Help me write a speech!

So, you have been asked to deliver a speech and you really need to make an impact. Even experienced and confident leaders turn to professional speechwriters to help them with message development and composition. Here's a quick guide to what to look if you are recruiting a speechwriter to help you engage with your audience and stand out from the crowd.

Do you like what they write?

It’s no good opting for a writer with a whole pile of references if you don’t like their writing style. Take a look at their website, get in touch and ask for examples of previous work they have done. If you like what you see the chances are you will be comfortable delivering the speeches that they write.

Understand the difference

Speechwriting is different to other types of writing. What works in a leaflet or company report doesn’t always work when spoken aloud. Phrases and sentences need to be shorter. Pauses can convey more than the words themselves. Make sure you choose a person who understands that. You might need to go out of house even if you already have a good paper copywriter on the team.

"Always be shorter than anyone dared hope."

Rufus Isaacs, 1st Marquess of Reading (1860 – 1935),

observed that when we give a speech we should "Always be shorter than anybody dared to hope." That’s great advice! How many times has your heart sunk as a rambling orator traps you in your seat for half an hour or more? The best speechwriters know that some of the most effective rhetoric is brief and simple. They opt for concise and accessible language every time.

Be prepared to share

It is unlikely that a speechwriter will start off an assignment knowing exactly what you want to say and how. For the best results factor in the time to share your ideas and signpost any further information that will help them research your message. You may need to figure a little extra into the amount you expect to pay for their time, but the more you share the greater the dividends in terms of confidence and delivery.

Much of today’s media relies on sound bites, quick edits and 140-character Tweets. It would be crazy to ignore the affect this has had on the attention span of listeners. But it is still possible to create thoughtful, succinct prose that keeps audiences tuned in and engaged. Perhaps you just need someone to point you in the right direction.

Audience enthusiastically applauding a charismatic speaker.