Motivational Speakers use their remarkable communication skills to share unique perspectives and experiences that inspire their audiences to “dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.” Continue Reading
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Explore Career Motivational Speakers use their remarkable communication skills to share unique perspectives and experiences that inspire their audiences to “dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.”
What are the typical responsibilities of a Motivational Speaker?
A Motivational Speaker would typically need to:
Motivational Speakers work in various locations, from corporate boardrooms to school cafeterias. Most of their work happens indoors, but for the occasional graduation ceremony held outdoors. A stage from which they deliver their speeches to large audiences is standard.
However, the work does not stop with the successful delivery of a presentation. When not interacting with their audiences, Motivational Speakers work from home or an office, looking for new business opportunities, putting together the next presentation, and promoting themselves.
Expect heavy travel schedules that may take you to conferences and events worldwide.
The initial years usually involve long and irregular hours with budding Motivational Speakers seeking to make the most of every opportunity to spread their message and market their capabilities.
However, success brings in its wake reasonably flexible schedules where one can pick and choose the kind of events they wish to participate in, from bonafide speeches to writing books to hosting TV shows to going off-grid on personal travel. And each of those experiences will only serve as valuable fodder for future assignments.
Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the job demands.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Motivational Speakers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Motivational Speakers are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organisations, such as The National Speakers Association (NSA), are crucial for Motivational Speakers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation.
Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities, and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.
It will help if the academic programme an aspiring Motivational Speaker enrolled in includes an internship that allows them to practice the techniques taught in class and helps them build a robust portfolio that showcases exemplary ways in which they motivated or mentored individuals in need.
Classes focused on problem-solving, seminar planning, and interpersonal skills would add significant value to the education.
At the end of the day, neither university degrees nor certifications proclaiming their expertise in a specific field will help launch a prospective Motivational Speaker as would a unique talent/passion or story/perspective born of a compelling experience - one that is so inspirational, it must be shared with others
You will benefit from tasks outside of the classroom that demonstrate how to project one’s voice, speak with intent, pause for emphasis or inject humour, understand the audience’s body language, and write, structure, and time material effectively.
Aspirants may hear countless stories from more experienced professionals and obtain valuable hands-on experience when they turn seemingly routine incidents into unique learning moments that embody the essentials of how to market, sell, and deliver motivational speeches.
Apply to the local chapter of Toastmasters International for admission to an advanced speaking programme for aspiring public speakers. It is also possible to avail of seminars and classes in all areas of public speaking from other reputed organisations.
Start small with rotary clubs and local libraries to acquire experience and build a strong network. If locating a suitable venue proves challenging, consider giving speeches for free at school events or community meetings to gain exposure. Seize any opportunity to speak in front of an audience and establish yourself, even if it means extensive travelling and footing the bills.
When your presentations seem polished enough, share professional recordings with potential clients so they know your capabilities. Professional speaking organisations can help advertise your services for graduation, conferences, workshops, and empowerment seminars.
The experiences may also help determine whether the public, private or voluntary sector is best suited to realise one’s ambitions. Your educational provider’s career service department can provide information about viable work placements, internships and voluntary work opportunities in diverse sectors.
Many established Motivational Speakers maintain websites and blogs, pen books that showcase their talents and offer valuable professional advice. Interested individuals can contact these professionals on social media or through email.
The experts will tell you the confidence to speak freely and persuasively in front of an audience, the ability to connect with them, honesty and integrity, compassion and understanding, and a positive perspective of life are worth their worth in gold if you wish to make a name for yourself in the highly competitive world of motivational speaking.
Once they lock down the unique perspective that they wish to share, aspiring Motivational Speakers must seek ways to hone their talent for communicating and engaging with their audience.
An accredited bachelor’s degree in business, communication, finance, sociology, political science, or psychology could be the first step in realising your ambition. Some consider a master’s degree in the above subjects may afford them a better opportunity to achieve professional success.
Whatever your choice of major, make sure communication classes comprising advanced courses in speech, writing, and English that make you a more confident speaker are a part of your educational plans.
However, not every aspirant can or wishes to attend real-time classes. Tried-n-tested online courses in motivation coaching and public speaking may help participants craft their speeches, enhance their speaking voice, and refine their physical presence.
In addition, real-time and online creative writing certificate courses that may take a few weeks to complete could offer valuable feedback and help students learn how to create original and compelling content for their speeches.
Indisputable high school courses include English and speech; however, drama, foreign languages, and computer classes are recommended in addition to business, history, science, math, or any other subject your motivational speeches would focus on.
Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.
Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.
Certification demonstrates a Motivational Speaker’s competence in a skill set, typically through work experience, training, and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.
Certification in persuasive speaking, sales, and Microsoft Office from an objective and reputed organisation can help you stand out in a competitive job market and become an independent consultant.
Motivational Speakers may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media, and drug screening.
Performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications drive the career progression of Motivational Speakers who can expect increased demand for their services at more prestigious events and higher remuneration for services rendered as they rise to fame.
Budding speakers tend to work another full-time job that pays the bills while striving to establish themselves in the industry.
At the outset, you may have to handle your career's creative and business sides independently and take care of marketing, booking, writing contracts, and collecting payment.
As you become increasingly successful, you can hire an agent or publicist to take care of the commercial aspect of the business, leaving you free to focus on the creative end.
Alternate options include signing up with a speakers bureau where event organisers will find lucrative gigs tailored to your abilities and reaching out directly to businesses and organisations who may be interested.
