How To Be A Motivational Speaker Tips Choosing a Topic
Here’s another one of my tips on how to be a motivational speaker. Today I talk about how to choose your topic. Questions? Leave them in a comment below and I’ll answer them in a video.
How To Be a Motivational Speaker
Learn more about how to be a motivational speaker with my audio here.
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Hey, this is Brad Montgomery from BradMontgomery.com. Alright, so here’s the continuing saga, “How to Be a Motivational Speaker.” I promised you some tips, here comes another one.
One of the big questions I get all the time is what am I going to talk about, what could I possibly talk about? Well, when you are picking the topic for your keynote, there’s a couple of things I want you to consider.
First, if you’re going to be a professional speaker, not only do you have to be good, but you have to be passionate about something. So what is it that you are passionate about? You’re going to be talking and researching and marketing and everything, make sure it’s a topic that you actually love, which is my way of saying, if you think you want to speak on leadership or change or some whatever, I’m saying that’s fine, unless you don’t have passion for it. So, if you don’t, skip it, right now.
The other thing too is make sure it’s something you’re an expert in. So, as you’re choosing your topic, what are you good at, what are you already an expert in right now? So for example, if you work in a hospital and you’re a genius about what’s going on with healthcare, maybe that’s your niche. Or if you know everything there is about energy or whatever or in my case, if you happen to know everything there is about humor at work, bingo, I’m your guy. See, I have passion about that; I’m an expert in it, that’s why it’s good for me. What are you going to find that’s good for you?
So, to sum it up, when you’re becoming a motivational speaker, if you’re asking yourself how to be a motivational speaker and you’re wondering about your topic, first, find something you have passion in, second, find somewhere where you have some expertise.
Alright, Brad Montgomery, BradMontgomery.com. More tips on how to be a motivational speaker soon. Thanks.
Brad what about people that are passionate about something like improvement through change but are not an expert in the area? Absorbing all the material we can and making things happen through change and have small success but just not an expert.
Thanks Tim. This is a pretty complex question… so forgive the short reply. If you have passion, become an expert. If you read 25 books about it, you’ll have read 25 more books than your audience. Then interview top achievers in your field when it comes to change management. If you interview 50 of your state’s top people, or your industry’s people, you will be able to share your new knowledge and make a difference to your audience.
You don’t have to lie and tell them you have a PhD or something. Just tell them that you read a ton about it, think about it, and have interviewed those who are good at it. Then tell them what you learned.
Does that help, Tim?
Brad, Thanks and that does help. Already on the way to reading all the books and related materal I can get my hands on. I’m going to need glasses soon. I’ll start looking to interview people. Can see where that would give me crediblity also.
cool! I wanted to clarify: being an “expert” is important, and faking it is a no go. Don’t do it. But in my mind, anybody who is honest with me about their skills and knowledge who is able to say, “I’ve been thinking about this a LONG time and wanted to let you know how this might affect you and your business…” will at least get the foot in the door with me.
No, reading 20 books doesn’t make you a PhD….but it does give you some great ideas and a huge head start over your audiences.
If you are genuine and authentic…that will take care of the rest.
cheers!
brad
Choosing a right topic for the grand evening is as important as dressing up properly. If the topic is not appropriate, you’ll look awkward and shabby. You should also have a good grasp on the topic you choose.