How to Become a Motivational Speaker

When you think of motivational speakers, you might think about self-help gurus telling you how to channel your inner child or visualize your path to success. Motivational speakers can deliver presentations and speeches on any topic, however. What counts is your passion for the subject you are addressing. Become a motivational speaker by identifying your message and your audience, brushing up on your public speaking skills and promoting your speaking abilities.

Part 1 
 Identifying Message and Audience

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   Choose the topic you want to speak about. A motivational speaker can talk about how to be successful, happy, fulfilled and engaged in better relationships. No topic is really off limits as long as what you say inspires people to do something.

   • Think about your passions, and base your topic on something you feel strongly about. It will be hard to motivate others if you do not care much about what you are saying.
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   Keep your message relevant and timely. Motivational speeches about how to use a typewriter or sell pay phones will not be well-received in modern times.
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   Become an expert. Your audience will expect you to know a lot about the subject of your motivational speech. Read, study and stay current in the field..
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   Know your audience. Understand the people you will target as audience members before you get too far into the development of your career. Different groups of people need to be communicated with in different ways.

Part 2

Improving your Public Speaking Skills

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   Take classes in public speaking. You can enroll in your local community college or see what the local Toastmasters have to offer. You want to be comfortable talking to large groups.
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   Record your speeches. This will give you an opportunity to watch yourself as if you were a member of your audience. You can make improvements where necessary.

   • Pay attention to the details that will inspire motivation. You want to make eye contact, use proper body language and sound natural and motivational.
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   Practice your writing. Most motivational speakers are also writers and they provide written materials to support their speaking engagements. Communication is the most important skill when you are a motivational speaker.

   • Write a blog, keep a website updated and publish articles when you have the opportunity. Continued writing will not only improve your motivational speaking skills, it will serve as good public relations.
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   Think about props or equipment. Some motivational speakers have large screens, workbooks and PowerPoint presentations ready when they deliver speeches. Choose tools that you are comfortable with and provide additional support.

Part 3

Promoting Yourself

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   Find a great venue. A motivational speech in a conference room or an auditorium will probably be better received than one delivered in your basement.

   • Make sure the venue is appropriate to the audience size. You want a feeling of intimacy, and a room too small will feel crowded while a place too large will feel empty.
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   Develop a marketing plan. Advertise your motivational speeches, sell tickets for cheap or speak for free until you build your brand and publish all sorts of materials such as brochures, postcards, signs and e-newsletters.
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   Register with speaker's bureaus and offer your services to conventions, conferences and seminars.
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   Invite feedback. Listen to what your audience says and post your most positive reviews on your website and in your published materials. 
    

   Additional Tips

• Dress consistently 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.
• Remember to stay positive. If you talk and act in a positive fashion, the audience will respond in a positive manner.
• Keep your speech as simple as possible so that your audience can understand your message well.
• Don't put your hands in your pockets for an extended period of time, cross your arms in front of your chest, fidget on stage, or stand in one place all the time.
• Taking part in acting and debates helps a lot. English can help you to write good speeches. Practice in front of family and friends and do it on as many topics as possible.
• 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.
• Try not to speak about yourself and your achievements too much. It's about what you can do for the person listening.
• 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.
• Work with a mentor. Life coaches and other motivational speakers will often be willing to work with you while you develop your skills and talents. A good mentor will also help you network and build your career.