Motivational Speakers who reach the heights of success seek to further inspire the general public worldwide through books, audiobooks, interviews, seminars, podcasts, blogs, lectures, and conferences.
The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation, and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.
Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and interesting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable, transferable skills along the way.
Motivational Speakers with an inspiring message to spread and the passion and confidence to share clear and well-organised thoughts with diverse audiences have the best job prospects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Motivational Speaker build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,
formal education, or self-directed learning. It allows you to continually upskill regardless of age, job, or level of knowledge.
After gaining considerable experience and making a name for yourself in the industry, you can acquire the certified speaking professional (CSP) designation from a reputed professional speakers association to increase your credibility and marketing appeal.
Typically, keynote speakers who can lay claim to charging a certain amount per presentation and a specific number of presentations, clients, and years of experience can be qualified as a CSP and market themselves across broader horizons.
Current Scenario
The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, size of the occupation, and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.
Although Motivational Speakers will always be in demand, your unique speciality and target audience will influence the volume and kind of opportunities that come your way. Budget cuts may clip the wings of those who speak at schools, but an improving economy spells hope for those who speak to professional associations.
Best Foot Forward
Once you discover an innate passion for sharing your views with others and thus making their lives better, it is time to zero in on what you are good at, what you are passionate about, and what amazing perspective you can offer. You can sharpen your focus even further by narrowing down your areas of expertise.
Next on the agenda is pinpointing who would benefit from your motivational speeches. Figure out your audience's age and career so you can play around with the content most likely to resonate with them and discover how best to find them - at a marketing conference, perhaps, or at a sporting event.
Once you know what you want to say to your audience, it’s time to polish your public speaking skills so you learn how to share your opinions in tried and tested ways.
Of equal importance is the ability to write speeches that wow the audience. A strong introduction that includes a vote of thanks to the organisers, a quote by a famous personality, or a question will set the stage for a sound body representative of a comprehensive preparation.
Memorable speeches end with a bang, usually a concise summary of points and an encouraging call to action that leaves your audience with something to remember and ponder over.
A crucial element in becoming a stalwart in motivational speaking is to create a strong online presence. A professionally designed website delineating your objectives and interests will urge prospective clients to go beyond the preliminary pitches.
Social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter will enable you to create and market content that proves your value. Educational blog posts and videos are equally important mediums to share your expertise and prove your motivational speaking prowess.
What is Your Selling Point?
Some Motivational Speakers may be moved to inspire and guide listeners to find purpose and meaning in their life. Their talks on personal development or overcoming adversity help people see the world or their situation from a different, hopefully more helpful perspective.
Business speakers use their personal experiences and stories of success and failure to cultivate enthusiasm and develop a common purpose of improved productivity in business teams, from salespeople to executive directors.
Youth mentors act as exemplary role models who can provide positive guidance and direction to young people by addressing topics like education, purpose, perseverance, and healthy relationships. Many schools, churches, and community centres invite experienced mentors to speak to young people so they can develop into healthy, well-rounded individuals ready to meet the challenges of adulthood.
Community speakers educate the public and empower them to take positive action or rally together on important social and community issues
Public Speakers vs Motivational Speakers
Both types of speakers can be effective, depending on the goals of the event and the needs of the audience.
Public speaking can be valuable in various contexts, from business to education to special events like weddings. Professional public speakers use their oratory skills to share their knowledge through keynote speeches, training sessions, and independent consultations with diverse audiences.
While public speakers may focus more on imparting information and expertise, Motivational Speakers usually aim to connect with their audience emotionally and inspire them to take appropriate action. They make their presence known in various fields, from weight loss and fitness to publishing, healthcare and finance.
Ideally, conferences have a closely-curated lineup of public and motivational speakers who can help the audience realise what they need to do to achieve a particular goal and inspire them to go out and put that theory to the test.
Motivational Speaker vs Life Coach
Both professions strive to help others optimise their potential and better their lives.
However, Motivational Speakers seek to deliver an inspirational message to a large group of people through a presentation that may last a couple of hours. Although they desire positive outcomes, they are not responsible for a change in their audience. They may entertain questions at the end of the event, but time constraints may prevent proper clarity and sustainable improvement in their listeners.
Conversely, life coaches use a judicious blend of one-on-one coaching and different tools and techniques to help the client realise their potential over the course of multiple sessions. Personal responsibility for the client drives a life coach to invest a lot of time in proactive interaction with the client so they become self-aware and turn over a new leaf for good.
Potential Pros & Cons of Freelancing vs Full-Time Employment
Freelancing Motivational Speakers have more flexible work schedules and locations. They own the business and can select their projects and clients. However, they experience inconsistent work and cash flow, which means more responsibility, effort and risk.
On the other hand, full-time Motivational Speakers have company-sponsored health benefits, insurance, and retirement plans. They have job security with a fixed, reliable source of income and guidance from their bosses. Yet, they may experience boredom due to a lack of flexibility, ownership, and variety.
When deciding between freelancing or being a full-time employee, consider the pros and cons to see what works best for you.
An earnest desire to see humanity at its best and inspire audiences toward visionary goals has Motivational Speakers seek out all possible opportunities to share their hard-won expertise and experiences in an engaging and encouraging manner.
How you speak, address your audience, and dress will profoundly affect your connection with and influence on them. Ensure your opening and closing lines are flawless, and tuck untested material in the body.
Research shows that what you say to an audience isn’t nearly as important as how you say it. Content gets only a meagre 7% stake in effective presentations vs 38% voice and 55% non-verbal communication.
What do Motivational Speakers do?
A Motivational Speaker would typically need to:
Accredited
$45,884
