Here's how you can navigate the common mistakes when starting out as a motivational speaker.

To navigate the challenges when starting out as a professional motivational speaker, find as many opportunities to speak as possible. Contact schools, libraries, podcasts, etc., to increase your reps. Each time, record as much as possible, and review it thoroughly. Listen without video, then watch without sound. With both exercises, you will learn ways to improve your overall delivery. There’s so much more, connect with me for coaching. www.BeTheVictor.us

Three common mistakes that are often made : 1) LOSING TRACK & DIGRESSING : It often happens that one loses track of the main theme and starts digressing oftentimes in favor of one's own favorite aspect ; 2) DWELLING TOO LONG ON A SINGLE ISSUE : All motivational speakers are aware that one's lecture ought to be a structured one covering all important elements with adequate time allotment for each. I tend to dwell too much on one issue ; 3) DISCONNECTING FROM AUDIENCE : Keeping one's audience engaged throughout is paramount while delivering a motivational speech. It is not uncommon to get disconnected from one's audience which totally negates the very essence of motivating one's audience. Hence one has to guard against above common mistakes.

One typical error to avoid while beginning your career as a motivational speaker is not recognizing and concentrating on your expertise. Understanding your niche is being aware of the particular group of people you can most successfully motivate and the distinctive message you can offer. Think about your personal experiences, interests, and areas of competence first, then decide where you can contribute the most. Make sure your material speaks to this target group's wants, problems, and goals. Specializing helps you become recognized as an expert in your field, which facilitates audience engagement and the development of a devoted following.

When I started out as a motivational speaker in 2014, I realised that simply conveying information wasn't enough. I made the mistake of focusing too much on conveying my message, rather than crafting a story that resonated with my audience. But when I shifted my focus to storytelling, everything changed. I learned to connect with my audience on an emotional level, making my message more relatable and memorable. One key takeaway is to avoid being a 'speaker' and instead, be a 'storyteller'. Share your personal experiences, vulnerabilities, and passions. Make your audience laugh, cry, and reflect. That's when the real magic happens, and your message truly sticks.💫

I have found that keeping thing simple and easy to understand is key. People only remember about 10% (if that) of your content, but they remember if they heard something of value to them. I like to structure a talk with an introduction to the topic, why it is important to the audience, how it became relevant to me. Then hit 3 key topics and make them relevant with case studies or stories. Lastly, a conclusion/wrap up with next steps.

Seek first to understand before being understood. If the audience can't see their story in your story you won't motivate them. Awaken them. Connect with them. Encourage them. Be real. Be authentic. Don't be the sage on the stage. Share your MESSage and TESTimony on how you have struggled and share hope and how you succeeded (or how you're succeeding) and how others have done the same with your tactics and strategies.

➡️When starting out as a motivational speaker, navigate common mistakes by crafting your own story and: ✅Being authentic and vulnerable ✅Sharing your personal struggles and triumphs ✅Connecting with your audience on a deeper level ✅Showcasing your unique perspective and experiences ✅Using storytelling techniques to engage and inspire ➡️Crafting your own story helps by: ✅Building trust and credibility with your audience ✅Differentiating yourself from others in the industry ✅Creating a relatable and memorable message ✅Allowing you to speak from a place of passion and purpose By sharing your story, you'll resonate with your audience and establish yourself as a genuine and impactful motivational speaker!

It is a two-way communication. Speak from the heart and from your own deep understanding. That will create a connection. And, most importantly, listen to them and learn from them.

One of my most engaging techniques is to become one of them. When You are on stage, especially behind a podium, you're disconnected and removed. NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE, the lighting and maybe video, etc., sometimes I leave the stage, walk out into the audience and deliver the message face-to-face in the audience.( switching every minute or so) Sometimes ask a question they answer ( always repeat), sometimes I ask them. A Q&A with an assistant passing a microphone is an ultimate bonding technique. CAUTION THOUGH: You must be an expert in your niche subject to take a Q&A at the end of your presentation. I've seen many amateurs attempt it and crash and burn. ~ Jim Ziegler, CSP, HSG, OG, #AlphaDawg ~

I would love to say that motivational speaking is a two way street. Your audience learn from your stories and you learn from them. Keep engaging with your audience, lend them a ear listen to their stories listen to what all they're going through and try to give your utmost best in helping them. It will boost the communication between you and your audience. Draft the things which go straight to the heart of your audience, things which are relatable which you have yourself experienced don't just try to post fancy things. Thankyou, Tisha.

