Public Speaking Jobs

Become a Motivational Speaker in 2009

2009-01-12T08:40:00.001-08:00

I want to introduce you to a speaker who, in his time, set a standard for presentations unapproached by his peers. Several years ago, while living in

South London, I discovered the fascinating story of Charles Spurgeon, and, from the heart of his story, both the theme and title for this book.

I feel connected to this reverend for the following reasons:

• Our fathers were both Baptist preachers.

• We both preached in London, England.

• On a personal note, we've both been described as portly, and have relished a fine cigar.

The dynamic Charles Spurgeon was a minister in the Elephant and Castle district of South London in the latter nineteenth century. While researching this "man of the cloth," I learned some disturbing statistics describing church attendance. During his lifetime, attendance was at an historical low in churches of all faiths throughout England. The average attendance ranged from between five and seven people per service, per church! The notable exception was the Metropolitan Tabernacle, the largest independent congregation in the world, where Spurgeon had a regular attendance of five to seven thousand every Sunday morning!

What really compelled me to study this man's speaking skills was not just this astounding attendance. It was the appeal he made to his congregation on Sunday mornings at the end of his sermons. He would ask those in attendance to not return that evening so that others would have an opportunity to get in, who that morning had been turned away!

I'd never heard of a minister having to make that kind of announcement. What made Charles Spurgeon so popular? What about him appealed so powerfully to others? In my research, I uncovered an interview with Spurgeon that provided, with the brilliance of a few searing words, the answers I sought. When asked why so many people were coming to his church when other churches were nearly empty, Spurgeon's response was:

I am on fire for God. And when I preach, people come to watch me burn. His words are worth repeating…"I am on fire for God. And when I preach, people come to watch me burn."

Here we need to concentrate only on the fire, not the fuel. I don't want you to be put off by the particulars of our good minister's flame, nor distracted from the general truth of his message. Regardless of the source that fueled his fire, he WAS on fire, and people came to experience his heat, to watch him burn in his public speaking!

I'm sure that there were other ministers in Spurgeon's time that were more learned and better scholars, but they lacked his speaking skills.

Spurgeon commanded an intense and authoritative passion during the presentation of his sermons, and this filled his church. (And though I can't prove it, I feel certain that most of his congregation didn't arrive early to fight for the pews at the back of the room.) Likewise, we need that passion in order to burn. If we have intensity in our presentations, it will show, and it will have that same kind of appeal and attraction. And there's something I want you to keep in mind, something that I cannot emphasize enough:

The fire you want burning during your motivational speaking doesn't start by accident.

It has to be carefully, methodically built, and every time in your motivational speaking career, people will be not only captivated, but also grateful, firewatchers.

If you're still wondering just how important it is to add that extra element of passion in your motivational speaking, please allow me to offer you several striking examples---

I conducted a motivational speaker training for a Fortune 400 insurance company. I was in a meeting with one of the company executives who asked if I would be willing to help one of the managers (let's call him John) with a presentation he was to do in seven days for senior executives. I said of course I'd be happy to do that, as long as John was willing. This executive went on to explain to me that this would be a very important presentation and that John was an excellent manager who probably deserved to be a director. It turned out that the only thing keeping John from being promoted was his lack of presentation skills. I was then told that if John did an exceptional job speaking, he would receive that promotion to director. And I was left with these final words: "Oh yeah, and you can't tell him about this."

So, the next day, I met with John. He already had the content that he was speaking on written because it was one he'd spoken on several times. To be honest, he didn't seem that excited about it. I said to John, "Why don't we really go after it this time and make this presentation better than it's ever been?" "I know, John, but for this Monday night, why don't we go for it? Let's put in some good humor, create a very captivating introduction, and initiate a call to action?"

"I don't know. I hadn't thought about doing that much."

"John, we have six more days. We can practice it, we can rework it, we can really spice it up and make sure it's fantastic! What do you think?" That's when he blurted, "Here's what I think- I think you are more excited about my presentation than I am!"

"No offense, James, but I'm not very interested in putting too much time into this. I already pretty much have my thoughts together and I know what I want to say."

By now, I was really biting my tongue. I pressed on.

"I know, John, but for this Monday night, why don't we go for it? Let's put in some good humor, create a very captivating introduction, and initiate a call to action?"

"I don't know. I hadn't thought about doing that much."

"John, we have six more days. We can practice it, we can rework it, we can really spice it up and make sure it's fantastic! What do you think?" We laughed about it a bit. Of course, I couldn't tell him what was riding on it, but he did practice, and he did rehearse, and he did a truly wonderful job on the presentation. As a result, he was promoted to director and is probably now on his way to vice-president. I often wonder if there are not hundreds, even thousands, of stories like John's. Are you ready to make 2009 the year you become a motivational speaker? Let's go.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

2009-01-10T17:54:00.001-08:00

How to Become a Motivational Speaker

There has never been a better time to become a motivational speaker. Companies need more motivation now than ever before, not less. Jobs in Public speaking are available so let us train you how to become a motivational speaker and get started now.

Be A Motivational Speaker in 2009

2009-01-10T17:51:00.001-08:00

Become a Motivational Speaker in 2009

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Become a Motivational Speaker

2009-01-10T13:09:00.001-08:00

Many people wonder how Tiger Woods got to be the best golfer in the world at

such a young age. Perhaps his secret lies partially in a decision he made very early in

his career to study and learn from the best in his sport. He chose to learn from both

those playing against him and those who played before him. Tiger’s strategy was to pick

fifty golfers, fifty of the greatest, study them and try to

extract the very best parts of each of their games, and incorporate them into his own.

His goal was to create one super player…and for all intents and purposes,

he’s done just that!

