But that's NOT how it works though!

Yesterday, I received this email via the contact form on my professional website:

Hey!
I have a question. In what capacity do you work with [MAJOR NATIONAL OUTLET]? Do you do freelance writing based on news pitches, and they pay you or do you ask for money from clients with the possibility of them getting placement? I run a PR firm and have an excellent client that I would like to get on [THIS OUTLET], and you came up as a person I should speak with.
Looking forward to hearing back.

This email dropped my jaw. In what world would an actual owner of a public relations firm think this is how it works? Has the influencer marketplace so changed the landscape that an actual PR professional could be this confused about journalistic writing?

TL;DR: nope nope nope.

Now, with that out of the way… have a great weekend! New pitch calls below.

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 Travel + Leisure, I’m working a on roundup of the best breathable shoes for summer. This will mainly be sneakers or other shoes you can do summer activities in (with a function similar to sneakers).

• For the same story in Travel + Leisure, I’m looking for expert commentary about breathable shoes for summer travel. This will ideally include a podiatrist, but I’m open to pitches with the ride bona fides to speak on this topic.

• For Town & Country, I’m working on a roundup of great places for afternoon tea. in London. (This is shaping up to be a new beat for me and I am here for it!) I’m looking for images showing the tea and/or venue at the following:

  Mandarin Oriental

  The Shard
  Harrod’s Tea Room

  Intercontnental Park Lane

  Langham

  Bulgari Hotel

  Holy Carrot
  Covent Garden Hotel

  Pan Pacific London

  The Bloomsbury

  The Wolseley
  The Savoy

  Rosewood London

  Open to additional suggestions as well. Please pitch along with basic information as well as a photo (showing the food or the venue).

Recently published or updated

• 10 Best Cooling Pajamas for Women to Keep You Comfortable (Woman’s Day)

• Flying the Delta One Suite on the New Airbus A330neo from London to Los Angeles (Business Traveler)

• I visited London for King Charles III's coronation and scoured the city for all the fun, kitschy souvenirs I could find (Insider)

• 5 Lessons Event Profs Can Learn From Upper-Class Airline Service (BizBash)

• The Best Graduation Gifts to Celebrate Huge Milestones at Every Age (Parents)

• Want a Relaxing Alternative to a California Road Trip? Hop on a Train. (AFAR)

• 8 gorgeous luxury hotels that start under $150 a night, from a Bali jungle mansion with 5 pools for $86 to a castle-like villa in Italy for $137 (Insider)

• The Ultimate Packing List for Flying With Kids (Travel + Leisure — digital and digital issue)

• 9 eco-friendly things you can do on any vacation that sustainable-travel experts say add up to make a big difference (Insider)

• 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)

• 8 Parent-loved Water Shoes That Are Comfortable, Durable, and Under $30 (Travel + Leisure)
  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)

• 20 Appropriate Bar Mitzvah Gifts He's Sure to Cherish (Woman’s Day)

• 20 Best Bat Mitzvah Gifts to Honor Her Major Milestone (Woman’s Day)

• These Rent-to-Own Homes Programs to Help You Get Into That House (HomeLight)

• 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.

FACTEUR PR is hiring for two positions as follows:

• Assistant Account Executive, full-time, remote, must be Miami/South FL based. Job provides essential support for outreach efforts on behalf of lifestyle clients. Day-to-day support to the team in the planning, development, and execution of public relations campaigns, including across media relations, influencer relations, partnerships, and events. The successful candidate will be a self-starter with the ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize work while delivering under tight deadlines and achieving success for our clients. Learn more and apply here.

• Assistant Manager, Brand & Influencer Partnerships, responsible for securing, managing, and measuring strategic relationships for clients across influencer and talent relations and special events, which will help elevate their brand awareness and ultimately attract new clients and customers. The role will require an integrated approach across public relations, social media, and marketing, working closely with internal team and clients. Learn more and apply here.

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.