Happy Halloween! Are we team Candy Corn or no? Always such a big debate!
Sourcing for a big cover story + a few others this week PLUS if you send out product samples to journalists you'll definitely want to tune in
Hi all. Happy Halloween!
Coming in hot this week with a big cover story that I’m going to need a lot of sources on as well as a few other stories I’m working on— so stay tuned.
But first, I wanted to say a big thank you to those who attended the Top Tier Consulting Press Sampler Workshop.
Did you miss our press mailer workshop? No worries. The recording is now available
This is one I’ve been wanting to do for a while and so happy it finally came together. We took the best advice from our fellow colleagues and covered all things press samplers touching on:
What to include in a press mailer
What writers often receive in press mailers that will end up donated or in the trash (translation - likely not providing much ROI for your client)
A checklist to run through before sending out a press sample
How to find the right writers to send press samplers to and which writers to avoid
How to handle following up once you send a press sample — and why it’s a huge missed opportunity if you don’t
When to follow up after sending a press sample
How to handle press samples for limited batch/pricey items
Why you should never send surprise packages to writers
Questions you should ask a writer before sending out a product sample
The one thing to always include in addition to the product that people surprisingly often leave out
Is it better for a product sample to come directly from a warehouse or from the publicist?
Does the packaging need to be fancy for a cool unboxing experience?
Ideas for accessories/additional brands to include alongside your client’s product
Press sampler bloopers writers often see
Some ideas for ways to coordinate press boxes for maximum ROI
Best practices for restaurant deliveries
What makes a writer want to post a product they received on social media
Timing of sending press samplers
And more
If you missed it, you can still catch the recording, which we can email out to you to watch on your own time.
Rate: $39 Paid TTC Substack Subscribers; $99 Free TTC Subscribers
(you can always upgrade for the discount AND it’ll give you access to our weekly paid posts and monthly Top Tier Talks, too).
Interested? Email info@toptierconsulting.net
Also don’t forget to read our free post from last week that is still sadly very timely
FREE POST: 9 Steps for Handling Media Outreach During a Tragedy (and How to Educate Clients)
Saw this meme and it reminded me of the chaos that is holiday gift guide pitching season. :-) If you haven’t read this yet, here are some resources to check out to help you along the way:
Pitching Holiday Gift Guides? Here’s Everything You Need to Know:
Get Your Copy of the Recording from Our Popular Christmas in July Affiliate Marketing Workshop
Holiday Gift Guide Workshop Recording Now Available!
What NOT to Pitch in a Holiday Gift Guide
Holiday Pitching Pro Tips Part 2! Everything you REALLY want to know about pitching gift guides.
How to Work Your Sources into Articles Around the Holidays
How to Make YOUR Product Stand Out From ALL the Other Product Pitches In a Writer's Inbox
OK onto sourcing for this week. Here’s what I need:
AARP Magazine
I’m working on a story that tackles common health Q&As and looking for experts to weigh in on the following scenarios that someone who lives alone might find themselves in and tips on how to navigate them. NOTE: I cannot mention supplements or products attached to sources for this. Need a source to advise on each of these (bonus points for mentions of studies I can reference here):
You’ve fallen and really truly can’t get up
You think you might be having a heart attack
Something in the garden bit you and you are having a BAD reaction
You’re doing stuff outdoors on a hot day and suddenly feel like passing out
You’re coughing like mad and you think you have COVID
A huge pain has suddenly erupted in your gut
You suddenly break out in hives and can’t breathe after a meal
You just got zapped by a whole lot of electricity
You’ve cut yourself deeply while slicing veggies
Something just ricocheted hard into your eye
You’re shoveling snow and suddenly you’re having bad chest pains.
You just got a flu vaccine and your throat is closing up and your heart is beating fast.
You just got a new prescription and you’re having a terrible reaction
You’re suddenly struck by a wave of vertigo so bad you can barely get to your feet.
Your left arm is tingling and you’ve lost your peripheral vision. Is it a stroke?
You’ve burned yourself with scalding water
SHONDALAND
The Little Ways People are Supporting Impacted Communities. Looking to connect with experts, organizations, or even local heroes and see what they are doing their part to help local communities. Ideally looking to feature small, grassroots supporters who are helping in these types of ways (open to other ideas here too):
Banned books? Like people who host or make those little libraries where people can drop off and pick up books?
Giving women (or whoever) rides across borders if and when they need reproductive care they can't get in their states
Helping to register people to vote or get people to the polls in underrepresented or gerrymandered districts
helping trans or LGBTQ youth or other members who need care, legal advice, employment, etc.
GREAT PET CARE
Looking for a few veterinarians to weigh in with their thoughts on Wisdom Air-Dried dog food formulas
Please email NCPajer@gmail.com with any leads and a relevant subject line.
NOTE: I will read your email but my inbox is craaaaaazy these days so I definitely won’t be able to email back to everyone. Just know that your submission will definitely be considered and is super appreciated.
P.S. If anyone has any tips on getting through the swaddle transition send them my way. Our 3 month old started rolling onto his side and that means no more swaddling for him. He is not a fan of the no more swaddle situation and that means sleep in the Pajer house is oh but a dream. I cannot drink enough matcha lattes these days. :-) Loving every minute of it though.
ox
Nicole
I may be the lone candy corn fan here! May have an idea for your Shondaland needs, will reach out tomorrow! Happy Halloween....
Happy Halloween! I'm also team no candy corn, but bring on allll the Reese's!