What to Expect When You Hire a Speech Writer: A Step-by-Step Guide

When you hire a speech writer, the process can feel a little overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. But hiring a professional speech writer is an excellent way to ensure your speech is well-crafted, polished, and impactful. Whether you’re preparing for a corporate event, wedding, political rally, or personal celebration, having a great speech writer on your side can make all the difference. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the entire process, so you know exactly what to expect when you hire a speech writer.

Introduction to Hiring a Speech Writer

Hiring a speech writer isn’t just about finding someone who can write eloquent words. It’s about finding someone who understands your voice, the message you want to deliver, and the audience you’ll be speaking to. In this guide, we’ll take you through the key steps involved in working with a speech writer, from initial consultations to the final delivery of your speech.

Why You Might Need a Speech Writer

Many people hire speech writers for various events, including:

• Corporate events like conferences, award ceremonies, or product launches.
• Weddings and personal celebrations, such as delivering heartfelt toasts.
• Political speeches, where clarity, persuasion, and professionalism are critical.
• Graduation speeches or other large gatherings where public speaking is essential.

Regardless of the occasion, a speech writer helps you put your thoughts into words, making sure your message is clear, memorable, and effective.

What Does a Speech Writer Do?

A speech writer crafts speeches that are tailored to the speaker’s voice, style, and objectives. Their work goes beyond just writing words on a page. They:

• Research the topic or event to ensure the speech is relevant.
• Collaborate with you to understand your message, tone, and audience.
• Refine the speech for clarity, pacing, and impact.
• Offer coaching to improve your delivery, if necessary.

Now that you have a basic understanding of what a speech writer does, let’s dive into the step-by-step process of hiring one.

Step 1: Identifying Your Speech Writing Needs

Before you start searching for a speech writer, it’s important to clearly identify your needs. Think about the following:

• What type of event is it? The tone of a corporate speech will be different from that of a wedding speech.
• Who is your audience? Are they formal, casual, or a mix of both? Understanding your audience helps in crafting a message that resonates with them.
• What is your main message? Every speech should have a clear purpose, whether it’s to inform, entertain, persuade, or inspire.

Questions to Ask Yourself

• What tone do I want for the speech? (Humorous, serious, inspirational?)
• How long should the speech be?
• Do I want any specific anecdotes or stories included?

Having a clear idea of what you need will make it easier to communicate with the speech writer and ensure they deliver exactly what you’re looking for.

Step 2: Finding the Right Speech Writer

Once you have clarity on what you need, the next step is to find a speech writer who can bring your vision to life. There are several ways to find a good speech writer:

• Freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork or Fiverr can connect you with professional speech writers.
• Writing agencies: There are agencies that specialize in speech writing and can match you with a writer based on your needs.
• Referrals: Ask colleagues, friends, or family if they have worked with any speech writers and can recommend someone.

Qualities to Look for in a Speech Writer

When searching for the right person to write your speech, consider the following qualities:

• Experience: Have they written speeches for similar events before?
• Understanding of your voice: Can they adapt to your style and tone?
• Flexibility: Are they open to revisions and willing to collaborate?
• Timeliness: Can they meet your deadline without sacrificing quality?

Step 3: The Initial Consultation

After you’ve found a potential speech writer, the next step is the consultation. This is your opportunity to explain your needs and get to know the writer better.

What to Discuss During the Consultation

During the consultation, be prepared to discuss:

• Event details: The date, location, audience size, and nature of the event.
• Your goals: What do you want to achieve with your speech? Are you aiming to inspire, entertain, inform, or persuade?
• Your personal style: Do you want the speech to sound like something you would naturally say, or are you looking for something more formal?
• Key messages and themes: What are the main points you want to make in the speech?

Setting Expectations

Make sure to clarify any concerns you have, such as:

• Deadlines: When do you need the final draft?
• Revisions: How many rounds of revisions are included in the service?
• Delivery coaching: Do they offer coaching or advice on delivering the speech, if needed?

Step 4: The Speech Writing Process

Once the consultation is complete and you’ve hired the speech writer, they will begin the writing process. This usually involves several steps:

Research

A good speech writer will conduct thorough research to ensure your speech is relevant and accurate. This may involve:

• Researching the topic or event: To make sure the content is up to date.
• Audience analysis: Understanding the demographics and expectations of your audience.
• Fact-checking: If your speech includes statistics or references, the writer will verify these details.

Drafting

The writer will create a first draft based on the information discussed during the consultation. The first draft may be rough, but it will provide a solid foundation for the final version.

Revisions

Once the first draft is complete, you will have the opportunity to review it and provide feedback. This is your chance to request changes to the tone, structure, or content.

Final Draft

After revisions are made, the writer will deliver the final draft. At this point, the speech should be polished, coherent, and ready for delivery.

Step 5: Delivery Coaching (Optional)

Some speech writers also offer delivery coaching as part of their service. This can be incredibly beneficial if you’re nervous about public speaking or want to ensure your speech has maximum impact.

What Does Delivery Coaching Involve?

• Practice sessions: Going over the speech several times to help with pacing and clarity.
• Body language tips: How to stand, gesture, and make eye contact with your audience.
• Vocal techniques: Learning how to project your voice, add emphasis, and control your tone.

Delivery coaching can make a huge difference, especially if you’re not a seasoned public speaker. It will help you feel more confident and ensure your speech resonates with your audience.

Step 6: Rehearsing Your Speech

Even with a well-written speech, practice is essential. Set aside time to rehearse your speech several times before the event.

Tips for Rehearsing

• Read it aloud: Speeches sound different when spoken compared to when they are read silently. Practice reading your speech out loud to get a feel for the flow and pacing.
• Time yourself: Make sure your speech fits within the allotted time.
• Record yourself: Recording your practice sessions can help you identify areas where you need to improve.

Step 7: Delivering the Speech

The big day has arrived, and it’s time to deliver your speech. With your well-prepared speech in hand and rehearsals under your belt, you’re ready to shine.

Final Delivery Tips

• Stay calm: Nerves are normal, but remember that you’ve prepared and practiced for this moment.
• Pace yourself: Speak slowly and clearly, allowing your words to resonate with the audience.
• Engage your audience: Make eye contact and use appropriate gestures to keep your audience engaged.

Step 8: Post-Speech Feedback

After the event, it’s helpful to reflect on how the speech went and gather feedback from the audience. This can be beneficial if you plan to deliver more speeches in the future or work with a speech writer again.

What to Consider

• Did the audience respond positively to your speech?
• Were you comfortable delivering the speech?
• Did the speech meet your expectations?

Conclusion

Hiring a speech writer can take a lot of pressure off your shoulders, allowing you to focus on delivering a compelling, effective speech. Whether you’re speaking at a corporate event, wedding, or political rally, a professional speech writer ensures your message is clear and impactful. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can confidently hire a speech writer and know exactly what to expect from the process. From the initial consultation to the final delivery, a great speech writer will be with you every step of the way, helping you craft a speech that resonates with your audience.