In my motivational speaking career, I have tried to do the same to become a motivational speaker.

This process began about thirty years ago. I began seriously listening to other motivational speakers by whom I was

captivated. I studied what I thought each did exceptionally well, picked out parts of their

“games,” and incorporated them into my own professional speaking skills. I strongly urge everyone who is trying to

take their speaking career to the next level to do the same. Let me give you five examples of my “case studies” and what, in my opinion, each did best:

1) Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou is a Grammy Award-winning poet, writer, and speaker who is also

currently a professor at my alma mater, Wake Forest. (I’m throwing in this plug for my

Demon Deacons. Fight on!) Very few speakers have Maya Angelou’s flair and

creativity in speaking. The way that she captures an audience, even in her

introductions, is just fabulous. And her mastery of pauses...powerful! Study her

techniques and your captivating powers will indeed “Rise”!

2) Charles Spurgeon

Charles Spurgeon, whom I discussed in the introduction, is my mentor not only in

the field of passion, but also of humor. Spurgeon often used levity in his sermons,

which was very controversial in his time—and to a lesser extent, remains so in churches

today--- because the idea of using the pulpit to make people laugh was considered

rather sacrilegious. When Charles was once asked why he used humor, his response

was, “I wait until I open a man’s mouth wide with laughter, then I pour a dose of truth

down it.” This lesson is the basis of all the humor I use in my speeches.

3) Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin Luther King, Jr.…As I write his name down and gaze at it, I ask myself, “Is

any explanation necessary?” He is my hands-down favorite speaker of all time. His

soul, his spirit, his song, his use of parallel phraseology was spectacular! (Unlike any

before or since his time) At the end of the nineties, Martin Luther King, Jr. was voted as

one of the best two speakers of the twentieth century, second only to Churchill.

4) Richard Rogers

Richard Rogers was a preacher who lived in Lubbock, Texas. I first heard him

speak in 1977, and he’s certainly one of the best speakers I’ve ever heard. There’s no

doubt that his “best game” is his story-telling prowess. Absolutely no one, in my

opinion, could breathe life into a story like Richard. To this day, my wife, Tanya,

mentions that she remembers us on our dates riding around in my old VW van. She

recalls me listening to her with one ear, but listening to speeches from Richard Rogers

on a portable cassette recorder held up near my other ear. (You can plainly see what a

patient and forgiving woman Tanya has been.) I’ve collected and purchased every single audio tape available.

Now more than 500! Many of them I've listened to more than once, and one time joked with Richard that if he ever needed a stand-

in, I could step up and recite his messages, with his stories included.

My ability to tell a story was revolutionized by Richard Rogers. I called Richard

one time while I was living in Boston, and asked him if I could possibly fly into Lubbock,

Texas, just to spend some time with him to learn a little bit about how to tell a story. It

would have been worthwhile for me to make the trip for one hour of his time. He agreed

and invited me to his home. I flew in on a Friday and shadowed Richard for much of the weekend. I

returned to Boston on Sunday evening with some newly hatched skills for one part of my professional speaking

that would forever be changed. Tiger had learned from Watson the secrets of putting, and Richard had just

taught me the secrets of captivating stories!

5) Winston Churchill

An interesting dilemma for me is that Churchill is generally not my cup of tea.

And yet, how can I leave him off of my list of fifty to be studied, when he was voted the

most powerful orator of the twentieth century? Here’s a man whose voice was not only

as necessary as troops and armaments were to the British war effort, but also a man

who won a Nobel Prize for Literature and his oratory. So much a “man of the hour” was

Churchill, that he was the first non-U.S. citizen who was granted honorary citizenship in

the United States. In fact, in his honor we have the battleship USS Churchill. I also

had to include Churchill on the list of fifty because he’s my “poster-boy” for speech

preparation. When once asked why his speeches were so popular and powerful, his

response set a new standard for masterful preparedness: "As a rule of thumb, I try to spend one hour of work and

preparation for every one minute of a speech that I give."

These are but five of the speakers from whom I’ve learned. Tiger Woods knows

the importance of learning all he can from both those before him and those around him

to make himself better. What prevents us from doing that in our speaking careers? Many times it comes down

to just one word....Ego. Take your Speaking Career to the next level in 2009. Stay tuned for my

Motivational Speakers Training Course and become a motivational speaker in 2009. The doors will open in a few short weeks.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Professional Speaking is a Rewarding Job

2009-01-08T18:49:00.001-08:00

Do you Enjoy your work?

Confucius says: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.”

I once read an article titled, “Top 4 Reasons to Change Jobs”:

1. You dread going to work.

2. You live only for the weekends.

3. You no longer take pride in your work.

4. You’ve lost your sense of humor.

Not long after reading this article, I was invited as a motivational speaker to speak to a work team of eighty. The director explained to me that they

had lost seven employees in the past two weeks. She was concerned, and was hoping I could say something to stop

the exodus. You should have seen her face when, instead, I read the article! I commented to the crowd that if they did not enjoy their work then maybe it was time

to look elsewhere. She called me three hours later. Frustrated, she told me she had received nine more notices to quit! I explained that these decisions would probably

beneﬁt her remaining team, her customers, and perhaps even those who had departed. After some thought, she agreed. My friend, do you enjoy your work? Perhaps you

feel trapped. It may feel like you don’t have choices, but you do! Take action. See if your company is hiring in another department, or perhaps

start looking for a job someplace else. But please don’t walk around saying, “I want to go home... I don’t want to be here... I’m so glad it’s Friday... The weekend

was too short...” You deserve better. And so do your co-workers.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Servants Become a Motivational Speaker

2009-01-07T13:34:00.001-08:00

Become a Motivational Speaker

– Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote a great quote:“I don’t know what your destiny will be,

but one thing I do know...The ones amongst you

who are really happy are those who have sought

and found how to serve.” As Motivational speakers we’re determined to be grateful, here’s a fantastic

way to show it: Be a servant in your public speaking jobs. That may mean something as

simple as getting your spouse a cup of coﬀee or buying your

co-worker a Coke. Don’t ask “How much will this inconve-

nience me?” Instead, ask “How important is it to them?”

