More Holiday Gift Guides and Other Assignments
Howdy, everyone!
Did you see all the fun I had living out my cowgirl fantasy in Texas recently?
I’m back from Italy, jet-lagged, and behind on some deadlines … so this is another short and sweet newsletter.
Would anyone be interested in an AMA in November? I feel like it would be fun to connect if the desire is there and you have some industry questions for me. Let me know!
Have a great week,
Jill
PS: Have you followed me on Yahoo yet? Please do! And check out my profile to see the types of stories I’m covering (pretty much anything under the lifestyle umbrella, with a heavy emphasis on travel, food, and ecommerce … I’m open to interesting pitches).
Work 1:1 with Me!
Does this sound familiar?
You’re firing off pitches, chasing media opportunities, and doing everything by the book—but it’s just not working.
🚨 Your pitches are getting ignored.
🚨 You’re not landing the coverage your clients deserve.
🚨 You’re questioning the entire industry and your future in it.
The media contacts you spent years building? Laid off.
Writers and editors? Overwhelmed and not responding as often.
Your emails? Just more noise in flooded inboxes.
The harsh truth: The old-school PR playbook doesn’t work anymore. It’s time to adapt, pivot, and re-strategize.
That’s exactly what I help publicists do.
And I just opened up three spots to work privately with those who want to:
✅ Skyrocket pitch open rates, so your emails don’t vanish into the void
✅ Build real and long-lasting relationships with journalists that make coverage easier for years to come
✅ Improve ROI on in-person and virtual events, press samples, and press trips
✅ Create angles and hooks that make your clients’ stories impossible to ignore
✅ Nail your clients’ competitive edge — so they stand out as the only choice
✅ Navigate today’s shifting media landscape with confidence
We’ll work together over the next few months to get you serious results—quickly.
Would you like to work together?
Simply email me at JillSchildhouse@gmail.com and I’ll send you more info.
Buy an Ad in This Substack That 7,600+ 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 7,600+ 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 MORE THAN DOUBLE what’s considered “good” for marketing!).
Contact me today to discuss sponsorship opportunities: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
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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This course shows you how to amplify media coverage with affiliate strategies, land more top-tier placements, and position yourself as a performance-driven PR expert.
It’s perfect for PR pros who want to stay ahead of industry shifts and prove ROI with every placement.
This course walks PR professionals through the step-by-step process of setting up affiliate programs on networks like Impact, Rakuten, and CJ — and shows how to use affiliate strategies to win more media coverage, secure better placements, and deliver measurable results.
You’ll learn how to:
Launch and manage affiliate programs for clients in less than a week
Pitch with the “commerce language” editors want today
Set competitive commissions and stand out in crowded markets
Future-proof your PR career with performance-driven skills
***Recently Published Pieces***
(Thank you for your help!)
Business Insider: I visited Lisbon for the first time. Though I did a few things right, there’s a lot I wish I’d known before I left.
Business Traveler: Flight Review: British Airways 787-10 Business Class from London to Riyadh
Southern Living: This is the Vegetable I Wait All Year to Eat
US News & World Report: The 7 Best Panama Canal Cruises for Seniors
Eating Well: The #1 Activity to Boost Your Memory, According to Doctors
ShermansTravel: Why Cruising Is the Ultimate Way to Explore Asia’s Highlights
Southern Living: The Best Time To Book A Cruise For The Lowest Prices And Best Perks, According To Travel Experts
Taste of Home: I Tried the ‘Secret Sauce’ at 7 Fast-Food Restaurants to Find the Best One
Reader’s Digest: I Finally Caved and Tried the Buzzy Tech Feature on Royal Caribbean’s Latest Ship—Here’s What I Liked and Didn’t
Eating Well: Experts Say This Dairy Product May Help You Lose Visceral Fat
Reader’s Digest: Carnival Cruise Line Announces a Huge Beverage Change—And Fans Are Divided
EatingWell: The 6 Best Cereals to Help Lower Cholesterol, According to Dietitians
Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025: First-Class Experiences For Executives
Forbes: Chasing Elite Airline Status? Make a Vacation Out of it.
Forbes: Father’s Day Gift Guide 2025: 12 Ways to Gift Quality Time Together
Forbes: How to Elevate Your Coach Class Ticket to a First Class Flight
Business Insider: I flew business class with Qantas, Singapore, and American Airlines. Here’s how they compare — and which is my favorite.
