Happy Friday! + The Gold Standard In Pitching

I find so many publicists make this one critical mistake when pitching: they don’t do the research to understand what my brand is and what I write about. Whether it’s my own site, ConwayConfidential.com, TikTok, Instagram, BlueSky, Forbes.com or Business Insider, I COVER LUXURY TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE. My brand is visible on all of these platforms. On TikTok, I will sometimes review, simply put: things I like. Or don’t. It’s the only place where you will see me on a vertical that is not strictly luxury, though those posts are much more infrequent.

A lovely publicist invited me to feature her client, which, while interesting, did not look like the uber-luxury that I typically cover, so I wanted to understand. She hadn’t read my column, she didn’t know my brand and it was a waste of 10 minutes for each of us.

Before you pitch me, please look at my website, socials, contributor column, and BusinessInsider.com too.

Please prepare for a call before you jump on a Zoom with me.

There is nothing isolated about this pitching tip. You see this advice from all of my colleagues as well: Aly Walansky, Alice Dubin and Nicole Pajer, among many, are consistently giving tips, and the one on knowing what the writer covers is on repeat.

I have to add that I am highly unlikely to cover this company in the future, simply because of the thoughtless way it was handled. I was not singled out as the right expert for this; I was in a group email and could be anyone. They are simply fishing to see who will bite. That makes me think that the brand is low-end, and the PR firm too.

#PaulaConway Recap

• I founded a very successful PR firm 20+ years ago. I know exactly what you do, I feel you

• I write about luxury travel, uber-luxury.

• I write for the 1 Percent

• I am always looking for really interesting news within my lane of luxury

• I seek the finest hotels, resorts, experiences and sometimes product as it relates to travel

• Look at my media assets and come up with fun ideas!

Email me anytime with a targeted pitch (or request for pitching advice) at paulaconway.nyc@gmail.com. And please join this Substack!