Here's how to get all the must-have HGG pitching intel from our sold-out workshop

It always bums us out that we have to cap our most popular Zoom sessions at 100 participants. And we received so many emails over the last couple days from subscribers disappointed to miss signing up for next week’s holiday gift guide pitching workshop after it sold out in two hours.

So my co-hosts Aly Walansky and Jill Schildhouse and I put our heads together to come up with a more inclusive solution.

We’ve decided we will be recording the session after all, and we will be sharing that recording with all paid subscribers afterwards.

So even if you can’t join us live, you’ll still get all the essential info you need to make this pitching season a massive success. Upgrade your subscription now to make sure you get access to the content as soon as it rolls out. (And thanks as always for your support!)

Related reading

I want to thank everyone for such incredible feedback on my post with my top tips for pitching holiday gift guides. Feedback like…

“Best thing I’ve seen all week! After 20 years, I like to think I do most of these things, but I learned something new today and that always excites me.”

“Fantastic tips. Thanks for assembling and making it so simple to understand.”

I hope it helps you land tons of excellent placements this year. Read the post here: 6 things you need to know before sending that HGG pitch into the void

Tools of the trade

• My professional guru Jennifer Goforth Gregory has launched a course that I consider essential continuing ed right now: “Improve Your Productivity With AI Tools.” The course is 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 learned so much from it. 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 me). Sign up for the course here. And if you take it, do tell me what you think!

• 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

• STILL OPEN: Recently, I called for pitches for an Elle Decor story covering Florida resorts. Since that call for pitches, the focus of the story has changed. Now the story will cover all-inclusive Florida resorts appropriate for the Elle Decor reader. So I’m looking for new pitches with this narrower focus. (Resorts with all-inclusive package options are OK too, as may be others that stretch the definition somewhat.) Please include photos with all pitches. (And, if you already pitched a property without noting anything about its inclusions, kindly send me another note, ideally on the original thread, highlighting any inclusive packages the resort offers.) Thanks for pivoting with me here!
  Specifically looking for photos from the following resorts (please share with colleagues who might be able to help):
  Ocean Key Resort & Spa

  LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort

  JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort 

  Pritikin Longevity Center + Spa

  Henderson Park Inn: Destin

  Costa d'Este Beach Resort & Spa

  Ponte Vedra Inn & Club

  Bilmar Beach Resort

  Gaylord Palms

  Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa

  Westgate lakes resort

  The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and/or Sarasota

  Orlando World Center Marriott

  Pier House in Key West

  Hilton Sandestin Beach,

  Beachcomber Resort and Villas

  Legoland Resort Orlando

  South Seas Island Resort

  Omni Amelia island

Recently published or updated

• 6 Rosh Hashana Traditions and the Meanings Behind Them (Country Living)

• Flying British Airways from London to Los Angeles in Club World (Business Traveler)

• Appropriate Greetings for Yom Kippur, the Holiest Day in Judaism (Good Housekeeping)

• 21 Best Rosh Hashana Gifts (Good Housekeeping)

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

• 17 Best V-Neck T-Shirts for Women to Wear All Year Long (Woman’s Day)

• The Best Apple Watch Bands for Styling Your Right-Hand Tech Tool (The Hollywood Reporter)

• 42 of the Best Restaurants for Birthday Dinners in NYC (Town & Country)

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

• The 12 Best Waterproof Mascaras of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

• Ten Hollywood-Famous Airbnbs for Experiencing Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows in Real Life (The Hollywood Reporter)

• 8 Best Sunglasses Cases of 2023 (Travel + Leisure)

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

• 25 Best Crossbody Bags You Can Wear Every Day and With Any Outfit (Woman’s Day)

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

• 25 Best Girls' Trip Ideas for an Unforgettable Getaway With Your Friends (Woman’s Day)

• 15 Breezy Summer Clothes That Will Keep You Cool and Comfy on Your Next Trip — All Under $40 (Travel + Leisure)

• The 15 Best Breathable Shoes for Summer (Travel + Leisure)

• The Best Luggage on Amazon for All Your Travel Needs (Woman’s Day)

• The Best Conditioners for Kids for All Hair Types (Verywell Family)

• The Best Balance Bikes for Kids Ready to Zoom Off on Two Wheels (Parents)

• 40 of the Best Michelin-Starred Restaurants in NYC (Town & Country)

• 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)

• 11 One-and-done Travel Dresses Under $50 That Will Make Any Mom Feel Comfortable and Stylish (Travel + Leisure)

• 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.

• Quinn PR is hiring an account executive in a commutable distance to New York City. The ideal candidate will have two+ years of PR agency experience working on travel brands and must demonstrate they have current and relevant media relationships. Candidates can learn more and apply here.

• PKPR is looking for an account coordinator to join its NYC team for a hybrid role (three days in office, two remote). Applicants should be highly organized, creative, and have one year of PR experience. For more information on the position and to submit a resume, please contact helena@pkpr.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

• 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.