How to write a speech for someone else

One of the best ways to become a better public speaker is to compose a speech for someone else! Speech writing can be difficult. The process of writing for someone else gives you the chance to hone your skills and highlight what you need to include in your own speeches.  

Here are my top five tips when writing a speech for someone else.

Tip 1. Get to know your speaker:

It's important to know your speaker. I recommend spending time reading their articles, listening to their podcasts, spending time watching their previous speeches. Make a note of any ‘buzzwords’ or phrases that they commonly use. Identify their tone of voice, the way they interact with their audience, even the type of humour they employ.

Everyone has their own voice; it is said that a great speechwriter can mimic this voice and add something extra. There is nothing worse for a member of the audience than listening to a speech that was written by someone else and dozing off!

Tip 2. Get to know your audience and venue

What is your speaker’s relationship to the audience? Does the speaker have a previous relationship with them or are they a group of strangers? Try to identify details about the audience that will help you tailor your talk. Are they expecting to be entertained or educated? You don’t want to be sharing your world-renowned 'mother-in-law' jokes with the wrong audience! 

Confirm where the speech is taking place (an online speech requires different components to a speech given in a stadium!) and how long the speech needs to be. Finally, a good speech takes an audience on a journey. Be clear when writing your speech where your audience is starting and where the speaker wants to take them.

Tip 3. Research your topic

Some speeches will require you to research your topic. Writing a speech for yourself about a subject that you are completely familiar with is far easier than writing a speech about a topic that you know very little about. Take time to understand the basics about the subject, learn the language associated with it and learn the facts. You do not need to become an expert, but you do need to sound convincing! 

Tip 4. Make it sound natural

This is where your ability to mimic your speaker's voice is important. A speaker will find it easier to speak fluidly and with confidence if you use a set of vocabulary and tone of voice that is familiar to them. Also, remember that people do not speak as they write. Keep the speech flowing naturally by using short and tight sentences. A speech with 26-word long sentences may read well on the page but spoken will have your audience losing their focus very quickly. A successful speech engages the audience! 

Tip. 5 Give yourself time for feedback

A speech written for someone else will often require many revisions, do not take this personally. Make sure you leave enough time before the speech is due to make any alterations your speaker may require. You may need to make changes that you are not necessarily comfortable with, especially if you have spent hours crafting the perfect speech. It is important to act with humility and remember that you are a writer, not the speaker. When you have written and rewritten your speech send it to your speaker and relax, knowing that ideally, they will make it sound exactly how you have envisioned!

If you want assistance writing a speech - ask me for help!