Hi again, friends :) Every year around mid-October I find myself totally overwhelmed with holiday content (I know every other staff member and FT freelancer is as well). That means I have something like a bajillion stories to write in the next 21 days or so and I need your help with pitches to get ‘em all squared away.
There are some things I do want to say ahead of time, though. I’m not just looking for *any* filler here. The products I mention in my stories really do have to be the best, most swoon-worthy and sought-after items for audiences. I’m talking about things with bonkers-level excellent reviews, bestsellers, under-the-radar game-changing widgets, price category winners and more. Please, for the love of everything special and holy, don’t pitch with the words “I know you need to fill up your guide, can you squeeze my client in?”
These guides are genuine services to the readers (I take them seriously anyway). They’re not designed to service PR agencies—happy PR folks are just a delightful byproduct of a well-written and received story.
Now, let’s get to all those stories!
Please remember ALL PITCHES must be affiliate-friendly either through a major .com retailer, Amazon (500+ ratings) or a skimlinks-ready DTC site. As always, bonus points for brands that are great about social media shares on positive press!
Reader’s Digest: Rounding up the best gifts for couples that they can use TOGETHER. Please don’t make this an X-rated pitch fest. I swear to you I’m not going to put your OnlyFans account in this guide. Like, what would you give your married best friends? Partnered up parents? Your adult kiddo and his/her significant other? bryce@theluxuryspot.com
Reader’s Digest: Best family christmas and hanukkah pajamas the whole family can wear together (rushing this one!). Again, please see affiliate guidelines. Yes, must be available in baby through adult sizes. Not every set needs to be totally holiday-ish, but winter-themes and colors are always a win! bryce@theluxuryspot.com
Reader’s Digest: Best gifts for tween boys. Ideally everything should be under $250, please. Realistic budgets always win! bryce@theluxuryspot.com
Recently published:
Everyone still loves loungewear sets, ya know? Wearing one now. I look and feel like a whole rusty pumpkin. #blessed
Game-changing shoe storage ideas for people like me who simply don’t have enough hallway closet space.
Doin’ the Lord’s work by breaking down the shopping experiences at Lowe’s vs Home Depot. TL;DR: this was a complicated piece to write and it boils down to your specific DIY needs.
Jobs:
As always, send me your relevant media world job listings. I just ask that you give this newsletter first crack at the distribution! They’re free, I don’t make a penny from ‘em and this is totally a good karma project.
The Sun is expanding in the US and needs a consumer reporter in a hybrid role. You’d need to be at the NewsCorp offices a couple of times each week max.
Musings:
First and foremost, I think I’m ready to chop my hair like 6 inches bc it’s super long and I’m ready for a change. If you live/work near the Hudson Valley and have a place you personally love that’s great with somewhat textured hair, holler. Open to suggestions (and possibly the city, but I only go in like 1x a month at this point bc publishers no longer require staff in office for the most part). Ready for something new and totally ready to throw my cash at shoulder-length hair.
Web-related question/help. Really excited to launch Extra Good in the next few days, but I’m thinking about a more user-friendly experience for that newsletter. I mean, the media world-only newsletter you’re reading right now has oodles of followers, but I’d love to grow Extra Good into being fun and giant for all sorts of people to read. Have lofty goals of 50k subs in the next few months (already hit 1k without any content yet bc YOU guys are amazing). So, that said, I bought ExtraGood.life so we can send the newsletter from a parked domain that has the content live on/have SEO value. Now I need someone to help me design the page + integrate. Soooo, who does lowkey web design as a side hustle? I need to be someone’s customer. Super simple project!
Shared this on Linkedin a few days ago, but sharing it here bc my whole yard is currently full flames and I can’t love it enough:
That’s it for today! More info, gems, stats and research coming to the Affiliate Tribe subscribers tomorrow. Hope you’re all out there enjoying the crisp air if you’re up north <3
Hi Bryce. Wow! That tree is amazing! How wonderful that's what your front yard looks like! Enjoy! (btw, who's going to blow/rake/bag all those leaves once they're down? Oy!) Actually reaching out to ask if you'd share name/contact info when you find an awesome web designer to work with on ExtraGood. I'd like to become their client too. Thanks so very much in advance. Best/GeriR
Hi Bryce! Love the photo-- I LOVE fall! I also just sent you great family jammies :)