Wednesday: The real reason pitching via text or social media is a bad idea, plus exciting news and newly pending stories!
Good morning!
A few new stories pending and newly published ones to chat about, but before that, I wanted to share something it may be helpful for everyone to keep in mind.
Just about every day, a handful of people will attempt to pitch me via text message or via Messenger/Instagram DM. I get it, it feels like a more immediate, more personal way of grabbing my attention.
But doing this is actually distracting and counter productive (and, at times, invasive — one of these days, I’ll share the story of a publicist who once ‘followed up’ by video chatting me at midnight. We were not midnight video chat level friends. In fact, we’ve never met.)
But I’m not going to chat right now about how it’s invasive or distracting — lets focus on the part that will probably impact everyone here reading this most — it’s counter-productive. And that comes back to how most pitching works, and what we do with those pitches.
Every day, there’ll be hundreds of new emails in my inbox. If you are emailing me about Barbie pink martini glasses for your Barbie viewing party, I may not have a fit for that today. But, tomorrow, that changes! An email emails me and asks me to write a roundup of pink martini glasses.
When that happens (and this is all a fictional story - I’m not asking you to go ahead and pitch me for that piece!), I’ll go into my email inbox and search phrases such as — yes! — “pink martini glasses.” If that pitch was yesterday, or last week, or last month, I’ll find it and be able to consider it.
But you know what I won’t find, and won’t be able to consider? Those pitches that came via Instagram, or Twitter, or Facebook, or text messages…because they weren’t in the place where I’m searching. They simply aren’t there.
So, pitch me in my email. Only in my email. Don’t do it for me, to spare my sanity or help me streamline my work day. Do it for you, and your best chance of coverage.
Hope that was helpful!
In exciting news, I have a new-to-me outlet, and it’s one that has been on my bucket list for a really long time! Yesterday, my first piece for Travel & Leisure was published! It was actually the story I was working on Monday, when I said I had an immediate need for a dermatologist to comment (and you guys delivered in a BIG way. I had about 30 emails within minutes, all with dermatologists available and waiting!). I am so appreciative. And that story is now live. Check it out, as well as new stories for several other outlets, in the newly published stories section below.
Attended the most beautiful press dinner Monday night hosted by Dassai, an elegant sake, complete with delicious pairings at Vestry. I had the best time and made some new friends (not to mention ate some incredible food…I love when I get to attend work dinners that end up feeling like friend dinners.)
(Pictured: The epic saketini that served as our welcome cocktail.)
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! Check out my guest appearance on Media Circus Podcast with Taiisha Bradley last week, as well as the Italian Wine Podcast recently, where we discussed all things Substack. Other recent podcast appearances include the Pitchin’ and Sippin’ podcast with the incredible (and super fun!) Lexie Smith, where we chatted about 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.
Travel & Leisure: Mosquitoes Love Me, and This Is the Surprising Gadget I Swear by to Get Instant Bug Bite Relief
RetailMeNot: 65+ College Student Discounts
Forbes.com: 30 Cocktails To Enjoy When Celebrating National Tequila Day
Forbes.com: 35 Delectable Ways To Embrace Luxury While Dining Out On National Caviar Day
Clean Plates: The Best Trader Joe’s Items for Easy, Healthy Summer Entertaining
Clean Plates: The Best Kirkland Products At Costco That Are Seriously High Quality
Clean Plates: 13 Trader Joe’s Dairy-Free Items That Actually Taste Good
Clean Plates: 10 Panera Meals Nutritionists Actually Order
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.
RetailMeNot
I’m getting started working to update my Labor Day Store Hours roundup piece from last year. Please check the link and if you were a chain mentioned, please email me and tell me if your hours for that day are the same or need to be modified from last year’s info. (And if you are another chain with Labor Day store hours info, please do send! Thanks!)
Forbes
I’m rounding up great creative/unique dishes/drinks in honor of National Spritz Day, National Avocado Day, and National Oyster Day, which are all in the next few weeks. Please only pitch me when you have all the components (Try to think of it this way: Emailing me without the, say, image or quote, is the same as not emailing me at all.)
Name of dish/drink
where available (city, state, name of restaurant — it MUST be on a bar/restaurant menu or be a special that someone can order)
Description (a recipe is not necessary)
Quote about dish/drink (please remember to include who is being quoted)
LINK to image and appropriate photo credits (even better if you include those photo credits in the file name of the photo)
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!
Have a great day!
{THE HORROR at a midnight facetime call} - my mom isn't even allowed to do that lol. Also - HYPE TRAIN FOR TRAVEL & LEISURE!!!! Congrats!!! Reading now :)
Travel & Leisure is huge - congrats, Aly!