14 secrets of successful freelance speechwriters

I also know lots of corporate types fantasize about going out on their own. Before you decide to make that move, I wanted to share tips I’ve garnered from long friendships with a number of successful freelance speechwriters, and things I’ve done right and wrong in my own freelance writing career.

I hope this list helps you think more specifically about whether you have what it takes—or can get what it takes. Here goes:

Be famous. Get yourself published in national magazines and important trade journals. Or write a book. CEOs are status-oriented; they’ll not only be more likely to hire you if they think you’re a hotshot, they’ll treat you with more respect along the way. (Machiavellian hint: If you publish one article a year in a magazine or newspaper, you can say you “write regularly” for magazines and newspapers.)