Moonlighting Idea: Community Speechwriter

All sorts of people give speeches, not only politicians and
executives of international conglomerates. Virtually every major
life event involves some sort of speech. For example, toasts are
offered at weddings, eulogies at funerals, roasts at retirement,
anniversary, and company gatherings, and presentations at a
variety of events. Everyone makes a speech sometime -- which is
why it is consistently ranked as the #1 fear.

If you have a way with words, and can turn mundane expressions
into colorful and memorable ones, you can easily make a decent
moonlight income writing for people in your community.

Advertise initially by posting flyers wherever people
congregate: churches, schools, community bulletin boards,
libraries, etc. Once you have a few speeches under your belt,
word-of-mouth will provide you with an ample supply of referral
customers.

Plan on spending an hour, or so, with each new client gathering
background information, details, and anecdotes. Bring a tape
recorder to the meeting so you can capture some of the client's
favorite sayings and verbal mannerisms. Have your questions
written out before meeting with the client, but listen to each
answer for opportunities to explore interesting "side roads".

As a added value, you might offer to rehearse the speech with
the client and offer tips for effective delivery. Plan on at
least one "tweaking" after the client has read the speech to
correct areas where the client stumbles during the reading.

Charge $15-20 per typewritten, double-spaced, 10-12 point type
page, and $25-30 an hour for any research you need to do in
addition to the initial interview. Do your first two or three
speeches free, or better yet, do them in exchange for a
testimonial and an agreement to refer prospective clients.

A great way to learn more about this moonlighting gig (and
speech communication in general) is to sit in on a local
Toastmaster International meeting. Ask a few questions; make a
few friends. Visit the Toastmasters website
to find a public
meeting in your area.

Web Links:
Dave's Guide to Speechwriting
http://davegustafson.com/speech/

SpeechTips.com
http://www.speechtips.com/

Speechwriting Books at Amazon.com
http://bisoncreek.com/link/SpeechwritingBooks.html