What is a Motivational Speaker?
A motivational speaker, also known as an inspirational speaker, is someone who delivers speeches with the intention of motivating or inspiring the people in the audience. Typically, he or she has a reputation as an expert on the subject being discussed, and will encourage the audience to look at things from a different perspective and to become more attentive to their own talents and abilities.
What does a Motivational Speaker do?
The ultimate goal of a motivational speaker is to change people profoundly on an emotional and/or mental level, and to help them make some kind of professional or personal change in their lives and within themselves. People naturally tend to focus on all their problems, and the motivational speaker will help an audience to focus on the many opportunities instead, by using any number of persuasive speech tactics to inspire and motivate.
Some speakers may be hired to speak as special guests, and others travel a planned circuit of speaking engagements. The more popular motivational speakers may also write and sell inspirational books, dvd’s and appear on television.
Almost all motivational speakers relate their own personal experience to an audience, which means they can come from any kind of background and use that information to inspire others. Not everyone evaluates their significant life experiences to determine if those experiences could be helpful to others. A motivational speaker is constantly reflecting on their own life to see what information would be helpful to their audiences or clients. They speak in a variety of venues like schools, company boardrooms, community centres, and conferences.
There are a few motivational speakers within different areas of expertise:
Personal Development -
This is the type of speaker that is most commonly thought of when “motivational speaker” is mentioned. They inspire and guide listeners to find purpose and meaning in their life. They may give talks on motivation, inspiration, or overcoming adversity, which in turn helps people to take action and see the world or their situation from a new perspective.
Business -
These types of speakers provide encouragement and guidance to business teams at varying levels, from sales people to executive directors. Business speakers usually have experience in business and are able to share their own stories of success (and failure). They cultivate enthusiasm, help teams develop a common purpose, and inspire them to improve their work.
Youth Mentor -
The goal of a youth mentor is to give kids some positive guidance and a sense of direction in their formative years. They hope to inspire young people to lead healthy, ambitious lives, which may include topics like taking school seriously, finding their calling in life, studying hard, and learning how to interact with others in a healthy way. They may address young people at schools, churches, community centres, and a variety of other venues.
Community -
These types of speakers give motivational talks about important social and community issues. Their goal is to educate the public and give them the power to take positive action, or they may give a speech that rallies people together for a good cause.
What is the workplace of a Motivational Speaker like?
A motivational speaker tends to work irregular hours depending on their speaking engagements, travel requirements, and how much time they need to write or refine their speeches. Highly successful speakers are in demand and will be called on to present at conferences and events all over the world. This means they can have very heavy travel schedules.
The job doesn’t always stop once the conference speaking engagement is over. Many successful motivational speakers also write books, produce seminars, videos or podcasts, and may also appear on television.
Frequently Asked Questions
Steps to becoming a Motivational Speaker
Becoming a motivational speaker is more about experience than education. Certainly, many speakers have a university degree. But it is also true that many do not. This is because success in the field is not necessarily equated with academic expertise or knowledge. It is, rather, often the outcome of fate or happenstance, of facing unexpected challenge, of overcoming it, and of finding in the journey a relevant and inspirational story worthy of sharing with an audience. Therefore, standard or required steps to becoming a motivational speaker, such as a ‘earn a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree,’ do not exist. The path to the career is always individual and unique. And it is this truth that makes the occupation so fascinating, because anyone with a compelling story to tell – and the skill to tell it – can become a motivational speaker. Where the career paths of all motivational speakers do intersect is the point at which they have identified their experience as exceptional and potentially inspirational. At this stage, there are concrete steps to follow, which can ultimately set a speaking career in motion.
How long does it take to become a Motivational Speaker?
While some motivational speakers hold a degree, others do not; and there are no standard training programs that they must complete before entering the profession. However, it can take years for them to transform their experience into professional presentations and attract the attention of potential paying clients.
Should I become a Motivational Speaker?
Many people have a life experience that can motivate others. The capacity to speak publically about that experience, however, is another matter entirely. Speaking publically on a regular basis is not for everyone. That requirement of the job, therefore, is a primary qualifier – or disqualifier – for working as a motivational speaker.
Here are some other factors to consider while contemplating this profession:
Pros • Putting together a presentation that is informative, engaging, and amusing is challenging and rewarding. • To be considered an expert in a specific area, whose words are valued and sought after is an honor. • Motivational speakers derive satisfaction and pride from knowing that they have helped others learn something or understand how to deal with a situation or circumstance. • Established speakers are in demand internationally and are some of the highest paid professionals in the world.
Cons • Many individuals looking to make a career of motivational speaking hold another fulltime job while they develop their presentations, gain exposure, and seek out paying clients. • Many motivational speakers speak on the same topic over and over again. Keeping their material fresh and adapting it for different audiences is demanding. • Motivational speakers work on stage in front of audiences. Their ‘off days’ are not confined to their office cubicle and a few coworkers. • Motivational speakers who frequently travel to deliver their presentations may find it difficult to achieve their desired life/work balance.
What are Motivational Speakers like?
Based on our pool of users, motivational speakers tend to be predominately artistic people. While there may be some science to motivating and inspiring people, the work is essentially creative, imaginative, emotional, and artistic.
Are Motivational Speakers happy?
Motivational speakers rank among the happiest careers. Overall they rank in the 99th percentile of careers for satisfaction scores. Please note that this number is derived from the data we have collected from our Sokanu members only.
This finding is expected and encouraging. Motivational speakers often speak about how to be successful, engaged in better relationships, and happy. If they are fulfilling their motivation to lead others to happiness, then surely they must be happy.
Motivational Speakers are also known as:
Inspirational Speaker
Keynote Speaker