New year, new stories

Shout out to all the working parents who never get a restful break over the weekend, but instead spend it hustling to sports and birthday parties, taking little feet in and out of shoes and socks (I didn’t know how much of parenting would be about shoes and socks), and generally doing the behind-the-scenes hard work involved with raising good humans. I see you!

Also, shana tova to all who observe! This is the Jewish new year, and I love the symbolism of a fresh start. But no matter your faith or traditions, any day is a good day to reflect on what no longer serves you, let it wash away, and commit to being the best version of yourself in the days to come.

Holiday gift guide season

• Do NOT send an HGG pitch without these 5 details writers require

• Literally everything you need to know about pitching HGGs in 2023 is in here

• 6 things you need to know before sending that HGG pitch into the void

• 75+ of your biggest HGG pitching questions — answered

Tools of the trade

• If your pitches are being met with crickets — over and over again — and you are at the end of your darn rope, this one’s for you: The Pitch Lab is a membership program that teaches PR pros the ins and outs of offering public relations as a service to their clients, and provides tons of time-saving resources that seriously drive results (so you can keep collecting that cheddar). Check out the "Crickets to Crushing It" training and see if it just might transform your business. If you give it a try, I’d love to hear about your results!

• 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.

• 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 Woman’s Day, I’m working on a story about the best Christmas party outfits. All picks must be available at the major players like Amazon, national department stores, big box stores, etc.

• For Town & Country, I’m working on a roundup of the best hotels in NYC for families. Along with your pitches, please include photos.

Recently published or updated

• 31 Best Gifts and Toys for 9-Year-Olds in 2023 (Woman’s Day)

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

• 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 coordinator in the Miami, Forida area. The ideal candidate will have some PR agency experience (not required) and an interest in working on travel, FWS, and luxury brands. Candidates can 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

• 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.