Dear PR Pros: I LOVE You!
Plus: Stories I'm working on this week
Happy Valentine’s Day!
I wanted to take a moment to express just how much I LOVE working with you guys and appreciate how you participate in my newsletter (by sending responses, feedback, comments that make me laugh, etc.).
I’m astounded week after week with how you always have a client to meet my editorial needs … no matter how obscure the topic, you manage to deliver great sources and products!
I also get a surprising number of emails from you guys saying that you have a source for me EVEN THOUGH THEY AREN’T YOUR CLIENT (sometimes they are old clients, sometimes they are friends, sometimes you just “know a guy”) and your willingness to connect me with them seriously blows me away.
I value your expertise, admire your work ethic and creativity (I couldn’t do your job … I know because I tried in 1999 right when I graduated college and one year at a PR agency was plenty for me!), and appreciate how you make my job SO much easier on a daily basis. I literally couldn’t produce the volume of content I create without your help.
Below you’ll find some new editorial opps to pitch for Reader’s Digest. I also added some important details for the ongoing Oxygen column I introduced last week … I neglected to provide enough direction, and ended up with a lot of pitches I won’t be able to use unfortunately. My apologies! Hopefully this additional info helps steer you in the right direction moving forward.
Have a great start to your week, everyone. And be sure to tell someone you love them today … even if it’s just your GrubHub delivery person :)
Love, Jill
PS: Here’s a sneak peek at my flood-remodeled house (this photo strategically hides the 20 unpacked boxes, ongoing construction, and million paint touch ups that aren’t yet complete).
—— Current Editorial Needs ——
1. Reader’s Digest: Hair Stylist to weigh in on John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Serum
Yes, this is a product-specific piece, so the hair stylist will need to be able to discuss John Frieda’s Frizz Ease Serum (and hopefully like/love it)
Please send credentials, not commentary. I’ll respond with specific questions.
Subject line: John Frieda Frizzy expert
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: TODAY or tomorrow morning, latest (I’m running a bit behind on this one, but they’ll only need to answer a couple super quick questions, I promise)
2. Reader’s Digest: Sleep expert
Looking for an expert to weigh in on a specific mattress I’ve been testing (therefore, sleep experts associated with a mattress or other sleep brand will not be considered)
Please send credentials, not commentary. I’ll respond with specific questions.
Subject line: Sleep expert
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: Tomorrow, EOD
3. Reader’s Digest: Hair Stylist to weigh in on sleeping on silk pillowcases
Please send credentials, not commentary. I’ll respond with specific questions.
Subject line: Silk pillowcase haircare expert
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: EOD Wed Feb. 16
4. Oxygen: Women’s fitness products
IMPORTANT NOTE: The point of this monthly column is to introduce our readers (women ages 25-60 who are HARD CORE gym goers/athletes) to fresh and new stuff that’s caught our eye that will be helpful in the gym or on their fitness-focused journey. I’ll be accepting these pitches on an ongoing basis, since it’s a monthly column.
Please pitch:
New fitness equipment (weights, bands, at-home machines, etc)
Cool workout gear (like clothing or gym bags or brilliant products to throw in your gym bag, etc.)
Fitness technology (like wearables or water bottles that clean themselves or remind you to stay hydrated, or gym towels that don’t hang onto sweaty bacteria, etc.)
Interesting products to support mental/emotional health and wellbeing (things for meditation, goal tracking, stress reduction, etc.).
I’m sure I’m forgetting some categories, but hopefully you get the gist!
Don’t pitch:
Food
Drinks
99% of supplements (unless it’s truly brand new AND unlike anything else on the market)
Beauty products (unless it serves a specific need fitness, like maybe something for acne on your back as an example)
Services
Samples are required, because I personally test all these items. Oh, but please don’t ship any samples until you know I’m interested in the pitch (I know so many of you have my address and are very generous with packages).
No affiliate links required!!! (I can practically hear you cheering!)
Subject line: Oxygen Editors’ Picks
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Recently Published Pieces (Thanks for your help!)
STAY TUNED … a bunch of new things should publish this week!
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,Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn (and please connect with me yourselves!)
Food for Thought
It’s time to upgrade: If you haven’t yet upgraded to the paid version of my newsletter, you’re missing out on exclusive content (such as 10 Tips for Rising to the Top of My Overflowing Inbox) + Ask Me Anything sessions + archives of older newsletters that may still have active editorial opportunities. Sign up today so you don’t miss a thing! Agency-wide subscriptions are also available and gaining popularity … just shoot me an email with how many publicists will need access and I’ll send you a custom quote (that includes a group discount!).
Become an affiliate marketing master: Still trying to navigate the exciting world of affiliate marketing? Publicist Sarah Karger and former editor Dana Baardsen have co-created a course called Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists and it’ll answer ALL of your questions!
Instagram collabs: Follow my travels on Instagram — and with 16k followers, I’m available for brand campaigns and collaborations, too! Happy to share my media kit and rate sheet upon request.
Hire Jill: Do you or your clients need blogs/web copy/marketing materials? I’m available for hire! You already know I’m a journalist, but you may not be familiar with my extensive editing/marketing background over the last 21 years (for such brands as AAA, CVS, Massage Envy, University of Phoenix, The Rich Dad Company and more). Feel free to check out my LinkedIn profile for details. I’d love to chat if you have a client or know someone who could benefit from my content services (blogs, marketing materials, brand stories, bios, white papers, email drip campaigns, etc.). Thank you for keeping me in mind for one-off or ongoing projects!
Sponsorship opps: Do you have a course/book/conference/tool/service that you’d like to promote to the 1,500+ publicists who subscribe to my newsletter? Contact me to discuss sponsorship opportunities.
Absolutely love working with you Jill!