U.S. News & World Report: Cruise Weddings: How to Get Married on a Cruise Ship
U.S. News & World Report: The 7 Best Bachelor Party Cruises
The Points Guy: 8 amazing places to use points for a trip to the Caribbean
US News & World Report: Star of the Seas vs. Icon of the Seas
Reader’s Digest: Norwegian Cruise Line’s Aqua Offers All the Fun of a Megaship on a More Manageable Scale
Reader’s Digest: I’ve Been on Two of the Biggest Cruise Ships in the World—Here’s the One I Would Be Most Excited to Sail on Again
Reader’s Digest: Is This New Cruise-Tipping Trend a Huge Etiquette Faux Pas?
Reader’s Digest: This Surprising Cruise Feature Is Disappearing from Ships Around the Globe—Here’s What You Need to Know
Reader’s Digest: Carnival Cruise Line Is Suddenly Charging for These Popular Beverages—And Passengers Are Fuming
Business Insider: My mom and I went to Mexico, but her suitcase went to India. Now, there’s one travel mistake we’ll never make again.
Taste of Home: This is Why Some of Your Avocados are Stringy
Eating Well: The 7 Best Canned Foods for Cognitive Health, Recommended by Dietitians
The Points Guy: Oasis of the Seas cruise ship review: What to expect on board the original Oasis Class vessel
Oprah Daily: Feeding My Soul in the Valley of the Sun
Reader’s Digest: Don’t Make This Expensive Mistake On Your Next Cruise
Reader’s Digest: Carnival Cruise Line Is the First to Ban This Controversial Item on All Sailings
Reader’s Digest: How to Score a Cruise Upgrade—For Free!
Thrillist (my first byline for this outlet!): How Realistic Is ‘Doctor Odyssey’?
Business Insider: I frequently visit Las Vegas between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It’s one of the best times to experience The Strip.
Southern Living: I’ve Been Cruising For Over 25 Years, Here Are 22 Things You’ll Be Glad You Packed
Reader’s Digest: It’s Not Your Imagination: Flights Are Getting Longer—Here’s Why
Taste of Home: Why Are There So Many Food Recalls Right Now?
Reader’s Digest: Here’s How to Tell Which Side of the Car Your Gas Tank Is on—Without Getting Out
Business Insider: I spent $50,000 on my kitchen remodel. These 5 splurges were totally worth it — but I have one expensive regret.
US News & World Report: Bucket List Cruises for Seniors
Business Traveler: What Is It Like to Fly Singapore Airlines Business Class on the A350?
AARP: Don’t Make These Mistakes on Your Visa Application (my second story about getting denied entry into Vietnam)
Reader’s Digest: Don’t Miss This Black Friday Cruise Deal to Score 75% Off a Second Guest
Reader’s Digest: What Is the 5-4-3-2-1 Packing Method, and Why Do Travel Pros Swear by It?
The Points Guy: 10 hotels with Michelin-starred restaurants — and how to use points to pay for them
Southern Living: The 8 Best Cruise Itineraries That Sail Out Of Southern Ports
Reader’s Digest: Royal Caribbean Is Raising Its Gratuity Fee—Here’s What You Need to Know
Reader’s Digest: A Swiftie’s Guide to New Orleans: 12 Things to See and Do
Reader’s Digest: The First Thing You Should Do When You Board a Cruise
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
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
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!).
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 … the more, the merrier!
—— Current Editorial Needs ——
1. Yahoo: A Variety of Sponsored Gift Guides
Current open topics include:
Best Products for a Home Spa Experience (almost full)
Elevated Holiday Hostess Gifts (almost full)
Best Gifts for Travelers (almost full)
Best Gifts for Foodies (almost full)
Practical Gifts That Actually Improve Daily Life — think: home goods, gadgets, cozy things, etc. (almost full)
Best Gifts for Dudes — tech, golf stuff, spirits, outdoors, etc
Truly Beautiful Gifts for Her to Cherish — jewelry, fashion, beauty, home decor, rose-gold earbuds or smartwatch bands, journals, etc.
These guides are sponsored and priced very affordably since the total cost is split among a small group of brands. I have limited category slots—if you want info on fees, dates, and requirements, just say the word.
Subject line: Yahoo Gift Guide
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Email by: October 30th
2. Copper Courier: Best Dude Ranches in Arizona
Looking for all the best dude ranches offering guests really great experiences in Arizona
Subject line: Arizona Dude Ranch
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: October 31st
3. Eating Well: Heart-Health-focused Dietitians Needed
Looking for dietitians to weigh in on the best frozen foods for heart health
Please send credentials, not commentary … I’ll send specific interview questions if your client is chosen
Subject line: Heart Health Dietitian
Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com
Pitch by: October 31st