Hire the Best Speech Writers
New York, District Of Columbia
A recent client testimonial: "My greatest professional satisfaction comes from receiving follow-up notes like this one from clients: “Gave my talk in Boston this past week and it went great! The group was very attentive, I saw many nodding their heads and taking notes. I had a great Q&A afterward, and my client was really happy. Thanks again for your help. You did exactly what I wanted: level up my keynote.” Daron Christopher is a Senior Director in the speechwriting and executive communications practice at Bully Pulpit International (BPI). Prior to joining BPI, Daron advised executive leaders on their communications strategies at leading tech companies including VMware and ServiceNow. He previously served as a speechwriter for officials at a range of government agencies under the Obama and Biden Administrations, including the Departments of State, Energy, Agriculture, and Veterans Affairs. As a consultant, he has written for corporate and non-profit leaders at a wide range of organizations, including the World Bank, the African Development Bank, and the World Health Organization. He has also guest lectured on speechwriting in classrooms at American University and Johns Hopkins University. Daron started out his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Cape Verde. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in public policy and management from Carnegie Mellon University. He lives in New York City. ** Select Testimonials: "I recently had the pleasure of working with Daron Christopher, a professional speechwriter whose service was great. Daron's agility in crafting speeches was amazing; he delivered high-quality drafts at an impressive pace. His responsiveness to feedback stood out, ensuring a seamless collaborative experience. The quick turnaround time offered by Daron meant that deadlines were met with ease, without compromising the sophistication and finesse of his writing. If you're looking for a speechwriter who combines speed, quality, and exceptional service, Daron Christopher is the go-to professional. His work is sure to exceed expectations." — Director, Communications and Corporate Affairs, Caribbean Development Bank “My presentation went very well. So well that subsequent presenters referenced my talk during their talks and I received several invitations to speak outside the US (Amsterdam, UK, Israel).” — CEO of Major Water Utility, Washington DC area “So kind of you to remember, Daron! I just hoped down from the stage and was waiting to report back. It went superbly! I made people cry…which always makes me feel like I’ve hit the mark because it means people felt something. Thank you for your exceptional work in crafting it. I will be back for more!” — Animal Rights Activist, Vietnam “Today’s media landscape is chaotic and cluttered. Daron is the key to helping senior leaders break through that noise, by delivering communications that build their credibility and relevance. A few key things to know about Daron: - Daron has a broad knowledge of policy, business, and global issues. He can seamlessly weave all this knowledge together to help leaders deliver impactful messages while avoiding potential pitfalls. And he can get up to speed very quickly on any topic that requires a deep dive. Seriously…any topic. - Daron has a very calm demeanor. I’ve seen him deal with intense and demanding stakeholders in stressful situations. He never lets the pressure get to him, integrates feedback well, and always delivers. - Daron can turn things around very quickly and never misses a deadline. He’s pleasant and so easy to work with. I’ve worked with Daron for many years, and I would unreservedly recommend him to anyone who needs speeches or articles that build their personal brand and thought leadership platforms.” — Global Social Media Manager, Philadelphia
- Speech Writing
- Writing
- Copy Editing
- Screenwriting
- Copywriting
Los Angeles, California
If you need anything written in the fields of history, politics, international relations, or sports: give me a shot. I'm a Top-notch academic writer and editor with a Ph.D. and several peer-reviewed publications. UCLA trained. I was a journalist for two decades. Have two best-selling Amazon ebooks and am constantly working on my skills to give my clients the highest quality outcomes.
