Keys To Become A Motivational Speaker

It’s been said that public speaking is one of the greatest fears people have aside from the thought of death. When I first heard this expression, I found it interesting because each person has a message that could connect with another and help their life unfold in greater ways.

As I think about this statement, I’ve realized that it’s not the act of speaking in front of others that scares people, it is the fear of how they will be received.

A few years ago, I set out down this pathway of speaking, despite the fear and made it my mission to share my message with others. Pushing through doubt, pushing through the unknown and truly connecting with my message and recognizing the power it could bring to the lives of other people motivated me.

Not knowing how to get my message out, I studied. It is easy to search the web and find all the things successful public speakers do. It is entirely another thing to embrace that knowledge and take action.

Compiling the top strategies from those I looked up too, I slowly took action. Creating marketing material, crafting my message, and identifying potential places to speak was the easy part.

The greatest growth came, not necessarily from speaking but from contacting places where I’d like to speak.

I called, I called, and I called. Speaking with hundreds of people, most of whom never provided me with an opportunity. Slowly, one by one, people and organizations gave me a chance.

Refining my message, I began speaking, doing my best to go above and beyond what they expected. This proved well as I was able to collect referrals and be invited back.

Now after my first year of speaking, I’ve had the chance to speak at over 70 places which include radio shows, schools, businesses, nonprofits and TEDx.

We all have a valuable message within us. It is time you share yours. People are waiting.

Why Your Message Matters

Did you know that there are experiences you’ve gone through, insights you’ve discovered and steps you’ve taken that can help another person reach new levels of life?

We all have talents, stories, and gifts within. Few take the steps necessary to bring these out from within themselves and share them in the lives of others.

This may include speaking with students, business professionals and spiritual communities, it may be writing books that inspire and motivate, it may even be creating artwork that helps people push through difficult times.

I’d like to ask you to begin to use your gifts to help others recognize theirs. If we were all able to overcome fear, push through the difficulties and rise above worry and doubt, the vast majority of us would begin to fully recognize the power our words can have in the lives of others.

In what way can you begin to craft your message and share it in the life of someone else?

One of the greatest ways to do this is to begin speaking in front of others.

Below are a few keys to help you make that a reality.

3 Keys To Become A Motivational Speaker

#1 – Who Do You Want To Impact – In your own mind, see the people, environments, and communities who you believe would benefit from your message. Once you do this, begin to make a list of potential places that have those types of people in them. This list is essential because you will have to take the next step of reaching out to them via phone and email. But before you do, there are a few other keys you have to embrace,

#2 – One Sheet and Website – While a website isn’t a necessity, a one sheet is. A one sheet is a basic introduction to who you are, who you serve and how you can help. This is something I send out to each place before I speak so they get to know who I am. As for a website, it is great to create one. This could be a simple, one-page WordPress site that has your information, any testimonials and a video of you speaking. Most of the time, before people will bring you into speak they’ll want to see how you communicate and the type of person you are. Don’t get hung up on this, little steps can take you a long way.

Here’s my current speaker website

#3 – Hustle – This is where most people give up. It takes hustle and hard work to get booked to speak. It doesn’t matter how great you are if you don’t hustle, no one will find you. The hustle I am referring to is making 20+ calls a day. Following up with the places, sometimes for months to keep you on their mind. An interesting statistic is only 2% of people book you on the 1st call. 3% on the 2nd. 6% on the 3rd and 9% on the 4th. 80% of all your booked speaking engagements take place on the 5th-12th call. This means if you are not in it for the long haul, if you are scared of being rejected and if you aren’t willing to follow up for months on end, I would advise you to not even waste your time making one call. If you truly want to speak, you’ll be inspired to make these calls because you know that there are people out there waiting for you and who could benefit from your message. Everything takes hustle. Remember, if it was easy, everyone would do it.

Action Steps To Begin Speaking

Make a list of places to speak. Include names, numbers and email addresses.

Create a one sheet and/or a basic website.

Make calls until you get momentum and suddenly you’ll find yourself speaking more than ever.

Don’t wait, you have a message within that could benefit the world. Share it.

 

Peace

Happiness

Compassion

Respect

 

Jeffon Seely

 

Three Key Life