Authentic engagement requires vulnerability which can often be uncomfortable. Determine your boundaries in advance. Only tell your story and gain permission if including someone else’s story. That which leaves the heart, reaches the heart.

As a novice motivational speaker, I quickly learned that enthusiasm alone wasn't enough to engage and inspire audiences. To avoid common mistakes, I focused on honing my skills through deliberate practice and continuous learning. I recorded my talks, sought feedback from mentors, and studied the techniques of experienced speakers. I worked on crafting clear, concise messages, using persuasive storytelling techniques, and developing a authentic stage presence. I also learned to handle nerves, think on my feet, and adapt to diverse audiences. By prioritising skill-building and self-improvement, I transformed from a nervous novice to a confident, compelling speaker who can truly make a difference.

Experience and skills go hand in hand. Consistent learning leads to consistent skill development, ultimately creating an outstanding personality. No matter how successful you are, if you aren't better today than you were yesterday, you haven't grown. The personality of a speaker is everything—a blend of knowledge, skills, and attitude. A motivational speaker should strive to be better today than they were yesterday. Learning should be seen as a journey, not a destination. Therefore, a motivational speaker should continually focus on self-improvement and skill enhancement to refine their personality. If you are not updated, you'll become outdated.

Embrace Continuous Learning 🎓 The field of motivational speaking is constantly evolving, so staying curious and adaptable is key. Regularly seek out new workshops, mentors, and industry events to expand your skillset and keep your content fresh. Remember, the journey of a motivational speaker is not without its challenges, but with the right mindset and strategies, you can overcome them and make a lasting impact.

Honing your communication and speaking skills is a constant. You have to always listen to others speakers, read articles, and observe some of the best communicators. You have to strive to become a masterful communicator. Finally, learn to view your presentation looking for ways to sharpen your skills.

➡️When starting out as a motivational speaker, navigate common mistakes by honing your own skills: ✅Develop strong public speaking and presentation skills 📢 ✅Improve your storytelling and narrative techniques 📚 ✅Enhance your emotional intelligence and empathy 🤝 ✅Stay updated on industry trends and research 📊 ✅Continuously seek feedback and coaching 🗣️ ➡️Honing your skills is crucial as it: ✅Boosts confidence and credibility on stage 💼 ✅Enhances your ability to engage and inspire audiences 🌈 ✅Sets you apart from others in the industry 🌟 ✅Increases your impact and influence as a speaker 📈 ✅Helps you stay adaptable and resilient in a competitive field! 💪

Motivation word is having a word insode i.e. Motive. As a speaker u should be having motive to guide and mentor the group. First of all u need to know - 1. Know Your audience 2. What Expectation they r seeking in ur session? 3. Jot down all points to be covered 4. Keep eye on time 5. Use parking lot for non relevant questions

Remember that it is impossible to please everybody, and perfection doesn't exist. It's like music - nobody will ever agree on who the best band is, or what song is the best. Music depends on the listener. Your job is to deliver on what you were hired for, and to achieve the goals you set out to achieve. Feedback is good, to a point. Not all feedback is created equal. People don't remember normal. Fight the urge to create more of what you see out there. Be an individual. Find ways to get your own authentic voice out there. Dare to be different. And at the end of the day, understand that you did the best you could do in the moment you were given. Tomorrow is another day. Sometimes we take ourselves more seriously than our audience does.

Managing expectations is key for boosting your energy. Life is always full of unexpected mishaps and sudden surprises! Don't get down on yourself when things get wonky, celebrate the victory of showing up and being there to grow through the challenge! Breathe, smile and remember, what may seem like a disaster in the moment often becomes a great story of resilience down the road!

