The good news is that there are plenty of speechwriting jobs that you can do online, for a variety of clients. And who knows? Maybe one day it could lead to the Oval Office! For some time I ran a business helping people with best man speeches.
Those were the speeches I found the most fun. I was talking both to people who were really comfortable and looking forward to the experience, and those utterly terrified at the thought of public speaking. In one instance a client presented me with a beautifully written, thoughtful speech, but had no idea how to deliver it. With minor edits a joke about his future mother-in-law had to goI provided guidance on pacing, and highlighted where the laughs would come.
Nervous as he was, the day was a great success, and he was delighted. The difference between speechwriting and other writing jobs is that you are writing for somebody to speak the words. That may seem obvious, but it makes a big difference to the style and use of language.
You will need to pay attention to the rhythm of the speech, highlight areas for emphasis, speechwriting the expert guide pdf free download arrange the text in a way that can be easily read. Some clients will be experienced public speakers, others may be coming to you for their first big engagement. Their confidence, speaking ability and subject matter should dictate your style. The work of being a speechwriter is incredibly varied.
It can range from anything from providing a couple of jokes to speechwriting the expert guide pdf free download up an existing speech, to transforming a short brief into a full presentation. Unlike a lot of writing, you get to be speechwriting the expert guide pdf free download of the performance — thinking about how your client will present themselves and how your words will be received by the audience.
It is always a good idea to think about how the speech will flow. Start with high energy, or even humour, lighten detailed and heavy parts with anecdotes, and ensure there is a strong finish.
A joke that would go well at a social occasion may fall completely flat at a conference. As such, it is vital speechwriting the expert guide pdf free download you understand the audience, and the type of event at which the speech will be delivered.
If you are comfortable with humour, then by all means try, but it is a very competitive area. There are speech writing jobs on sites like Upwork review here and PeoplePerHour review here. If you are looking for something more permanent, you may find something on LinkedIn, or on normal online job boards. For networking advice, check out this article. As with most writing jobs, the more you do and the better you get, the higher the fee you will command. Check out some of these articles:.
Alex is an experienced public speaker and podcaster, and has been working speechwriting the expert guide pdf free download the marketing and media industry for most of this century. He held a senior marketing role with Royal Mail, before becoming a marketing consultant. All of our reviews and recommendations are speechwriting the expert guide pdf free download impartial but some posts may include affiliate links that can earn us a commission.
Click here for details. Know your Client! What does Being a Speechwriter Involve? Should I use Humour in a Business Speech? Not all speech writing is about humour, and sometimes it is inappropriate. Where do I find Speech Writing Work? How Much does Speechwriting Pay? Do I need any Special Software Skills? Top Tips Know your client : How confident a speaker are they? Know the audience : This will dictate much of the style and content. Remember that not all speechwriting is about jokes.
Brush up your own presentation skills : This will help with your writing. Check out some of these articles: An honest guide to how realistic it is to get writing jobs with no experience.
A step by step guide to becoming a freelance writer. A guide to ProBlogger Jobs — an interesting place to find new writing gigs. An interesting article to building a writing portfolio up from scratch. A list of places for more experienced writers to find work. Alex Ricketts.
