How to Become a Motivational Speaker

Are you an engaging speaker who has had many interesting, rewarding experiences? Motivate yourself to motivate others and get paid for doing so.

Steps:

1. Evaluate your special "message". Consider what it is that you have to say that would be of value to others--have you experienced great adversity, or received some special education? In order to succeed as a motivational speaker, you must have something special to deliver.
2. Carve out your niche. Motivational speaking is, in many ways, a product that must be sold. Why should someone pay to hear you impart your message? Be able to articulate your unique experiences and explain exactly how you can inspire others.
3. Create an outline of your presentation. This will be used not only to provide a framework for your talk but also as a marketing piece for potential clients. Furthermore, many people are visual learners and can gain more from a visual representation than a spoken one.
4. Contact large, not-for-profit corporations and professional groups and make it clear you are available. While there is nothing wrong with directly asking for a gig, announcing your availability will let them feel privileged to work with you.
5. Contact speakers' bureaus and notify them of your availability. Some speakers' bureaus charge you to list your services, others charge nothing. Most bureaus take a percentage for acting as your agent. Search for "speakers' bureaus" on the Internet.
6. You must be willing to work for free to get your name out. Once others hear your interesting story or experience, they may want to hire you. Inform everyone you know that you are looking for organizations who want a good motivational speaker. Volunteer to speak at service clubs in your area.
7. Write and publish articles or books if possible, in order to establish yourself as an authority in your subject. You do not need to publish a book people will find in the local bookstore. Post to websites like wikiHow and submit to on-line magazines and blogs.
8. Draw up a written agreement, or contract, for all engagements. The written agreement should contain, among other matters, how the fees will be paid (e.g., cash, check, over time), how long you are expected to speak, whether you will be reimbursed for travel expenses, and the time and date. This will help to avoid any disputes at a later time.
9. Always ask for feedback every after a presentation even if you feel confident that you have nailed it. Whether you prefer that the audience fill-up a standard form or just ask them to drop you a note at a fishbowl on a side table, chances are good that you will be a better motivational speaker if you develop this habit. Positive feedback will inspire you while negative feedback will make you aspire to do better. After all, FEEDBACK is indeed the breakfast of champions.

Tips:

• Join a local Toastmasters Club. You will learn and practice everything you need to know when presenting a Motivational Speech, as well as any other type of speech.
• Proceed through a speaker certification class like the one offered through Blue Star Business Institute. Those kinds of classes pick up where Toastmasters leaves off. They teach you how to actually solidify your talk and seek out paid speaking engagements.
• Dress consistent with the perception you wish to convey. If you want to convey professionalism and success, business attire is probably best. Some motivational speakers use clothing to make a point in their presentation.
• Speak clearly and repeat your main messages at least three times.
• Keep it fun and lively. Audience participation is a great way for adults to learn, and you can do this in any number of ways. For example, one speaker handed out raisins and slowly took the audience through the life of that raisin and all that had to happen for that raisin to be in their hands. This kind of activity makes the audience feel part of the speech and facilitates learning. Remember that any activities must be relevant to the topic you are speaking on.
• Avoid using filler words like: um, uh, eh, etc. Also, try not to have an awkward pause fill your speech because you forgot what to say. This drastically decreases the power of your speech. No matter what anyone tells you, people WILL remember that pause. However, don't get nervous because of this fact. Be confident and well rehearsed.
• Keep current business cards and contact information with you at all times. A chance encounter can lead to a speaking engagement. For example, one speaker landed a job after passing a business card to a woman he met while waiting in line to order a pizza. Free and low cost business cards are available from VistaPrint.