays, and similar.

The Best Easter Sales for 2023: I’m updating this article from last year. For this story, I’m trying to focus on last-minute sales, and it doesn’t necessarily have to be pegged to Easter, as there’ll also be a ton of spring sales going on, too. So, really anything that helps you get Easter Basket stuffers, clothes, table decor, spring decor or whatever else for Easter is fair game. Trying to include some major retailers in this, such as Target, CVS, Walmart, Michaels, Macy's.

Stores Closed on Easter Sunday (+ Easter Store Hours for 2023): You may recall this is a giant guide I do for RMN every major holiday, and Easter is getting the treatment again this year. I’ll be updating this story from last year — so if I included you in last year’s story and you have updated info for me, or want to tell me the info is not updated and is the same, please email me. I’m looking to mostly keep the same format, and simply adjust for 2023.

Runner's World

I’m working on another story for Runner’s World! This one is focused on smoothies for cyclists -- I’m looking to interview two RDs who can chat about what ingredients are good for smoothies and why, and I’d love if they can break down and share some recipe. They don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Please when sharing these ingredients/recipes, explain if they are good for pre-race fueling or post-race recovery.

TODAY.com

I’m beginning to round up Cinco de Mayo food deals at chain restaurants. I’m not looking for free delivery or reward point type of deals at this time but more BOGOs, freebies, discounts, etc. Please be sure to tell me how to claim the deal (i.e. coupon code, downloading app, etc) when responding.

Forbes.com

I’ll be working on a story on great wines, snacks, and products to buy for Passover 2023. It is IMPERATIVE for this story that everything I include be certified as kosher for Passover (not just kosher - it’s a distinct certification). Please be sure to confirm before pitching.

I’m also looking for Passover-inspired cocktails you can find at bars and restaurants. This one is trickier because I realize for this one a lot of submissions will probably come from places not kosher for Passover or even kosher — that’s fine for this story (but not the other one). This one, I need name of drink, where served, a description, a quote about it, (how is it inspired by Passover?), and an image of the cocktail.

Also for Forbes, I’m looking for Easter-inspired cocktails found at bars and restaurants (same parameters as above, please!).

Finally, I’m rounding up creative Easter baskets brands are doing (must be food or spirits related) — are you a bakery that is doing a basket of fun cookies and pastries that is shippable, in honor of Easter? Or a chocolate shop doing the same with a basket of fun confections? Please let me know!

Looking forward, I am looking for bars/restaurants around the world that have created specialty cocktails in honor of the coronation of King Charles III this May. I’ll need the usual — where it is, what’s in it, why it’s a perfect cocktail for the occasion, a quote from a bartender/owner/chef, and a high res image. I’m really excited about this one, so lets try to find some great cocktails!

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!