10
Steps to a FabJob as a Motivational Speaker: /Speaker.asp
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.
Here are 10 steps
to breaking into this fab job
1. Look back
at 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 pounds 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.
10 Steps to a FabJob as a Motivational Speaker: /Speaker.asp
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