For a decade, I have specialized in writing for leaders who have expansive, ambitious visions, usually global. My clients have included lawyers, accountants, ethicists and global financial reformers (be they in government, non-profits, academic or even private sector), entrepreneurs in data and artificial intelligence, among others.

Now, every one of my client relationships differ to meet the client’s individual tastes and needs. Some are experimental; some are self-deprecating; some are hyper-kinetic, and some are very traditional. Others need to see me face-to-face somewhat frequently, others need phone calls, or emails. A few of my clients have never met me face-to-face. Whatever the client wants.

Despite this wide range of customization, my process tends to generally include the following stages:

• Discovery – Learning everything about the client, including messaging, values, plus any personal styles, experiences, details and so on that can be mined to personalize all work, to make it authentically that of the client.
• Drafting and Experimentation – I, of course, make drafts of the work. However, depending on the level of interest of the client, sometimes I’ll make more than one draft, involving different messaging decisions, to look for as many options for the client’s growth as a speaker. These could involve different tones, different messages, and so on. Some love this stage of the process. A few don’t do it at all. On average, this experimentation happens with the first few speeches for clients looking for big changes in their communication style or stage presence.
• Customizing – This is the editing process under the guidance of the client. I work very hard to develop a good understanding of the client’s needs, as well as an understanding of how the client critiques and revises, to make this process as efficient as possible. Usually the customization on the first one or two speeches leads to definitive decisions about style and messaging that inform me on future projects and cut down on time and drafting going forward.
• Perfecting the Execution and Support – This is another stage that varies greatly amongst clients. Some want comprehensive coaching. Some do not. Some are happy with my critiques of video files or recordings of their performances. Sometimes we meet face-to-face and do readings. Sometimes, we as a team actually go to the planned venue and practice from there. For most clients, this process becomes less critical in future projects. The biggest advantage I find from working with my client at least once while performing the speech is that there are a lot of details, opportunities that can only be observed while working from the stage. Again, success for my client is vitally important for me, so I am keen to be a resource in whatever way the client wants.

I am happy working with a variety of media: phone, telecommuting, Skyping, email, and so on.

My key professional needs are just lots of clear communication, and initially, as much of a data dump as the client is willing to spare during the discovery process. The data dump is very helpful because it keeps me from guessing or being tone-deaf about the client. I also love critiques, however harsh, via phone or email or what have you. Getting a hard copy of that critique is very helpful – just to make sure I don’t forget or miss something.

My personal style turns toward nurturing, enabling, therapy. The clients can vent or critique all that they want. At some point in the process, I just need information that is clear so I can do accurate work.

My favorite kinds of clients are those who have big, beautiful, complex ideas and who recognize that every opportunity in front of an audience is a chance for big inspirations, for creating belief in big changes. I take every opportunity before an audience very seriously.