Wednesday: Your questions, answered: Here's why you weren't included in that story + sourcing for gift guides and so much more!
Also: Several new job leads + I'm offering a special flash deal on virtual consulting/lunch & learn sessions!
Good morning!
It’s yet another gloomy weather day in NYC - which means staying hunkered down with my computer and a coffee is exactly where I want to be.
Thankfully this week has already involved some special times with some people I adore (and more to come the rest of the week!)
Some fun new content to share today, including for RetailMeNot, a bit of a personal one that I hope will be helpful to all of you living and eating on a budget and dealing with a very small space: How Growing My Own Herbs At Home Has Helped Me Keep Meals Creative Without Busting My Budget
Also new, for Forbes.com: ‘Taste Of Made In NYC’ Hopes To Tell City’s Story Through Culinary Experiences, for Today.com: These drugstore wrinkle creams are approved by experts, and they start at just $10, and for RetailMeNot: 50+ Government Employee Discounts Worth Knowing in 2024.
Reminder: I’m currently sourcing for FOUR Mother’s Day gift guides — and yes, indeed, the early bird does get the worm. Scroll down to the pending assignments section below to see that and everything else I’m working on right now (it’s actually quite a lot).
If you want to prepare to pitch for these guides, you may want to take a second to grab the recording of our Mother’s Day Gift Guide AMA Zoom Event from a few weeks ago. The video covers everything you may find helpful about pitching during any gift guide season, from helping your pitch to stand out, the importance of following directions and completing ALL deliverables, as well as better email subject lines to followups and photo submission best practices (trust me, this is one that will help A LOT of you), and SO MUCH MORE. You can catch more information on what we covered and how to access the recording here. This video is free, as a benefit to paid subscribers. Membership does indeed have its rewards.
Speaking of rewards, I’m currently offering 20% discounts on my virtual consulting/lunch & learn sessions - If you want to schedule one for yourself or your team, to discuss anything from pitching to followups to events or press trips or anything else…drop me an email at alywalansky@gmail.com and lets chat!
Hey Aly…quick question…why weren’t we included in that story?
Some weeks, content is publishing pretty fast and furious. I might have a half dozen pieces I’m working on in a given week, and I often get as much as 1,000 pitches for each — and sometimes I only have a few days to go through them all and evaluate what I will be able to include. Obviously, not everyone is included. I’m not writing galleries including 500 of the best tequila cocktails, I’m writing galleries of maybe 25 of the best tequila cocktails. Or comfy shoes. Or martini glasses. Whatever the case may be.
However, it must be said that these types of stories inevitably result in an immediate influx of emails along the line of the following:
Hey Aly,
Saw your <insert story> go live. Would you have any feedback as to why <brand/product/expert> was not included?
I get it: You are busy, and took the time to pitch. Now you are disappointed. Or your client is disappointed and giving you a hard time. But believe it or not, the reason you were not included is often not a reflection of you, your client, or your pitch. There's a whole lot of factors at play.
Let's examine them below.
1. You missed the deadline.
Deadlines aren't just suggestions, I'm afraid. I'm sometimes working on a shockingly fast turnaround time. If the time has passed where I'm working on a story, and it's submitted -- it's too late to include your client at that point. And, an important reminder that can't be overstated: No, it's not possible to "squeeze" you in after the fact.
In fact, don't even just beat the deadline. This is a classic example of early bird getting the worm. Do your best to get your pitch in as early as possible. Once we get the responses we need, we move onto the next thing. The later you submit, the greater the chance that you are at risk of missing out.
2. You didn't fulfill the requested submission parameters.
I do my best to give very specific instructions as far as deliverables for every story I'm working on -- what I need, what format I need it in. But this is important to follow. If you leave out a necessary element -- retail links, the image, an expert quote -- whatever I ask for, I cannot consider your pitch. For your best chance of being included, make sure to include everything that is asked for.
3. It just wasn't a fit.
This happens for so many reasons. Maybe you pitched something that just wasn't what I was looking for. That's ok! There's always next time.
4. Your images just didn't work.
Maybe they were blurry or out of focus, or too small, or not the right format. Or maybe they didn't make clear it was an image of the product I was featuring (i.e. if I'm doing a roundup of green cocktails, don't send me an image of your green cocktail on a tray with six other cocktails -- it's just confusing.)
5. You did everything right...
Keep in mind that we may get upwards of 1,000 pitches for something like a gift guide, that may have 20 or fewer spaces for products. I may get several hundred pitches for a cocktail roundup that has 10 or 15 spaces. The vast majority of pitches do not get included - we're talking over 90%. It's not that you did anything wrong, or there's anything wrong with your client or product. It's just you weren't the best fit in that instance. There'll be other stories!
Job leads
Hamilton Beach Brands is hiring for an entry level PR role, hybrid (3 days per week in the office) based in Richmond, Va. Check out the job posting here!
Quinn is looking for an Assistant Account Executive - NYC
CLouise Public Relations is hiring both an Account Executive and a PR Manager in Chicago. Contact them at hello@clouisepr.com to send your resume or get more info.
So honored to see Muck Rack included me in their 2024 list of top ten most popular freelance journalists. Check out the list here.
In just about the coolest news that can happen to a girl who grew up in Brooklyn, there’s a pizza named after me! It’s inspired by my Dirty Aly martini and it’s at Gelso & Grand in Little Italy. Please go check it out and tell me what you think <3
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!
