Wednesday: My latest podcast appearance + NYCWFF, new live content, and important resources to share
Hi, friends :)
What a heavy, sad, scary week this has been so far for us all. And it’s only Wednesday.
(I mean, for all of us paying attention, that is…)
There’s a lot of work to do though, and I’m going to try my best to get that sorted out — but I’m also constantly adding to my How to send support section below, and it’s there for anyone at all who wants those resources.
My latest podcast appearance is now live!
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). I’d love if you took some time to listen. I’m actually recording an appearance on another podcast this afternoon, so I’ll be able to share that one next week!
Tomorrow, NYCWFF begins!
I have a packed schedule through the weekend. If you will be out and about at any of the events, let me know - I’d love to try to connect if we end up at the same spots!
Lots of newly published stories to share, including my first story for Martha Stewart: How to Store Your Clothes If You Don't Have a Closet (as a girl who has lived the last decade-plus in an apartment with one single closet, I do have feelings on this!), and for Food Network, some fun Thanksgiving news: It’s Back! Get Ready to Order Your Popeyes Cajun-Style Turkey. For RetailMeNot, I did a roundup of Where to Get Free Food Today (and Every Day of the Week) — since we’re all looking to save money wherever we can these days, and for Travel & Leisure: I'm a Longtime Solo Traveler, and These Are The 12 Best Personal Safety Devices on Sale at Amazon.
How we can support Israel right now
Jewish people around the world are scared and suffering right now, and what is happening in Israel is absolutely terrifying. Here’s some ways you can help:
Please check in on your Jewish friends. All of us. Every Jewish person has friends or family in Israel and is terrified for them and for the increasing rally calls of violence against all of us from around the world. Ask how we are doing. It’ll mean a lot. This has been a scary and lonely time and honestly the silence has been deafening.
Donate to the Jewish Agency for Israel. They are offering to support to people’s homes that were destroyed by rockets, as well as the scores of injured and the families of the lives that have been lost.
Donate to Magen David Adom. This is an emergency blood bank service and right now they are in a state of emergency. (As someone who once upon a time whose life was saved enough because of the supply of blood donors, I support donating blood at all times, any time you can, but especially during times like these.)
Related: There’s always a need for blood donors, and we should always be donating blood if we can. There’s actually a blood drive going on next Sunday, October 15 at the Park Slope Jewish Center in New York City, where I was already planning on donating — now in the face of the carnage going on in the world and the attacks against Jewish people, it feels extra necessary to be involved and extra important to do this, if you would like to join me.
Donate to ambulance service Hatzalah. They are working under incredibly difficult conditions right now trying to save as many lives as possible and they can use your help.
Donate to Hadassah: This incredible organization needs your support to purchase medical supplies and essential equipment. They are currently matching donations dollar for dollar, and as many of the severely injured are being treated at the Hadassah Medical Organization, there couldn’t be a greater need for assistance.
Kibbutz Nir Oz: This Kibbutz was attacked a few days ago and suffered unspeakable levels of loss and destruction. They are accepting donations here.
I know it’s easy to feel helpless. We all feel helpless. But sometimes helping can lead to a feeling of hope — and we all need more hope in this world.
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!
My recent podcast appearance, on the fabulous Becoming You podcast, is now streaming! 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.
Martha Stewart Living: How to Store Your Clothes If You Don't Have a Closet
YourTango: 12 Dreamy Health Benefits Of Sleeping Naked, According To Research
Food Network: It’s Back! Get Ready to Order Your Popeyes Cajun-Style Turkey
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
The Kitchn: Costco’s New “Absolutely Amazing” Potatoes Are Flying Off Shelves
Clean Plates: The Healthiest Costco Frozen Dinners To Buy Right Now
Forbes: Duck Confit And Andouille Sausage Gumbo Is A Must-Try This Holiday Season
Travel & Leisure: The Flight Attendant-approved Hack I Swear by for Getting Through the Airport Stress-free Is Just $10 Right Now
Her Money: The Best Timing For Hotel Bookings — How To Save On Your Stay
Forbes.com: Midnight Mezcal Is The Turndown Service That Was Always Needed
Food Network: Stouffer’s New Advent Calendar Aims To Help With the From-Scratch Cooking Holiday Fatigue
Popsugar: 10 Affordable Sex Toys That Prove Pleasure Doesn’t Have to Be Pricey
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
The Kitchn: I Tried Sam’s Club’s Newest Apple Dessert and I Get Why It’s Flying Off Shelves
Today.com: Get a sun-kissed glow without leaving the house — 27 self-tanners that'll do the trick
Cubby: This One-Pan Baked Oatmeal Recipe Will Change How You Do Weekday Breakfasts
Clean Plates: People Are Adding Lemon to Coffee to Lose Weight, but Does
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
I’m working on THREE holiday gift guides (and I am so happy to say you do NOT need to be on any sort of affiliate network to pitch for these! This will hopefully widen the net and give some smaller brands with creative, unique products a shot to be included!).
The best meaty gifts for the meat lover - So online butcher steak boxes, the wagyu, the porterhouses, the ribeyes. All the beefy gift sets you can order online and have shipped.
The best pink kitchen items for the Barbie lover -- Barbie is still HUGE and anyone who loves Barbie will probably want all the best pink dinnerware/kitchenware/appliances this holiday season.
The best gifts for the sushi lover -- So, fun DIY sushi kits. But also maybe fun mail order sushi grade fish, chopsticks, good wasabi or soy sauce or rice, or even sushi themed socks and stuff like that.
To pitch for any of these, please remember to include ALL the following:
Name of product
link where sold, price
image of product
description
Aside from those Forbes gift guides, I’m also rounding up creative and unique pasta dishes at restaurants nationwide in honor of National Pasta Day (which is next week!). If you have any fits, please send me the following:
Name of dish
where served, city, state, URL
description of dish
Quote from chef about dish
image of dish (please include necessary photo credits!)
By Thursday AM please!
Southern Living
I’m working on two freezer related explainers - Can You Freeze Chicken Salad? and Can You Freeze Cabbage? - and I’d love some chefs and RDs and food safety experts to weigh in.
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!
Thanks for the donation suggestions. A big hug to you, your family and to your Jewish friends and family. My heart aches for what is unfolding in Israel and Gaza.
Thank you Aly for sharing these important messages and the links to help! Hope you’re doing well considering. XOXO