Where do potheads work?

[Meenstreek]

The way I got that gig--and the way most speechwriters do, too--is that I was working as a writer for that corporation. I started as a business writer and hated that because it actually involved tech writing, and I'm really more into creative/human-angle writing. So I worked my way into the marketing and PR area and did marketing copy/advertising writing for a number of years. That was the organization in which the executive speechwriters were, too, and they'd ask us to help with executive speeches when they got too busy. That morphed into an opening on the speechwriting team. And that's how I ended up in that job.

A lot of writers do freelance speechwriting or other types of freelance writing to build experience. If you can write an ad or a brochure, you can usually write a speech, too, or a video or audio script. Just so you know how to write in a conversational, succinct tone. The problem for freelancers is you need some way of finding people who need speeches to be written, and that's why working for a corporation works well. The execs and high-ranking managers often have public-speaking obligations. A good source of people who need speeches is often in local politics. That's frequently how political speechwriters get their starts. But they often come from the business world, too. One of my former colleagues from the corporation where I worked, which is a big Texas technology company, later got a job as a writer at the White House.

Salaries can vary, but freelance writers often charge more for speechwriting than other types of word-crafting, mostly because it's more visible, important writing. The experienced freelancers in our area charge $125/hour or more for executive speechwriting. Salaries for writers in corporations can vary anywhere from the low- to mid-40s for entry-level on up to more than$100,000 a year for experienced writers. I was lucky enough to be on the upper end of that scale before I went back to school. Political speechwriters who work for the government generally start in the mid-40s and don't go much higher than the mid-70s. (Private-sector jobs pay more.) But the top freelance political speechwriters can make a lot of money. The speechwriters who write for our president and his senior leaders tend to be staff writers rather than freelancers, however. They do that partially for security reasons but also to maintain exclusivity of phrasing/style.

If you're interested in being a speechwriter, read read read. Read famous speeches and books about famous speakers. Watch CSPAN and other channels that cover speakers and talkers. And get the book Simply Speaking by Peggy Noonan. She was a speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and is quite knowledgeable about speechwriting and communications (even if her political leanings are the complete opposite of mine).

First thing on my agenda is to thank you for answering my questions. Muchos Gracias!

Next, I will be taking you up on all of your suggestions on breaking into the speechwriting field. I will try to get a copy of Simply Speaking (although Ronald Reagan isn't my favorite president) and devour its contents.

Finally, I will be more active in pursuing avenues that may lead into this field.

You have truly inspired me birdgirl!!!

Meenstreek Reviewed by Meenstreek on 12-21-2006. Where do potheads work? I've always been curious to see where potheads work. If your in school then post your grade. I work for an Educational Foundation and I'm an Education Programs Coordinator. Basically, I help develop training programs, web-based and print, for the industrial distribution industry (Pipes, valves, etc..) 90% of the time its boring, but it pays well and is a step forward in my ultimate career goal, which is writing for a living. Rating: 5

[birdgirl73]

Thanks, Meenstreak, and de nada on answering the questions. Hope you go very far with your ambitions. Writing's a good field to go into professionally. Not that many people can do it well (illiteracy, as you know, is everywhere), and so there's always a need for people who can. And the best thing is that the more you do it, the better you get at it--and the easier the work gets, too. Good luck!

[mattmao]

i work for myself,i'm a ceramic tiler nice and easy smoke when you want,lunch when you want.so if anybody stuck with kitchen,bathroom or swimming pool give me a shout i'm sure we can do a deal.:jointsmile:

[Fishdance]

The way I got that gig--and the way most speechwriters do, too--is that I was working as a writer for that corporation. I started as a business writer and hated that because it actually involved tech writing, and I'm really more into creative/human-angle writing. So I worked my way into the marketing and PR area and did marketing copy/advertising writing for a number of years. That was the organization in which the executive speechwriters were, too, and they'd ask us to help with executive speeches when they got too busy. That morphed into an opening on the speechwriting team. And that's how I ended up in that job.

A lot of writers do freelance speechwriting or other types of freelance writing to build experience. If you can write an ad or a brochure, you can usually write a speech, too, or a video or audio script. Just so you know how to write in a conversational, succinct tone. The problem for freelancers is you need some way of finding people who need speeches to be written, and that's why working for a corporation works well. The execs and high-ranking managers often have public-speaking obligations. A good source of people who need speeches is often in local politics. That's frequently how political speechwriters get their starts. But they often come from the business world, too. One of my former colleagues from the corporation where I worked, which is a big Texas technology company, later got a job as a writer at the White House.

Salaries can vary, but freelance writers often charge more for speechwriting than other types of word-crafting, mostly because it's more visible, important writing. The experienced freelancers in our area charge $125/hour or more for executive speechwriting. Salaries for writers in corporations can vary anywhere from the low- to mid-40s for entry-level on up to more than$100,000 a year for experienced writers. I was lucky enough to be on the upper end of that scale before I went back to school. Political speechwriters who work for the government generally start in the mid-40s and don't go much higher than the mid-70s. (Private-sector jobs pay more.) But the top freelance political speechwriters can make a lot of money. The speechwriters who write for our president and his senior leaders tend to be staff writers rather than freelancers, however. They do that partially for security reasons but also to maintain exclusivity of phrasing/style.

If you're interested in being a speechwriter, read read read. Read famous speeches and books about famous speakers. Watch CSPAN and other channels that cover speakers and talkers. And get the book Simply Speaking by Peggy Noonan. She was a speechwriter for Ronald Reagan and is quite knowledgeable about speechwriting and communications (even if her political leanings are the complete opposite of mine).

Very well stated!

One more vote for the book Simply Speaking, its on my shelf as well.

[bucknuts1870]

I slang Pizza's mayne! Pizza delivery driver is one of the highest occupations a person can have, there isn't one person at my work that DOESN'T smoke.

[Purple Banana]

I could go for some dripping cheese pizza right now...

[SpeX125]

I used to work at a high-tech company,on the manufacturing floor.A lot of the guys there liked to blaze.
Hell,my long time connection worked there,he was a 'Nam vet.

[BizzleLuvin]

i just got a job translating for spanish patients at this free dental and medical clinic downtown. they are paying me 8/hr to do it. sucky pay but it will look great on my resume. and i LOVE doing it. this is what I am going to college for.

[Pipe Dreams]

Well, Im 19 years old, I live on my own, and I do construction. Mostly roofing, but I do alot of insulation lately also. I go to college, even though Im not in right now, my semester doesnt start until January, but I dont think Im going to make it back to that one.

I dont think anyone that I work with smokes. I mean, my dad owns the company (and he rides me the hardest) and he doesnt hire people to do "drugs".

[Meenstreek]

i just got a job translating for spanish patients at this free dental and medical clinic downtown. they are paying me 8/hr to do it. sucky pay but it will look great on my resume. and i LOVE doing it. this is what I am going to college for.

Your doing well.

Money won't make you rich.

But consider yourself wealthy when you love what your doing and its furthering your goals.