Wednesday: Giving thanks -- and my special Friendsgiving sale is now live!
Good morning!
Here’s a scary reality: About a month ago, when the war began — I shared some resources here on my newsletter, regarding how to help. Whether it was to donate blood or funds or support in other ways — in the days that followed, I lost a chunk of subscribers.
Shocking. I know. Emotionally, something of a gut punch. A lot of this past month has been in many ways. It’s been pretty hard.
Now, I absolutely do not miss any subscribers who decided they did not want to read my newsletter after I shared ways to help innocent people who had just been the victims of a TERRORIST attack.
However, it did provide me with extra reason to share my gratitude and appreciation to the nearly 8,000 free subscribers and 400 paid subscribers who are still here. And are here every single day, reading my leads, sharing thought starters and commentary, and being friends and a community in a scary time.
So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
As we’re in November now, and we’re in all Thanksgiving mode, I really wanted to make this a month of just that — appreciation and gratitude.
So, to that end I’m offering the biggest subscription sale I’ve ever offered — if you want to upgrade your subscription now, I’m offering a 50% discount for the rest of November — through Thanksgiving on annual subscriptions. Consider it my Friendsgiving gift from me to you — and a show of how much your support means to me.
In work news, some fun new content has published since the last newsletter, including for Forbes.com, a new restaurant I’m very excited about: Pyro Has Set Phoenix Dining Scene On Fire, and for Food Network: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Dumplings Might Be the Most Mind-Blowing Dish on Your Holiday Table.
Attending a cook-along experiential event (my favorite kind, TBH) and dinner tonight — right here in Brooklyn — and I have a fun lunch and learn consult session to prepare for coming up later this week, so it’s going to be a busy afternoon…lets get going :)
PS: Been binging Angel during my late-night insomnia the past few weeks, and I think it’s even better the second-time around (er…20 years later…) It’ll absolutely hold me until The Crown comes back next week! What is everyone binging right now?
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!
Buy my cookbook!
I contributed a recipe and some commentary to a Jewish recipes cookbook and the 100% of the proceeds go to JFSLA, and earmarked for Food & Hunger Programs specifically. Order it here.
PS: I love doing podcasts!
My latest podcast appearance, on the Media In Minutes podcast, is now live! This was a really fun one:
I recently recorded a guest appearance on the True Story public relations podcast with Whitney Lee, and we chatted about everything from pitching to press tours and how to build a more personal connection (more important now than ever).
Recently, I was also a guest on the Eat.Drink.Social podcast, and we chatted about my upcoming travel, recent press trip experiences, and so much more. Check out my guest appearance a little while ago on Jamie Stone’s A Little Too Much podcast. We had SO much fun discussing everything from the changing landscape of events and trips to our thoughts on some emerging food and cocktail trends.
Some of my latest podcast appearances include Media Circus Podcast with Taiisha Bradley, as well as the Italian Wine Podcast, where we discussed all things Substack, and the Coffee N° 5 podcast, where we chatted about effective strategies for promoting emerging brands to journalists and securing media coverage. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we covered 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.
Forbes.com: Pyro Has Set Phoenix Dining Scene On Fire
Food Network: Grilled Cheese and Tomato Soup Dumplings Might Be the Most Mind-Blowing Dish on Your Holiday Table
Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Gifts For The Meat Lover
The Kitchn: Aldi’s “Beautifully Made” $16 Le Creuset Roasting Pan Dupe Has Shoppers Running To Stores
Forbes.com: 12 Uniquely Delicious Ways To Celebrate National Pickle Day
Clean Plates: 7 Healthy Thanksgiving Recipes That You’ll Love (We Promise!)
Clean Plates: 11 Trader Joe’s Thanksgiving Staples Nutritionists Love
The Kitchn: Trader Joe’s Just Dropped Their Most Beloved Holiday Treat — But Not For Long
Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Gifts For The Sushi Lover
The Kitchn: Target Is Offering an Entire Thanksgiving Meal at an Amazingly Affordable Price
YourTango: 17 Ways To Keep Your Teeth & Gums Healthy Without Seeing A Dentist
Southern Living: Can You Freeze Chicken Salad?
HerMoney: The Best Free Or Low Cost Sleep Apps
Forbes.com: Chrissy Teigen's Latest Collab Is A Delicious Holiday Pairing
Forbes.com: Holiday Gift Guide 2023: The Best Pink Kitchen Gifts For Barbie Lovers
The Kitchn: This $1 Costco Treat Has Shoppers Buying Cases at Time
Martha Stewart: 19 Walk-In Pantry Ideas for a More Functional, Organized Space
Martha Stewart: 18 Beautiful Ways to Decorate a Coffee Table, According to Designers
Taste of Home: This Butter Hack Is Going Viral and You Need to Try It
Forbes.com: Santa Claus Now Offers A Spin On Turndown Service
The Kitchn: The $30 Costco Kitchen Find Shoppers Are Saying Is “Worth The Praise”
The Kitchn: Aldi Is Selling a “Stunning” $30 Dupe of The Internet’s Favorite Pot, But Not For Long
Reader’s Digest: The 24 Most Haunted Hotels in America
Brides.com: 23 Unique Bachelorette Party Destinations That Aren't Las Vegas
Martha Stewart Living: 13 Small Space Storage Ideas That Find a Place for Everything
Southern Living: Air Fryer Pumpkin Seeds
Southern Living: Can You Eat The Skin Of Delicata Squash?
Clean Plates: 7 Popular Trader Joe’s Seasonings You Need — And How To Use Them
Martha Stewart Living: How to Store Your Clothes If You Don't Have a Closet
RetailMeNot: Where to Get Free Food Today (and Every Day of the Week)
Travel & Leisure: I'm a Longtime Solo Traveler, and These Are The 12 Best Personal Safety Devices on Sale at Amazon
Travel & Leisure: Travelers Are Using This Flight Attendant-approved Gadget to Get More Space on Planes — and It Only Costs $13
Travel & Leisure: The Flight Attendant-approved Hack I Swear by for Getting Through the Airport Stress-free Is Just $10 Right Now
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and I Swear by This $9 Trick for Keeping My Feet Comfortable While Sightseeing
Travel & Leisure: Frequent Fliers Say This Genius Hack Makes It Feel Like They've Upgraded Their Seat — and It's Only $35
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.
Forbes.com
For Forbes, I’m looking for spots online offering some variant of “Thanksgiving in a box” that you can have shipped to you in time for the holiday - this can be either cooked and complete meals you just reheat and serve or recipe kits.
For Forbes, I’m rounding up creative Hanukkah-themed dishes and cocktails at restaurant and bars around the country. If you have any, please send details (usual format!)
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!
Big hugs & thanks to you for continuously sharing your emotions, insights & expertise even during scary times!! xo
Grilled cheese and tomato soup dumplings 🤯