How to Get Started As a Motivational Speaker

Good motivational speakers are always in demand for keynote speeches at conferences and banquets, for training purposes, and as highlights on programs put on by various schools and religious groups. The motivational field is competitive and breaking into it can be challenging. Follow these steps to get started as a motivational speaker.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Audio file
• Video
• Referrals
• Coach
• Book

1. Make an audio and video recording of one of your speeches. Before even considering paid work as a motivational speaker, you must spend time on a stage as an amateur. Whether you speak for free at organizations of which you are a member, offer to speak at hometown meetings of the Rotary Club or make presentations to a class for a grade, you should have some practical experience that will provide you with opportunities for recording.

2. Ask for written referrals from people who have witnessed your presentations. Include these in your marketing materials and on your website or online networking sites. Include brief comments from people with titles, such as the president of a group or a CEO. List the references and their comments on the bio you send out to potential customers.

3. Hire a coach. Personal coaches and professional speaking coaches can help you to refine your style and delivery to make your enterprise more of a success. A paid coach will give you more constructive criticism than you may get from friends and family who don't want to hurt your feelings. Look for a coach who will be brutally honest to help you become the best you can be.

4. Write a book or get published in journals as an expert in a specific field. If you write articles about how to inspire people, make sure that they get posted to websites, social networking pages and are easily found through search engines. A book can be self-published and sold at your speaking engagements. Credits as a published author will set you up as an expert and provide more credibility to you as a speaker.

5. Send out your marketing materials to industry trade groups that hold annual conventions and conferences. Join popular Convention & Visitors Bureaus (CVB) to get a listing in their directories, which are often used by planning committees. Register with a speaker's bureau that will take a percentage of your speaking fees but provide you with more exposure.

Tips & Warnings

• Use a stylist to help you fine-tune your look. You may have a wonderful talk on tape, but lack the hairstyle and clothing that serve to project the confident image that motivational speakers must embody.
• Unless you plan to limit your speaking engagements to those groups that agree with your religion or politics, stay away from controversial messages that can alienate some people, especially if you plan to market your services to business groups, where the bulk of work lies.

References

• Book Marketing Network

Resources

• Find a coach at MVP Seminars

Who Can Help Sponsored

• Earn your degree from industry experts at University of Phoenix. Take the next step in your career.

[treasuresyw]

on 12/8/2009 Thank for the information.