Our Gift to You: A Gift Guide Cheat Sheet for the New, Weird World of PR

 

As an old friend said to us a few months ago, “PR has gotten weird.” Amen, sister. But one thing hasn’t changed (yet): mastering the art of gift guides is a must. We might even argue, more important than ever.

Here’s your cheat sheet for rocking it in 2024. You can thank us later.

The Non-negotiables

  • Have an affiliate program, including Skimlinks and Amazon presence.

  • Offer a giftable item.

  • Be ready to send samples for hands-on reviews.

Timing Is Everything:

  • Gift guides are year-round now, not just holiday-centric.

  • Start early for holiday features, but keep pitching throughout the year.

  • Take advantage of sales events like "Panic Saturday" for last-minute opportunities.

Performance Matters:

  • High-converting products get repeat features.

  • Offer higher commissions and unique discount codes for dream outlets.

  • Share coverage on social media and boost posts for more visibility. Be sure to tag the media outlet and writer!

The Pitch:

  • Tailor pitches for different media groups, from magazine editors to digital writers.

  • Follow writers' preferences and deadlines closely.

  • For updates editors, pitch with compelling reasons for inclusion and format pitches like existing entries.

The Product:

  • Make products more giftable with unique packaging or collaborations.

  • Use photography to showcase products in a gift-worthy light.

Got questions? Reach out! It’s never too early to start thinking about gift guides. We’d hate to have to tell you that you’re getting in touch too late.