RetailMeNot: How Growing My Own Herbs At Home Has Helped Me Keep Meals Creative Without Busting My Budget
Forbes.com: ‘Taste Of Made In NYC’ Hopes To Tell City’s Story Through Culinary Experiences
Today.com: These drugstore wrinkle creams are approved by experts, and they start at just $10
RetailMeNot: 50+ Government Employee Discounts Worth Knowing in 2024
Forbes.com: 8 Delicious Ways To Savor Cherry Blossom Season
Forbes.com: Just Salad Partners With Celebrity Chef Marc Forgione To Upgrade A Classic
Clean Plates: How to Clean and Organize Your Fridge for Spring
HerMoney: The Best Timing For Hotel Bookings - How To Save On Your Stay
Forbes.com: Boutique Spot In Tuscany Schedules Intensive Food-Centric Series Hosted By Celebrity Chefs
Southern Living: The Difference Between Chives And Green Onions
Travel & Leisure: Comfy Spring Shoes Are Up to 64% Off at Amazon This Week — Shop the 20 Best Deals for Travelers
Food Network: Hostess Launches Meltamors, The First Snack It Explicitly Suggests Microwaving
Forbes.com: Patrick Mahomes And Travis Kelce Partner On Upscale Kansas City Steakhouse
RetailMeNot: Savings Star Origin Story: How I Learned to Eat Well (In NY!) On a Shoestring Budget
Best Life: 11 Things You Should Put Away When Guests Come Over, Experts Say
RetailMeNot: How to Save on Groceries: Tips That Actually Work
RetailMeNot: Meal Prepping Products That Are Actually WORTH It
Travel & Leisure: I’m a Travel Writer, and This Is My Secret to Packing for a Week in a Single Carry-on Bag
Travel & Leisure: In-flight Theft Is Unfortunately a Thing, but These 12 Items Give Me Peace of Mind When I'm Traveling by Plane
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.
Clean Plates
I’m working on a story pegged for July 4th/BBQ season, geared toward all my fellow Trader Joe’s lovers out there: Products at Trader Joe's RDs love for summer cookouts …I’m not going to file this story until May, so we have LOTS of time, and I’d like to focus on newer products coming out this spring that would be great for summer grilling or a summer cookout - obviously with a component that RDs are a fan, and why. So if you have a RD that will want to comment, please reach out!
RetailMeNot
Budget shopping and cooking/eating smarter: As you all know, I write a lot of content for RMN related to budget shopping and cooking/eating smarter. I’m going to be working on a monthly column on the subject of cooking/eating well on a budget, and I’d love you to pitch me products/ideas to consider for it - maybe a new meal-stretching product that is a good deal at a grocery store, an awesome product to try that may cut my meal prep time in half, other themes as far as saving money on food/cooking/eating and doing it in a way that is smarter.
For my next Saving Stars column, I am going to chat a bit about my air fryer and how it helps me do a lot more in a small space - it's one appliance that sort of does the job of a bunch (from roasting and baking and "frying" to reheating and so much more), and even share a personal recipe or two that I like to make, which are themselves examples of budget stretching and saving. But I plan on incorporating a shopping aspect with some budget-friendly air fryers but also some very useful air-friendly friendly kitchen accessories. So, pitch, pitch, away!
Forbes
I’m sourcing for FOUR Mother’s Day gift guides! Here’s what I’m currently working on:
The Best Gifts For Her Foodie She Shed: So many women love to have a private retreat away from the constant demands of the household, be it to read, craft, or to use as an office. This can be anything from garage or outdoor space to even an actual shed - but the take on this is that if a foodie was using her she shed for all things food and bev. Whether a breakfast nook to enjoy her coffee in peace, to maybe a spot to have a girlfriend or two over for wine and cheese. I’m looking for fun gift ideas to outfit her foodie-centric she shed.
The Best Gifts For The Mom Who Loves To Grill: Grilling is so often like a dad-sphere, but I know a lot of women who love grilling, too. (LIKE ME) Why do men get all the fun? For this one, I’m open to being pitched grills, grilling accessories and also items to put on the grill.
The Best Complete Dinners You Can Have Shipped To Her Door: I’m looking for complete meal kits or readymade meals she just had to pull together or reheat and can have a full beautiful gourmet dinner ready without even having to leave home. Note, I’m NOT looking for restaurant takeout. This is strictly items that can be shipped/ordered online nationwide.
The Best Gifts For The Mom Who Really Loves Salad: To balance all those MEAT guides, y’all. For this one, I’m looking to be pitched along the lines of veggie boxes, salad kits (that can be ordered online/shipped), cool grow your own herb kits, salad dressing cruets, fun salad bowls and tongs, and all that.
To pitch for ANY of my gift guides I’m currently sourcing for, please include:
Name of product
Link to retailer where it’s currently in stock and available, no pre-sale links please
Description
Price
LINK to high res image (please make sure to remove restrictions so that I can access image, and also make sure the image will not expire for a few weeks, so it can be accessed when necessary. Also please try to avoid large galleries and JUST send the image being requested, no others…it’s the best way to assure the image used is the one intended!)
Counting down to Passover coming in just a few weeks, I’m looking for brands doing fun new products, spirits, wines, etc for Passover (note: They must be both Kosher and Kosher for Passover - and no, this isn’t the same thing - check out my recent post explaining how to know the difference when pitching.)
I’m also looking for Passover-inspired cocktails you can find at bars and restaurants. This one is trickier because I realize for this one a lot of submissions will probably come from places not kosher for Passover or even kosher — that’s fine for this story (but not the other one). This one, I need name of drink, where served, a description, a quote about it, (how is it inspired by Passover?), and an image of the cocktail.
Looking forward, also rounding up Cinco de Mayo, Kentucky Derby and Mother’s Day inspired cocktails (for these also, I need name of drink, where served, a description, a quote about it, and an image of the cocktail.)
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.
<3
aly
Best dirty martini in NYC? Headed there next week and have to have at least one lol! Also would love any other restaurant recs 🤗