Hire a Speech Writer (the top 10 websites I trust)

Hiring a speech writer feels like cheating until you’re the one staring at a blank page at 1:00 a.m. the night before a big talk. I’ve written a solid number in my career, but speeches are their own beast because they have to sound like you, not like a writer.

That’s the tricky part. A speech isn’t just a well-written text. It has to feel natural when it comes out of your mouth. When it doesn’t, everyone in the room can probably tell. So while finding a writer is easy part, in my experience, the difficult step is finding a writer who can reflect your voice in their writing.

10 Best Sites to Hire a Speech Writer Shortlist

Here’s my shortlist of the best places to hire a speech writer:

1. Upwork – Best for experienced pros + reviews 
2. Fiverr – Best for fast, fixed packages
3. Freelancer – Best for competitive bidding 
4. Guru – Best for structured collaboration tools
5. PeoplePerHour – Best for predefined “hourlies” 
6. ProBlogger Job Board – Best for content-first writers 
7. SimplyHired – Best for job-board reach 
8. WriterAccess – Best for vetted matching (premium) 
9. SpeechPad – Best for speech-like readability
10. Textbroker – Best for volume and per-word pricing 

I’ve worked as a technical writer since 2014, and a big part of my job has always been making complicated things sound simple and human. Speeches possess higher emotional stakes and way less tolerance for “robot voice.”

Also, quick promise: this is not one of those generic lists that just reword tool homepages. I’m going to be opinionated about who each platform is for, because hiring the wrong speech writer is how you end up rewriting the whole thing yourself anyway.

Best Sites to Hire a Speech Writer: Detailed Reviews

A speech writer can do more than “write the words.” The right one interviews you, pulls out your real stories, and builds a structure you can deliver without sounding like you swallowed a TED Talk template.

Below are the platforms I’d use, plus how I’d hire on each one.

1. Upwork – Best for experienced pros + reviews

Upwork is the biggest “serious” freelance marketplace in this space. When I want breadth and the ability to find someone who has written executive keynotes, wedding toasts, and product launches, Upwork is where I start.

What I like about Upwork is that you can hire in a way that feels controlled. You can run milestones, keep everything in one thread, and lean on their review system to filter out peoters but not great collaborators. 

The downside is obvious: there’s a lot of noise. You’ll see incredible candidates, and you’ll see people who have never written anything meant to be spoken aloud, so your screening process matters.

Why I chose Upwork

I chose Upwork because it’s the easiest place to hire a professional speechwriter with receipts, and you can pay in milestones. If I’m hiring for a high-stakes event, I want transparent profiles, customer ratings, and a system that discourages flaking. 

Upwork key features

• Large freelance marketplace with speechwriter profiles and reviews 
• Built-in milestone payments and payment protection
• Filters for experience level, budget, and turnaround time

Pros

• Lots of experienced speechwriters to choose from 
• Strong review system for screening 
• Milestone-based workflow is easy to manage

Cons

• You have to screen hard to avoid generic “speech template” writers
• Top talent can be pricey for rush jobs

Learn more: Check out Upwork on their website.

2. Fiverr – Best for fast, fixed packages

Fiverr is where I go when speed matters and the scope is clear. It’s built around packaged services, so you can buy a speech by word count, delivery speed, and revision count without negotiating from scratch. 

It’s also one of the easiest places to compare options. You can look at portfolios, reviews, and add-ons (like delivery coaching or tone variations) without having to send 10 back-and-forth messages first.

The risk is that low prices can tempt you into hiring someone who writes “fine,” but not “you.” On Fiverr, I’d over-index on samples and reviews, and I’d treat the first order as a paid trial.

Why I chose Fiverr

I chose Fiverr because it’s the fastest way to get a decent speech draft when you already know the occasion and tone. If you need something short like a wedding toast, an award acceptance, or a quick keynote opener, Fiverr’s packaging makes the buying decision simple.

