There are only 4 reasons to hire a speechwriter

“Why do you want to hire a speechwriter?”

I ask all my new clients this question. There are many answers you could give – but only a few good ones.

You see, some people want to hire a writer because of a vague idea of ‘being great’. That’s a terrible reason, because you don’t have a clear idea of what you want. Which means the writer can’t give you what you want – and the whole thing becomes an exercise in frustration.

Another reason might be because you’ve got a big speech coming up and you’re worried about it.

Another bad reason.

Why? not because you can’t be nervous – of course you can. No, the reason is because if that’s your primary motivation, you’re going to be worried when that first draft comes in. and that second draft. And the third, fourth, fifth… sixtieth.

Because your primary motivation is fear, the speech will die a slow ‘death by tinkering’.”

One of the worst answers I’ve heard is “I just don’t have the time to do it the way I want to.”

That sounds like a good reason, doesn’t it?

And not having capacity can be a good reason.

But it’s in the phrasing. Anybody giving this answer is saying ‘I could do a great job, but I don’t have the time. So I’m hiring you to do what I would have done.’

And that is a recipe for disaster.

Because no writer who is any good will think and write exactly like you. They won’t think or write exactly like each other, either.

That’s not a bad thing – it’s a good thing. Yes, time and capacity can legitimately be part of your motivation for hiring a writer, but only if it’s coupled with an understanding that the writer will take it in new and creative directions.

I’ve worked with clients who have had all these motivations, and although I’ve always worked to give them the best I can do, it never works as well as it does with the right clients.

The right clients are the ones looking for a writer for the right reasons.

The right reasons are one or more of the following:

1. You want someone to approach it differently

2. You want someone you can trust

3. You want a specialist

4. You want to stand out

That’s pretty much it.

When I work with clients who give me those answers, we have the best working relationship, because it’s built on trust. A good speechwriter has to be trusted to push the envelope.

Any comms graduate can write a mediocre laundry list speech that offends no one and says nothing.

If that’s what you want, never bother reaching out to a speechwriter… me or anyone else. It’s a waste of your money.

Reach out when you want to stand out.

That takes guts, of course. It means being willing to be challenged by the writer, to extend your comfort zone. And standing out always means pissing somebody off.

But that’s the price of leadership.

And that’s what it comes down to – the people who should hire a writer are the people daring to lead.

Since those are my favourite clients, I work with them on special terms that make their life easier. Less time commitment, more effective results.

But again – glory takes guts.

If that’s you, it reply or shoot me an email at [email protected] and let’s talk.

Alexander