Speak Up!
I wanted to dig up some advice on how to break into speechwriting, but the catch was, I know nothing about speechwriting. Fortunately, the MB Freelance Marketplace has tons of experts who helped me–and you–out. See what they have to say about writing the words that people say.
“One way to get experience with speechwriting is to spend time on staff in a corporate communications department, as I did at Amoco Corp. in the early 1990s,” says speechwriter Greg Beaubien. “My first experience with speechwriting came from editing a speech someone else had written. You might get speechwriting experience working for an agency that provides writing for business clients. It helps to write speeches for the same person you ghostwrite guest columns for, because you’ve gotten to know their voice and personality.
“For a freelancer it might be tougher to break into speechwriting without prior experience, but you could start by ghostwriting an article for an executive or someone who needs a writer. The thing to remember however is that speechwriting requires a very different approach than article writing; instead of editing the copy as you read it in your head, you have to edit the speech while you read it aloud, watching for any combinations of words that would be awkward for the speaker to say. Part of what’s cool about speeches is the element of showmanship involved. Your words help the speaker work the crowd.”
“Writers should be interested in adding speechwriting to their portfolio of skills because the market is exploding in demand, at least since last fall,” says ghost-and-speechwriter Jane Genova. “Freelance speechwriting pays $2,000 to $6,000 per speech, the high end being for keynote speeches given by prominent leaders. Full-time speechwriting jobs pay six figures and may be in the bonus category.
“The way to break in is to volunteer to do a speech in an overworked organization or for a political candidate or for a neighbor who has to address a community group.
“The speech, in tone and content, has to an exact fit for the personality of the speaker and the setting for the speech. That’s the art of speechwriting: Ensuring that great fit. A good speechwriter can put together the right speech for all kinds of speakers and occasions.
“The way to learn how to write a speech is to listen to speakers, even if they’re not delivering a formal speech. The technique is essentially the same: A conversational tone, provocative content, drama, fast pace, brief, uses images. Notice how effectively Ellen DeGeneres comes across versus Jane Pauley.
“There are books and sections of books on how to write a speech. But this is a hands-on task, like driving. You learn to drive by driving, not by reading a book on driving. Many organizations provide for a fee hands-on courses on writing speeches.
Since blogging uses many of the same skills, effective bloggers already have a head-start in this. Blogging will improve your speechwriting skills. It did mine.
“Eventually, I predict, speeches will be delivered via webcasts so the demand for speechwriters should continue to soar. Also, this skill is transferable to writing scripts for TV, video, audio tapes, podcasts, etc.
“Meanwhile, the library probably has copies of VITAL SPEECHES OF THE DAY, which contains current speeches and goes way back to probably Eisenhower. It wouldn’t hurt to analyze the techniques Abraham Lincoln, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton used in their oral rhetoric.
There is also the Speechwriter’s Newsletter and local organizations such as the New York Speechwriters Roundtable.”
“Effective speechwriting begins with understanding the purpose of your speech. Equally important is knowing who your audience is,” says writer Ingrid Schaefer Sprague.
“One should always keep in mind the type of audience who will be attending. This will help you set the tone of the speech as serious, lighthearted, grateful, or somber.
“Upon knowing the reason for your speech, your aim of informing, entertaining, persuading, thanking, or honoring a guest can be developed. Each aim will direct the core of the speech itself. In most cases of informative speeches, the following structure is followed:
“The purpose of the speech stated as one sentence should follow the title. (This is not to be read aloud before the audience, but rather to keep the speechwriter on track when developing the speech.) The body of the speech should be constructed from a well planned outline. The outline can either be a bulleted point-by-point outline or a brief sentence structure outline. The idea is to provide consistent narration of well researched facts. Anticipate that the speech could be open for debate. In that regard, you should prepare your speech as though every point could be open for conjecture. How would you counter questions at the end of the speech?
“The speech should follow a standard format in which the audience is thanked for their attendance, then the speechwriter will need to decide whether an icebreaker comment is in order. In some cases getting straight to the facts is more desirable.
The introduction needs to address why the speech is being presented, then the audience should be given a summarized statement of what information will be presented.
“Next comes the body of the text. Some speeches are composed in a chronological format, while other speeches pose a problem, cause, and solution. This is the part of the speech where facts and sources are presented.
“The conclusion of the speech generally follows a set format as well. The speechwriter segues the body into the conclusion by presenting a summarizing statement, which can begin as, “In conclusion…” The author should state the purpose (or problem) briefly once again, then touch on the bulleted solutions highlighted in the speech. Finally, a conclusive statement rounds out the speech.
“In some instances, the floor is then open to audience questions.
“Index cards can be used by the speaker, but should only contain key words or phrases for the speech. There is never a good reason to have the whole speech written out on cards, which could potentially be misplaced or wind up in the wrong order. Cards are only meant to jar the memory of the next point in the speech. It takes a lot of practice to deliver a speech, and a partner is useful in preparation.
“A speaker should also be aware of jittery gestures (such as pen tapping or rocking) or phrases such as “uh” in his speech. Again, having a partner hear the speech repeatedly is the best way to confront such problems.
“For those who are required to make speeches on a regular basis or desire more confidence in public speaking, the club Toastmasters is very useful.
“With practice, speechwriting becomes an art. The presentation of facts in an appropriate conversational tone is a useful adjunct to the written word.”
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