“What can you offer new content producers?”

Anxiety for me has defined 2020 and I’ve watched many jobbing writers experience loss – of revenue, of confidence, even of hope. Journalists tell me it’s been tougher to find good stories when unable to go out and find them, and of the limitations of a news agenda dominated by Covid-19. Editors have struggled to plan ahead, and to find budgets at a time of diminished advertising revenue – and this has had a knock-on effect on commissioning.

I’ve never felt it more important to move; to stretch yourself – physically and mentally – and to evolve, as the most successful always have.

Could you dip a toe in health writing? Health writers will remain in demand, and they can’t cover it all. It doesn’t have to be vaccines and virology. Other subjects – depression, postponed surgery, a looming cancer crisis – are there to be tackled too. You’ll be competing with writers shifting from areas where opportunities have suddenly narrowed – arts, culture, sport, travel, events and more – but don’t be intimidated: it’s a leveller that lots of us are finding ourselves out of our writing ‘comfort zone’.

The rules will be the same. Editors will still need content. I continue to see them calling for ideas on Twitter.

But others need words too. Think of the changing business landscape – new producers of masks, sanitisers and soaps, and increased home delivery services too. There will be new or evolving enterprises that might need copywriters, bloggers, social media content and support. What can you offer them?

There will continue to be change in 2021. And change has to be recorded and communicated. You, as a writer, are a recorder. Go find what needs recording.