Fiverr key features

• Clear package pricing and delivery times
• Reviews, ratings, and visible seller portfolios
• Lots of niche categories (academic, business, wedding, motivational) 

Pros

• Easy to buy a speech fast 
• Fixed-price options reduce negotiation
• Tons of variety in style and tone

Cons

• Quality varies at the low end
• “One-size-fits-all” templates are common

Learn more: Check out Fiverr on their website.

3. Freelancer – Best for competitive bidding

Freelancer has a bidding system. You post the project, writers pitch, and you choose a bid based on price, timeline, and their profile.

That can be useful when you have a hard budget ceiling. If you’re hiring for a speech that’s lower stakes, or you’re willing to spend time reviewing bids, you can often find someone solid at a reasonable price.

The tradeoff is that bidding can drag out the process. It can also reward “cheapest proposal” behavior, so you need to anchor on writing samples and reviews, not just the bid number.

Why I chose Freelancer

I chose Freelancer because it’s a decent option when you want multiple offers quickly, and you’re comfortable managing the screening yourself. It’s not my first pick for executive-level work, but it can work for community events, internal talks, and straightforward speeches. 

Freelancer key features

• Competitive bidding system 
• Large global freelancer pool
• Reviews and profiles for basic vetting

Pros

• Can be cost-effective if you manage bidding well
• Lots of candidates to compare
• Useful for clear, scoped projects

Cons

• Bidding can slow down hiring
• Quality control depends on your screening

Learn more: Check out Freelancer on their website.

4. Guru – Best for structured collaboration tools

Guru has a cleaner “project management” feel than some marketplaces. It’s designed for ongoing collaboration, with a dashboard-style workflow that’s helpful when you’re working on multiple drafts and iterations.

I also like that it encourages clarity around deliverables. In speechwriting, that matters because you’re rarely buying a single draft. You’re buying a draft, then edits, then polish, then maybe a shorter version because you realized you only have five minutes.

Guru’s main drawback is that its pricing and fee structure can feel less obvious to first-time users. You’ll want to clarify the payment terms upfront to avoid surprises. 

Why I chose Guru

I chose Guru because the collaborative side of speechwriting is where projects break down. If I’m working with a speechwriter through a revision-heavy process, I want a platform that supports that workflow instead of fighting it.

Guru key features

• WorkRoom collaboration environment 
• Project dashboard for deliverables and communication
• Negotiable pricing and flexible arrangements 

Pros

• Strong for back-and-forth collaboration
• Good for multi-draft projects
• Works well when you want flexible payment terms

Cons

• Fees and pricing can be confusing at first
• Less “instant buy” than Fiverr

Learn more: Check out Guru on their website.

5. PeoplePerHour – Best for predefined “hourlies”

PeoplePerHour’s “hourlies” are predefined tasks at a set price. That’s great when you want a clear deliverable like “edit my speech,” “write a 5-minute toast,” or “rewrite my opening.” 

It’s also nice when you want to avoid lengthy negotiations. You can pick an hourly package, message the writer, and get moving.

The limitation is that not every speech fits a predefined template. For more complex work, you’ll end up negotiating a custom project anyway, so make sure the writer is comfortable going beyond the standard packages.

Why I chose PeoplePerHour

I chose PeoplePerHour because it’s a good middle ground between Fiverr’s package model and Upwork’s custom hiring. If I need something short and structured, the hourlies system removes friction.

PeoplePerHour key features

• Hourlies for fixed-price tasks 
• Direct messaging for clarifying scope 
• Marketplace-style profiles and reviews

Pros

• Clear pricing for common tasks
• Fast to hire for small projects
• Useful for edits and rewrites

Cons

• Custom, high-complexity speeches need extra negotiation 
• Not as deep a bench as Upwork for elite speechwriters

Learn more: Check out PeoplePerHour on their website.

6. ProBlogger Job Board – Best for content-first writers

ProBlogger is known for blogging jobs, but it can still work for speechwriting if you frame the job correctly. If you’re hiring for a brand keynote, a founder talk, or an internal company speech, a content writer who understands tone and messaging can be a great fit.

