Back from 19 Days in Asia and Have a TON of Assignments You Can Help With!
Plus: Should I host an AMA this month? Check out the poll below and LMK
Hello everyone!
I had THE most amazing time in Asia with my dad for the last few weeks … first, the Crystal Cruise experience was positively life-changing (we were spoiled rotten with 5-star service, food, entertainment, and an enormous cabin with an insane shower). And our stops throughout Asia — Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Hong Kong — were truly everything I hoped they would be. I literally ate my way through the region (my scale certainly noticed that I denied myself NOTHING), immersed myself in the culture, met so many cool people along the way, and got to fulfill my lifelong dream of petting an elephant. I sure hope you were following along on Instagram!
Of course, now I’m back to reality (and more than 4,000 pitches in my inbox to sift through, which I’ll honestly never catch up on, let’s be honest) and drowning in work … a great problem to come home to!
Should I host an AMA this month? Do you have questions for me? Do we need an industry chat? How’s everyone feeling? Need a hug?
Lots of good stuff below, so check it all out, including 6 assignments for a BUNCH of outlets.
Have a great week,
Jill
PS: Aly Walansky and Alice Dubin are coming to my hometown of Phoenix this week … the 3 of us are about to have a ton of fun with Visit Phoenix at 2 different hotel properties and countless meals/bars/spa treatments, so continue following along on Instagram!
Ever Wish You Had a Journalist On Demand to Answer Your Media Questions, Perfect Your Pitches, and Brainstorm Pitch Angles?
For the last few months, I’ve been secretly offering a new service to a select few publicists. In this ongoing engagement (read: not a one-time consulting session!), I can help:
Workshop your pitches to help increase open rates and coverage hits
Brainstorm pitch angles to give you some fresh ideas
Provide outlet suggestions for pitches you’re having trouble placing
Share tips/advice when you’re stuck and need some client wins
Offer a behind-the-scenes look at the media industry, with updates and insights
Troubleshoot client-specific issues that are keeping you from landing more coverage
Explain best practices to boost your success rate
Build killer follow-up strategies
And more!
Think of it as having a media concierge on retainer whenever you need some help — kinda like Jill, the PR Genie!
What qualifies me? I’ve been a journalist for 24 years, both on staff at magazines and for the last 7 years as a full-time freelancer (not to mention a contact editor at various outlets) … I’m thrilled to put all this knowledge to use in a different way and help even more publicists bridge the gap between our two professions.
Contact me today for details/pricing: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com.
***Recently Published Pieces***
(Thank you for your help!
The Points Guy (my first for this outlet): Princess Cruise drink packages
Southern Living: Why I Switched to a Wooden Cutting Board and I’ll Never Go Back to Plastic
Southern Living: Should You Drain Canned Vegetables?
Taste of Home: How to Store Avocados
Taste of Home: How to Store Garlic So it Stays Fresh
Taste of Home: How to Make Amish Chicken and Noodles
Reader’s Digest: 9 Best Culinary Cruises for the Most Delicious Trip You’ll Ever Take
Reader’s Digest: The Surprising Reason You Shouldn’t Bring Camouflage Clothing on a Cruise
EatingWell (my debut article!): A Longevity Expert Swears by Eating Minestrone Soup Every Day — Here’s Why
Southern Living: How to Close a Wine Bottle Without a Cork
Southern Living: Yes, You Can Freeze Spaghetti Squash; Here’s How
Taste of Home: Le Creuset Everyday Pan Review: It’s Literally the Only Pan You Need
Southern Living: The Best Types of Sweet Potatoes for Eery Favorite Southern Dish
Yoga Journal: 21 Unexpected, Meaningful, Stress-Reducing, Must-Have Yoga Gifts for Your Loved Ones
Fodor’s: I Was Quarantined on a Cruise Ship, Here’s What it Was Like
Southern Living: Why It’s So Important to Brown Your Meat Before Cooking
U.S. News & World Report: 9 Bucket-List Cruises for Seniors and Retirees
Taste of Home: I Went to the Le Creuset Factory to Table Sale and Now I’m an Avid Collector — Here’s Why
ELLE Decor: This Stylish Home Gym Delivers The Full-Body Workout of Your Trainer’s Dreams
Good Housekeeping: 8 Travel Essentials for a Fall Weekend Getaway
Taste of Home: Can You Eat the Green Stuff in Lobster?
Taste of Home: How to Store Ginger the Right Way
Taste of Home: How to Make a Pear Tart Tatin
Taste of Home: The Dangerous Reason You Shouldn’t Eat from a Dented Can
The Guardian: A Different Kind of Pothead: the Le Creuset Cookware Supercollectors (my first for this outlet!)
Now, it's time to get the word out! When you and your clients share your coverage on social media, please be sure to tag my accounts: Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn (and please connect with me yourselves!).
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Yes, most publications require affiliate marketing for inclusion these days. Publicist Sarah Karger created a course called Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists and it’ll answer ALL of your back-end questions!
Sponsorship Opportunities
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—— Current Editorial Needs ——
1. Copper Courier: Phoenix Wildflowers
Looking for the best places to see & smell wildflowers near Phoenix
Subject line: Phx Wildflowers
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: Friday, March 8
2. Copper Courier: Phoenix Pizza Joints
Looking for the best pizza joints in Phoenix (and what to order at each one)
Subject line: Phx Pizza
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: Friday, March 8
3. Travel Market Report: Cruise Celebrity Chef Collabs
Looking to feature the best cruise line collaborations with celebrity chefs
Subject line: Cruise Chefs
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: Friday, March 8
4. Eating Well: Need to interview a few dietitians (unaffiliated)
Looking to interview UNAFFILIATED registered dietitians about foods with more vitamin K than spinach
Send credentials, not commentary … I have very specific questions that need to be answered.
Subject line: Spinach RD
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: Friday, March 8
5. Taste of Home: Potato Expert (maybe from the potato board/council or a chef who focuses on potato-based dishes)
Send credentials, not commentary … I have very specific questions that need to be answered.
Subject line: Potato Expert
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: Friday, March 8
6. Taste of Home: Rice Food Safety Expert (or maybe someone from the rice board/council)
Send credentials, not commentary … I have very specific questions that need to be answered.
Subject line: Rice Expert
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: Friday, March 8
More Useful Info
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Looks like an amazing trip! (BTW - I'm headed to Phoenix at the end of the month to go to Civana for a few days.....ever been?)
Welcome back-- I loved seeing all the pics of your adventure and the food.... all the food! Glad you had a great time and I'm excited/jealous that you, Alice and Aly get to hang! :)