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Posts Tagged ‘motivational speaker’

Is Your Motivational Message Marketable?

Wednesday, September 8th, 2010

A career in motivational speaking often begins with a life changing experience the speaker wants to share with all the planet.  We are sure that we understand what they need and how they want it. My friend Brittany is convinced that people need to quit worrying about body image. My friend Sara believes that people need to save more and spend less. And Jack thinks that people need to cease what they’re doing and look at the plight of the endangered panda.

In my case, I was positive that the world wanted to hear my message on humor and all that audiences required was a good laugh. Whether or not anyone wanted to buy what I was selling didn’t stop me from trying to sell it harder. Like so many motivational speakers, I put my material together in isolation without really understanding if my content would fit my audience. Way too many motivational speakers leave their audiences out of the equation when it comes to building their brand. Most of the time, the audience’s input only comes in after the fact when we are browsing through our evaluations. We then look dumbfounded at the evaluations, pondering if we should be in another business and why doesn’t the audience “get it”.

I realized my blunder when I spoke at a major association conference. The buyer had seen me before at a bureau showcase and knew my style. We discussed the event and its objectives and I then turned around and wrote a presentation in keeping with what they wanted. At least I believed I was creating what they wanted. I thought I knew the audience. This was a good opportunity with the prospect of lots of spin off work, therefore I genuinely worked hard researching and crafting the perfect custom presentation. Within minutes of launching in to my program I saw that I had missed the mark. I couldn’t put my finger on where the problem was, nonetheless it was clear that my speech was going down in flames. My customer actually had a pained expression on her face.

No speaker is ideal for every group. I was thinking that I had run headlong into a crowd that I just didn’t fit. During the first break, I mentioned this to the client. Her reaction was “Simply do what you did in the showcase, that’s why I booked you. We’re  fed up with presenters who  just give us content. Get rid of your notes and do what you do best.” I put away my notes and just did my thing. I was booked eight more times from the members of that organization. Turns out that what I thought they wanted wasn’t anything close to what they truly wanted. I had to spend quite a while to get over the embarassment of this episode. Nevertheless, when I got to the point where I could look at the situation without cringing, I came to the realization that I learn the most from my embarassing blunders. Lastly, I was more in tune with what my audience wanted. They were telling me what they wanted from me – and when you can finally get your market to tell you what they want, you’re unstoppable.

What are the ways you can get your audience’s input?

1.Get evaluations or send questionaires to your clients and fans asking them the things they like about your program and what they would like to see more of.

2.Pay close attention to what the audience members tell you after your show. The people who wait to speak with you after your show will surely tell you what they most liked.

3.Ask people that book you why they booked you and not some other speaker. Start to learn what made clients choose you.

4.Send a survey to your clients asking them what three words best describe you as a speaker. Buckle in for this one. It is typically an eye-opener. Your clients often see abilities and failings you had no clue about.

 

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Motivational Speaker: One-Liners… Easier Than You Think

Saturday, September 4th, 2010

No one asserted writing humor is simple. To be truthful, it is outright, brutally difficult if you weren’t blessed with the funny gene. That’s why I consider one-liners are so awesome. One-liners have many benefits: they’re straightforward to create, you can fit them almost anywhere in your speech, plus they are easy for your audience to understand. Plus they invariably get a laugh. Assuming they are funny. Forget the negative people out there who say that one-liners are old-fashioned and overused. They continue to be a way of injecting a laugh into a, otherwise, humorless speech. And obsolete or not, they still achieve a laugh. The following is an example of a tired but nonetheless funny one-liner: Take my wife…please.

What makes this one-liner funny is the fact it sets the listener up to expect one thing, and after that surprises them by saying something different. Very basic. Even so, rather proficient.

Audiences enjoy it when you lead them in one direction and then delight them by changing in another direction. Being a funny motivational speaker, I practice this on daily basis. Here is a further example of a joke I wrote last week: I only clean the parts of my house that visitors can see……..from the street. Okay, maybe this won’t get me on comedy central. Still, it conforms to the idea of giving the audience a quick, startling surprise.

So begin with a truth, and after that spin it. Look at this statement: My spouse ran off with another woman. What do we expect when we hear this statement? The ordinary individual is going to jump to the conclusion that you are hurt. That’s why I punch the listeners using this finish: My spouse ran off with another woman. Please put her in your prayers.

