Speech writing: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What speech writing is

A speechwriter drafts remarks for a wedding, event or presentation, shaping stories, tone and timing to suit you and your audience. People hire one when the speech matters and they know what they want to say, but cannot yet shape it into text that works out loud.

Signs you need it

  • You have been asked to give a toast, a eulogy or a wedding speech and do not know where to start.
  • You have a presentation for a conference or company event and need words that hold the room.
  • You have ideas and stories, but your notes read well on paper and fall flat when spoken.
  • The event has a strict time limit and your draft runs well over it.
  • You need a speech in a tone you find hard to hit, such as warm, formal or funny without tipping into a roast.
  • You are speaking in a language that is not your first, and want a script that reads naturally out loud.

What the pro does

  • Asks about the audience, the occasion, the time you have and the points you need to make.
  • Interviews you for stories, names, details and the tone you want.
  • Drafts the speech as spoken text, with short sentences and notes on where to pause.
  • Times the draft by reading it aloud, and trims it to the slot you have.
  • Revises after your edits and delivers a clean copy with notes on where to slow down.

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Length of the speech, in minutes or pages.
  • How much material you bring, compared with what the writer must gather in interviews.
  • Number of speeches, such as a toast plus a set of remarks.
  • Occasion and tone, since a eulogy or a keynote takes more care than a short toast.
  • Number of revision rounds, and whether rehearsal help is included.
  • Deadline for the final draft.

What a written quote should spell out

  • The occasion, the length of the speech and the number of drafts.
  • The interview time included, and what happens if more is needed.
  • Whether a rehearsal or a timing session is included.
  • Revision rounds and the deadline for each draft.
  • Who owns the speech, and whether the writer may reuse any part of it.

Questions to ask before you hire

  • How do you learn my voice, and what do you need from me before the first draft?
  • How long will the speech take to deliver out loud, and how do you check the timing?
  • Will you add humor, and how do you make sure it suits the room?
  • Will you show an outline before writing the full speech?
  • Do you write for short lines or for longer phrases, and how do you match my delivery?
  • Who else will see the draft before it is final?

Red flags

  • Writes the speech without asking about the audience or the occasion.
  • Adds facts, stories or quotes about people that you have not confirmed.
  • Insists on one tone with no room for changes.
  • Refuses to show any past speeches or to explain how they time a draft.
  • Asks for payment in full before the first draft.

What you can do yourself

You can write a list of the points you want to make, collect two or three stories you tell well, and read your rough notes aloud to hear what works. Hire a speechwriter when the speech is important, when the occasion has a strict time limit, or when your draft reads well on paper but does not sound like you when spoken.

Licenses and permits

Speech writing is not commonly licensed, so a license is usually not required for this work. Check with your state or local licensing agency about business rules that apply to you, and ask the writer for samples of speeches written for occasions like yours as proof of skill.

Speech writing questions

How long should a wedding toast be?

Most toasts are short, and the right length depends on the room, the time allowed and how many other speakers there are. Ask the writer to time the draft by reading it aloud before the final version.

Should I memorize the speech?

That is your choice. Many people read from cards or a printed copy, and a good writer marks where to look up. A short toast is often memorized, but a long speech can be harder to deliver well from memory.

Will the speech sound like me?

It should, if you give the writer your own stories and phrases and tell them which words you would never use. Read the draft aloud and mark anything that does not sound like you before the final version.

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