Hi all!
As promised, I knew assignments would come down the pipeline!
Below, you’ll see what I’m currently working on, along with instructions for pitching, personal updates and more. This newsletter will replace my current forms I use to gather sources and information. I hope you will find them helpful :)
Please reach out with any questions: pitch@lindsaytigar.com
Thank you, as always, for being so proactive and helping me meet my deadlines!
A note: I’ve been receiving pitches sometimes two weeks after I send out this newsletter update. That’s too late! Please pitch ASAP to be considered.
How to pitch: step by step!
Email only! I keep my personal and professional life separate, so the best way to get in touch is always email: pitch@lindsaytigar.com
Send ONE email per opportunity below. I know it’s a pain. But I write upwards of 40-50 stories a month, and it’s the only way I can keep my sanity.
Please do not send commentary before I send questions. I vet all emails I receive and send specific questions to help my writing process. I will never accept or use unsolicited commentary.
I’ll share outlet via email, every single time. But I won’t post it here. Just ask!
Please follow formatting instructions. As we head into gift guide season, this is even more important. I explain formatting in emails, again, as a way to keep my sanity. It’s so helpful when you pitch appropriately!
Thanks for the pitches!
I appreciate all of the pitches sent my way. And while I’d love to respond to all of them, I sadly don’t have enough time. However, if I’m interested in further information or if a pitch gets approved, I’ll be in touch ASAP.
A (long) note on expert commentary
Thanks to this newsletter, I’ve been introduced to so many new experts. It’s awesome! However, there is always some bad with the good. Before you submit your client as an expert or send their expert commentary, here are some tips:
Consider if the expert makes sense. While an entrepreneur may seem like a great fit for everything, they can’t comment on nutrition or health advice unless they have the resume or education to back up that expertise. When you’re sending back their response, please note their expertise in their title, too. Example: Jane Smith, founder of an energy-saving company. Not just, Jane Smith, entrepreneur.
Length is everything. In every single email I send for commentary, I always remind experts/publicists I need at least a few (3-5) sentences per tip. So if the question is ‘Please provide 2-3 ways…’, each of those ‘ways should be 3-5 sentences. If this requirement isn’t met, I delete the expert response. The goal of using an expert is to add character, depth and guidance to my stories. A single sentence is never, ever enough.
No first-person and no location-specific content, unless requested. All expert commentary should be in third person and should relate to the general public (not a specific population or city) unless specified otherwise. I don’t tend to write regional content, so always assume national.
The expert’s company should never be part of their response. While, of course, the expert is trying to promote their business, I’m never able to quote someone from a company who recommends to use said company. That’s called advertising or product placement, and isn’t earned media. Of course, most publications do link back to company websites, but remember, the advice should be general and not self-promotional.
Original commentary only. If the commentary has ever been submitted to another journalist, I can’t use it. If the commentary is pulled off the expert’s blog, I can’t use it. If the commentary is copied/pasted from another website or article, I can’t use it. I run all commentary through a plagiarism check.
Only one expert can be quoted from a company. No two people can say the exact same thing. If there are co-founders, please choose one to be quoted in the story.
Keep submitting experts and they aren’t getting used? I probably know why. Feel free to email me and I’m happy to give feedback.
A (shorter) note on ‘guaranteeing’ inclusion
I’m always fascinated when I’m asked about ‘guaranteeing’ inclusion if an expert responds, if I’m hosted at a property, if I’m sent a product. Freelancers can never, ever, EVER guarantee inclusion for anything. Plus, before hearing from said expert, staying at said property or seeing said product, how can a journalist ethically promise it’s all great and will be included?
It’s unethical — and it’s not a practice I participate in. So if you’re curious, the answer is nope, nothing is guaranteed. That said, I do try my best to find placements for experts, products and hospitality that I like. It’s just never promised.
Current Press Opportunities
Please follow pitching instructions above, thank you!
Expert commentary
Health professionals and mental health experts to discuss the best questions to ask before accepting ‘holiday invites.’ So think: vaccination status, social distancing measures, etc.
Makeup artists and dermatologists on how to make pore size less visible.
Psychologists on releasing regret.
Health professionals, doctors and nutritionists on cutting back on alcohol use.
Wedding experts to predict wedding registry trends for 2022.
Wedding bakers to predict wedding cake trends for 2022.
Wedding experts to discuss how to deal with a last-minute vendor cancellation.
Therapists and mental health experts to discuss how to have hard conversations with family members this holiday season. (I.e.: ‘Why are you still single?’ ‘Why aren’t you having kids?’ ‘Why did you get vaccinated?’)
Product round-ups
I’m pitching What to Expect standalone product reviews that look like this. I’m looking for products that relate to pregnancy (clothing, pillows, beauty products, etc.), as well as baby/home (nursery decor, humidifiers, etc.) The product MUST be available on Amazon and you MUST be able to send a non-returnable sample. ALSO: I must be able to use this product RIGHT NOW. So new baby stuff doesn’t apply, since my little one won’t be here until March.
Garden-inspired holiday gift guide. So think: plants, flower decor, garden decor, etc. Must be on Amazon or Shopstyle affiliate.
Dazzling holiday makeup palettes for eyes, lips, cheeks, etc. This is a gift guide. All must be on Amazon or Shopstyle affiliate.
Travel guides
Asheville-area restaurants, hotels and experiences. It’s my current and hometown, so I know it pretty well, but open to ideas for a city guide I’m writing.
I’m heading to Seattle and Palm Springs in October! I’m set on hotel stays, but let me know if you work with any restaurants or experiences. I’m not taking publicist meetings during this time.
Recent Work
Below are links to my byline page for my current outlets. By clicking on these links, you can see the most recently published work. If you don’t see it here, it likely isn’t published. Unfortunately, freelancers never know when stories go live but when it does, it’ll be here. Generally speaking, please allow six weeks before inquiring about publication.
For a pretty good collection of recent bylines, check out my Muckrack page.
Looking for a writer?
In addition to journalism, I own a content marketing agency, Tigar Types. We offer a full suite of services, ranging from blog and newsletter development to ghostwriting and more. We have worked with several PR agencies to support their client needs — and would love to work with you! Learn more about Tigar Types here.