What’s trending in editorial content this fall?

As we gear up for a second fall season in the midst of a pandemic, we can look to historical 2020 topics and trends to make predictions about what the media are looking for this year.

One thing we know for sure is that some people (editors included) are tired of hearing about COVID-19, so make sure your content isn’t all about the pandemic, with some pieces not mentioning it at all. At the same time, some things are different, so it’s important to pick topics that speak to the everyday realities of the audience.

To help with your planning process, here are some article content ideas that should be surefire hits with readers and editors this autumn:

Back to school / work

The kids will be heading back to classes in some capacity, depending on location and public health guidance. Whether it’s tips to prepare for a hybrid learning experience, decorating ideas to freshen up at-home workspaces or easy lunch recipes, content that helps families get back to some kind of normal will be in demand.

As for the adults, some offices will be returning to in-person work this fall. This means content around commuting, supporting pets/kids through separation anxiety and new office design trends will be of interest.

Home décor and housing

Our top category is home improvement, so try to incorporate your key messaging in topics that could work in this space. Think basement makeovers, how to keep using your outdoor living space even when it gets cold, maximizing ROI with your home renovation and more.

The housing market is also red hot, which means articles around finances, mortgages, moving, selling/buying and insurance should also be popular. This is a great opportunity for banks, insurance companies and real estate brands.

Food and recipe inspiration

With more of us hitting flavour fatigue, editors will be looking for creative meal ideas that incorporate new tastes and foods. Feel-good recipes with local, farm-fresh ingredients are always a good idea, and there’s ever-increasing editorial interest in these themes. In some cases, partnering with a well-known chef can even boost media pickup.

Things to do

As more places open up and ease restrictions, readers will be interested in what recreation and leisure activities they can safely participate in. Whether it’s local travel, safer international destinations or ways to entertain outdoors through the fall, keep in mind readers are still blowing off steam and looking for ways to have fun after being cooped up for over a year.

Want to know if an angle you’re thinking of will work? Need tips for incorporating trending themes into your content? Reach out to us at info@fifthstory.com.