Author/Speaker

Impact: Informational and Inspirational

Craft compelling narratives and deliver impactful presentations to inform, entertain, or persuade audiences. This role involves extensive research, writing, and public engagement to share expertise and insights across various platforms.

In their words

As an author and speaker, my days are a blend of solitary creation and vibrant interaction. I spend hours researching and writing, meticulously crafting every sentence to convey my message effectively. Then, I transition to engaging with audiences, whether on a stage, in a virtual seminar, or during a book signing, sharing my insights and connecting with people. It's a demanding but incredibly rewarding path that allows me to continuously learn and inspire.
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What the day looks like

People interaction: Extensive
Team vs solo: Often involves significant solo work for writing, but extensive collaboration and interaction for speaking engagements, publishing, and promotion.
Client facing: Frequent
Impact visibility: High
Travel: Frequent travel for speaking engagements, book tours, and conferences is common, especially for established professionals.
Schedule flexibility: Flexible
Remote work: Mostly Remote
Typical work hours: 40-60 hours/week
Stress level: Moderate

At a glance

Median salary: $65,000
Entry-level: $35,000 - $55,000
Senior: $100,000+
Growth by 2033: Stable growth, driven by demand for unique content and expert insights across various media.
Demand: Stable
Freelance potential: High
Salary growth potential: Varies greatly based on success, reputation, and demand for their specific expertise. Bestselling authors and highly sought-after speakers can earn significantly more.
Typical student debt: $20,000 - $40,000

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

Long-form Content Drafting
Research
Content Creation
Editing
Presentation Software
Marketing Strategy
Publishing

Soft skills

Communication
Creativity
Public Speaking
Networking
Time Management
Adaptability

Technical complexity: Moderate

Tools you'll work with

Core tools

Microsoft Word (software): Writing and editing manuscripts
Zoom/Google Meet (platform): Virtual speaking engagements and interviews
PowerPoint/Keynote (software): Creating presentation slides

Common tools

Grammarly (software): Grammar and style checking
Microphone (e.g., Blue Yeti) (hardware): High-quality audio for virtual events and podcasts

Niche tools

Scrivener (software): Long-form writing and organization

How to get there

Minimum education: Bachelor's Degree
Licensing: No
Years to mid-career: 7
Years to senior: 15
Career switching: Moderate

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

Journalist: Transitioning from reporting and interviewing to authoring books or delivering expert commentary.
Content Creator: Leveraging experience in digital content to develop deeper narratives and public speaking opportunities.
Educator: Moving from teaching in a structured environment to sharing knowledge through books and public lectures.

Where you can go from here

Editor: Applying strong writing and critical thinking skills to refine others' work.
Consultant: Using expertise and communication skills to advise organizations or individuals.
Media Producer: Expanding into creating podcasts, documentaries, or other media based on their content.
Literary Agent: Utilizing industry knowledge and networking to represent other authors.

Typical progression

Entry-level writers or content creators can advance to become published authors, keynote speakers, or thought leaders in their field. Success often builds on reputation and portfolio.

Future outlook

Automation probability: While AI can assist with content generation, the unique voice, critical thinking, and emotional connection of human authors and speakers remain essential.
AI disruption risk: Moderate
Demand trend: Stable

How people feel about it

Overall satisfaction: 8/10
Meaning: 9/10
Work-life balance: 6.5/10
Prestige: 7.5/10
Social perception: High

Find your community

Professional organisations

National Speakers Association (NSA): A leading organization for professional speakers, offering education, community, and business resources.
Authors Guild: The nation's oldest and largest professional organization for writers, advocating for authors' rights.
Toastmasters International: Develops public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs.

Podcasts and media

Writers Digest: A long-standing resource for writers, offering articles, workshops, and community.