- Speech Writing
- Academic Proofreading
- Essay Writing
- Policy Writing
- Creative Writing
- International Relations
- Search Engine Optimization
- Research Papers
- US English Dialect
Edinburgh, United Kingdom
"Daniel is a real pro. If you are looking for a top-notch editor, Daniel's your guy. He'll take good writing and make it great. He can go as detailed as you need. Very flexible." "Daniel is an exceptional writer! He is professional, detail-oriented, and puts a lot of passion into his work. Furthermore, we greatly appreciated his insightful ideas and suggestions." **Expert-Vetted Badge (top one percent on Upwork)** **Top-Rated Plus Badge** Dan here, What started as a hobby for writing comedy has transformed into an extensive career encompassing writing, editing, and proofreading as key responsibilities. Originally from Canada, I have lived in the UK for the past five years, which has given me extensive knowledge and experience writing and editing in both UK and US English across a variety of industries and subjects. To date, I have worked closely with several digital marketing agencies, independent clients, and businesses and managed skilled teams of writers across multiple continents. Writing and editing are how I make a living. I never miss a deadline and consistently deliver content that stands apart from the competition. That's not just me saying that — take a quick scroll through my work history to see what previous clients have said about my work. Copywriting | Editing/Proofreading | Scriptwriting (YouTube, Advertising) Website Writing | Speechwriting | Content/Sales | VSLs | Speechwriting (TED Talks, Keynote, Corporate, Wedding, etc.) Feel free to reach out with any questions. I look forward to helping you achieve your goals in the near future.
- Speech Writing
- Copywriting
- Website Copywriting
- Website Content
- Proofreading
- Content Writing
- Creative Writing
- Copy Editing
- Biography Writing
- Article Writing
- Book Editing
- Sales Writing
- Ghostwriting
- SEO Writing
- Blog Writing
Saint Petersburg, Florida
I've assisted with editing and brainstorming grad school personal and scholarship statements. I've edited many essays, theses, articles and student materials. I've helped international students with grammar and pronunciation. I can readily meet 24 and 48 hour deadlines. I've ghostwritten more than 100 nonfiction ebooks, primarily history and biography. Please note: I do not use AI and I am not interested in projects involving AI. I've written blurbs for businesses, landing pages for small business, edited manuals and other business materials. My skill set includes ghostwriting, ebooks, essays, tutoring, organizing and editing statements of purpose, academic writing, summarizing, proofreading, editing, blogging, and writing articles and essays. My clients have been diverse, from the US but also from Japan, China. South Korea, Vietnam, India, Canada, Argentina, Russia, Italy, Ethiopia, the UK, Hong Kong, and Egypt. I've assisted Upwork clients with admissions essays and personal statements on the high school, BA/BS, Masters and PhD levels. I'm an imaginative, reliable and creative writer. I have 20 years of experience teaching writing, literature and humanities courses at two Florida college campuses and two community colleges.. I have a strong background in history, writing, the arts, culture studies, environment, politics, English and science. I'm a native English speaker, and have a BA, MA and an incomplete PhD program. Note: I do not use AI for anything. What I write for clients is all original. My work background other than Upwork includes 20 years of college teaching, working for a food brokerage, freelance writing and cartooning, working for a nonprofit health organization, writing scripts for a small videoproduction agency, and articles for a small regional magazine. I'm particularly good at converting difficult ideas and concepts into readable, interesting text. I work well with others, and I am careful to observe deadlines. I take pride in producing good work, and regard criticism as helpful. I am very careful with client privacy and information. I know that students are often in a tight squeeze budget, so I can lower my rate some in such a situation. In grad school, I was a student in just that situation and remain sympathetic. A number of my clients on Upwork are long-term, three to five years or more, and several others are repeat clients.
- Speech Writing
- Article Writing
- Academic Writing
- Content Writing
- Writing
- Fact-Checking
- Editing & Proofreading
- Ghostwriting
- US English Dialect
- Ebook
- History
- Essay Writing
- Nonfiction
- English
- Creative Writing
Calabasas, California
I am a highly experienced, strategic communicator committed to helping enterprises, institutions, and leaders immerse their audiences in compelling stories that inform and inspire while forging intellectual and emotional bonds that engage and endure. More than 15 years of resonant content and executive branding delivered across high tech, national defense, academia, pharma, medicine, law, politics, and entertainment.
