Read or listen to the speeches of famous speechwriters such as Jon Favreau, who wrote for President Barack Obama, and Marc Thiessen, who wrote for George W. Bush.
Read The Political Speechwriter's Companion: A Guide for Writers and Speakers by Robert Lehrman.
Develop a sense of humor; all successful speechwriters learn not to take things too seriously.
Join an association of communicators like the National Association of Government Communicators and the International Association of Business Communicators; volunteer to meet everyone. If you are freelancing, network and hand out your business card. Writing speeches in any capacity will improve your chances of being a political speechwriter.
- Ambassadors
- Bloggers
- Book Editors
- Campaign Workers
- City Managers
- Columnists
- Comic Book Writers
- Congressional Aides
- Copy Editors
- Copywriters
- Diet and Fitness Writers
- Editorial Assistants
- Editorial Research Assistants
- Editors
- Environmental Lobbyists
- Environmental Planners
- Fashion Writers and Editors
- Federal and State Officials
- Food Writers and Editors
- Foreign Correspondents
- Foreign Service Officers
- Grant Coordinators and Writers
- Greeting Card Designers and Writers
- Indexers
- Intelligence Officers
- Interpreters
- Land Acquisition Professionals
- Land Trust or Preserve Managers
- Lexicographers
- Literary Agents
- Lobbyists
- Magazine Editors
- Newspaper Editors
- Online Journalists
- Photo Editors
- Playwrights
- Policy Analysts
- Political Columnists and Writers
- Political Consultants
- Political Reporters
- Political Scientists
- Press Secretaries
- Public Opinion Researchers
- Real Estate Writers
- Regional and Local Officials
- Reporters
- Science and Medical Writers
- Screenwriters
- Sportswriters
- Statisticians
- Technical Writers and Editors
- Translators
- Typists and Word Processors
- Urban and Regional Planners
- Writers