Best Speechwriters

What a good speechwriting package includes

Check that the offer clearly states:

• Speech length in minutes or words.
• Occasion and audience research.
• An interview or questionnaire to collect stories.
• Drafts and revisions.
• Delivery notes, if included.
• Confidentiality.
• Delivery date with time to practice.

Ask for a version formatted for reading aloud: large text, short paragraphs and marked pauses. It is much easier to deliver than a dense document.

Plan the final draft at least several days before the event. You need time to practice out loud, time the speech and make small changes in your own words.

Look at sample speeches the writer has prepared for similar occasions. A wedding toast, a eulogy and a product launch need very different tones. Samples that feel warm and natural when read aloud are a better sign than polished essays that would sound stiff on a stage.

How to brief a speechwriter

1. The event, date and setting.
2. Your role and relationship to the audience.
3. Time limit.
4. Stories, names and facts to include.
5. Tone: funny, moving, formal or inspiring.
6. Topics to avoid.
7. A sample of how you speak.

Give specific memories rather than general praise. A short story about a real moment says more about a person or a company than a list of good qualities.

Check names, dates and facts carefully. A mispronounced name or wrong detail is what people remember most, so give the writer exact spellings and pronunciations.

For business speeches, state the one message the audience should remember. Everything else in the speech should support that message, and a good writer will cut what does not.

Agree on how many rounds of changes are included and how quickly the writer will respond close to the event. Last-minute changes often happen, such as a new guest or a schedule change, and knowing that the writer is available gives you peace of mind.

What drives the price

• speech length
• research and interviews
• number of revisions
• delivery coaching
• seniority and audience size
• rush delivery

A short personal toast costs much less than a conference keynote with research, several drafts and coaching.

Red flags

• No questions about you or the audience.
• Generic speeches that could fit anyone.
• Jokes that could embarrass people in the room.
• Delivered too late to practice.
• No confidentiality.

Practice the speech aloud several times, ideally in front of one trusted person. Mark where you naturally pause and change any line that trips you up.

Tips for a smoother project

Consider how the speech will be heard. Large rooms, microphones and noisy venues reward short sentences, clear structure and repeated key points. Tell the writer about the setting, so the speech is built for listening rather than for reading on a page.

For other writing, see our scriptwriting guide and proofreading guide. For slides, read our presentation design guide.

Quick pre-order checklist

• I know my time limit.
• I shared real stories with correct names.
• The draft sounds like me when read aloud.
• I will have time to practice.
• Confidentiality is agreed.