Let’s keep going:

I came across this cream that claims to eliminate unwanted bulges. So I ordered it…

What’s our first notion? Our conclusion is that you bought it at the store and you’ll use it on yourself. It seems normal to believe that you’d like to reduce the size of the cellulite bulges on your body. Here’s how I completed this joke: I came across this cream that’s supposed to remove undesirable bulges. So I got it and put it on my spouse. He’s still here.

You can always go back and fine-tune the first part so that the joke will work better. So, in conclusion: Come up with a set up line. Write out what makes the line factual, as we view it. Come up with an closing statement that the audience won’t anticipate. Don’t be taken aback when they are not all drop-dead funny. Truth is, most of them won’t be. But now and again you will stumble on one worth keeping.

 

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Presenting A Sensitive Message Through Humor

Wednesday, September 1st, 2010

Being a motivational speaker and expert on humor – If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times “How can I make delivering lousy news less painful using comedy?” There are various places and occasions where we, motivational speakers, are called upon to talk about hard topics. While  there are many places where joking around is completely inappropriate, there are other cases where humor is an fundamental ingredient to delivering a delicate message. You’d expect the majority of people would recognize that there are times when humor UNDOUBTEDLY should not be used. Don’t gamble your retirement savings on that assumption. So let’s  discuss for a minute about where comedy should not be used.

Circumstances to Stay Away From Comedy

Don’t use comedy with somebody who has just lost someone close. Even if they are cracking jokes.

Mass firings would be another time for you to refrain from comedy. Laughing it up when people are distressed about how they’ll make their rent only makes you seem like a heartless brute.

Even though uncommon, you might need to handle medical conditions or accidental injuries in the audience in the course of your speech. As an example, an individual in your audience may collapse during your message. If something similar to this occurs, you should not come up with a joke about it. Remain calm and show leadership from the podium.

Your environment will shape how you can use comedy. A company retreat has a different set of rules compared to a comedy club. Keep to the recognized policies for the type of location where you are talking.

Nonetheless, comedy is terrific to ease nerve-wracking situations

Even though it is less risky to avoid humor altogether in a hypersensitive situation, it’s actually nevertheless an essential component. The  audience , nonetheless, requires a break from the serious material. Bear in mind my one golden rule:  You aren’t making the  matter funny.

If your primary expertise is in working with the victims of child abuse, you’ll never make child abuse comical. However, you can begin your presentation with a touching actual story of the bravery, spirit, and sense of humor of a victim you have worked with. You can still repeat the amusing things this courageous survivor has said.  This would be absolutely fine.

Bottom line: when dealing with a tough subject remember that you’re not making your subject comical. Your goal is to communicate the topic while enfolding it in funny material. Your listener is sensitive to the distinction. It is safer not to include something that your gut tells you is outrageous.

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Presenting A Sensitive Message Through Humor

Saturday, August 14th, 2010

Being a motivational speaker and expert on humor – If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a thousand times “How can I make delivering lousy news less painful using comedy?” There are various places and occasions where we, motivational speakers, are called upon to talk about hard topics. While  there are many places where joking around is completely inappropriate, there are other cases where humor is an fundamental ingredient to delivering a delicate message. You’d expect the majority of people would recognize that there are times when humor UNDOUBTEDLY should not be used. Don’t gamble your retirement savings on that assumption. So let’s  discuss for a minute about where comedy should not be used.

Circumstances to Stay Away From Comedy

Don’t use comedy with somebody who has just lost someone close. Even if they are cracking jokes.

Mass firings would be another time for you to refrain from comedy. Laughing it up when people are distressed about how they’ll make their rent only makes you seem like a heartless brute.

Even though uncommon, you might need to handle medical conditions or accidental injuries in the audience in the course of your speech. As an example, an individual in your audience may collapse during your message. If something similar to this occurs, you should not come up with a joke about it. Remain calm and show leadership from the podium.

Your environment will shape how you can use comedy. A company retreat has a different set of rules compared to a comedy club. Keep to the recognized policies for the type of location where you are talking.

Nonetheless, comedy is terrific to ease nerve-wracking situations

Even though it is less risky to avoid humor altogether in a hypersensitive situation, it’s actually nevertheless an essential component. The  audience , nonetheless, requires a break from the serious material. Bear in mind my one golden rule:  You aren’t making the  matter funny.

