Did you know that in 2013, motivational speakers amassed an average salary of $88,000 per year? Not only is the National Speakers Association composed of over 3,500 people, but nearly 50% of members make a living from motivational speaking alone, according to Inc.
The players are many, though the field is somewhat limited. So, herein lies the question: What makes you a motivational speaker? We created a list of 4 questions any presenter can ask him or herself to determine whether or not they qualify as a motivational speaker:
1. Is my message unique?
Confirm that the content you plan to spread among the crowd is exclusive; a delicacy straight from your lips like fried tarantula from Cambodia. Although Tony Robbins built his platform on helping others conquer mental and physical roadblocks to achieve their goals and positively change the world – relatively common concepts – he has thrown his own spin on them through the Rapid Planning Method. By founding a proprietary system/idea, a motivational speaker effectively grounds his or her argument and creates a unique message to deliver to audiences. For example, if Tony Robbins strolled onstage and simply told the audience to put their fears aside in order to reach their goals, he’d accrue much less of a following than he has at this point. The life coach currently has 2.82 million Twitter followers.
2. Do I consistently provide valuable content?
You might have a unique message, but do you have the tenacity and innovative spirit to continue adding value off the stage? That’s the true testament of a full-time motivational speaker. The late Jim Rohn, the author of “The Art of Exceptional Living” as well an entrepreneur and motivational speaker, produced mountains of treasured content – at least 63 books, among other pieces of literature. To this day, JimRohn.com houses a substantial selection of resources spouting his messages: everything from audio CDs and books to eBooks, DVDs, magazines, and downloadable digital content. Through his content, Jim Rohn supplied his fans in the business environment with the tools to advance their careers and achieve a healthy balance of work, family, and fun – positioning himself as the go-to expert in the field.
3. Who is my target audience?
Nailing down to whom your message will be projected is perhaps the most crucial step to becoming a successful motivational speaker. To rise to the forefront of the industry, a speaker must first garner a base of loyal listeners, readers, and viewers. And the best way to accomplish this is to narrow in on the receivers of your content. Take Valerie Burton, for example. The Coaching and Positive Psychology Institute creator has had a presence in the motivational speaking space for almost 2 decades, primarily because she honed in on a specific audience: women, especially those who lack confidence and seek happiness in their daily lives. In her 10 books, Valerie gives women the tools to recognize insecurities and succeed within the workplace and outside of it. In addition to writing articles for magazines like Ebony and Woman’s Day, Valerie has served as a motivational speaker for companies ranging from McDonald’s and State Farm to General Mills and NASA.
4. How refined are my public speaking skills?
While the Ethos3 team would argue that content is the most important part of a speech, you should always measure your public speaking skills and presentation delivery. Maintaining a firm grasp on where you stand in that respect will help you understand the strategy you need to employ to improve. Stand-up comedian, author, and motivational speaker, Steve Rizzo is a prime example of tranquility in the public speaking arena.
By no means is this a comprehensive list of questions the wholly motivational speaker should consider in their pursuit of growth, but for the everyday presenter, truthfully answering these questions could provide strength and direction to your current messaging. For more information about motivational speakers and improving public speaking skills, peruse the following resources:
The Best Public Speakers – According to the Internet
Top 10 Motivational Speakers in the World
