Can we meet next week?
Time is ticking on your flash consulting meeting! I'm also sourcing for upcoming stories.
Hi friends!
I hope you all had a relaxing, adventurous, or however-you-wanted-it Memorial Day weekend. I spent a few days on my first-ever bikepacking trip from Rochester to Niagara Falls.
I’ve never felt so challenged or so accomplished enduring this 106-mile ride.
I experienced my first flat tire within 10 miles of starting the journey, in the pouring rain in Rochester. My REI Co-Op membership came in handy, though, and after making my way to the store by city bus, their crew had my flat fixed in just 10 minutes for just $16.
Day two was absolutely delightful. I cruised on the crushed stone trail that runs between farmlands covered with wildflowers and the historic Erie Canal. Every half mile, I was greeted by welcoming committees of geese hissing at me as I rode by. Their babies were cute, though. And I loved the scenery and breezy riding.
And day three… kicked my butt. Wet by yet another rainstorm, the trail felt like quicksand to pedal through, which was exhausting. Then, I (regretfully) decided to ignore “trail closed” signs and keep pedaling anyway, only to end up riding through a pit of red clay. It was a 40-mile day, though, and I still had a ways to go—with 25-mph headwinds fighting me the entire way. A snail could have moved faster than me on the bike.
I never thought I’d make it.
But finally (FINALLY!) I made it to my destination: Niagara Falls. Nothing felt better than the mist against my skin at the falls… and a very long, hot shower when I finally got to the hotel.
It was a long, tough ride that taught me a lot of lessons—but I would definitely do it again (albeit at a more relaxing pace!). Thanks to everyone who was cheering me on through email and social media messages!
OK, time for business. I’ve got a few ways to work together soon and I’d love to invite you to set up a meeting and/or pitch your clients for upcoming stories. Take a look!
Have you booked your flash consulting sesh yet?
We’re less than a week away from my flash consulting day for a good cause! In case you missed it, I’m offering 30-min meetings on June 5 for all kinds of things in exchange for a $75 donation to my cancer research fundraiser.
Many appointments have already been snapped up since I announced this invitation a few weeks ago, but there are still a few more 30-minute spots left. Here’s how people are planning to use their sessions so far:
Learn more about the outlets I write for
Meet & greet with a PR team
Gain insight into journalists’ preferred way of working
Insight on what travel and wellness writers are looking for
Affiliate marketing consultation
Share info on clients for editorial consideration
Brand website audit from a journalist’s perspective
I’d love to see your name on one of the few remaining meeting spots!
Want in? Please make a contribution of at least $75 to my fundraiser for cancer research at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and I’ll send you the super secret link so you can book your private appointment instantly! Every dollar goes directly to the cause (and your donation is tax deductible), so this is a no-brainer if you want to pick my brain.
Current assignments (can you help?)
Seeking travel advisors for assignment at The Compass magazine
For an upcoming print issue of The Compass, I’m looking to interview two travel advisors about the best ways to qualify a lead. After all, not every person who reaches out may be a good fit to work with, and travel advisors can save a lot of time by learning how to qualify their prospective customers. The story will cover why lead qualification is important, qualities of a strong lead, and how someone can implement or enhance their sales process to better qualify leads and close the right business.
Know someone? Send them my way ASAP (jonimsweet@gmail.com). I’d like to select sources by June 6.
Looking for sleep experts and/or workplace wellbeing consultants for Sleep.com
For Sleep.com, I’m covering chronoworking, a concept involves structuring the schedule of your workday based on your personal sleep chronotype (or the natural time your body wants to sleep and wake) in order to boost productivity during the day and sleep quality at night.
I’m looking for experts to interview to explain what chronoworking is, why it’s becoming more popular now, how to figure out your sleep chronotype, and ways to structure your workday based on your chronotype. Experts could be sleep doctors/health pros, workplace wellbeing consultants, workplace flexibility consultants, or something else entirely, if you can link their expertise to the story.
Email jonimsweet@gmail.com by June 5 if you know someone I should consider for the story.
Looking for sleep experts and/or marriage therapists for Sleep.com
For Sleep.com, I’m covering how to deal with a restless sleeper when you share a bed.
I’m looking for experts (such as sleep doctors/health pros, couples therapists, etc.) to offer ways to cope without alienating your partner, practical tips for sharing the bed, and advice on how to have a sensitive conversation with your partner about addressing an underlying issue (like anxiety) that’s keeping them up all night.
Email jonimsweet@gmail.com by June 5 if you know someone I should consider for the story.
Want a review of one of your pitches?
As you’ve probably seen, I’ve been making big enhancements to this newsletter (see my recent coverage of a clever pitching strategy you should try and my take on the relaunch of HARO). As part of this effort, I’d like to start a monthly feature where I review actual pitches that have landed in my inbox, giving everyone ideas of what works and things to improve to land more coverage for your clients.
If you’re interested in having one of your pitches reviewed (for free!) in my newsletter, please send me an email! We can work together to anonymize it as much or as little as you’re comfortable with. jonmsweet@gmail.com
That Niagara Falls pic looks amazing - it's definitely on my list! Kudos for completing such an arduous journey!! Have a wonderful rest of your week/weekend ahead Joni!
what an incredible journey! Looks beautiful. I'm looking forward to our chat next week.