If your primary expertise is in working with the victims of child abuse, you’ll never make child abuse comical. However, you can begin your presentation with a touching actual story of the bravery, spirit, and sense of humor of a victim you have worked with. You can still repeat the amusing things this courageous survivor has said.  This would be absolutely fine.

Bottom line: when dealing with a tough subject remember that you’re not making your subject comical. Your goal is to communicate the topic while enfolding it in funny material. Your listener is sensitive to the distinction. It is safer not to include something that your gut tells you is outrageous.

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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Is Your Motivational Message Marketable?

Thursday, August 12th, 2010

A career in motivational speaking often begins with a life changing experience the speaker wants to share with all the planet.  We are sure that we understand what they need and how they want it. My friend Brittany is convinced that people need to quit worrying about body image. My friend Sara believes that people need to save more and spend less. And Jack thinks that people need to cease what they’re doing and look at the plight of the endangered panda.

In my case, I was positive that the world wanted to hear my message on humor and all that audiences required was a good laugh. Whether or not anyone wanted to buy what I was selling didn’t stop me from trying to sell it harder. Like so many motivational speakers, I put my material together in isolation without really understanding if my content would fit my audience. Way too many motivational speakers leave their audiences out of the equation when it comes to building their brand. Most of the time, the audience’s input only comes in after the fact when we are browsing through our evaluations. We then look dumbfounded at the evaluations, pondering if we should be in another business and why doesn’t the audience “get it”.

I realized my blunder when I spoke at a major association conference. The buyer had seen me before at a bureau showcase and knew my style. We discussed the event and its objectives and I then turned around and wrote a presentation in keeping with what they wanted. At least I believed I was creating what they wanted. I thought I knew the audience. This was a good opportunity with the prospect of lots of spin off work, therefore I genuinely worked hard researching and crafting the perfect custom presentation. Within minutes of launching in to my program I saw that I had missed the mark. I couldn’t put my finger on where the problem was, nonetheless it was clear that my speech was going down in flames. My customer actually had a pained expression on her face.

No speaker is ideal for every group. I was thinking that I had run headlong into a crowd that I just didn’t fit. During the first break, I mentioned this to the client. Her reaction was “Simply do what you did in the showcase, that’s why I booked you. We’re  fed up with presenters who  just give us content. Get rid of your notes and do what you do best.” I put away my notes and just did my thing. I was booked eight more times from the members of that organization. Turns out that what I thought they wanted wasn’t anything close to what they truly wanted. I had to spend quite a while to get over the embarassment of this episode. Nevertheless, when I got to the point where I could look at the situation without cringing, I came to the realization that I learn the most from my embarassing blunders. Lastly, I was more in tune with what my audience wanted. They were telling me what they wanted from me – and when you can finally get your market to tell you what they want, you’re unstoppable.

What are the ways you can get your audience’s input?

1.Get evaluations or send questionaires to your clients and fans asking them the things they like about your program and what they would like to see more of.

2.Pay close attention to what the audience members tell you after your show. The people who wait to speak with you after your show will surely tell you what they most liked.

3.Ask people that book you why they booked you and not some other speaker. Start to learn what made clients choose you.

4.Send a survey to your clients asking them what three words best describe you as a speaker. Buckle in for this one. It is typically an eye-opener. Your clients often see abilities and failings you had no clue about.

 

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Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »

Think Your Motivational Speeches Motivate? Think Again.

Friday, August 6th, 2010

I received some stunning information. Not every motivational speaker is as good as he believes he is. I realize how torn up you are. Nonetheless, it’s possibly something you’ve assumed after countless hours of listening to droll motivational speeches. I’ve listened to quite a few motivational speakers tell of how good they are. After I see them perform, I ponder what they consider ‘good’. We are not decent judges of our own talent. Also, don’t rely on an unbiased counsel from your mother. I don’t want to rain on your parade, but you also can’t depend on the ten percent of the crowd who just adore everyone – you know the ones – they don’t have the heart to let you know that your speech was as motivating as a stick in the eye. Clapping doesn’t always indicate that you did a good job. Who hasn’t witnessed an instance where one enthusiastic person can initiate a chain reaction standing ovation. I know it hurts, but if you really wish to be a motivational speaker, at some point you need to determine if you actually motivate. Do you deliver on their investment?
If you are purely a trainer, you can check out now. What I have to say is directed at motivational speakers who have claimed that they offer a richer experience. Trainers, on the other hand, are compensated to supply content. A solid performance is needed, but not as critical for trainers. Keynote motivational speakers are hired to deliver a presentation that renders the audience breathless. Their content is important, but secondary to the show. Whether you get any spin off bookings will hinge on your presentation.

