It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like ... Layoffs
There's a lot of movement in the publishing world right now to be aware of.
Good morning and happy Election Day!
That was a cheery hello, but unfortunately I have some not-so-cheery industry insights to share.
You’ve probably noticed that things are looking a little grim in the publishing world these days. Surely you’ve heard the news by now of Bustle, Nylon and Romper laying off staffers and freelancers last week. Another major publisher did a round of layoffs yesterday, too (not sure it’s public knowledge yet). And several of my editors at various publications have sent cryptic emails to their regular freelancers explaining that there are no new assignments at this time because, “budgets are wonky for the rest of the year.” As such, I definitely have fewer assignments than usual (which you’ll no doubt notice below in my calls for pitches … or lack thereof … but don’t worry, I do have some exciting announcements to share if you keep reading!), so I’m already feeling this industry shift. Oooof.
What does all this mean for you?
It means that some of the editors/freelancers you’ve been working with no longer have a job, so that may be why you’re not hearing back on pitches or why a story died in the middle of the process.
It means that there will be less content being published (at least for the near future) because there are fewer people to create it … and less budget to pay for it.
It means you’ll have even fewer editorial coverage opportunities for your clients, as content goals and production schedules shift.
And that means competition for coverage is getting even more fierce.
I’m hopeful there won’t be more layoffs, but I’m not super optimistic. They seem to be happening everywhere in Q4: Twitter, Meta, Neflix, CNN, Gannett, Stripe, Lyft, etc. Honestly, I won’t be surprised if we hear about more media layoffs before the end of the year.
So what can you do?
Now’s the time to really lean on the long-term relationships you have forged with media over the years (this is why I’m always preaching about being relationship-oriented and not transactional).
Now’s the time to put your best foot forward with every single pitch (hot tip: book a Pitch Perfecting Workshop with me and Nicole, stat!) so you can stand out from the crowd.
Now’s the time to really make your follow-up efforts count, by including NEW info that may entice the reporter to respond. If your first attempt didn’t work, switch things up and give them a new stat or angle they can sink their teeth into!
Now’s the time to start getting creative. The way you’ve been doing PR may not work going forward, so think outside the box. I know there’s been a lot of chatter about this in the PR Facebook groups lately, including new ways to bring value to your clients.
And now’s the time to offer to introduce your favorite freelancers to editors you have good relationships with that are still on staff … that way we still have assignments coming in for you to pitch to!
Finally, brush up on the following hot topics, which could very well help you weather the storm (and keep your clients happy):
6 Surefire Ways to Build a Genuine Connection With a Journalist
5 Ways to Help Your Clients Deliver Awesome Email-Based Interviews Responses
10 Tips for Getting Your Pitch Noticed in My Overflowing Inbox
I hate to send out a “doom and gloom” Substack, but part of my responsibility with this newsletter is to make sure you’re up to speed on the industry, and it’s impossible to ignore the current climate. I’m a firm believer in abundance and I understand that all these things are cyclical, so I’m not in panic mode … but it’s important to be informed so you can pivot as needed when things get weird.
There’s a lot to unpack here. Wanna chat about it more? Please leave a comment and I’ll respond. We’ll also be discussing this topic in next week’s Top Tier Talk, and Nicole and I are ready to field your questions! There’s still time to sign up.
This is where I normally say, “Have a great week!” Perhaps I’ll end instead with:
Sending good vibes,
Jill
PS: If you can’t read the links to past topics above, I’m currently offering 40% off annual subscriptions (which gives you access to my archives, AMAs and all future paywalled content)! Click the button below.
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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
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***Recently Published Pieces***
(Thank you for your help!)
Men’s Health: Your Holiday Travel Fit Kit
Estate: Here’s the LAUNCH issue (my article is on page 92)
TripSavvy: The Best Alaska Hotels — based on my recent press trip!
Southern Living: How Long Does Leftover Gravy Last?
Taste of Home: Can You Eat Eggs if You Have Diabetes?
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 ——
I don’t have assignments that I’m currently sourcing for (I’m working on some updates and first-person pieces), but I am excited to announce two new outlets I’ll be contributing to:
I just got my first assignment for USA TODAY Reviewed … no pitches needed at this time, as they have assigned me the specific tech product to review.
I’m starting a new freelance gig as an “updates editor” for Verywell next week. Not sure yet what all this entails exactly, so stay tuned!
It feels good to share some good news and hopefully there will be opportunities to collaborate on these outlets soon!
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So sad, my heart goes out to those who lost their jobs, especially just before the holidays. I hate that it always tends to be a thing done before the end of the year. Sigh! Thank you for always keeping us in the loop.