Essential continuing ed for the AI era
Happy Monday! I’m feeling much better now after a spring cold came out of nowhere and briefly sidelined me last week. Kicking the last of this congestion and getting excited to hop across the pond on Thursday for King Charles III’s coronation.
Yes, I already have a fascinator packed in my carry-on (which my husband uncharitably likened to that time Clark made all the Griswolds wear berets in National Lampoons European Vacation so they wouldn’t look like tourists in France — whatever, dude, let me have this).
Today is an unexpectedly rainy day in Los Angeles (a place where it apparently rains now?), and I’m feeling good and focused as I dig into today's writing. I’m also calling for pitches for a new story today and have a number of recently published stories to share.
But first, I’d like to recommend a course that I consider essential learning for media in the AI era: Jennifer Goforth Gregory’s “Improve Your Productivity With AI Tools.”
Even though I’ve never met her, I consider the content marketing writer/strategist Gregory to be my professional guru, because her plainspoken book and blog turbo-charged my path to career confidence and high earnings after my layoff. (There’s no overstating that — I am so grateful I discovered her corner of the internet, and I proselytize.)
She recently launched a course geared toward not only understanding the fundamentals of AI for business writing but also knowing how to use it to actually make your job easier. You also get access to a live monthly Q&A so I consider this a great bargain at $125 (and it’s a write-off, to boot).
I bought this class pretty much immediately after she launched it and have learned so much from it already. It’s really not daunting — just a straightforward tool, broken up into easily digestible short sessions, with learnings you can implement right away. And it’s even kinda fun, too (if you’re a digital media nerd, like I proudly am). Sign up for the course here. And if you take it, do tell me what you think!
Tools of the trade
Is anyone using Press Hook yet? If you haven’t heard of it, it’s designed as a platform to connect journalists looking for story sources with brands who want to showcase their products and experts. It also offers a suite of helpful workflow tools. Journalists can search by product and category, and participating brands get exposure and affiliate opportunities — so it’s designed as a win-win for everyone (in the same vein as this Substack). Give it a try — right now there’s a 14-day free trial available — and let me know what you think.
Freshbooks is the bookkeeping tool I use exclusively for my invoicing, expenses, and reporting. It’s the best, IMHO, so I evangelize. Get FreshBooks here.
Are you a publicist who needs help understanding the affiliate game? This course, Affiliate Marketing for Publicists, can help.
I’m obsessed with the game-changing platform Otter.ai. I use it to both record interviews and also to transcribe them in real time. You can also use it to record/transcribe any type of meeting — so anyone who missed it can easily access the Cliff’s Notes version. There’s a pro plan for agencies/companies with a ton of neat features. Check out Otter.ai here.
My TV reporter and PR agency owner friend Christina Nicholson (who hosted me on her podcast ) hosts a 3-day program for pitching media. Once a seasonal event, she’s now made it available on-demand. You get the masterclass, a personal branding workbook, and a fill-in-the-blanks pitch template — all for $37. It’s a steal, so don’t let it pass you by.
Open press opportunities
For Parents, I’m working on a roundup of best graduation gifts — this includes graduations at all stages from preschool on up through college.
For Travel + Leisure, I still have pitch submissions open for the best lightweight jackets for women and men.
Recently published or updated
I Travel for a Living, and These Are the 8 Flattering Swimsuits I Rotate Between for All of My Trips (Travel + Leisure)
The Best Sex Education Books for Kids of All Ages (And Their Parents!) (Parents)
The 14 Best Leggings With Pockets of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)
11 Best Pairs of Linen Pants for Summer Travel, Work, and Lounging (Woman’s Day)
The Best Summer Clothes on Amazon for Affordable, Comfortable Style Staples (Woman’s Day)
Want a Relaxing Alternative to a California Road Trip? Hop on a Train. (AFAR)
The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids (Travel + Leisure — digital and digital issue)
Samsonite Luggage, Flight Attendant-loved Packing Cubes, and More Are Almost 80% Off at Amazon This Weekend (Travel + Leisure)
50 Best Gifts for the Mom Who Has Everything (Woman’s Day)
The Ultimate Packing List for Long-haul Flights (Travel + Leisure)
11 One-and-done Travel Dresses Under $50 That Will Make Any Mom Feel Comfortable and Stylish (Travel + Leisure)
The 13 Best Cashmere Sweaters of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)
5 Scooter Suitcases Loved by Parents and Kids — All Under $150 (Travel + Leisure)
Saatva’s *affordable* foam mattress topper totally transformed my years-old mattress (Real Homes)
31 Best Dresses on Amazon to Wear This Spring and Summer (Woman’s Day)
The 12 Best Keratosis Pilaris Treatments, According to Dermatologists (Prevention)
The 20 Best Luxury Travel Accessories of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)
38 of the Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World (Town & Country)
The Best Things to Do in Los Angeles (Esquire)
The Best Things to Do in Las Vegas (Esquire)
23 of the best places to travel to around the world in 2023 (Insider)
Open jobs
Job posts in this newsletter are now free! Have an open opportunity you want me to promote? Share it with me at info@alicedubin.com.
Blaze is hiring for a hybrid account executive position in either Santa Barbara or Santa Monica. The ideal candidate will have three years of PR agency experience working on consumer packaged goods and lifestyle brands and must demonstrate they have current and relevant media relationships. Candidates can learn more and apply here.
Havas Formula is seeking a San Diego-based account executive/senior account executive. Hybrid (two days in office per week). Candidates should have 3 to 4 years’ experience in PR, influencer marketing, and social media. Team is looking for “a strong storyteller with the ability to articulate brand narrative. Must be self-motivated, collaborative and results driven. Solid and growing presentation skills. Can foster media relationships to ensure brand/client coverage, all while providing top-notch client service.” Learn more and apply here.
Wholesome PR is “seeking a passionate PR pro to join its team, providing PR support to brands that produce high-quality products, primarily in the food and CPG space. The ideal candidate is a self-starter PR practitioner who has their finger on the pulse of media in the food/CPG space, is a creative and strategic thinker, and is an excellent writer. The position would entail pitching media and coordinating influencer campaigns and all tasks related.” You can learn more here. Please share a bit about yourself in a cover letter when you apply to Jennifer@wholesomepr.com.
Work with me
Here’s how to pitch: Simply respond to this email with a new subject line or pitch me at pitch@alicedubin.com.
Are you a writer hoping to reach my engaged list of publicists? A publicist hoping to connect with brands? A digital media type with a product or service for the industry? Maybe you’d like to sponsor this newsletter with a featured ad. Let’s chat: info@alicedubin.com.
Yes — thanks for asking! — I am also available for project-based consulting.
How to help
Help with the relief efforts following the earthquake in Turkey and Syria. Donate to Unicef or Save the Children.
Donate to the Anti-Defamation League to support the fight against hate.
Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.
Donate to keep the Kyiv Independent going and keep Ukraine’s media going.
Donate to Planned Parenthood.