How can you be positive that your message is really affecting your audience? Are they struggling through a crowd following your speech to get your card? Are people clamoring to hire you after your presentation? Is the meeting planner beaming, hugging you after the show because you made her look so good. Getting asked back and telling all of their colleagues about you is a good thing. You could consider all of these things encouraging signs that you followed through on your assurances.

A theory I like to always keep in mind – the 80/10/10 rule: Ten percent will invariably love you, ten will always hate you, and eighty percent will hold judgment. Concern yourself with that eighty percent. Did you connect with eighty percent of the audience? Just remember, no one hits it out of the ball park every time.

Decide on the emotional response you want from the audience. What you want them to think. What kind of response system are you using for your presentation? Evaluations? Surveys? Start writing their remarks down when you get back to the plane. Take notice. Document.

Keep in mind that enthusiastic accolades after a speech don’t always convert into long term learning. Having them tell you that you know your material doesn’t always mean they enjoyed the way you delivered it. Getting high fives after a breakout session doesn’t always mean you’re cut out to be a keynoter.  What you don’t want to hear from a customer: Well, how do you think you did?  If your client tells you “that was nice”, put your head on a swivel.

What can you do when your program didn’t do what you intended? Reserve a card board box under the highway. Say you’re sorry. Give the client their dough back. Determine if the grievances are valid, and learn from the experience.

In tough times, when you get bad evaluations or you wonder why you’re doing this – pull out those letters you got where people told you what an impact you made. They will remind you of the occasions you got it right. If you don’t have any, well, maybe it’s time to take an honest look at yourself. Don’t take a header off the closest bridge. Nobody gets it perfect right out of the box. Realistically, most of us get a rough start and hard knocks. It’s a process. Quit goofing off and get your nose to the grindstone.

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Motivational Speaker: One-Liners… Easier Than You Think

Friday, August 6th, 2010

No one asserted writing humor is simple. To be truthful, it is outright, brutally difficult if you weren’t blessed with the funny gene. That’s why I consider one-liners are so awesome. One-liners have many benefits: they’re straightforward to create, you can fit them almost anywhere in your speech, plus they are easy for your audience to understand. Plus they invariably get a laugh. Assuming they are funny. Forget the negative people out there who say that one-liners are old-fashioned and overused. They continue to be a way of injecting a laugh into a, otherwise, humorless speech. And obsolete or not, they still achieve a laugh. The following is an example of a tired but nonetheless funny one-liner: Take my wife…please.

What makes this one-liner funny is the fact it sets the listener up to expect one thing, and after that surprises them by saying something different. Very basic. Even so, rather proficient.

Audiences enjoy it when you lead them in one direction and then delight them by changing in another direction. Being a funny motivational speaker, I practice this on daily basis. Here is a further example of a joke I wrote last week: I only clean the parts of my house that visitors can see……..from the street. Okay, maybe this won’t get me on comedy central. Still, it conforms to the idea of giving the audience a quick, startling surprise.

So begin with a truth, and after that spin it. Look at this statement: My spouse ran off with another woman. What do we expect when we hear this statement? The ordinary individual is going to jump to the conclusion that you are hurt. That’s why I punch the listeners using this finish: My spouse ran off with another woman. Please put her in your prayers.

Let’s keep going:

I came across this cream that claims to eliminate unwanted bulges. So I ordered it…

What’s our first notion? Our conclusion is that you bought it at the store and you’ll use it on yourself. It seems normal to believe that you’d like to reduce the size of the cellulite bulges on your body. Here’s how I completed this joke: I came across this cream that’s supposed to remove undesirable bulges. So I got it and put it on my spouse. He’s still here.

You can always go back and fine-tune the first part so that the joke will work better. So, in conclusion: Come up with a set up line. Write out what makes the line factual, as we view it. Come up with an closing statement that the audience won’t anticipate. Don’t be taken aback when they are not all drop-dead funny. Truth is, most of them won’t be. But now and again you will stumble on one worth keeping.

