I'm one of Muck Rack's 10 most popular freelance journalists!

Breaking editorial layoff news at Business Insider and new PR jobs.

I woke up to the news that I made Muck Rack’s list of the most popular freelance journalists for 2024!

“Freelance writers have always been an underpinning of the journalism industry,” as Muck Rack writes. “In today’s era of media layoffs and shrinking staff, more and more journalists are making the switch. Many on this list cover topics like culture, food and travel, which paints a pretty idyllic picture of life as a freelancer.”

That’s all accurate. And I’m proud of this acknowledgment, which comes just about four years after I started my full-time freelance writing business following my own devastating layoff.

Alas, today brings more painful editorial layoff news that hits close to home: Business Insider is laying off 8 percent of its staff (following the announcement of a 10 percent cut last year).

This time, my longtime editor is among the casualties. We worked together on many exciting projects over these last four years, and I’ll miss the working relationship I highly valued.

Related reading:

• Do this one thing literally TODAY in response to the editorial layoffs.

• 6 Takeaways for Publicists Amid Heavy Media Layoffs

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.

• Jennifer Goforth Gregory 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. Sign up for the course here.

• 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.

Recently published or updated

• 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)

• 26 Perfect Valentine's Gifts for a Pregnant Wife (or Any Pregnant Person in Your Life) (Woman’s Day)

• 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)

• Amazon Is Keeping the Long Weekend Celebrations Going With Up to 58% Off Comfy Sneakers and Cozy Winter Boots (Travel + Leisure)

• 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)

• 32 Valentine's Day Gifts for Your Wife That Show You Really See Her (Woman’s Day)

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

• I’m a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 12 Travel Essentials I’m Eyeing From Amazon for the Holidays (Travel + Leisure)

• 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)

• I’m a Frequent Flier, and I'll Be Living in These 12 Warm and Comfy Travel Outfits This Winter (Travel + Leisure)

• 13 Best Clothing Subscription Boxes to Refresh Your Wardrobe (Woman’s Day)

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

• I’m a Frequent Flier, and These Are the 16 Cyber Monday Deals I've Been Waiting to Buy All Year (Travel + Leisure)

• MadeRight CA’s Venice Sofa Review: American Sofa Made-to-Order and Built-to-Last (Living Cozy)

• The Best Luxury Gifts to Splurge on for Your Loved Ones in 2023 (Woman’s Day)

• 15 Genius Amazon Products That Make Holiday Travel So Much Easier — From Just $8 (Travel + Leisure)

• 20 Festive Nail Designs to Try for Hanukkah (Good Housekeeping)

• Alo’s Epic Sitewide Sale Has Deals Up to 70% Off — and We’re Eyeing These Comfy, Celeb-loved Sneakers (Travel + Leisure)

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

• 28 Best Gifts for 10-Year-Olds in 2023 (Woman’s Day)

• These 12 Crossbody Bags Help Prevent Pickpocketing (Travel + Leisure)

• 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)

• 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)

• 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)

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

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• 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)

Open press opportunities

• For Southern Living, I’m working on a pair of service-driven food stories: can you eat bay leaves, and can you eat raw green beans? Happy to include comments on either (or both) of these from a relevant expert — chef, nutritionist, etc.

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.

• 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 American Friends of Magen David Adom, 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.