- Speech Writing
- Social Media Engagement
- Blog Writing
- Newsletter Writing
Watford, United Kingdom
Do you want to tell your story in your voice, but clearer, sharper and more entertaining? I can help. I am an experienced storyteller. Whatever you want to say I can help make you shorter, sharper, clearer and often funnier. I've helped populate YouTube channels, with orginal content, that grabs attention. All the way from the first seconds of the intro to the final seconds of the CTA. As a professional speechwriter, gag writer, and stand-up comic, I know how to create a good turn of phrase, writing lively content, and engaging with an audience. I've used these skills to help with web content that tells a client's story, Kick-starters that get things started. I also have extensive skills in working with AI and giving it that all important human touch. I can use all manner of AI tools, to produce human content that has real impact and always passes plagiarism filters. I've written for everyone from TED speakers to gurus and BBC comedy. I can upgrade bland AI content, develop prompts and I've even taught bots to tell jokes that are almost as funny as mine. Let me help you tell your story and put your message across.
- Speech Writing
- Ghostwriting
- Content Creation
- Content Writing
- Biography Writing
- Joke
- Humor Writing
- Storytelling
- Screenwriting
- Inspirational Tone
- AI Fact-Checking
- TED Talk
- Comedy Writing
- AI Content Writing
- YouTube
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Speech writer hiring guide
A well-crafted speech can shape how audiences perceive your brand and rally a team around a shared vision. Hiring a speechwriter gives you access to a professional who can translate your ideas into clear, compelling language designed for the spoken word.
What does a speechwriter do?
A speechwriter develops original scripts and talking points tailored to a specific speaker, audience, and occasion. They research the topic, structure persuasive arguments, and write in a conversational style that sounds natural when delivered aloud, a skill that sets them apart from general content writers or copywriters. Most speechwriters also collaborate closely with the speaker to capture their authentic voice, refine core messaging, and incorporate feedback across multiple drafts to ensure the final script lands with the intended audience.
Write keynote addresses, conference presentations, and commencement speeches
Develop executive talking points, investor pitches, and board presentations
Craft wedding toasts, eulogies, and other personal or ceremonial remarks
Script TED-style talks, panel introductions, and award acceptance speeches
Ghostwrite op-eds, blog posts, or LinkedIn articles that extend the speech's message
Research audience demographics and tailor tone, examples, and language accordingly
Collaborate with speakers through revision rounds to match their natural delivery style
How to hire a freelance speechwriter on Upwork
Hiring the right speechwriter starts with a clear description of what you need. Here's how to find and work with a freelance speechwriter on Upwork.
Step 1: Post a job
Start by creating a detailed job post that explains the purpose of the speech, the audience, and the outcome you hope to achieve. The more context you provide, the easier it is for speechwriters to determine whether they're a good fit.
Specify the type of speech, such as a keynote, commencement address, conference presentation, investor pitch, wedding toast, acceptance speech, or executive presentation
Include details about the audience, event, speaking environment, and desired tone, whether inspirational, persuasive, educational, humorous, or formal
Provide an approximate length, speaking duration, and timeline for drafts and revisions
Identify key messages, stories, talking points, and outcomes you want the speech to achieve
Note whether the writer will need to interview you or other stakeholders to gather source material
Share reference speeches, previous presentations, brand guidelines, or examples of your speaking style if available
Include your budget, timeline, and expected revision process
Draw ideas from this writer job description for content and structure
Use the Job Post Generator, powered by Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI, to speed things up. Describe what you need in a few sentences, and Uma will draft a speechwriter job post for your review and customization
Step 2: Evaluate candidates
As you start to receive proposals, focus on identifying speechwriters whose experience, storytelling skills, and writing style align with your event and audience.
Use Uma to conduct instant interviews, generate candidate shortlists, and compare applicants side by side based on your requirements
Review portfolios for speeches similar to your project type, audience, industry, or speaking occasion
Evaluate storytelling ability, audience engagement, structure, pacing, and emotional impact rather than grammar alone
Look for experience writing keynote speeches, executive presentations, investor pitches, ceremonial speeches, or other formats relevant to your project
Review samples for voice, clarity, persuasive writing, and the ability to simplify complex ideas for an audience
Check Job Success Scores (JSS), client feedback, and talent badges such as Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, or Expert-Vetted
Look for evidence of strong research, interviewing, and collaboration skills in previous client engagements
Step 3: Interview top choices
Interview shortlisted candidates to determine whether they can capture your voice, understand your audience, and deliver a compelling speech.
