Hello from LAX!

+ open press opportunities

I got my twins off to the bus stop this morning in blissfully uneventful fashion before heading to the airport for a work trip. (Hi from LAX, where I’m enjoying — and I mean really enjoying — my second cup of coffee!)

I’m off to Arizona for a press trip designed in a girls-trip-like format with my fellow Substackers and lifestyle journalists Aly Walansky and Jill Schildhouse. I’ve said it before (many times — and I’ll say it again: In an age when the media landscape is increasingly remote, freelance, and geographically diffuse — not to mention utterly chaotic and disheartening at times — it’s so important to stay connected with colleagues and collaborators. Relationships are the lifeblood of the work we do — and the source of so many great ideas and perspectives.

So this trip appeals to my senses of camaraderie, collaboration, and multitasking — not to mention my general fondness for the Four Seasons (IYKYK), spa, sunshine, and eating well. Will report back!

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.

Where to find open press opportunities right now

🚨 Here’s where to access the recording from my valuable workshop on where writers are posting their queries right now: All the best places to find open press opps in 2024.

HARO alternatives

HARO once cornered the market on connecting writers and PR pros; now Cision is in the process of rebranding the platform as Connectively. But there’s widespread confusion about where that transition stands — and opportunities are being lost in the gap. 

At the same time, various other existing and emerging platforms aim to grab market share by facilitating the same sort of connections effectively, including Qwoted, PressHook, PressPulse.AI, Rolli, and Substack. 

You already know my own press opportunities are in this very Substack! I’m also a partner for Press Loft, officially launching in the coming weeks in the US. The platform connects journalists with brands and PR agencies — primarily, but not exclusively, in the interior, home decor, and gifting categories. (It’s already among the top resources in the UK.) 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. Check it out with a free trial — I’d love to hear your feedback.

I’m also an affiliate partner for Press Hook, where 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. You can give it a try with a 14-day free trial — and if you use it, let me know what you think.

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 Southern Living, I’m working on a story that will answer: Can you eat lemon peels? I would love to get a voice in here, ideally a Southern chef or perhaps a bartender.

• Still open: For the beautiful travel trade magazine The Compass, I’m working on a feature story about how to start selling adventure travel geared toward travel advisors. The service piece is meant to help agents break into this niche. The piece will cover 1) how to learn more about this niche; 2) where advisors can find the business; and 3) what advisors should keep in mind when selling this type of travel (with tips from suppliers/brands). To that end, I’m looking for travel advisors, relevant brands, suppliers, tourism board reps, etc. to offer expert comments on these ideas.

• Still open: 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 Esquire, “along with other Hearst brands and licensees, have your irrevocable permission to use” the imagery.

Recently published or updated

• 18 Best Kids’ Purim Costume Ideas of 2024 Woman’s Day)

• Wasabi: Why It’s So Uniquely Spicy (The Well)

• A flight cancellation stranded my family for days — and it was the best vacation we've had in years (Business Insider)

• 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

• Donate to the International Committee of the Red Cross and Save the Children.

• 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.

• Donate to Planned Parenthood.