The summer holidays (and sunshine) are nearly behind us now and it’s time to welcome in a new season as autumn begins. If you haven’t already started planning out your content for September then don’t worry, we have you covered. Below we have highlighted some potential starting points for content for this month, as well as what normally proves popular on the Journalist Enquiry Service during September.

What to cover right now?

August was a busy month in the sporting calendar and September is no different. The final tennis grand slam, the US Open, takes place from 30 August till 13 September at Flushing Meadows, while back in the UK, the Great North Run will be held on 13 September in the North East. Tie into both events by talking to  an expert about getting into both sports and the training needed to become a professional.

The annual awareness campaign to promote a reduction in landfill waste Zero Waste Week is back from 7 September, with people doing their bit to help protect the environment. You could get a case study from someone that has changed their attitude about waste and pollution and its effect on climate change or speak to an environmental expert about practical steps people can take at home to cut down on their waste.

The UK is rooted in history and culture and for those that want to find out more about their local area then what better way than through the Heritage Open Days. The event runs from 11-20 September and gives free access to a variety of places to experience local history, architecture, and culture. Review one of the open days for a feature article or chat to a historian about some of the key historical events that have shaped the country.

What’s coming up?

Another annual event that you could tie coverage into is National Fitness Day, which this year falls on 16 September. This is the fifteenth year that the campaign has run and it aims to get people leading healthier lifestyles. Speak to a case study that has got into sport & fitness as a result of taking part in National Fitness Day in the past or review one of the many events taking place across the country.

London Fashion Week returns to the capital from 17-21 September. There are a variety of catwalks, discussions, in-person and digital events for fashion designers and stylists to both showcase their latest collections and check out emerging talent. This should offer plenty of material for lifestyle and trend-focused features, and we also already have a list of fashion experts ready to share their expertise as well.

‘Strictly Come Dancing’ has become a firm favourite with TV viewers over the last twenty years and news headlines were dominated last December by Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman’s decision to step down from hosting. The BBC show returns on 19 September, with the first live show a week later as three new hosts (Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe, and Josh Widdicombe) begin. A culture or TV expert could share their thoughts on how they think the hosting duties will be shared out and what’s next for Strictly in this new era. 

Still stuck? Here are common trends from the Journalist Enquiry Service for September

While we are still three months away from Christmas, from September onwards we see a big increase in the amount of requests around the festive season and last year just over 12% of all enquiries were focused on this. Around 7% were also focused purely on gift guides so you might look to get ahead with your reviews of this year’s must haves, or get an expert to give advice on when is the best time to get deals on presents and decorations.

Linking in slightly with Christmas is another keyword that does well in September which is money. Many people will be considering how to make savings for the season and more generally how to cope with the on-going cost-of-living crisis. Money appeared in 4% of the total requests in September last year and will likely be popular again this year as the new Prime Minister continues to share policy changes. A personal finance expert can share expertise for a feature on the ways people can make savings.

Finally, away from the stress of money problems and Christmas planning, there is focus on wellness in September. Last year, 4% of enquiries in September contained the word ‘wellness’. Put in a request to find out the latest wellness retreats that people can escape to, or even review them yourself, or get products that are made to help with health and wellness.

Want to get Christmas content and gift guides sorted as soon as possible? Then send a request via the Journalist Enquiry Service and wrap up your festive editorials early. Alternatively if you’re in need of research material or statistics then the Press Release Wire could have exactly what you need to add into your article or spark the idea for your next feature.