How to Become a Motivational Speaker 1-2-3
>> Get FREE Speaker Training
Videos <<
10 Steps to Becoming a Motivational Speaker
If you have ever made a class
presentation, spoken up at a meeting, or given a toast at a wedding reception, you have spoken in public.
Since public speaking is many people's greatest fear, if you enjoyed the experience, you might have what it
takes to become a motivational speaker.
From the storyteller around the campfire to great spiritual and political leaders, speakers have motivated
people throughout history. Today's motivational speakers inspire students to stay in school, say no to drugs
and gangs, and prepare for life after graduation. Adults are motivated by speakers to follow their dreams and
achieve greater success in business and in life.
Below are 10 steps to breaking into Motivational Speaking, based on the guide, "Become a Motivational
Speaker".
 T I P : How to Turn Your
Speaking Skills into a 6-Figure Business
See how Speakers Ali Brown and Lisa Sasevich routinely make big bucks from the stage in
their own joyous way - without bullying their audiences.
This new, authentic way of selling from the platform is making
waves and resulting in greater incomes for those who apply their methods. People are
actually able to make more money while working less.
|
1. Do an inventory of your life experience
The first place to look for what to speak about is your own life. Make a list of the goals you have
achieved, such as: graduating from college, landing your first job, finding someone to love, overcoming a
bad habit, starting a business, raising children, or achieving a lifelong dream.
Of course, it's even better if you have achieved something extraordinary, such as winning an Olympic
medal, publishing a bestselling book, or giving birth to septuplets! But even accomplishments that seem
"ordinary" can provide material for speeches.
People find it inspiring to hear about how others have overcome obstacles to achieve their dreams. If
you have ever had to deal with fear, rejection, financial hardship, or loss along the way to achieving your
goals, chances are you have the basic material to give a motivational speech.
2. Identify what you have to offer
Unfortunately, unless you're already famous, audiences won't pay just to hear about your life. (Many people
are happy to talk about themselves for free!) To be successful, you should identify how your speeches can
help people solve their problems, achieve their goals, or otherwise improve their lives.
3. Choose a "niche"
People are unlikely to take you seriously if you promise that your speeches will solve all their
problems and help them: get rich, lose weight, find the love of their life, become great leaders, get
healthy, make more sales, be happy, etc., etc.
Instead, pick one specialty or "niche" such as leadership. It's important to have a niche because people
like to hire experts. After all, if you needed surgery, wouldn't you want your doctor to be "an
expert"?
4. Know your target audience
It can be tempting to say "I want everyone to hear what I have to say!" The reality is that if you develop
a speech bank executives love, chances are it won't go over as well at the local elementary school.
Depending on your niche, you could define your audience by characteristics such as: age, gender,
geographic location, industry, interests, or any other traits that distinguish one group from another. Once
you have identified your audience, you can target your efforts directly to that group.
5. Write your speech
If this is the part of becoming a speaker you fear most, the good news is there are people who can write a
speech for you. You could check the Yellow Pages and hire a speechwriter, public relations firm, or speech
coach. Prices can vary widely, so ask for a flat fee quote.
If you want to write it yourself you can find numerous online resources to help you. There are numerous
excellent speechwriting websites including sites offered by communication departments of several
universities.
6. Polish your speaking skills
It's fine to feel nervous when you first start speaking. But as a professional speaker, it's your job not
to let it show. Among the traits that can help you succeed as a speaker are confidence, credibility (a
combination of likeability and expertise), and enthusiasm. Most colleges and universities offer evening
classes in public speaking to help you develop these traits.
Another idea is to join Toastmasters, an international non-profit organization that helps people to
practice speaking skills at weekly meetings.
7. Prepare promotional materials
Once you have written your speech and are confident in your speaking skills, you're ready to start
marketing yourself to the people who can hire you. Your promotional materials include a "demo" tape and an
information package.
While professional speakers spend thousands of dollars on a demo tape, as a beginner, your demo tape can
be as simple as a video recording of one of your speeches. (Set the camera up on a tripod at the back of
the room.)
Your information package can be a two pocket folder available from any stationery store. It includes
such items as: a letter of introduction, a business card, your resume, a color photograph, a page
summarizing your experience and the benefits of your speech, and testimonial (reference) letters from
people who have heard you speak. To make my package stand out, I also like to include a small gift related
to my speech, such as a postcard with an inspiring message.
8. Approach potential employers
Potential employers of speakers include: seminar companies, conventions, conferences, trade shows,
corporations, non-profit associations, government agencies, continuing education departments, schools,
colleges, and cruise ships.
One of the best ways to approach potential employers is by phoning, faxing, or emailing them an
invitation to see you speak. If they can't come to see you in person, the next best thing is to send them
your materials so they can see you on tape.
9. Get employers to approach you
Imagine if employers approached you, instead of the other way around. You can make it happen by becoming
well known in your community.
The most effective ways to become well known as a speaker include: get interviewed on radio and TV,
write articles for publication in local newspapers and magazines, put up a website, attend networking
events, give free speeches to community groups, and present your own seminars.
10. Get represented by speakers' bureaus
Speakers bureaus are companies that can find work for you. Once you have some experience as a speaker, you
can start approaching bureaus in your community to represent you.
About the Author Tag Goulet is the author of the FabJob Guide to Become a Motivational
Speaker. The complete guide offers detailed information about how you can break into this career and
get hired as a motivational speaker.
How to Become a Motivational Speaker
Learn how to start your own Motivational Speaking Business with help from National Seminar Company Owner and
Expert Tag Goulet. Tag has over 15 years experience in the seminar and motivational speaking field, and
has successfully operated her own seminar company.
