Ten steps to success in this fabulous job.
If you have ever made a class presentation, stood up at a meeting, or given a toast at a wedding reception, you have spoken in public. Public speaking may be our 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 job, based on the Fabjob.com Guide to Become a Motivational Speaker.
1. Inventory 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 living a lifelong dream.
Of course, it's even better if you have done something extraordinary, such as winning an Olympic medal, publishing a best-selling 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, you probably 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 your life story. 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 won't take you seriously if you promise to solve all their problems and help them get rich, lose weight, find the love of their life, become great leaders, get healthy, improve sales, achieve happiness, etc. Instead, pick one specialty or "niche" area, 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 in the field?
4. Know Your Target Audience
It can be tempting to say, "I want everyone to hear me speak!" But if you develop a speech that bank executives love, it probably won't go over as well at the local elementary school. Depending on your niche, you could define your audience by certain characteristics--age, gender, geographic location, industry, interests, or other traits that distinguish one group from another. Once you have successfully 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 that you fear most, I have good news: There are people who can write a speech for you. You should search the Internet or Yellow Pages for a professional speechwriter, public relations firm, or speech coach. Prices can vary widely, so be sure to ask for a flat fee quote. If you decide to write it yourself, then you can also find many resources to help you. Excellent speechwriting Web sites are offered by communication departments of several universities, including Pennsylvania State University and the University of Kansas.
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 are confidence, credibility (which is really just 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 practice their speaking skills at weekly meetings.
7. Prepare Promotional Materials
Once you have written your speech and found confidence 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, your demo can be a simple video recording of one of your speeches. Just set the camera up on a tripod at the back of the room and make sure the sound is audible.
Your information package can be simple, too: a two-pocket folder, available at any stationery store. It should include 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 (or 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 for 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 e-mailing them an invitation to see you speak. If they can't come to see you in person, you should try to send them a tape.
9. Get Employers to Approach You
Wouldn't it be nice if employers approached you, instead of the other way around? You can make it happen by becoming well known in your community: get interviewed on radio and TV, write articles for publication in local newspapers and magazines, design and post a Web site, attend networking events, give free speeches to community groups, and present your own seminars.
10. Find Representation at 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.
Tag Goulet is the author of The Fabjob.com 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. It is available online through www.fabjob.com.