 

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Let An After Dinner Speaker Be Your Secret Weapon

Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010

Are you planning a conference and worried you might not get the large audience you want? Are you hoping to make your AGM super? Are you about to introduce a new product or business technique to your company? Are you struggling to promote an upcoming charity fundraiser and worried donations won’t be high enough? If your answer to any of these questions was yes, then an after dinner speaker could be your secret weapon.

An after dinner speaker is the weapon of choice of event planners everywhere and could really make a difference in any of the circumstances mentioned above. In cases where an after dinner speaker has a little bit of celebrity, the effect could be even better. And that doesn’t just mean celebrity in the conventional, showbiz sense, but rather any type of renown or respect in a particular field.

As far as business is concerned, an after dinner speaker might be drafted in to speak at anything from a corporate dinner, to an AGM or a training day. This is an example of when a speaker with renown rather than fame, per se, might come in handy. Certainly, hiring an after dinner speaker with experience and a successful track record in the right field could add authority to new techniques you are trying to introduce.

The after dinner speaker is also a great tool in the world of charity. A famous face, provided he or she is appropriate to the charity and the expected audience can make a massive difference. Before the event, a celebrity after dinner speaker can raise the profile of the event and the charity itself. More interest means more attendance and more attendance means more donations. Therefore, an after dinner speaker can really make a difference.

Don’t fall into the trap of assuming it’ll be easy to choose an after dinner speaker. Choosing a famous face might seem obvious, but be careful to ensure the speaker is right for the expected audience’s age, gender and interests.

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Why Should You Hire A Motivational Speaker?

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Speakers from a range of backgrounds could be counted under the name ‘motivational speaker.’ The thing they all have in common is their goal: to motivate and inspire the audience. Naturally, different audiences face different challenges and not ever speaker will always be suitable. It’s not unusual for a motivational speaker to have a business background. Numerous others have a military background. Some may have overcome great challenges in the world of sport or adventure. This means that there is a motivational speaker for every audience, whether in the world of business, education or sport.

In the world of business, morale is naturally very low following the recent recession. Sadly, such negativity can spread away from business into the wider society and affect society as a whole. This ultimately causes ongoing cycles of negativity to dominate. With their background in business, the forces or sport, a motivational speaker can help to raise morale in the workplace. Productivity invariably follows the creation of a united team.

It is not unusual for a motivational speaker to be asked to speak in educational establishments, particularly around exam time. A motivational speaker often helps youngsters to realise that they are in exclusive control of their destiny at a time when disaffection can cause problems. This ownership of one’s future allows a newfound feeling of control and increases motivation.

Obviously, the type of motivational speaker must vary between the world of business and education. Younger audiences will be more inclined to look up to sports stars or celebrities. On the contrary, those people who work in business would be more interested in the words of a respected entrepreneur.
So long as an experienced, talented speaker is hired, the investment of the motivational speaker’s fee will always pay off. The best speakers know from experience that the most memorable speeches have a longer lasting effect. It’s true that the long term benefits to hiring a motivational speaker are clear.

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After Dinner Speaker Strengths

Friday, July 30th, 2010

The skillset of any experienced and successful after dinner speaker will be varied. These skills are especially clear when an after dinner speaker is compared with an amateur or beginner. This is simply because new speakers have not yet been able to hone the vital skills for super presentations.

Of course, given the massive variety of different messages an after dinner speaker might be asked to get across throughout their career, communication skills are a must. However, humour is a vital string to the speaker’s bow if he or she is to keep the audience from becoming bored. Because the after dinner speech takes place during a natural lull in the proceedings, they must keep the audience entertained to prevent post-dinner lethargy taking over. Aside from humour, brevity is another string to the after dinner speaker’s bow. Conveying messages without spending hours doing it always makes for a good speaker.

Furthermore, good, solid knowledge is very important for an after dinner speaker. Without a good grounding in the relevant subject matter the audience is unlikely to take them, or their message, seriously. As far as knowledge is concerned, some responsibility lies with the person booking the after dinner speaker. Hiring a reality show star to talk about implementing new sales techniques is an unwise decision. All the same, even respected and knowledgeable speakers should be given some basic grounding in the company at which they will be speaking.

Understanding an audience and what it is that they will require is a nother major part of the skills of an after dinner speaker. Certainly, organisers should still provide information where appropriate. Failure to understand the needs of an audience has caused many an after dinner speaker to make gaffes in the past, with inappropriate jokes at the top of the list.

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