Imagine the perfect person to learn from - Tag can show you inside tips and expert advice that you
can't find anywhere else.
See what you get >>
- Discover 5 simple techniques for coming up with great topics, speechwriting strategies - even how to
find someone to write your speeches for you!
- How to find audiences that will pay you to speak, and how to look like a pro, even if you're just
starting out (this can really boost profits)
- How to produce demo tapes and speech products + sample forms and materials you can use
- Get it Risk-Free >> Start a Speaking Business
rated by customers
T I P : How to Cash
in on Your Speaking
International Speaker Felicia Slattery knows public speaking. She can walk you through creating a
Signature Speech step-by-step and even show you where to go to get speaking gigs.
Recommended. |
7 Simple Secrets to Successful Workshops
Nervous about your first motivational seminar or presentation? You don't have to be. Get solutions from
workshop experts for attention-getting introductions, easy icebreakers, powerful visual demonstrations,
effective delivery and preparation strategies so your workshops are virtually hassle-free. These insider tips
can help you love your job even more! Click here >> 7 Simple Secrets to Successful
Workshops
Grow Your Speaking Business
Using Proven Marketing Methods
If you are serious about building your client list, and you don't want to pay thousands of dollars to an ad
agency, the Small Business Marketing Bible shows you how to attract a steady stream of
buyers - on the cheap.
Get the 1-Day Marketing Plan outline and over 29 proven success systems
that you can use over and over to increase profits and grow your speaking business, including:
- Foolproof salesletter template, proven ad writing checklist and how to create an irresistible
offer.
- How to turn incoming phone calls into clients and turn one-time buyers into lucrative lifetime
customers.
- How to use other people's customers to get new business.
- The secret to getting free referrals when you ask - 90% of the time.
- Maximum profit pricing strategy and how to double your sales with simple packaging
techniques.
- 4 techniques for doubing sales - with no additional customers.
- Get it Risk-Free >> Small Business Marketing Bible
Motivational Speaker Business Resources:
Hire Help the Easy Way:
Easily find a team of experts to help you build your business - virtually. Save money in overhead
costs, get work done more quickly and eliminate payroll hassles.
- Website Designers and Software Developers
- Marketers, Salespeople and Telemarketers
- Accounting and Bookkeeping Assistants
- People to handle Customer Service and Administrative Tasks
- oDesk makes outsourcing easy and affordable so you can grow your business faster.
- Get a Free Tour, Post a Job
Promote Your Coaching or Speaking Business Through eBooks
In these uncertain times when we all would like to feel safe, when we don't really want
to travel so much for our business, we need to look to the Online Marketing Machine of ePublishing.
Your audience today is Internet savvy. They love the Web, surf it regularly and are looking for specific
information that. You have that expertise already and can easily put it into an eBook.
Business audiences want concise, easy-to-read short books on subjects from personal growth to how-to books.
They are willing to print short eBooks, often only the chapters they plan to read immediately. Hardly any
business person wants to read a long book any more. If you are like me, you probably don't want to either.
Ebooks are the wave of the future, and anyone,
even those who think they can't write, can create a quality eBook in less than a month. With a little help
from a book coach, you can learn the three or four best ways to use your eBook with other Online
Promotion-and watch your client base grow.
If you are a speaker, you already have several talks you can give. One of those talks can be your first
short eBook. Print books and traditional publishing don't support the author. They take way too long, and only
give the author a pittance for a lot of hard work.
E books are easy work. In fact, with the articles you have in your files, plus the talks you already have
written, you have the beginnings of your first eBook. Instead of 200 pages, think 10-30 pages. Instead of 15
chapters, think of 3-5 sections. Instead of long stories, think of tips.
Why an eBook?
">Today, professionals need a Web site to market their services. In that Web site they need a home page
with marketing pizzazz that uses benefit-driven headlines to drive the visitor to their coaching pages as well
as to their product pages. On these pages you have your "sales letter" crafted to entice your reader to
buy.
EBooks help your coaching business because you can give the very short ones away when people subscribe to
your eNewsletter. Your ezine helps promote both your eBooks and your services. Even if you don't have your own
Web site, you can sell eBooks on other sites. Many pay up to 70% royalties-a much better deal than Amazon.
The "Big Three" Marketing Machine
- Write or use short articles already in your files. Subscribe and submit them to Opt-in Ezines.
- Expand several articles to become an eSpecial Report, or eBook as some call them. You can give these
away also, and you can also charge $4.95-$7.95 for them.
- Write your short eBook including a short introduction (sales letter), table of contents, a simple
cover, and apply the essential "hot selling points" like the 30-60 "Tell and Sell."
In each of these include all of your promotion information, your list of other products, your announcement
about your coaching services, your one-page for speaking, and an order page with instructions that make it easy
to "buy."
Why Write an eBook?
Using this trio, you will attract many more people to your Web site, to your talks, seminars and
teleclasses. You will attract new clients as well as new subscribers to your ezine. In the long run, you will
create a business easy and fun to operate. You'll create even more client loyalty and trust while building your
reputation. And you create an ongoing, lifelong income-enough to keep you sound and secure in any economic
situation.
Judy Cullins, 20-year book and Internet Marketing Coach, Author of 10 eBooks including "Write your eBook
Fast," and "How to Market your Business on the Internet," she offers free help through her 2 monthly ezines,
The Book Coach Says...and Business Tip of the Month at http://www.bookcoaching.com/opt-in.shtml and over 140 free
articles. Email her at Judy@bookcoaching.com
2,000 Business Plans