One of my friends was having marriage diﬃculties.

Separation seemed imminent. I asked,

“What do you want from your marriage?”

He replied, “I want to make it work.

What do you suggest I do?”

I oﬀered this most important question:

“What is the one thing you could do tonight

that would absolutely shock her with glee?”

Without even a blink, he chimed,

“Oh, probably cleaning the toilets.”

“Well, there it is, my friend. There’s the solution.”

With a disgruntled look, he complained,

“What do you think I am – a servant?”

I mused, “Now you’re getting it.”

He did not clean that toilet.

“It just didn’t ring true for me,” he later told me.

By the way, they’re now divorced.

Perhaps there is no nobler position. Be a servant and you'll become a motivational speaker in high demand..

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Become a Motivational Speaker

2009-01-06T18:03:00.001-08:00

Most professional speakers are painfully aware of the important role self-confidence plays in competent motivational speaking. What is rarely understood, though, is the role the subconscious plays in the development of motivational speaker’s confidence.

To be a Motivational Speaker Get to Know the Power of the Subconscious

If this blog sparks some curiosity or passion within your motivational speaking career, you may intuitively understand the potential power you possess right now. Is this an Overstatement? I don’t think so. Consider a few of the empowering thoughts found in my favorite book on the subconscious, Hidden Power: How to Unleash the Power of Your Subconscious Mind, by James K. Van Fleet:

• …[Your subconscious] is a source of energy stronger than electricity, more powerful than high speed explosives. Your subconscious mind is unlimited, infinite, and inexhaustible. It never rests, for it keeps right on working for you even when you are asleep… • …Of all the creatures on this earth, man is the only one who does not need to depend upon past experience to control his future. Another way of saying this is that man is the only one of God’s creations who is allowed to finish the act of Creation himself… • …Your subconscious mind will react automatically to give you whatever you program into it, either real or imagined… • …It is important to point out to you here that your subconscious mind will not take the trouble to work for you if you do not believe init. Next, it is also highly important that in transmitting your message to your subconscious mind, you should do so in the spirit that the work has already been done.

Let’s apply these concepts to motivational speaking. To maximize your abilities, you must not just hope that one day you will be a better speaker, but already believe that you’re a good speaker. This is the key! The vast majority of people I train and coach do not think this way. They come in with the belief that they’re not very good speakers and are just hoping for some improvement. Of course, this belief is the opposite of what is needed to activate your subconscious mind to produce positive results. As-if principle: If you want a quality, act as if you already had it. –William James

Evidently, when you say, “I’m a good speaker,” subconsciously, your mind makes that a reality. The same is true with the statement, “I am funny.” Talk about supercharging your act and your brain. For one thing, you let yourself know you can. So you feel like, boy, I am talented and I am funny. You can also set your subconscious to think funny. You’ll think of extra jokes all during the day, once you get going. – Comedian Drew Carey Believe you can, and you can. Thinking you’re a good speaker is the most fundamental step to being a good speaker. I find this incredibly uplifting. Built-in blazing self-confidence. The power resides in our own minds. We control our destinies. We canreprogram our subconscious minds. What more could we ask for? Just give yourselves a little motivational speaking pep talk before you speak saying: “I’m on fire. Watch me burn!”

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

End of 2008 Thoughts

2009-01-01T11:54:00.001-08:00

George Bernard Shaw once wrote these words:

“ I am of the opinion that my life belongs to the whole community...

as long as I live, it is my privilege to do for it whatever I can.

I want to be thoroughly used up when I die. For the harder I

work, the more I live. I rejoice in life, for its own sake. Life is no

brief candle to me; it is a splendid torch, which I’ve got hold of for

the moment. And I want to make it burn as brightly as possible,

before handing it on to future generations." I hope that quote inspires you as much as it does me.

It is a great thought to end out a great year on. With so much war and economic turbulence this

past year many are not as hopeful in their outlook for 2009. Remember it is about the journey that makes your life

full not the arrival at the destination. Some journey's are as easy as driving to the mall from suburbia.

Other journeys are much wilder like being on an African safari.

Throughout my life, I’ve had the privilege of getting up on

stages all over the planet and being able to inspire people, helping

them ﬁnd motivation and inspiration in their professional

and personal lives. I’ve been honored to share

hopes, fears, strategies, laughter, and warmth with them,

my family, and close friends. I have been blessed to

learn from so many of them all. I’ve gained a some insight

– and a lot of fun – along the way.

I would never boast to be the world’s expert on being inspirational or passionate as a motivational speaker.

I have been but one man who has noticed countless, amazing qualities in other people, and then compiled

them for the benefit of my audiences. May you continue to drink in all the goodness of God and give that back

to others in that God given calling in 2009!

