Every platform where writers are posting queries in 2024

I came away from last week’s panel on where to find open press opportunities in 2024 with a better sense of where writers are posting queries these days and where publicists can go to find them. Today, I’ll break down those findings in this handy alphabetical digest:

• Connectively.us: Cision’s rebranding makes this the “new home of HARO” (according to its marketing language). It has a new system that requires users to pay for pitches after an initial free set.

• Help a Reporter Out: HARO is currently in a state of transition amid the move to Connectively. Reporters may not be receiving emails to alert them when responses have come in, and there are fewer queries/users on the platform these days.

• Press Hook: Publicists can create and manage press kits and brand profiles on behalf of clients and use the AI-driven platform to connect with journalists in a streamlined way. (Free trial)

• Press Loft: Officially launching in the coming weeks in the US (and already among the top resources in the UK), this platform connects journalists with brands and PR agencies mostly in the home/lifestyle/gifting categories. It offers some cool features like image-enhancing tools that use AI to turn low-res images into high-res ones. And you can upload product images and information to specific image libraries that journalists can access 24/7. (Free trial)

• Presspulse.AI: This platform sources from HARO and Connectively (so far) and uses GPT-4 powered AI to aggregate relevant queries for a streamlined user interface meant to cut down on time/effort.

• Qwoted: Attractive features include read receipts and alerts for profile views as well as new queries that are relevant to souces’ expertise. It offers insight into pitches that have less competition and also aggregates public data related to industry events and awards.

• Rolli: Rolli is owned and operated by journalists, so it flips the script on the typical model. It vets all experts with an accuracy/journalism-first approach.

• Social media: Writers often call for pitches on social media, including on large industry Facebook groups including PR, Marketing and Media Czars as well as Sharing Opps.

• Substack: You already know my own press opportunities are in this very Substack! I also recommend following the Substacks of writers including Jill Schildhouse, Aly Walansky, Nicole Pajer, Zlata Faerman, and Cassandra Brooklyn.

Mother’s Day gift guide workshop (RSVP)

Everything you need to know about pitching Mother’s Day gift guides for 2024!
March 13, 2024 at 11 am PT/2 pm ET via Zoom

I’m once again teaming up with Aly Walansky on this session, so you’ll have a full two of Muck Rack’s 10 most popular freelance journalists of 2024 on board to answer all your questions!

(I last teamed up with Aly for an AMA Zoom session related to Valentine’s Day gift guides. That registration list reached capacity in just a few hours (!) and we had a great discussion with tons of actionable takeaways.)

The sign-up sheet for the Mother’s Day gift guide Zoom session is now open to anyone who is a paid subscriber of either of our newsletters. 🚨 Find the registration link in this post.

March consulting sessions

I’m going to make three spots available for March consulting sessions. Reach out if you’d like to set up a Zoom session on a pressing business question (or a general AMA).

Tools of the Trade

• 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.

Open press opportunities

• For Esquire, I’m working on a story rounding up great things to do in Las Vegas under $50. Hit me with your pitches and please include people-free photos as well as your explicit written permission that “we, along with other Hearst brands and our licensees, have your irrevocable permission to use” the imagery.

Recently published or updated

• Ahead of ‘White Lotus’ Season 3, Book These Luxurious Thailand Resorts Before the Reservation Rush (The Hollywood Reporter)

• 20 Best Passover Gifts for 2024, from Traditional to Fun (Woman’s Day)

• These 12 Accessories Are Travelers' Secrets to Getting Everything in a Carry-on — and They're on Sale From $7 (Travel + Leisure)

• Can You Eat Raw Green Beans? (Southern Living)

• Can You Eat Bay Leaves? (Southern Living)

• How I got $2,900 of expenses covered after the 737 MAX 9 grounding stranded me in Hawaii (The Points Guy)

• The 25 Best Hotels in Hawaii for Families of All Ages and Sizes (Elle Decor)