This is a job board, not a marketplace. That means you post a role and wait for applicants, rather than browsing profiles and hiring on the spot.

The key is writing a strong job post that demands proof: portfolio links, past speeches, or at least writing samples that show voice, rhythm, and audience awareness.

Why I chose ProBlogger Job Board

I chose ProBlogger because sometimes you don’t need a “professional speechwriter.” You need a strong writer who can capture your voice and structure a message for business and content-driven speeches. 

ProBlogger Job Board key features

• Niche audience of writers and content creators 
• Simple job posting model 
• Applicants come to you

Pros

• Good for business messaging and narrative clarity
• Can attract experienced content writers
• Straightforward posting process

Cons

• Not speechwriting-specific 
• No built-in escrow or milestone system

Learn more: Check out ProBlogger Job Board on their website.

7. SimplyHired – Best for job-board reach

SimplyHired is useful when your priority is reach. You can post a role, collect applicants, and sift for the right match based on experience and writing samples. 

Because it’s broad, you’ll get a mix of candidates. Some will be real speechwriters. Others will be generalists who want to try speechwriting because it sounds fun.

If you use SimplyHired, I’d set your screening requirements to be strict. Ask for relevant samples, references if the stakes are high, and a short paid trial if you can.

Why I chose SimplyHired

I chose SimplyHired because sometimes you just need volume and options if you’re hiring for recurring speeches or ongoing executive comms support. It’s not glamorous, but it can work if your process is tight. 

SimplyHired key features

• Broad job board distribution 
• Large pool of applicants 
• Easy posting and applicant management

Pros

• Strong reach for staffing-style hiring 
• Useful for ongoing roles
• Good if you already know how to screen writers

Cons

• Not tailored to speechwriting 
• Extra screening effort required 

Learn more: Check out SimplyHired on their website.

8. WriterAccess – Best for vetted matching (premium)

WriterAccess is more curated than the typical marketplace. It positions itself as a platform for matching writers, including speechwriters, through a platform-driven selection process. 

The pitch is quality and efficiency. You spend less time searching and more time collaborating with someone who’s already been vetted.

The tradeoff is cost. WriterAccess tends to be more premium, which can be worth it if you’re writing something high-profile and you want fewer surprises.

Why I chose WriterAccess

I chose WriterAccess because when the speech is tied to your reputation, premium curation is cheaper than fixing a bad draft. If I’m hiring for a C-suite keynote or a fundraising talk, I’d rather pay more upfront and reduce risk.

WriterAccess key features

• Matching algorithm for writer selection
• Portfolio-rich writer profiles
• Credit-based system for paying writers

Pros

• Higher likelihood of consistent quality 
• Less time spent sorting through weak candidates
• Good for professional comms work

Cons

• Premium pricing model
• Credit systems can feel unfamiliar at first

Learn more: Check out WriterAccess on their website.

9. SpeechPad – Best for speech-like readability

SpeechPad is best known for transcription, but it also offers speechwriting. The interesting angle is that it’s built around spoken content, so readability and “sayability” are a bigger part of the value. 

If you’ve ever read a draft that looks good on the page but feels awful out loud, you understand why this matters. Spoken rhythm is different than written rhythm.

The main limitation is that it’s not a massive writing marketplace. If you want a huge pool of candidates, use Upwork. If you want speech-forward thinking, SpeechPad is worth a look.

Why I chose SpeechPad

I chose SpeechPad because a speech is a performance. If I care most about delivery, pacing, and audibility, I want a platform that thinks in “spoken language” first.

SpeechPad key features

• Focus on delivery and audibility 
• Quick turnaround options
• Pricing based on speech duration (minutes)

Pros

• Strong emphasis on how the speech sounds 
• Good fit for presentations and spoken scripts
• Clear minute-based pricing model

Cons

• Smaller ecosystem than major marketplaces
• May not cover every niche speech style

Learn more: Check out SpeechPad on their website.

10. Textbroker – Best for volume and per-word pricing

Textbroker is a volume platform. You get access to many writers and can select based on a rating system, paying by the word.