As a master connector and inspirational speaker, managing expectations is crucial for success. Start by setting clear objectives for your talks, aligning them with both your purpose and your audience's needs. Communicate these goals openly to ensure mutual understanding. Be honest about what you can deliver and avoid overpromising. Prepare thoroughly to meet and exceed these expectations, but stay adaptable to respond to your audience’s reactions. "True connection happens when we share our authentic selves with the world," and by managing expectations effectively, you build trust and credibility, making your message even more impactful.

Estabeleça expectativas realistas para você e seu público. Evite prometer resultados impossíveis e seja claro sobre o que sua palestra pode oferecer. Gerenciar expectativas ajuda a construir confiança e credibilidade, evitando desapontamentos.

cuando empieza a caminar en el mundo de las conferencias, normalmente, el mayor error es querer contar demasiado. Al final la gente solo va a quedarse con dos ideas, no más.

Salir a hablar y no a comunicar es el mayor error que podemos cometer. En realidad, por extremo que resulte, no es lo que se dice sino cómo se dice lo importante. Hay que conectar con el público, llegar a él a través de la emoción, si no, no hay impacto y tu discurso de olvidará al momento.

Expanding your reach is like planting seeds in different gardens. Use social media, blogs, and podcasts to spread your message beyond live events. Each platform is a new garden where your ideas can grow and reach more people. By nurturing these platforms, you can build a broader audience. This not only increases your influence but also allows you to impact more lives with your message. Diversifying your reach ensures that your voice is heard by a wider, more diverse audience.

Expanding your reach can be achieved through several unique strategies: 1. **Leverage Social Media**: Utilize platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, and TikTok to share valuable content, engage with followers, and use hashtags to reach broader audiences. 2. **Collaborate with Influencers**: Partner with influencers or experts in your field to co-create content, host webinars, or participate in podcasts, leveraging their followers. 3. **Guest Blogging and Writing**: Write articles or guest posts for popular blogs, industry websites, and online publications to showcase your expertise. 4. **Online Communities and Forums**: Engage in online communities like Reddit, Quora, or industry-specific forums by providing insightful contributions.

Tenemos que tener en cuenta que nuestra popularidad como orador se medirá por la exposición que tenemos. Cuanto más te vean más se acuerdan de ti por lo que mi recomendación es... ser lo más proactivo posible, elegir correctamente los medios en los que vamos a aparecer y divulgar siempre donde apareceremos para conseguir la visibilidad deseada.

Everything said so far is on point. What I’m about to say may sound a little cynical but I’m being honest: a lot of motivational speakers with whom I’ve worked or interacted have come to believe their own press. They’ve forgotten that it’s about their audiences. They’ve forgotten to practice humility. They’ve forgotten they are a regular human being like the rest of us. Of course there are many lovely human beings who are motivational speakers (think Michelle Obama who has many more reasons than others to think she’s amazing - but is always humble). Be yourself. Stay humble. You will always connect with others if you do this.

Life speaks louder than words. As a speaker, if what you talk about is not "your life", it's very tough to impart the same essence or 'spirit' of your talk to the audience. Also your 'talk' is more about the person 'you'. Don't underestimate the perceptive listener. One quote that comes to mind "A man's character may be learned from the adjectives which he habitually uses in conversation"

With a 35 year platform speaking career under my belt I’ve learned heaps along the way. Here’s what matters: Be real rather than polished. Your credibility is non-negotiable, and the more authentic and natural you are, the better. Involve your audience - ask questions and show them how to respond. Hands up is good - variety keeps them engaged and keeps the oxygen flowing to their brain! Tailor your content to your audience issues - interview them beforehand if possible - with permission, tell their stories. Generalities are not useful. Do it with data. Have a balance of facts, stories and suggestions. Keep slides to an absolute minimum. Use images that fit your message. Create pictures with your words. Share the love on Linked In!

One of the tips I’ve learned early in my career is to avoid making excuses at the beginning of your talk. Ie. I have a cold or I lost my notes or explaining your attire or I’m a little nervous…Once you have brought the negativity into the space it will require extra work to shift the focus of the audience. I agree with everything said thus far. Thank you for this forum.