• After a Flight Cancellation Left Me Stuck for 4 Days, These Are the 12 Travel Essentials I'll Always Pack (Travel + Leisure)

• 10 Best Purim Gifts for Your Mishloach Manot This Year (Woman’s Day)

• What Is Purim? Everything to Know About the Jewish Holiday and How to Celebrate (Woman’s Day)

• 20 of the Best Las Vegas Hotels for Couples on and Off the Strip (Harper’s Bazaar)

• Stranded in Paradise: How the 737 MAX Grounding Left Us Stuck in Hawaii (Business Traveler)

• I’m a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 15 Best-selling Amazon Products Every Traveler Needs in 2024 (Travel + Leisure)

• Iconic Kona Village Resort Is Reborn as a Rosewood (The Hollywood Reporter)

• Obsessed With Staying In Bed? It Could Be Dysania (The Well)

• What Is It Like to Fly Fiji Airways Business Class from Los Angeles? (Business Traveler)

• One of my twins got sick right before a trip. I took the other twin, and we had an unexpected bonding time. (Business Insider)

• The 10 Best Essentials to Pack for Disneyland, Walt Disney World Resort and Other Warm-Weather Theme Parks (The Hollywood Reporter)

• The Best New York City Hotels for Families to Make Everyone Feel Right at Home (Town & Country)

• 20 of the Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Teens Who Are Hard to Impress (Country Living)

• I'm a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 14 Airplane Outfits to Wear to Get Upgraded to First Class — From $16 (Travel + Leisure)

• 16 Luxurious Florida Resorts That Take Relaxation to New Levels (Elle Decor)

• 12 Cozy Things to Pack If You're Always Freezing on Flights — Starting at $17 (Travel + Leisure)

• Is Real Estate Investing Still the Best Way to Build Wealth? Experts Say… (HomeLight)

• 8 Train Rides Around the World That Immerse You in Gorgeous Landscapes (AFAR)

• 32 of the Best Glamping Destinations Across the United States That Are Seriously Gorgeous (Country Living)

• 30 of the Best Places in London for Afternoon Tea (Town & Country)

• Tax Breaks for Buying a House: 13 Tax-Savings Opportunities You Might Be Able to Claim (HomeLight)

Open jobs

Job posts in this newsletter are free! Have an open opportunity you want me to promote? Share it with me at info@alicedubin.com.

• Small Girls PR has two open roles:

  • Director/Senior Director, Tech & Thought Leadership based in NYC. “We’re seeking someone with 7+ years of PR experience ideally within the B2B and B2C technology space with an expertise in thought leadership, media relations and ideating creative newsjacking ideas.” Apply here

  • Senior Director/Associate Vice President, open to NY or LA-based candidates. “We’re seeking someone with 8+ years of experience leading and developing integrated, creative earned media strategies ideally within the lifestyle and CPG space. Must have a strong understanding of trends and culture!” Apply here

• Destination Cleveland is hiring a director of out-of-market media relations. “Must be a solutions-oriented, strategic and creative thinker with keen attention to detail and a strong sense of urgency. They will set strategies and work with team members, contractors and agency partners to garner media coverage of Cleveland as a place to visit and host a meeting in trade, drive-market, national and international media outlets. Additionally, they will work with the VP, PR & Communications to manage the strategic development and implementation of a media relations effort that positions Cleveland as a place to live and work in national and international media outlets. This individual is accountable for developing and executing a strategic plan, developing direct reports and meeting or exceeding metrics-based goals.” 12-15 years PR experience. Salary: $95,000. Apply here.

Work with me

• I am always available for project-based consulting. Please reach out to discuss your needs: info@alicedubin.com.

• 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.

How to help

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• Donate to the Hawaii Community Foundation’s Maui Strong fund and the Maui Humane Society.

• Donate to the Anti-Defamation League to support the fight against hate.

• Donate to Moms Demand Action and Everytown.

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