Check Out My HGG Interview With Digiday
Plus: Assignments I'm working on this week for TripSavvy and T+L
Happy Cyber Monday, everyone!
I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving. I actually took 4 days off from writing (!!!), which was amazing, and just chilled in freezing cold northern Arizona (in the White Mountains) with my family. We sat by the fire, ate everything, and I even read the first half of my mom’s latest manuscript (if you didn’t know, she’s an author … and the source of my talent).
Did you catch my interview with Digiday that came out on Thanksgiving Day? In it, I chat about when I started getting gift guide assignments this year, how many unsolicited PR pitches I receive each day, and how I use this Substack newsletter to source what I need for assignments. And hey, I’m in good company, as Bryce Gruber was also featured. Would love to hear your feedback on the article … feel free to leave a comment here or shoot me an email!
Tell me: Did you buy anything fun on Black Friday? I upgraded to the iPhone 14 Pro Max (on backorder, sigh, so it’ll be a few weeks until it arrives), and finally decided to get a Grammarly subscription (I’m most interested in its plagiarism checker, which will allow me to double-check quotes submitted from sources, as I’ve unfortunately been catching a lot of plagiarism lately). I kept looking for something “fun” to buy myself, but nothing really caught my eye. If you haven’t yet seen this brilliant Tiktok, I totally agree with this guy’s assessment of the deals this year … lackluster. What say you?
Finally, this is your last call for saving 40% when upgrading your Substack subscription … this offer ends Wednesday. What do paid subscribers get? Access to my Ask Me Anything Zoom sessions (there’s another one coming up in December), all my paywalled industry insights, and my full archive of past paid posts full of tips/tricks! For example, my next paid newsletter, which will be out tomorrow, delves into the 6 Things You Should NEVER Ask a Journalist to Do!
Scroll down to see what I’m looking for this week in terms of assignments… got a fun one for TripSavvy and it’s last call for a Travel + Leisure piece!
Have a great day,
Jill
PS: Did you catch my recent episode of The Pitchin’ and Sippin’ Podcast with Lexie Smith of THEPRBAR? In it, I discuss how I got my start in magazines and freelancing, pitching preferences, how to break into freelance writing, different ways publicists can become a journalist’s BFF, my Top Tier Consulting sessions, and, of course, Substack. Find it here or here.
Book a Consulting Session for 25% Off — This Deal Ends Wednesday!
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 … and we’re offering 25% off if booked this month. These include:
Pitch Perfecting Strategy Session (OUR MOST POPULAR SESSION!)
Become a Journalist’s BFF: Networking and Relationship Management Session
Hosting the Perfect Virtual and/or In-Person Media Event Session
Agency Q&A Session
Press Package 101 Session
Press Trips Invites and Itineraries Session
Hosting the Perfect Virtual and/or In-Person Media Event Session
We’re excited about this new venture and look forward to helping you become even better at what you do. Visit our website to learn more about the services and sessions we provide — we’re looking forward to working with you!
Last Chance to Get 30% Off Top Tier Consulting’s Substack!
Our weekly posts are chockfull of meaty and actionable information. Here are some of the other important topics we’ve covered recently:
8 Things That Make Writers Want to Work With Publicists Again
Part 2: A Look Inside the Process of How Writers Handle an Inbox Full of PR Pitches
Part 1: A Look Inside the Process of How Writers Handle an Inbox Full of PR Pitches
Everything You REALLY Want to Know About Pitching Gift Guides
— Annual subscriptions are 30% through Wednesday, so it’s a great time to upgrade and check out all the industry insights you’ve been missing out on! —
Let’s Collaborate on an Instagram Campaign!
Follow my travels on Instagram — and with 17k followers, I’m available for your client's brand campaigns and collaborations, too! Happy to share my media kit and rate sheet upon request.
Got Affiliate Marketing Questions?
Do you have questions about navigating affiliate marketing? Publicist Sarah Karger co-created a course called Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists and it’ll answer ALL of your questions!
Please Share this Newsletter With Your Colleagues
If you find this newsletter valuable, please click the share button below and send it to your colleagues …. I’m especially looking for more travel publicists, publicists who rep healthcare and wellness professionals (dietitians, doctors, mental health, etc.), and of course product-focused publicists too! The more, the merrier!
***Recently Published Pieces***
(Thank you for your help!)
Reader’s Digest: 15 Amazon Handmade Gifts to Support Small Businesses
The Healthy: I’m a Hot Sleeper, Here’s Why I Sleep Better on a DreamCloud Mattress
Reader’s Digest: Ulta vs Sephora (gave this article a fresh update)
Reader’s Digest: Amazon Prime Gift Guide (I got SO many of you in here!)
Reader’s Digest: The Best Smart Doorbells
Men’s Health: Your Holiday Travel Fit Kit
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. TripSavvy: The Most Beautiful Islands in the World
I already have quite a few ideas for inclusion based on my travels over the years, of course, but I’m definitely open to pitches! I’ve only been to 36 countries, so I’m missing a lot!
Tell me about the beautiful island you rep (can be on any continent around the world!) and answer these questions within your pitch: What makes it so beautiful? Why is it so great? What’s there to see/do? Any tips for tourists?
Subject line: Beautiful Island + Insert Island Name Here
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: EOD Thursday
2. Travel + Leisure: The Best Rolling Backpacks, Rolling Duffels, and Rolling Weekenders (LAST CALL!)
Notice a theme? Everything must ROLL! (But I’m not looking for traditional suitcases.)
Affiliate Requirements: Skimlinks, Rakuten, Impact, Pepperjam, ShareASale, and CJ. Amazon is good, as are major .com retailers.
I’d especially like to hear from Patagonia, Lands’ End, Eddie Bauer, The North Face, and L.L. Bean please!
Subject line: Best Rolling Bag + Insert The Product Name Here
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: EOD tomorrow! (I’m starting to write today, FYI, so the sooner the better)
More Useful Info
Agency-wide Substack subscriptions available: Just shoot me an email with how many publicists will need access to my paid newsletter and I’ll send you a custom quote (which includes a group discount, of course!).
Sponsorship opps: Do you have a course/book/conference/tool/service that you’d like to promote to the 3,600+ publicists who subscribe to my newsletter? Contact me today to discuss sponsorship opportunities!
Other journalist newsletters definitely worth subscribing to: Be sure to follow my trusted colleagues so you can stay up-to-date on their pitching needs: Alice Dubin, Bryce Gruber, Aly Walansky, and Nicole Pajer.