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Get Training as a Motivational Speaker

2008-12-25T11:56:00.001-08:00

As a Motivational Speaker we need to always be learning and sharpening our public speaking skills. Wendell Berry says: “The teachers are everywhere, what is needed is a learner.” This tip is unique in that learning from others should be considered a serendipity. As a Motivational Speaker the payoﬀ is how this activity aﬀects your relationships with everyone you encounter. People enjoy sharing their positive thoughts, their knowledge, and
their motivational stories. Remember that person who always had to share all his knowledge? Do you recall the woman who always corrected others with her facts? The one with whom it was pointless to disagree because they always had to be right? I used the words “remember” and “recall” because odds are these are friends of the past. Frankly, no one enjoys being around a know-it-all for very long. On the contrary, imagine someone who is interested in your thoughts and insights. Imagine someone who asks you to explain further your comments, and responds:
“That makes really good sense!”“I have never considered that.”
“That is interesting. Please tell me more.”
Motivational Speakers need to adopt the attitude of Learning from others, which is about much more than just acquiring facts. It involves having the humility to put aside our “mental fact sheets” and to open that space for others’ ideas. Learning is about honoring others who share new or diﬀerent viewpoints. I have discovered that my enemy in this regard is my ego. Sometimes my ego doesn’t want to learn. It wants to teach! It wants to share with others how much it knows. My ego wants to correct others to set them straight. When someone
disagrees with or questions my viewpoint, I’m quick to challenge, “You want to bet on it?” (How endearing!) Learn from your friends. Learn from your partner. Learn from your children. Come to our Motivational Speaking Training course and you'll learn to transform your speaking career.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Sleep for your Motivational Speaking Career

2008-12-24T17:39:00.001-08:00

I've heard it said that sleep depravation makes coward of us all. As motivational speakers we need to be sharp and fresh to be

our creative best.

“Take rest. A ﬁeld that has rested gives a bountiful crop.”

– Ovid

How much sleep are you getting? Sleep deprivation is a curse to creativity and a thief to passion.

“Without enough sleep, we all become tall two-year-olds.”

– JoJo Jensen

I once belonged to a church where it seemed that the more dedicated one was to Christ, the less he should sleep. Mem-

bers would boast of their late nights and early mornings. Leaders wore their fatigue like a badge of honor. Come to

think of it, we did have our share of tall two-year-olds. I was one of them. Take the sleep test. According to Harvard University

Economics Professor Juliet Schor, “If you need an alarm clock to wake you in the morning, you’re probably sleeping

too little.” I get up most mornings without an alarm clock. The solution is simple – earlier to bed! Now of course there’s a tradeoﬀ,

but it’s well worth it. I rarely enjoy Leno’s or Letterman’s monologue, or catch the late movie, but throughout the

next day – I’m ready to burn! I've kept this tip brief so all of us could get some extra rest in over the holidays

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Great Motivational Quotes to End 2008 With

2008-12-24T06:33:00.001-08:00

These are some of my favorite motivational speaking quotes I've collected through the years.

I hope you'll find them as motivating as I do.

“The real measure of your wealth is how much

you’d be worth if you lost all your money.”

– Bernard Meltzer

“The only way of discovering the limits of the possible is to

venture a little way past them into the impossible.”

– Arthur C. Clarke

“A childlike man is not a man whose development

has been arrested; on the contrary, he is a man who

has given himself a chance of continuing to develop

long after most adults have muﬄed themselves

in the cocoon of middle-aged habit and convention.”

– Aldous Huxley

“He is a man of sense who does not grieve for what he has not,

but rejoices in what he has.”

– Epictetus

“Become the change you wish to see in others.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

“Nothing happens unless ﬁrst a dream.”

– Carl Sandburg

“There are two days that no one should ever worry about:

yesterday and tomorrow.”

– Albert Einstein

“Angels sail through our lives like ships of light,

visiting us through portals to our heart.”

– Karen Goldman

“There are many ways to measure success; not the least of which is

the way your child describes you when talking to a friend.”

– Author unknown

“Every man’s work, whether it be literature or music or pictures

or architecture or anything else, is always a portrait of himself.”

– Samuel Butler

“Much may be known of a man’s character

by what excites his laughter.”

– Goethe

“The mediocre teacher tells. The good teacher explains.

The superior teacher demonstrates. The great teacher inspires.”

– William A. Ward

“Some people say they haven’t yet found themselves.

But the self is not something one ﬁnds;

it is something one creates.”

– Thomas Szasz

“Our lives begin to end the day we become silent

about things that matter.”

– Martin Luther King, Jr.

“I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark

should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stiﬂed by

dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me

in magniﬁcent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The

proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste

my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.”

– Jack London

“Of all earthly music that which reaches farthest

into heaven is the beating of a truly loving heart.”

– Henry Ward Beecher

“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational

mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that

honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.”

– Albert Einstein

“Seek out that particular mental attribute which makes

you feel most deeply and vitally alive, along with which

comes the inner voice which says, ‘This is the real me,’ and

when you have found that attitude, follow it.”

– William James

“Love one another, and you’ll be happy.

It’s as simple – and as diﬃcult – as that.”

– Michael Leunig

“This nation was built by men who took risks;

pioneers who were not afraid of the wilderness,

business men who were not afraid of failure, scientists

who were not afraid of the truth, thinkers who were not afraid

of progress, dreamers who were not afraid of action.”

– Brooks Atkinson

“None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.”

– Henry David Thoreau

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Did I make a Difference?

