They are going to be more selective in the people they work with, and the projects they accept, as they try to determine what the new business environment looks like.
Do your research; read up on the industry you’re pitching and make sure you’ve updated your pitch to be more focused, more fine-tuned, to how that industry is changing.
The Brands you’ve worked with in the past will likely have smaller marketing budgets, meaning they will not be able to take on the same number of projects that they have in the past.
I fully accept your answer, but so I can have a better chance the next time I contact you, will you share with me one or two key points that, if done better, might have put me in a better position?”