✈️✏️✈️ Back from Bonaire & Writing Nonstop 'Til Finland
Plus: I need sources/products for travel, healthcare, food and e-commerce articles + check out my latest podcast appearance
Good morning, subscribers!
I’m back from Bonaire and had a fabulous time exploring the “B” of the ABC Dutch Caribbean islands (A=Aruba and C=Curacao, both of which I’ve been to multiple times)! Have you been? If you’re into snorkeling or diving, it’s known as one of the best spots in the world … you can dive right off the shore, no need for a boat to take you to a dive site. We saw SO many gorgeous fish! And I tried Barracuda for the first time and it’s seriously delicious.
Here are a few pics so you can see just how beautiful the island is (just look at the pink/purple sunset!):
Next week, I’m off to Finland, where I’ll be getting a sneak preview of the WORLD’S LARGEST cruise ship (by tonnage): Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas. She’s currently under construction in Finland and scheduled to enter service in early 2024 … she’ll be able to carry 7,600 passengers and is the first Icon Class ship!
So I’ll be onsite at the Meyer Turku shipyard, taking an extensive tour of everything from new neighborhoods to engineering feats with the subject matter experts — I’ve been on 15 cruises and my 16th is coming up later this month, so it’s no surprise that I’m VERY excited to do this behind-the-scenes tour.
I’m on assignment for Reader’s Digest (so look for that article shortly after I return home), but please follow my Instagram for real-time footage as we tour this enormous ship! After the press trip, I’ll be spending 2 days on my own in Helsinki since I’ve never been … but if it’s anything like Norway, I know I’ll love it! If you rep any restaurants/hotels/activities in Helsinki, please let me know, as my itinerary is pretty loose currently.
Scroll on down to see what stories I’m working on in May … I’ve got a nice array of travel, food, healthcare and ecommerce pieces on my plate so far.
And be sure to look at the newly published links, as you’ll see my debuts for AARP and Going.com, not to mention some fun pieces for USA Today and Brides too!
Have a great week,
Jill
PS: Are you struggling with pitches that aren’t performing? I’ve got a small group Pitch Perfecting session coming up on May 18th and still have a few more seats available. Learn more here.
Listen to My Media In Minutes Podcast Appearance
I recently joined Angela Tuell, who hosts Media In Minutes, and we talked all things media/PR of course! If you have a spare 26 minutes, please check it out! We discussed the importance of building relationships, why being nimble in this field is so important, and you’ll even learn that I started my career in PR before switching to journalism.
For non-Apple people, catch it here: https://www.stitcher.com/show/media-in-minutes
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Got Affiliate Marketing Questions for 2023?
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 questions!
Pick My Brain: Book a Consulting Session
Nicole Pajer and I have teamed up for Top Tier Consulting, where we offer a variety of customized consulting packages for agencies and freelance publicists to help take your media hits to the next level. These include:
Pitch Perfecting Strategy Session: We’ll workshop your pitches and offer suggestions to help improve your open rate and coverage opps!
Become a Journalist’s BFF: Networking and Relationship Management Session: Highly successful publicists know that building long-term relationships with journalists is truly the gift that keeps on giving, so we’ll give you tips on how to meet new journalists, stay in touch and become their go-to source.
Hosting the Perfect Virtual and/or In-Person Media Event Session: You’ll learn the ins and outs of how to create a media event that journalists will A) Want to attend B) Will stay engaged at C) Will work into coverage.
Agency Q&A Session: You’ve got questions? We’ve got answers! Nothing is off-limits!
Press Package 101 Session: We’ll help you make your packages more enticing, while actually saving your clients money in the process. And we’ll discuss how to target the right audiences, how to handle post-delivery follow-ups, and more.
Press Trips Invites and Itineraries Session: The two most important aspects to pulling off a successful press trip is nailing your invites and itineraries — we will help guide you through both!
Visit our website to learn more about the services and sessions we provide — we’re looking forward to working with you!
***Recently Published Pieces***
(Thank you for your help!)
AARP (my debut!!): Smart Guide to Spring Cleaning
Going.com (my debut!!): Tucson: The U.S. Desert Oasis That’s a UNESCO City of Gastronomy
USA Today: 10 Most Popular Home Products People are Buying on Amazon Right Now
Taste of Home: How to Thaw Pork Chops Safely
Reader’s Digest: Best Time to Visit Arizona
Reader’s Digest: Best Time to Visit the Grand Canyon
Reader’s Digest: I’ve Tried Every At-Home Manicure System and This is the Best!
Reader’s Digest: The Best Time to Visit Alaska
Reader’s Digest: Best Subscription Boxes
Travel + Leisure: The Ultimate Cruise Packing List
Southern Living: 10 Ideas for Creating the Perfect Mimosa Bar
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!).
—— Current Editorial Needs ——
1. Franklin Prosperity Report: Need a Medicare Expert
Looking for myths about Medicare that are costing people money
Go ahead and send some ideas my way and be sure to explain your clients’ credentials, too. I’ll have follow-up questions, but please give me something to start with.
Subject line: Medicare expert
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: EOD Wednesday
2. Taste of Home: Need a Chef or Food Safety Expert
This article is all about the correct temperature to cook pork at
Please send credentials, not commentary. I’ll send you specific questions to answer.
Subject line: Taste of Home Pork Pro
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: EOD Wednesday
3. Travel + Leisure: Best Cooling Clothing for Summer
This article will cover the best cooling clothing for summer that’s also travel friendly… this means your pitches should talk about such features as sweat-wicking, versatility, cooling technology in the fabric, mesh areas for air flow, keeping you comfortable but looking put together, stretchy material, etc.
Products sold at big box retailers and/or are on Skimlinks will be given priority (so please tell me that in your pitch!)
Here are the categories I’m looking to fill: Best Sundress, Best T-shirt, Best Tank Top, Best Shorts, Best Exercise Dress, Best Long-sleeve Shirt, Best Maxi Skirt, Best Workout Top, Best Workout Shorts, Best Sneakers, Best Underwear, Best Sandals, Best Hat, Best Pajamas
For each product you pitch, suggest the appropriate category and tell me why it’s so great for travel and why it’s cooling. Share info on specs, materials, technology, etc.
Subject line: T+L Cooling Clothing + INSERT NAME OF BRAND HERE
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: EOD Friday
4. Reader’s Digest: Cruise Expert Needed
This article is focused on how to choose the right cruise cabin for your needs/lifestyle
Looking for tips for scenarios like: best to avoid seasickness, best if you have little kids, best if you want a great view, best for light sleepers, best if you want peace and quiet, best for those who need more space, best budget, best for safety, best if you want outdoor space, best if you have mobility issues, etc.
Please send credentials, not commentary. I’ll send you specific questions to answer.
Subject line: Cruise Cabin Expert
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: EOD Thursday
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OMG everything looks beautiful!
Gorgeous pics! Can’t wait to hear more about Finland. My Disney-obsessed daughter and I are going on a cruise in July on The Wish, and we recently watched a doc on Disney+ on the making of the ship that was so interesting. Incredible how the ships are constructed. Have a safe trip!