“Ms. Stephanie Wetzel, Blogger, The Red Clay Diaries.”

My favorites say something in their opening paragraph to “personalize” the pitch. Of course, it’s hard to feel like they know me when their opening is, “I’ve read your blog, and I appreciate the quality information you share.” Um, you’ve read my blog? Which “quality information” do you appreciate most? The bra-gasmask article? My voodoo dog? Or my fixation with poo?

Anyway, today I received what I consider a TRUE quality pitch, from Stacey Clark at Just Drive Media. She said my puppy rules had made her laugh.

(Always a good idea: tell the humorist that you find her humorous. We don’t even care if you humor us.)

(SNORT. Language puns crack me up.)

Another point in Stacey’s favor: Her pitch actually applied to my life, with info about Open Table, the online restaurant reservation site.

(I can’t tell you how many emails I get from people wanting to tell me about maternity products and BP-free baby bottles. Really? My youngest is almost EIGHT.)

So, even thought I really wasn’t gonna post today, Stacey’s email did impress me. And then she actually CALLED me on my cell phone.

(I need to ask how she found my number…)

(Cuz either she’s an excellent PR person — or a stalker.)

Have you heard about all those group buying sites that have sprung up lately around the US? Groupon, Living Social, Scout Mob, etc? They all offer regular deals from businesses in certain cities, usually for significant discounts. Since all three are in Atlanta, I signed up for their alerts. Heck, Scout Mob actually has an iPhone app that you can use ON SITE at the store/restaurant offering a deal.

I don’t often write about topics that only apply to my city, but I think Atlantans need to know about Open Table’s new discount program because it’s pretty cool.

(Also? If Stacey’s stalking me, I don’t want to make her mad. She might boil the puppy.)

HERE’S THE DEAL:

Open Table has a new group buying discount program called Spotlight, and it’s expanding into Atlanta. The program went live in New York and Boston earlier this month, allowing people to purchase weekly deals (typically) for $50 of food and beverages at select restaurants for just $25 — a 50 percent discount. OpenTable Spotlight has been so popular in Boston and New York that all deals (for upscale restaurants like Ginger Park and Metrazur) have sold out – with several exceeding 1,000 buyers.

Here’s how it works: Each week’s restaurant starts out as a secret, with hints posted on the company blog. You can post guesses about the secret before it’s revealed, then buy into the deal and encourage friends to do the same. When the maximum number of spots has been filled, buyers will be alerted via email and receive a coupon to bring to the restaurant. Clues about this week’s Atlanta deal have already been posted, and the secret will be revealed by 8 p.m. ET tonight (Tuesday).

Do you live in Atlanta? Or Boston or New York? Do you like to eat? And save money? Then Spotlight is worth checking out.

And check out the other sites I linked to above. They’re in a lot more cities and offer amazing deals on more than just restaurants (retailers, spas, salons, etc).

I hope you save loads of money!

Originally posted at: The Red Clay Diaries

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Open Table Spotlight, for the win!