If you’re hiring speeches often and you need a repeatable process, Textbroker can be a practical option. The model is built for throughput.

The caution is quality variance. The rating system helps, but spoken-word nuance can still be hit or miss, so I’d treat early drafts as tests before you commit to anything important. 

Why I chose Textbroker

I chose Textbroker because it’s a workable option when speed and budget matter, and the speech is not a once-in-a-lifetime event. If you need a lot of drafts, fast, and you’re okay with iterating, the per-word model can fit. 

Textbroker key features

• Star-rating system for writers 
• Large pool of available writers 
• Per-word pricing aligned to rating tiers

Pros

• Easy to scale writing volume
• Straightforward per-word pricing 
• Good for consistent, repeatable workflows

Cons

• Speech voice can feel generic if you don’t guide it
• Screening and editing still matter a lot

Learn more: Check out Textbroker on their website.

Typical Services Speech Writers Provide

Most speechwriters are not just “writers.” The best ones run a collaborative process in which they pull stories out of you, shape them into a narrative, and then polish them for delivery so the speech sounds natural when spoken.

In my experience, you pay for some combination of research, interviewing, drafting, and editing. If you want help beyond the page, some speechwriters will also coach delivery, including pacing and non-verbal cues.

Common services include:

• Information gathering and quick research
• Interviewing the speaker to capture the voice and stories
• Structuring the speech (introduction, body, conclusion)
• Draft submission with revision rounds
• Editing for clarity, rhythm, and rhetorical devices
• Optional delivery support and practice coaching

Factors I’d Consider Before Hiring a Speech Writer

First, I’d get honest about the context: who’s the audience, what’s the room like, and what does “success” mean here. Audience dynamics matter because a wedding speech and a boardroom speech are different species.

Second, I’d screen for voice fit, not just writing skill. A great portfolio is helpful, but I want samples that sound like spoken language, plus evidence that the writer can adapt their style to match a speaker’s personality.

Finally, I’d set up a process that reduces risk. Milestone payments, clear revisions, and a short paid trial draft can save you from a painful rewrite late in the game.

Related Resources

If you’re hiring writers in general (not just speechwriters), these guides will help you build a better screening process and avoid the hiring traps:

• Best Sites I’d Use to Hire a Freelance Writer
• Best Sites I’d Use to Hire a Ghost Writer
• Best Sites I’d Use to Hire a Blog Writer
• Best Sites I’d Use to Hire a Book Writer
• Best Sites I’d Use to Hire a Proposal Writer
• Best Websites I’d Use to Hire a Whitepaper Writer
• Best Sites I’d Use to Hire a Technical Writer

FAQ

Here I answer the most frequently asked questions about hiring a speech writer.

How much does it cost to hire a speech writer?

It depends on the platform, the writer’s experience, the timeline, and the word count. A short toast can be inexpensive, but a keynote with deep research and multiple revisions will cost more if you’re hiring someone with executive communications experience.

Should I pay hourly or per project?

For speeches, I prefer project-based pricing with milestones. Hourly can work for edits or coaching, but a fixed-scope, milestone-based payment structure keeps both sides aligned and prevents the project from drifting.

What should I give a speech writer to get the best result?

Give them context, constraints, and real raw material. I’d share: the audience description, event type, time limit, your main point, 2 to 3 personal stories you’re willing to tell, and a couple speeches you like (and hate).

How do I vet a freelance speechwriter quickly?

I look for three things: a portfolio that sounds like spoken language, reviews that mention collaboration, and a short paid trial (like writing just the opening or a 60-second section). If they can nail your voice in a small section, the rest of the speech goes well.

Do I need to worry about plagiarism in a speech?

Yes, but it’s manageable. I prefer to hire writers who can show process and drafts, and I’ll also run the final text through an online plagiarism checker if the speech is high-profile or published afterward.

How many revision rounds should I expect?

At a minimum, I plan for one revision round. For anything important, I plan for two, because once you practice out loud, you’ll discover which lines feel unnatural and which sections need tightening.