Wednesday: Taking those lemons life throws at you and using them to make a yummy sorbet. Because, why not?
Also: Working on some fun new stories going into this busy week!
Happy Hump Day!
(And Happy National Margarita Day!)
I don’t know about all of you…but my insomnia has been out of bounds lately.
I think it’s pretty easy during the busy day to fill your mind with all your tasks at hand, whether it be to-do lists or deadlines or updating your calendar. But at night when things get quiet, that’s when your mind wanders to all the worries and stressors.
And there’s a lot of those these days!
One of my habits when I can’t sleep is to scroll TikTok for fun and interesting hacks to write about. I often discover some great ones! Here’s a few recent ones:
So, you see, mindless late-night scrolling has its benefits! But, really, not a fan of insomnia. Do not recommend.
But let the message in this whole anecdotal tidbit be: Sometimes life throws lemons at you. But if you can use those lemons to make a fun sorbet, why wouldn’t you?
I do think the universe sometimes provides just what you need when you need it, and in surprising ways. Just yesterday afternoon, I got an invite for a blowout event a hair brand was doing today complete with Uber vouchers. The universe sent me a blowout the day before I leave on a trip! And I don’t even have to feel guilty for going to a hair salon in the middle of a work afternoon because the blowout itself is work-related. Lemon sorbet, friends.
Anyway, tomorrow I leave for Miami, and I’ll be seeing bunches of my favorite people within minutes of stepping off the plane. I think some sunshine and fun and friend time (not to mention a weekend full of good food and cocktails to experience!) is always the best plan.
Who knows, maybe I’ll even remember how to sleep while I’m there.
Will do my best to get out a newsletter tomorrow, but it may come at a different time of day…so stay tuned! Either way, expect loads of updates on Instagram!
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!
In case you missed it, I was a guest on a podcast last week. 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 did 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!)
Taste of Home: This Butter Hack Is Going Viral and You Need to Try It
Taste of Home: We’re Obsessed With This Easy Viral Air Fryer Pizza Sticks Recipe—Here’s Why You Will Be Too
Pawp.com: Dog Ate A Grape? What To Do If Your Dog Eats Grapes
Clean Plates: 11 Trader Joe’s Foods Nutritionists Love for Winter Meal Prep
Clean Plates: The Healthiest Store-Bought Chicken Soups (That Taste Like Grandma’s)
Popsugar: Dog Flu Is Spreading Across Regions of the US — What to Know to Protect Your Pet
Food Network: Kraft Singles Releases New Extra Thin and Ultra Thick Slices
YourTango: 9 Women In Their 50s Reveal What They Look Like Without Makeup
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.
Runner’s World
New-to-me outlet! I’m working on a story about glucose levels/energy/fueling. You know how we sometimes wonder if we are tired in the late afternoon because we’re hungry or because we’ve eaten too much? I can’t always tell, and I think the same is true for runners. They can’t tell if they get tired during a run (or cyclists during a ride) because they need a little more fuel or if because they have eaten a little too much and their body is trying to digest. So, basically, I want to chat with a nutritionist or two and a sports doctor and ask them how runners can time their meals and snacks for energy for exercise. Also, if there are ways to distinguish between energy drops due to too little food or too much food (the assumption is those reading this story eat pretty healthfully and, if anything, tend to underfuel, not overfuel). One of the issues, I think, I’d love to discuss with an expert is figuring out if you’re tired because you’re hungry or tired because you overate? Like… how to listen to your body.
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
St. Patrick’s Day is just a few weeks away and I’m looking for fun cocktails and desserts that restaurants and bars nationwide have on the menu or as a special in honor of the occasion. If you have anything brewing, I’d love if you could send me:
1 - name of dish or drink, where it is served (name of restaurant, city, state, URL)
2 - description
3 - quote about it from bartender/chef/owner (don’t forget to tell me the name of the person you are quoting)
4 - LINK to image
Also for Forbes, with Purim around the corner, I’m looking for fun Purim-themed desserts, treats, and cocktails. This can be inventive spins on hamantaschen, or anything else brewing. Please use the same format as the story above when pitching!
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 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 (Recently I even joined in on an agency’s team retreat right here in Brooklyn — it was so fun and I made so many new friends!) 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.
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!
<3
aly
Gotta try that pizza!
The butter hack that looked like fresh pasta...too good!