Schedule interviews directly within Upwork Messages and review transcripts and summaries afterward to compare candidates efficiently
Ask how they learn a speaker's voice, personality, communication style, and delivery preferences
Discuss their process for research, stakeholder interviews, outlining, drafting, and revisions
Explore experience writing for audiences, industries, or events similar to yours
Ask how they balance storytelling, persuasion, humor, inspiration, and audience engagement depending on the speech objective
Discuss how they handle tight deadlines, last-minute revisions, and changing event requirements
Consider requesting a brief outline, opening section, or paid sample related to your topic to evaluate fit
Use these content writer interview questions as inspiration and tailor them to speechwriting and public speaking needs
Step 4: Agree on scope and begin work
When you've selected a speechwriter, establish clear expectations around deliverables, revisions, and collaboration before writing begins.
Finalize the speech objectives, audience, deliverables, milestones, deadlines, and revision schedule in a formal contract
Agree on interview schedules, information-gathering sessions, stakeholder participation, and research responsibilities
Define milestones for outlines, draft versions, revisions, presentation notes, and final delivery
Clarify intellectual property ownership, confidentiality requirements, and any nondisclosure expectations before work begins
Use messaging and the contract workroom to share briefs, research materials, presentation decks, drafts, and feedback in one place
Take advantage of Upwork's identity verification, payment protection, and hourly tracking features for added security and transparency
Use milestone funding for fixed-price engagements or Hourly Payment Protection for ongoing work
Track progress throughout the engagement to ensure the speech remains aligned with your goals, audience, and event timeline
The rates and information provided in this article are based on current data and industry sources available at the time of publication. Freelance rates can vary depending on factors such as experience, location, project scope, and market conditions. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research to confirm current rates and trends, as this information may change over time.
How much does hiring a speechwriter cost?
On Upwork, speechwriters and other content writers generally cost $30-$59 per hour. Many projects are engaged at a fixed project price depending on the occasion, length, and level of research involved. Consider this breakdown of typical costs for speech writing projects often found on Upwork:
Short personal speech
$150-$500 /project
- Wedding toast or eulogy (3-5 minutes)
- 1-2 revision rounds
- Speaker notes with delivery cues
Business presentation
$500-$1,500 /project
- Conference talk or company all-hands script (10-20 minutes)
- Audience research and messaging framework
- 2-3 revision rounds
Executive keynote
$1,500-$5,000 /project
- High-stakes keynote or fundraising address (20-45 minutes)
- In-depth research and storytelling strategy
- Multiple drafts with speaker coaching notes
Ongoing retainer
$1,000-$3,000 /project
- Monthly speeches, talking points, or remarks
- Consistent voice development across engagements
- Priority turnaround and revision support
Strategic communications advisory
$3,000-$5,000+ /project
- C-suite messaging strategy across multiple events
- Media training scripts and Q&A preparation
- Thought leadership positioning and narrative arc
FAQs about speechwriters
Frequently asked questions
Is hiring a speechwriter worth it?
For most professionals, yes, hiring a speechwriter adds value. A speechwriter brings structure, storytelling expertise, and audience awareness that's difficult to replicate on your own, especially under time pressure. Audiences tend to judge speakers primarily on clarity and narrative coherence, both areas where a skilled writer adds measurable value. Executives who've worked with professional speechwriters often report that having a polished script reduced their prep time and increased their confidence going into the event. If the speech is tied to a high-stakes event like a fundraiser, product launch, or executive keynote, the return on investment is even clearer.
What should I provide a speechwriter before they start?
Before the speechwriter starts on your project, share the event details, audience profile, key messages, any data or anecdotes you want included, and examples of speeches whose tone you admire. If the writer will be capturing your voice, plan for a brief interview or questionnaire so they can match your natural speaking style.
How long does it take to get a finished speech?
A short personal speech (three to five minutes) typically takes three to seven days of writing, including revisions. Longer keynotes or executive speeches with heavy research may require two to four weeks. Timelines depend on complexity, the number of revision rounds, and how quickly you can provide feedback between drafts.
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