2008-12-23T12:05:00.001-08:00

Recently I saw a bumper sticker that read: “Make a living, not a difference.” Now, I know it was intended to be humorous, but I thought, how sadly true. It’s just what so many people are doing. I think it’s so important that we search for the “worthwhileness” of our our speaking careers –and don’t become a motivational speaker until we find it. Beforehand, if I cannot think of the statement in my speech that will make the difference, that speech is not yet ready to give. After every speech, I ask myself, “Did I make a difference?” After every day, I ask myself, “Did I make a difference?” There are days when I answer…“No.” I then think of situations where I could have handled things better. Could I have been more creative and innovative — perhaps more compassionate or patient? What else could I have done to make a difference? There’s a definite connection between worthwhileness and passion. You can see one brick mason at work and ask what he’s doing. “I’m building a wall,” he replies. You see another brick mason and ask the same question. “I’m building a home,” he answers. Each is performing the same actions, but they have different perspectives, different outlooks on life. Perhaps, too, a different quality of work. Some probably find it much easier to “call in sick.” After all, he only has bricks waiting for him, while the other has a family depending on him. In our public speaking jobs, are we building walls or homes? Have I shown them that they are important? Have I proven that each of them makes a unique difference? If we’ve shown love, if we’ve played our music, then we’ve made a difference. After speaking opportunities, when I ask myself if I’ve made a difference, one of the criteria I consider is whether or not I’ve empowered my public audience? I always try to stay after my speech, so that people have an opportunity to remain connected and be appreciated. People can come up to me and ask questions, give me their ideas, or discuss something I’ve said. I use their comments and evaluations for future speeches.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Abundant Public Speaking Jobs

2008-12-22T15:29:00.001-08:00

You will have more public speaking opportunities than ever before if you will

play these two radio stations every time you speaker.

A seasoned trainer once shared with me, “There are two captivating radio

stations that transmit appreciation, love, and respect to an audience.”

“Two radio stations?” I asked puzzled.

“You heard right. There’s both an AM and FM station…”

…That was ten years ago.

Tuning in to these stations has elevated my ability to love.

I now share their “power” with you…

W I I -- F M

The vast majority of speeches and presentations that I have heard fail to address

a most important factor -- “What’s In It For Me?” That’s what audience members are

asking before the presentation even starts.

“Is this worth my time?”

“Why am I here?”

“Will this be of use to me?”

“WII-FM?”

I now “tune in” to this station every time I address an audience. I’ve tried to do

likewise on these CD’s. On CD #!, I showed you how you can personally benefit from

improving your presentation skills. Remember the individual who received a promotion,

and my friend who was given more money than he’d even asked for? This is the

“What’s in it for me?” for this recording. I hoped to inspire you, to keep you interested

and entertained. And if you’re still listening, perhaps it’s worked.

The second radio station is equally as important, yet tuned in even less often!

MMFG -- AM

Before my speech, I envision every audience member actually raising a hand

and saying, “Excuse me, but I have a request. At some point during your presentation,

could you Make Me Feel Good About Myself?”

Then, I picture myself complimenting each of them. I ponder:

What have they accomplished?

What awards have they won?

What hardships have they endured?

What obstacles have they overcome?

How have they contributed to their company’s success?

Tune in” to these questions, and watch what happens!

A company for which I once worked had purchased another company in Chicago.

It was a rough acquisition. Financially, it was fine. But on the personal side, it left much

to be desired. I felt like we had come in as a “bully” company and used this bulldozing

philosophy: “We don't care what you used to do and who you used to be. Now, you're

us, and it's time you start doing things our way.” I went to speak to their sales force two

months after the acquisition. Before the presentation, I'd asked for some of the success

stories that this company had prior to merging with us, so that I could use these stories

in my speech. One of our company's vice presidents told me:

“Oh, you don't have to bring up anything about their past. That's gone now.

They’re with us now, and they’ll do as we would have them do.”

He was a VP. He had authority over me. But I do have a healthy dose of

productive defiance. I realized that what this group of people needed right now, more

than anything else, was to feel good about themselves. I needed to tune them in to

MMFG-AM. I had to let them know that they were important to us -- that we needed

them.

Before I addressed them, I noticed a plaque on the wall. It had been presented to

this company for a superb radio advertisement. So, I copied all the facts and figures.

Then I saw another award that they'd received from the City of Chicago for their stellar

service. I wrote that down too.

I started my presentation, “What a thrill it is to be merging with such a top quality,

blue-chip company!”

When I said that, eyes that were turned down began to look up at me.

“Congratulations on your Golden Mike Award!”

People began to smile. Next, I recognized their award from the city of Chicago,

adding that I didn't remember our company ever getting an award like that from our city.

“This is absolutely tremendous! And let me tell you, we have a lot to learn from

you and your successes.”

I didn’t expect anyone to speak up, but one woman, in tears, raised her hand.

“Thank you for those compliments! You'll never know how much we needed to

hear those words right now.”

After that, I could have flubbed the rest of the speech big time,

could have stumbled over my words,

forgotten what I wanted to say,

dropped my notes on the floor…

and none of it would have mattered.

Why? Because I'd truly connected with that audience through love. And that's

magical. All I had to do was…

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

International Travel as a Motivational Speaker

2008-12-21T11:21:00.001-08:00

“Abundance is not something we acquire.

It is something we tune into.”

– Dr. Wayne Dyer

When you return from a third world country it awakens you to see how the rest of the world lives.

Visit a third world country and watch what happens to your gratitude..

And don’t just go with a compassionate attitude.

Go also with the idea: What can I learn from them?

motivational speaking career to visit several countries

that would be considered in this “third world” category.

I think the ones most notable in my mind were in West

Africa, the countries of Ghana and Nigeria. And in Asia,

India was a deﬁnite. I now live in Southern California and

you don’t even have to cross an ocean to ﬁnd third world

poverty. Cross the border into Tijuana, and I think you’ll

see what I mean.

If you go to one of these countries, take your children.

Let them collect some toys and clothes of theirs and of

neighborhood friends to give to the children in the country

you’ll be visiting. I promise you, this will forever impact

your life – and the lives of your children.

And while you’re in that third world country, make it a point

to visit a local hospital. I’ll never forget the one that Tanya

and I visited in Ghana. What we saw there is still sharply

embedded in our minds.

We complain about things in our hospitals:

“The air conditioning is too cold.”

