How To

How to Become a Motivational Speaker

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By eHow Contributing Writer
(13 Ratings)

As a motivational speaker, you face the challenge not just of educating your listeners but spurring them to action. A combination of education, experience and business savvy can jumpstart your career. Give speeches that last from 45 minutes to 2 hours. Move on to workshops and seminars as you gain experience.

Difficulty: Moderate
Instructions
  1. Step 1

    Examine your education. Topics in business and the social sciences are best for motivational speaking but your creativity can open doors no one else has thought of.

  2. Step 2

    Assess your experience including employment, volunteer work and hobbies. Make a list of the skills and knowledge you've got.

  3. Step 3

    Get creative in finding a niche. Brainstorm ideas based on combinations of your education and experience. You'll gain success as a motivational speaker quicker if you offer people something they can't get from someone else.

  4. Step 4

    Learn about the psychology of motivation. Expertise and enthusiasm isn't enough. Psychologists have studied motivating students, but this is just as relevant to a motivational speaker.

  5. Step 5

    Work on your communication skills. Join a local Toastmaster's club to practice your public speaking.

  6. Step 6

    Make a plan to promote yourself as a motivational speaker. Rent a room in a library, school or community center and advertise in local papers and bulletin boards. Create a website, write articles and author a book.

  7. Step 7

    Get endorsements from prominent experts in your field after you've done some motivational speaking. They can help take you to the next level of your career.

Tips & Warnings
  • Remember your primary goal is to motivate someone to action, not flaunt your expertise.
  • Make sure your website has valuable content updated often like articles and a blog, so search engines can find you.
  • Consider hiring a ghost writer if you find it difficult produce articles, reports and books. They can help you with your speeches too.

Comments  

lloiselle said

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on 10/18/2009 wonderful, thanks for the info and inspiration

thomrhart said

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on 8/31/2009 Thanks, very helpful advice.

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on 12/24/2008 Found this great site from a real motivational speaker. Look at this http://presentationfire.com

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