Why My Email Isn't Just E-mail

It's a search engine.

Mar 18, 2024

Where the heck did the time go?! I finally have some big updates to my list… and a few minutes to jot it all down. But first, I want to share something that’s come up a lot lately.

In her own newsletter, my friend Kelsey Ogletree, a fellow independent journalist and founder of Pitchcraft (if you don’t know her, you should get to know her!), recently wrote about how badly journalists want to reply to everyone in their inbox… but also how unrealistic that is given the volume and rapid pace of the industry. The reality is: I’d never be a profitable business owner if I spent my whole day in my inbox, and that’s what it would take to get back to everyone. Real talk: I easily get 100 emails per hour during the work week.

The good news: Most of the time, a lack of response has nothing to do with you, your pitch, or the product you’re pitching. It’s just a bandwith issue. I prioritize the emails that are most timely—aka what I’m working on at that moment or in the very near future. (Also, from those I’ve developed friendships with, but that’s a topic for another day!) The others, for the most part, go straight to the back burner.

Here’s the thing though: I don’t delete emails, I mark them as read because I use my inbox as a search engine. Say I’m working on “scalp sunscreen” (I am!), I don’t go to Google, a Facebook group, or Qwoted first. Instead, I pull up my email and search keywords like SPF, sunscreen, or dermatologist. Sometimes I even search for particular brands I want to contact to see if I already have one in my inbox. Oftentimes, I’m replying to very old emails this way, but it generally works and gets me where I need to be at a much more efficient pace.

So pad your emails with those keywords and know that, even if you don’t get a response with multiple followups, it doesn’t mean one isn’t coming… one day!

What I’m Working on ATM

Including the full list below… everything new is marked with an asterisk. But… a quick summary:

-I could really use input from dermatologists, makeup artists, and hairstylists at the moment.

-I also continue to tackle sunscreen as though I’m getting an advanced degree in SPF, so please reach out if you rep a brand with a great sunscreen.

-I could really use a psychologist (no brand affiliations) for my Peloton story… bonus points if they have a focus in sports

*Important: To up the chances that I see your email, please email me directly at brigitt.earley@gmail.com and use the subject line [PITCH] NAME OF BOLDED STORY TITLE BELOW. I will be using filters to find all related pitches, and if you don’t use this format, yours might get lost in the shuffle. Sad!

Glamour

ASAP

*SPF Lip Balm: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

*Scalp Sunscreen: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

*After Sun Lotion: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Eyelash Serums: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products. Before and after photos would be a huge bonus!; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Gifts for New Moms: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products

Best Baby Carriers: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; photos a big bonus!

Best Primers With SPF: Seeking makeup artists for FAQs and product recommendations

Mother’s Day Gifts From Kids: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on the best gifts they received (not homemade options)

Best Flower Subscription: Seeking product samples to evaluate and test myself

First Mother’s Day Gifts: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on the best gifts they received (not homemade options)

Best Sunscreen for Under Makeup: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Later in the month/early April

Best Face Moisturizer: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations

Best Highlighters: Seeking makeup artists for FAQs and product recommendations

Best Diaper Bags for Dads: Seeking real dads (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Stroller Wagons: Seeking real parents (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Moisturizer for Mature Skin: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Skin Barrier Creams: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations; also seeking product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Hair Masks: Seeking hairstylists for FAQs and product recommendations; also seeking product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Eye Cream for Mature Skin: Seeking dermatologists for FAQs and product recommendations; also seeking product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Gua Sha Tools: Seeking dermatologists and estheticians for FAQs and product recommendations; also seeking product samples to evaluate and test myself

Where to Buy Maternity Clothes: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite retailers

Best Travel Stroller: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; photos a big bonus!

Best Shoes for Pregnancy: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products

Best Maternity Leggings: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; photos a big bonus!

Best Maternity Dresses: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; photos a big bonus!

Best Maternity Wedding Guest Dresses: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; photos a big bonus!

Best Diaper Bag Backpacks: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on their favorite products; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Best Gifts for Pregnant Women: Seeking real women (can be anyone!) for quotes on the best gifts they received

Water Tables: Seeking real parents (can be anyone!) for quotes on the ones their kids use and love; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

Toddler Beds: Seeking real parents (can be anyone!) for quotes on any great beds their kids use(d)

*Natural Oil for Hair Growth: Seeking dermatologists or trichologists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

*Best Nail Strengtheners: Seeking dermatologists or nail techs/pros for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

*Best Clarifying Shampoos: Seeking dermatologists and/or hairstylists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself

*Foundation for Mature Skin: Seeking dermatologists and/or makeup artists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test within my network

*Concealer for Mature Skin: Seeking dermatologists and/or makeup artists for FAQs and product recommendations; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test within my network

*Gifts for Four Year Olds: Seeking real parents (can be anyone!) for quotes on the giftable things their kids use and love; alternatively, I can receive product samples to evaluate and test myself