“The food isn’t hot enough.”

“She has to share her room with three other patients.”

“I rang this buzzer, and it took a nurse two minutes to get here!”

Our visit to that Ghanaian hospital was a convicting

contrast where cold air, cold food, a nurse’s visit, or just a

bed would have been a very welcomed blessing.

As Tanya and I approached the hospital’s entrance, we

curiously walked past dozens of people sitting amongst a

motley patchwork of torn towels and rags strewn across the

entire dirt “front lawn.” Any available bush or branch was

similarly adorned.

As we began walking around inside, our hearts just broke.

The very rare patient with a bed and mattress was the

extremely fortunate one. Most had just bed springs. Some

patients were even lying on the ﬂoor. And each person had

just a ragged cloth beneath them.

As we glanced through a broken window at that sea of

towels and rags outside, we were humbled to realize that all

those precious scraps of cloth were their pillows, mattresses,

sheets, covers, washcloths, and towels which the families

themselves supplied, washed, and “sun-dried” for their loved

ones.

We just wanted to cry... for them... for their conditions...

for their lot in life.

But we couldn’t. Not then, anyway. We were there to visit

and encourage.

Yet, most amazingly, it was Tanya and I who became

encouraged. Astoundingly, there were smiles everywhere

– on the faces of nurses, doctors, visiting family, and even on

the faces of the sick and dying. They were so grateful

someone came to visit and just share a friendly smile or

gentle touch. Many visitors got up oﬀ the ﬂoor (there were

no chairs) and hugged us. Just so appreciative someone

cared. I’ll never forget it. What grateful and good people!

We cried for that... after we left.

And these are the people often referred to as underdeveloped.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Motivational Speaker Jobs and Props

2008-12-20T11:16:00.001-08:00

Props are so captivating, so effective, so connecting for your speaking career. In his book, Do Not Go

Naked Into Your Next Presentation, Ron Hoff discusses the importance of good motivational speaker props:

I’ve been trying to forget the O.J. Simpson trial, but one picture

keeps developing itself over and over in my mind. It's defense attorney

Johnny Cochran, delivering his summation to the jury. He’s wearing a dark

stocking cap, pulled down right over his head. The cap was a piece of

prosecution evidence, but it didn’t look very dangerous on Johnny. And the

most compelling part of this picture is that it’s locked in my brain forever.

Images have a way of doing that. Never underestimate the power of a vivid

image to make linkages into the mind that words alone simply cannot

accomplish.

Cochran’s is a good example of prop-power. I’ve already related a number of

instances when motivational speakers used props with excellent effect. You’ve probably seen

examples as well.

It’s always fun when you use props that you can hand out to members of the

audience. My friend, Marda, gave a motivational speech entitled, “Who Packs Your

Parachute?” in which, instead of simply thanking the audience for all the community

service they’d done, she gave each audience member a little plastic paratrooper --

something memorable for them. Great fuel!

As mentioned earlier, I once used nine different props in a speech. Also,

whenever I tell one of my signature stories -- the Nordstrom Story -- I actually hold up

the ratty old green shirt I’m talking about, so the audience can see it. When I share

about my phone call to my wife, I actually speak into my cell phone. When I mention

that I was lacking cash for a transaction, I pull out my wallet from my back pocket and

rummage through it with a sad look on my face. I don’t just tell about the tie I bought, I

wear it and flaunt it.

This is the captivating power of props, and they are especially essential in

meeting the needs of visual and kinesthetic learners in your audience. (More on the

different styles of learners will be discussed later in this chapter).

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Statistics and Motivational Speaker Jobs

2008-12-20T06:48:00.001-08:00

65% of all audience members appreciate statistics from their motivational speakers. 100% of people will show

their appreciation 50% of the time by evaluating 95% of your presentations at an

average 8.9 on a 1-10 scale. (Sorry, I couldn’t resist.) Seriously, effective use of

statistics really appeals to those “thinkers” in the audience. They want facts, figures, and

precision.

When you use statistics, be graphically dramatic and creative, and always give

your sources when it will lend credibility. Audience retention is augmented when you

accompany statistics with clear, uncomplicated visuals in your motivational speaking career. Statistics have no meaning

without interpretation. When interpreted well, a few dramatic numbers can be

invaluable.

I won over an audience of information technologists by employing a statistical

comparison that I discovered on the Internet. I call it my “Jock vs. Nerd Stat Story.”

Here are the statistical innards of the story:

• Michael Jordan --the “semi-retired” Michael Jordan, that is --currently makes $40

million a year in endorsements.

• That translates into $178,000 per day.

• If he goes to see a movie, it'll cost him $8.00, but he’ll make $18,550 while

watching it!

• If someone were to hand him his salary, dollar by dollar, they would have to

do so at the rate of $2.00 every second.

• This year, he’ll make more than twice as much as all past U.S. Presidents, for

all of their terms combined.

• Amazing!! However, if Jordan saves 100% of his income for the next 450

years, he'll still have less than Bill Gates (the “nerd”) has today!

I know very little about what information technologists do for a living, but I do

know that in a “jock vs. nerd” survey, most of them would fall more into the “nerdish”

category. And when I ended that story with “Game over. Nerd wins!” something

interesting happened -- hands shot up around the room!

One participant initiated her first comments since our class had started.

“I love Bill Gates. He is responsible for putting computers in schools throughout

our nation!”

Another member of the class commented, “I saw a TV special on Mr. Gates

once. He had dirt under his fingernails because he does his own gardening!”

As others eagerly shared, classmates responded with “ooh’s” and “aah’s.”

