Sources Needed + A Reminder That Writers Don't Have Your Client Rosters Memorized

Well hello, everyone, and happy August!

Our little escape to Indiana last week was lovely … especially the weather! What a treat to be able to go outside without my face catching fire. Being back in AZ is no fun, although we have had a couple exciting monsoons (and much-needed rain).

I have 2 weeks until I head back to Europe for my second visit this summer. If you rep any restaurants in Venice, please let me know … we’ll have a little free time there before joining our cruise. Same with Athens, if you rep any restaurants there we should check out for our post-cruise stay!

PS: My goal in Venice is to run into the woman who calls out all the pickpockets … she’s AMAZING and I’m dying to see her in action (though hopefully not b/c someone’s hand is in my purse). Not all heroes wear capes! If you haven’t gone down this particular rabbit hole on Tiktok, here’s a good place to start (there are dozens of videos, including one that finally shows her face!):

@skynews'Attenzione pickpocket' #MonicaPoli is a Lega Nord councillor in #Venice and a 30-year member of the 'Cittadini non distratti', or 'undistracted citizens' group. Her videos calling out suspected #pickpockets in the city have gone #viral '#AttenzionePickpocket'

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I received an email yesterday that is a great example of the wrong way to try and help a journalist … it was well-meaning for sure, but I can’t imagine she gets much in the way of results from this passive approach:

Hi Jill,

Hope you had a great weekend! Wanted to quickly check in to see if there’s anything you’re working on I can help with?

Happy to send over any relevant options for you to consider and/or anything else you need.

LMK x

Hmmm … how would I know if there’s anything this publicist could possibly help me with? She seems to think I know her entire client roster like the back of my hand (as if I don’t receive 400+ pitches a day from 400+ publicists) … so, the only way I could figure out who her clients are was to go back through old emails to read her old pitches. Do you know how many writers would ever bother to do that? Less than 5% … I only did it for Substack research purposes.

Instead of reminding me who she reps so I can see if there’s an immediate fit (or even just naming the industries!), she put the onus on me to figure it out and get back to her … that’s just not realistic. I don’t need more “homework” on my plate.

Please always make it EASY for a journalist to respond to you! Otherwise, we probably won’t.

Ok, I’m working on a few articles I need sources for … and please check my recently published links section for TONS of new articles!

Have a great week,

Jill

PS: Did you see my FREE Top Tier Consulting post last week? I answered a lot of common PR questions, so check it out! Oh, and isn’t it time you signed up? That way, you’ll get all future ones (including this week’s part 2) right in your inbox!

FREE POST: Part 1 of All Your Questions Answered (aka, July's Top Tier Talk)

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Yes, most publications require affiliate marketing for inclusion these days. Publicist Sarah Karger created a course called Ultimate Masterclass and Introduction to Affiliate Marketing for Publicists and it’ll answer ALL of your questions!

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

• Reader’s Digest: Beis Carry-On Review

• Reader’s Digest: I Never Travel Without The Away Bigger Carry-On Suitcase—Here’s Why

• USA Today: This Outdoor Recliner Is Made for Lounging and I Can’t Keep My Family Out of It (my mom is the model!)

• Southern Living: How to Cook Rice

• Taste of Home: This is What the Numbers On Your Fruit Stickers Tell You About Your Produce

• Taste of Home: How to Make Shrimp Ceviche

• Taste of Home: How to Make French Onion Pork Chops

• Taste of Home: How to Wash Potatoes

• Reader’s Digest: 12 Best Caribbean Islands (you can read about my trip to Bonaire here!)

• Reader’s Digest: 16 Unexpected Things I Never Board a Cruise Ship Without (I got SO many of you in here!)

• Southern Living: Can You Eat Watermelon Seeds?

• Travel Market Report (my debut!): 8 Considerations for Booking a Small vs. Large Ship Alaskan Cruise

• Parade (my debut!): 10 Biggest Wedding Food Trends of 2023

• USA Today: Patio Essentials to Buy on Amazon Right Now

• Taste of Home: What is the Right Internal Temperature for Pork Chops?

• Travel + Leisure: 8 Best Portable Monitors

• Southern Living: Do You Really Need to Boil Your Wooden Spoons to Clean Them?

• Reader’s Digest: The Best Cruise Cabin for Every Type of Need

• U.S. News & World Report: What to Do in Kauai

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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—— Current Editorial Needs ——

 1. Outside: Tuna/Fish Expert and/or Unaffiliated Registered Dietitian

• This article will look at tuna from a health perspective … how much is too much in one’s diet? What types are healthiest and most eco-friendly? How do you decode tuna can labels?

• Please send credentials, not commentary. Due to new policies from my outlets regarding AI, I no longer accept unsolicited responses because I won’t know if they are plagiarized.

• Subject line: Tuna Expert

• Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

• Pitch by: EOD Thursday, August 3

 2. Franklin Prosperity Report: Tipping Etiquette Expert Needed

• This article will explore tipping culture: what’s necessary and what’s not in this day and age

• Please send credentials, not commentary. Due to new policies from my outlets regarding AI, I no longer accept unsolicited responses.

• Subject line: Tipping Expert

• Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

• Pitch by: EOD Friday August 4

3. Taste of Home: Chefs Needed With Expertise in Rice

• Need 2-3 chefs to discuss various ways to make white rice taste better

• Please send credentials, not commentary. Due to new policies from my outlets regarding AI, I no longer accept unsolicited responses.

• Subject line: Rice Chef

• Email: JillSchildhouse@gmail.com

• Pitch by: EOD Tomorrow (Wednesday)

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