Fresh Assignments, Fresh Kitchen, Freshly Single ... Yeah, it's Been a Crazy Few Weeks

Plus a TON of freshly published articles your clients might be in!

Good afternoon, everyone!

I’m back from my cruise around Iceland, my kitchen remodel is supposed to wrap up tomorrow (FINALLY), and I was forced to break off my engagement and end an 8-year relationship a few weeks ago… yes, my world has been completely turned upside down and it’s been difficult. My ex and Lily have moved out of my house (because I travel too much to keep a dog as a single person, sniffle … sometimes you have to make the selfless choice) and now I’m adjusting to my new life.

I accidentally went VIRAL about a weird and related situation, by posting a TikTok that somehow garnered 3.9 MILLION views (there’s a Part 2 and Part 3 if you want to hear the WHOLE saga) while I was in Iceland.

Enough about me … I have some really cool industry news to share below and some assignments I’m sourcing for! And I’ve posted links to a TON of newly published articles in AARP, The Points Guy, US News & World Report, Southern Living, and Town & Country.

Have a great day,

Jill

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There’s NEVER Been a Better Time to Check Out PodPitch

If you've been reading my Substack closely the last few months, you may have seen me mention PodPitch a few times.

If you're already pitching podcasts — or have hesitated to start because it's too tough — this is the software you need to try.

PodPitch is not just the largest podcast database in the world … it's the only tool that automates your outreach!

And today is the best time to try them.

Book a free demo for anytime in August and get the opportunity to try one month for $99 — no commitment, no cancellation fees, etc.

The best part? They'll refund your 99 dollars entirely if you aren't happy anytime in the first 30 days!

The second-best part? They'll buy you Starbucks if the free demo isn't the best PR tech demo you've ever seen.

How does PodPitch work?

PR pros simply load in client information into PodPitch. Then the software researches podcasts, finds their verified email address, and pitches them from your email address — all automatically! The emails are really sent from your email, too, so there are no issues with spam or deliverability.

The pitches that PodPitch writes can be fine-tuned to your own personal writing style by uploading example emails. Every pitch will reference a recent podcast episode for ultimate personalization. And yes, you can edit and revise any pitch before it’s sent! 

PodPitch comes pre-loaded with every active podcast in the English-speaking world – as well as the hosts’ email addresses. I was amazed at their platform and know you will be, too.

Ready to Sign Up?

Book a free personalized walkthrough by the end of August. You'll be able to try a month for $99 (no commitment!) and the team will buy you Starbucks if it's not the best PR tech demo you've ever seen.

Just book a free walkthrough now to get started!

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Buy an Ad In This Substack That 6,300+ Publicists and Journalists Read Each Week

Do you have a course, book, conference, event, tool or service that you’d like to promote to the 6,400+ publicists and writers who subscribe to my newsletter?

Humble brag alert: My average open rate is 45%, so this is a highly engaged audience (PS: that open rate is DOUBLE what’s considered “good” for marketing!).

Contact me today to discuss sponsorship opportunities: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

New testimonial from a recent sponsor:

Choosing to regularly advertise with Jill has been transformational for our business. Not only has she fostered such a genuine connection with her audience, but she’s also a complete natural at helping our business form the right copy to connect with the right person at the right time. It’s not even really in an advertisement – it’s an honest-to-goodness placement of her trust in your business to her loyal readers! 

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***Recently Published Pieces***
(Thank you for your help!)

• US News & World Report: Utopia of the Seas: The Best Dining, Amenities and More on Royal Caribbean's Newest Ship

• AARP: A Suspected Blood Clot Landed Me in a Cruise Ship Medical Center

• The Points Guy: 10 Best Asia Cruises

• The Points Guy: 8 Best Australia/New Zealand Cruises

• Southern Living: Royal Caribbean’s New Utopia of the Seas

• Town & Country: A Savannah Itinerary for Every Traveler

• Southern Living: 12 Tips To Know Before Taking Your First-Ever Cruise, According To Veteran Cruisers

• US News & World Report: Crystal Symphony Review: First Impressions of Crystal's Revamped Ship

• Insider: Here’s How I Maximize a Weekend in Sin City

• Southern Living: 11 Etiquette Mistakes You Might Be Making on a Cruise

• Reader’s Digest: July Luggage Review: I Tested the Carry-On Pro on Multiple Overseas Flights

• Insider: I Tried Princess Cruise’s Premier Package and It’s One of the Best Deals At Sea

• Taste of Home: Amish Chicken and Noodles

• Copper Courier: 8 Phoenix Rooftop Bars

• Virtuoso: The Sun Princess Sets Sail with Some of the Most Exciting Entertainment at Sea

• Reader’s Digest: After 20 Ocean Cruises, I Took My First River Cruise—Here Are 6 Ways It Was Better

• EatingWell: 10 Foods Rich in Vitamin K, Recommended by Dietitians

• Reader’s Digest: I took the Beis Front Pocket Carry-On on Multiple International Trips, and It’s a Winner

• Copper Courier: Puff, Puff, Pass .. The Best 4/20 Promos and Deals Around the Valley

• Taste of Home: How Long Does Rice Last in the Fridge?

• Copper Courier: Where to buy farm-fresh eggs in Tucson

• Copper Courier: 10 Best Pizza Joints in Phoenix

• The Points Guy: Holland America restaurants: The ultimate cruise guide to food and dining on board

• Travel Market Report: What to Expect When Riding Brightline

• Travel Market Report: The 3 Highest End Suites on the Crystal Symphony

• Copper Courier: 7 Places to See and Smell Wildflowers Near Phoenix

• Travel Market Report: Cruise Ships and Celebrity Chefs: A Perfect Pairing the Industry Continues to Crave

• 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

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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If you find this newsletter valuable, please click the share button below and send it to your colleagues … the more, the merrier!

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Agency-Wide Substack Subscriptions Available

Want your entire agency to read my paywalled insights? Awesome! 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 massive group discount, obvi!).

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—— Current Editorial Needs ——

1. Southern Living: Cruises out of the South

• Looking for the best cruises that go out of SOUTHERN U.S. ports (this includes the following states only: Florida, Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia)

• Include a link to the itinerary and please call out anything special in terms of Southern F&B, activities, entertainment, or excursions

• Subject line: Southern Cruise + Name of Cruise Line

• Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

• Pitch by: EOD Thursday, August 15

2. Southern Living: Awesome items to pack for a Caribbean cruise

• This will be a list of all the things I would pack for a WARM-weather cruise … so it must be for women (or gender neutral) and weather-appropriate

• Affiliate links are not required (and won’t even be used!)

• Think: clothing, shoes, accessories, luggage, convenience items for onboard and ashore, etc.

• I’m NOT looking to interview/quote anyone

• Subject line: Caribbean cruise packing + Product name

• Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

• Pitch by: EOD Thursday, August 15

3. Copper Courier: Quirky Arizona Museums

• Pitch me the most unexpected museums in Arizona

• Subject line: Quirky AZ Museums

• Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

• Pitch by: August 16

4. Copper Courier: Arizona’s Weirdest Roadside Attractions

• Pitch me the weirdest roadside attractions in Arizona

• Subject line: AZ Roadside Attractions

• Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

• Pitch by: August 16

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More Useful Info

• 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, Aly Walansky, Nicole Pajer, and Joni Sweet.

• Have you signed up for my OTHER Substack newsletter yet? It’s a joint venture with Nicole Pajer and we do deep dives into the media industry. Check it out here!