I smiled, as I had just learned the power of audience-specific statistics.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Use Quotes in your Motivational Speaking Career

2008-12-19T20:34:00.001-08:00

Quotes are powerful captivators and credibility-builders for anyone involved in speaking careers. (Notice how many I use

in this book). They show respect for other’s thoughts. Whenever possible, quote people

in the audience, as it delights and honors them.

If you're speaking to a company, quote its leaders. Sure, you could quote Jack

Welch and other famous CEO’s, but why not the locals? It makes everything more

specific and intimate. (And it doesn’t hurt to know that it’s the company leaders who

have a say in whether you're invited back to speak again.) If you know there’s a new

executive or associate at the company, quote them. Get them to stand, and initiate

applause for them. Honor them. There are many, many ways to incorporate quotes

effectively.

A company I worked for sponsored a “Bring Your Child To Work Day,” as many

organizations have done. I invited my older daughter, Alexandra. On that particular day,

I was facilitating the Presentation Skills Workshop for seven executives in finance.

These managers had three months to prepare presentations that each would be giving

in the afternoon session. I made it clear to Alexandra, of course, that she wasn't

expected to present one with such short notice. She said she'd like to, if she could go

last.

During each speaker’s afternoon presentation, I observed Alexandra was taking

copious notes. After everyone had finished, it was time for Alexandra's presentation.

What she did was really remarkable! As her father, I couldn’t have been more proud.

She had taken notes on all of the other speakers’ topics. Then she demonstrated

how the power of the Internet could enhance each of their topics. And she quoted the

speakers:

Today we heard Maria discuss her keen interest in the country of

Morocco. She said, “Morocco is a magical place!” Well, it's exciting to know that

you can go to this Internet site (and she mentioned the site) and listen to

Moroccan music as you’re doing your research.

She went from one speaker to the next, remembering their topics and quoting

them. Everyone was excited and loved that their interests were being recapped! They

were ecstatic that their words were quoted. Why? Because their words were honored!

They gave Alexandra a tremendous round of applause for her motivational speaking.

They loved her words, because her words were their words!

Quoting others is a powerful fuel for your “fires.”

I strongly suggest memorizing your twenty favorite quotes. It’s always better not

to have to read them from your notes. After all, if they’ve really had an impact on you,

wouldn't you know them by heart?

This is what the audience is thinking.

And you can “quote me” on that!

Ron Clendenin

ronclendenin@gmail.com

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Motivational Speaker Jobs

2008-12-19T20:13:00.001-08:00

Why are questions so powerful?

Have you considered the benefits of asking for audience responses?

How do questions encourage dialogue and discourage lecture?

I recall listening to a motivational speaker who began her presentation asking “How old would

you be if you didn’t know how old you are?"

This inspired laughter and discussion in the group…

“Does that mean how old do I feel?”

“How old do I look?”

It made an immediate connection and it led into the point of her talk.

Asking questions is also a good opportunity to start off with some humor:

“How many people are in the wrong place?”

“How many wish they were in the wrong place?”

“How many care where they are?”

“How many wish I would stop asking questions?”

People will laugh, and you'll see hands raised after each question. This provides

both spark and a change of pace.

You do have to be careful, however, when you’re asking rhetorical questions

because some people won't pick up on the fact that they are rhetorical. It’s not that I

don’t love to get responses from the group. I frequently interact with audiences. But

there are times in a speech when you don't want people shouting out answers. It can

undermine a dramatic or inspirational point in your speech. You can't ignore that raised

hand or that shout. I effectively set up rhetorical questions by letting the audience know

in various phrasings that no verbal response is expected. I’ll say…

“Let me just ask you a few rhetorical questions…”

“I want you just to think about possible answers to this question…”

“There's no need to respond to this, but why would…”

These pretty much guarantee that you won’t be faced with the awkwardness of

someone speaking up from the audience when you’d rather them not.

Why don’t more speakers use this magical device that shows respect?

Why do teachers rarely use questions, except on tests?

Will you consider asking more questions in your presentations?

Can you think of a better way to involve others in your keynote speeches as a motivational speaker?

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

Becoming a Motivational Speaker

2008-12-19T20:01:00.001-08:00

I hear from many new Professional Speakers about the difficulty they are having in getting signed by speakers bureaus. I’ll be posting some secret tips on getting signed with bureaus in a special report any day now. One place to start getting a foot in the door is to sign up for a speakers showcase that is hosted by a bureau. These are incredible venues for you to get some great exposure for not only that specific speakers bureau but also for the meeting planners who attend.
I’ve been a Motivational Speaker for many years but this year was the first time I had spoken at a Speakers Showcase. I spoke at the Capitol City Speakers bureau hosted a showcase which was a full day event allowing each speaker the chance to speak twice. From that one event alone I have 14 bookings confirmed and 6 more “holds” in my speaking calendar.
The bureaus who host showcases still have some basic requirements in order to be accepted into the showcase. One is that you must have a DVD or video on your website that displays your speaking ability. I recommend the video be editing to display some key moments from your speech. You’ll want to show humor and the audience laughing on your video. This is a big deal to the bureaus because they realize that this is the entertainment business and making people laugh is part of being a great keynote speaker. Next you’ll want some footage of your signature story that shows the audience being engaged in your telling of the story. Be aggressive in contacting the bureaus but when you send them an email or a package with your materials be sure to make it easy for them. Label everything clearly and be very gracious and thankful to them for considering you. Now more than ever people are trying to enter the speaking industry which means bureaus get more requests than ever. You want to be make sure what you send them doesn’t get lost in the stack but also that when they find your material is will be easy to read and understand. Be relentless and aggressive in getting on the showcase program but also respectful and not pushy. It is a hard balance but appreciation and respect go a long way with everyone. Something as simple as writing a personal card with a $5 Starbucks gift card inside could make all the difference in getting you on the program of the next speakers showcase.

