Wednesday: We're halfway through the busiest of weeks + a call-to-action for this community!
Does anyone have a great NYC-based event photog they'd recommend? Asking for a friend!
Happy Wednesday :)
What a whirlwind of a week this is turning out to be.
Usually, I end up RSVPing to two or three events in a week, but every so often you have a week where there’s things going on every day … and every night. This is absolutely one of those weeks - but in a good way!
Last night had the MOST fun at a Donnafugata Mille e una Notte special vertical tasting (Italian and wine, especially Italian wine, is kind of my love language…)
As you may be able to tell…
Anyway…I’m headed back to the city in a little bit, where I have a lunch AND a dinner scheduled - with additional stuff in between. Obviously, my computer is coming with me and I’ll be working during my commute and in-between time (today is NOT a playing hooky day!).
But, as someone who tends to keep vampire hours when it comes to plans and events, it’s definitely going to be a whole different type of Wednesday!
That said, when you live an hour away from most of your plans? The best plan is always stacking plans, and I stand by it! (Save on commuting and economy of motion. Consider it up mini productivity tip of the day.)
Speaking of plans, a bit of a blind feeler for the community: A good friend of mine is a publicist from out of state. She is coming into NYC in a few weeks for a client event. She’s looking to hire a photographer for a few hours while she’s here. Does anyone have any recommendations? Let me know and I’ll forward them her way. Happy to support this community and their friends, especially if you can vouch for them being awesome.
(And by awesome, I mean, I’ll be there, and they will make me look cute, obvi.)
Some travel news: I’ll be in Atlanta for a weekend in late June. It’s assignment-related and I do have some things on my agenda while I’m there, but I am open to checking out some other fun stuff during my in between time (and yes I’ve gotten your emails about this and will reach out as soon as I know exactly what I can fit in) - also, as this is a hosted trip, I’m all good already with a place to stay (but thanks SO much to everyone who emailed with suggestions. Will keep this in mind in the future!)
Limited-time deal on ad placement!
I’m also offering a seasonal special on advertising in this newsletter. I’d love to place your sponsored posts and advertising in this substack, which goes out to nearly 10,000 media professionals every single day; Note: I do limit advertising to only what would be of interest to my readers, but am open to both short paragraph blurbs and dedicated posts - if you are interested in chatting details and scheduling something, please email me at alywalansky@gmail.com today!
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Thank you for helping get the word out!
We loved how many of attended you took the time to attend our webinar event last month, covering the upcoming ShareASale to Awin migration. We covered an overview of the migration process and timeline, pricing of networks, and choosing a network for your specific client needs. If you missed it, we do have a recording available for paid subscribers. Email if interested and I’ll share how to grab that recording as well!
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!)
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.
Forbes.com: 17 Lemon-Centric Cocktails To Enjoy All Spring
Today.com: Best drugstore wrinkle creams 2025, according to experts
Forbes.com: Chefs Nationwide Are Honoring Ramp Season In Some Delicious Ways
Forbes.com: Royal Caribbean To Launch Nostalgic Chicago Supper Club Concept This Summer.
HerMoney: How To Get Cheap Hotels When You Travel.
Southern Living: How To Tell If Your Steak Has Gone Bad
Forbes.com: Illustrator Tea Brings Whimsy To One Of New York City’s Most Refined Traditions
Forbes.com: Virgin Voyages Launches Rojo, Adding More Razzle Dazzle To High Seas.
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and I Swear by These Packable Ballet Flats for Comfort, Support, and Long Days on My Feet
Travel & Leisure: This Flight Attendant-approved Jumpsuit Is My Go-to Comfy Airplane Outfit — and It’s Only $25 Right Now$150 and Under
Forbes.com: Brother’s Bond Bourbon Looks To Stir Up Sustainability During Earth Month
Forbes.com: Daniel Boulud Is Again Bringing The Michelin Experience To Air Travel.
Forbes.com: Locally Sourced Ingredients Are Foundation Of Salad-Centric Culinary Program
Forbes.com: 15 Lavender-Based Treats And Cocktails To Enjoy This Spring
Saatva: The Best Ways to Remove Tough Stains From Your Mattress
Apartment Therapy: I Tried the “Weight Rule” for Decluttering, and It Keeps My Small Apartment Clutter-Free
Travel & Leisure: This Flight Attendant-approved Jumpsuit Is My Go-to Comfy Airplane Outfit — and It’s Only $25 Right Now.
Travel & Leisure: I Travel Solo Often, and I Won’t Stay in Another Airbnb Without Packing This 1 Safety Device
Yahoo Life!: Best pedometers of 2025, tested and reviewed
Yahoo Life: The best black tea to brew in 2025, according to testers and experts
Travel & Leisure: I Found the Perfect Walking Shoes to Prevent Sore Feet During Travel — Score Styles on Sale Up to 62% Off
Travel & Leisure: In-flight Theft Is Unfortunately a Thing, but These 12 Items Give Me Peace of Mind When I'm Traveling by Plane
Southern Living: The Unexpected Reason I Always Travel With Duct Tape—And You Should Too
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.
Southern Living
For Southern Living, I’m sourcing southern chefs (that’s chefs FROM the south or currently working in the south, but ideally both!), to chat about their favorite baked beans and how they like to enjoy them. I’m not looking for restaurant baked beans, but more, stuff you can pick up at the grocery store that maybe they love straight from the can because it feels nostalgic — or maybe they chef it up a bit. I’d love if they can share what that favorite baked bean brand/variety is, how they prep it/serve it/eat it, and why they love it so much. Thanks!
Saatva
I’m working on a story on How to Go to Sleep Fast: Tips to Help You Fall Asleep Quickly - and I’m looking for a sleep expert or two to weigh in, as far as: some reasons why you can’t fall asleep, special considerations, tips for falling asleep faster, long-term sleep strategies, and more. Please don’t send commentary without emailing me first, as I have specific questions (and I’ll need experts unaffiliated with other mattress brands for this one, please).
Forbes
I’m working on two Father’s Day-gift guide type projects - As in, they are for Father’s Day, and will involve gift ideas and products, but aren’t going to be a product-specific guide in the most classic of senses.
How to plan the perfect Father's Day for the carnivore in your life -- For this story, I’m looking to round up some products (meats, marinades, spices, perhaps), but also get some chef input as far as ideas for making the day special and unique.
Dad has wanderlust? Here's some foodie ideas for honoring his love of travel - Maybe if he's craving a trip to NYC, send him pastrami from a Jewish deli, or if he's craving lobster, send him a lobster pot pie from New England, but also some ideas for having a travel-themed food experience right at home this Father's Day. Would totally be open to chef input for this one as well!
May is National Salad Month, and there’s some great salads found in unexpected places around New York City. I’m doing a roundup of great salads at NYC restaurants — do you go to a steakhouse just to eat their amazing chopped kale starter salad? I’ve been there. Tell me where this salad is, what’s in it, why it’s great, and get me an image and a chef’s quote about it if you wish to be considered. I’m also up for some great salad in a bag/box type options you can enjoy right at home for when you can’t venture out for the fancy stuff.
<3
aly
Just sent you an email with a fabulous NYC-based photographer recommendation! The email is from katelyn@nonnimarketing.com. Thanks!