Trae Bodge – smart shopping expert

1. Tell us about your current occupation and how you landed such a fabulous job.⁣

I am a smart shopping expert, which means that I help consumers save money. I do this via my own platform (Truetrae), publications like @Marketwatch and MSN, and on TV shows like NBC Nightly News, GMA3, ABC News Live, and Inside Edition. ⁣
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I got my start working in beauty, eventually co-founding beauty brand Three Custom Color Specialists. After many years, I left the brand to spread my wings and started freelance writing about budget-friendly living. This led to a gig as the spokesperson of a large coupon site. After a layoff in 2015, I continued on that path, which is where I am today! I am also a media coach at @OneTakeMediaCoaching, which is seriously the most fulfilling side hustle ever. ⁣

2. What's your best advice for PR professionals?

Personalize your outreach - it will pay off in spades. Journalists and producers all have different things they are looking for, so pitching is not one-size-fits-all. The goal should be not to pitch the most people, it should be to pitch people the most effectively. ⁣

3. What's a fun fact about you?

I love thrifting, especially for clothing, and it's a family affair. Not only is it the ultimate money-saver, but buying used instead of new is good for the planet.⁣

4. Tell us about your favorite nonprofit and why.

The Montclair Women's College Club. My husband and daughter have volunteered there for years (and me too, on the rare occasions that I have time) and we have bought countless books there to feed our reading habits. Their biannual book sale funds college scholarships for girls in need. ⁣

5. What's your favorite meal, movie, or vacation spot?

Fried clams all the way. I grew up in a coastal town in MA and I can visit home without treating myself to a plate of crispy clams.