Posted via email from motivationalspeaker's posterous

How to Become a Motivational Speaker

2008-12-12T16:04:00.000-08:00

There are plenty of tips on this topic on the internet. However, I’m actually a real motivational speaker who derives his income from speaking to corporate america. The steps of How to Become a motivational speaker
are no easy task. My first year was exceptional but it took lots of planning to launch my career. I always advise everyone to not quit their day job until they have a full understanding of what are the entry level tools required for a speaking career. The speaking business, in many ways, parallels the entertainment business. When the hit show American Idol rolls into your city for auditions reports of 4000 plus will wait for days to audition. Only a small handful will be selected from each city. The speaking business is a great career but the first tool you need to start working on is finding your message and writing a book about it. If you do not have a book you can still get speaking jobs. Having a speaking career is different than getting some speaking jobs. There are several ways to get your book finished. In fact, you may be a great speaker but not very good a writing. Ghost writers can take your hand written notes or even audio CD’s of your ideas and turn it into a work that you’d be proud to publish. One of the biggest key's to starting a career is about crafting a great keynote speech. With a great keynote speech, training and coaching on you can earn a 6 to 7 figure income per year. Of course learning to market your business is whole different course module. But if you don't get the book and keynote finished and polished the marketing will only go so far. In our Presentation Fire Training School we've observed that most of the developing speakers have good material but lack the ability to engage with their audience. Not knowing the timing of a story or the use of humor is a professional skill that needs coaching, refining and much rehearsal. In our workshop we also have noticed the tendency to procrastinate doing the hard stuff like working on your book and the content of the keynote. For example, each attendee receives a workshop description and two reminder e-mails about preparing for a brief presentation which will be filmed by a videographer on the opening day. And yet, when I stand before them and say, “Now, of course, you all have your presentations this afternoon,” I’m met with a room full of confused “it’s-the-first-time-I’ve ever-heard-about-it” expressions. “What?” I add. “You didn’t know?” Then I hear a few, “I sure don’t remember anything about a presentation.” Occasionally, I will get the honest one who admits, “I just put it off. Sorry.” It never fails to amaze me that up and coming professionals, will come to a presentation skills workshop without a presentation! Moreover, these presentations are being video-taped and conducted in front of their peers Still, remarkably, many do not prepare. Often, I’ll try to break the “avoidance-syndrome” tension by reading those e-mails aloud, evoking some embarrassed chuckling and confessions of “Oh yeah, you’re right.” (I sincerely believe that if I didn’t read these “Exhibit A Evidences” to them, there would still be a few who would stubbornly hold to the claim that they’d never heard about the presentation requirement.) At this point, the room energy is comprised of a dangerous combination of embarrassment and guilt. So I use humor to make the bitter truth more palatable. I offer the following explanation: You probably did peruse the course description and signed up for the course with every intention of doing a good job on your presentation for yourselves, your peers, and your supervisors. You knew that it was important and would be beneficial to your careers, but you still had some time. Procrastination in preparing to speak is toxic potion for one who wants to become a motivational speaker.You can’t wing it you have to take the prep time that is necessary for every presentation. I’ve heard people describe their talents as not needing preparation that they think better on their feet. You are deceived. It takes:

* …reading
* …note-taking
* …outlining
* …writing
* …editing
* …memorizing
* …developing supplementary materials
* …finding appropriate props

…and as many essential etceteras as you can shake a stick at! Don’t make the mistake of so many who start in this industry and then bomb when they have to stand and deliver. It takes preparation…lots of preparation to become a motivational speaker. Start now in outlining the chapters of your book and your keynote speech because to become a motivational speaker the hardest part is always...just starting.

Public Speaking Job

2008-12-07T10:28:00.000-08:00

Tips for Writing your First Book for your Public Speaking Jobs.
Commit to the fact that you do indeed have a book to write to launch your Public Speaking Career.. This is very important, as you will inevitably struggle through many obstacles. You must persevere, and passion is the key to that.
Question number One: What book do you have inside you?
Commit to a place of writing. I wrote my first book in Big Sur,
Ca. when I starting my public speaking job. It took many trips, but because I conditioned myself to write there, creativity soared when I arrived there. I have a friend in Atlanta who just finished his first book. He wrote it in his local library. He noticed that when he arrived at his table in
the library, ideas began flowing.
Question number Two: What location will be your center for creative thought? Walk, walk, walk. It refreshes the body, mind and soul. Sam Horn, best-selling author, muses, “When we walk, angels whisper to us.” Find the unique message in your book, and exploit it.
Question number Three: What message in your book is not available in
print? (Hint: think personal experience) Avoid the trap of perfection. Too many writers get
overwhelmed with the reality that the words of their book will live forever. Sometimes even paragraphs are worded and reworded so many times it drains the writer, and quenches the
creativity. Write what you believe…and keep writing. You can
change things later in your book, or even share your new
insights in a following book. Just write!
Spend a lot of time on the title. Believe me – it makes a big
difference for your Public Speaking Jobs.
Include public speaking marketing in your book! I have a friend who, in his
book, includes positive comments on products, as part of the story line. (The comfortable ride in the BMW, the perfect taste of the Miller Light beer, etc. He then approaches those
organizations to buy his book as a give-away that endorses their product.) I once mentioned a friend of mine was a great example of integrity. He was a real-estate agent. He bought a
hundred copies to give to potential clients. Get Started Now! Everyone has a book inside them. Most are even are planning to “write it all down” one day. Very few ever do. Question number Four: When will you start? Don't delay getting started with your public speaking jobs!
(Much more to come later – Good Luck!)