Motivational Speaker FAQs
Motivational Speakers Frequently Asked Questions
About Brad
Is Brad one of the Top 10 Motivational Speakers?
Who are your comedic influences?
What is Brad’s Deep Thought?
Does Brad do Seminars?
Brad is a “CSP.” What’s that?
About Brad On the Platform
What makes Brad different from the others?
Is the humor safe? Is it clean? Isn’t comedy too risky?
Why magic?
Why audience participation? Is that important?
Does Brad Pick On his audience volunteers? Embarrass them?
What do Meeting Planners think of Brad?
Exactly what is Brad’s message? What is his take-away value content?
About Booking Brad
How do travel expenses work?
How does Brad charge? By the hour? Event?
Any tips about Motivational Speaker Selection?
Why is it worth spending good money on a funny speaker?
How do we invite a motivational speaker to our conference?
Can we get Bulk discounts on Brad’s Products?
Do we need to worry about Audio Visual Stuff?
How can we save money with Brad?
Why are Brad’s books and products important to our group?
About Motivational Speakers
Selecting a Motivational Speaker or Corporate Entertainer
What are motivational speakers? What is the definition of “motivational speakers?”
What are sales motivational speakers?
What is a professional motivational speaker for kids? Is there such a thing?
What is a magician keynote speaker?
What is the difference between a Public Speaker and a professional speaker?
What’s wrong with motivational speakers?
What’s the difference between a comedian and a humorist?
We had a motivational speaker last year. Shouldn’t we have something different?
Random Fun Stuff
What makes Caesar salad so darned good?
What if I have more questions?
What’s the secret to excellent meatballs
What’s Brad’s favorite color?
About Brad
Is Brad one of the Top 10 Motivational Speakers?
Sure, out of the 50 or so people on my block, I am definitely one of the Top 10 motivational keynote speakers. And if you have any doubts… just ask my Mom. She thinks I’m number one.
Seriously, those Top 10 lists are a tad goofy. Seems like they are often created by the speakers who put themselves on the list. It seems to mee that I see press material that states that so-and-so is one of the “great motivational speakers.” Says who?
(Don’t get me wrong… I’ve seen a ton of speakers, and many of them are indeed great. Awesome, even. But it seems odd to me when people label themselves “great” or “Top 10.”) What I can say is that I have a long list of very happy clients who tell me that I’m exactly what they needed and more… that I’ve exceeded their expectations. And I can tell you that my clients invite me back again and again. Sounds like they consider me one of the Top 10, great motivational speakers, right?
Who are your comedic influences?
I have so many it is hard to count. My kids and my wife crack me up. I love the comedy of Bill Cosby, Ellen Degeneres, and Eddie Izzard. I loved the old Carol Burnet show. But I love going to comedy clubs to see the newer and younger folks coming up to. There is no short answer to this question. I love comedy and humor and I’m convinced that just immersing myself in all things comic and humorous is both useful… and very fun.
What is Brad’s Deep Thought ?
My deep thought, the thing I’d love to get across to you, is that I believe in this program. Through the use of humor, magic, comedy motivation and inspiration, I am able to get folks to drop their guard long enough to listen. And often they REALLY listen.
These days folks need both permission and instructions for using their senses of humor at work. It will help them be well, do well, and help their organization succeed. And they need it right now; they crave it.
I’d love to help you make a difference for your group and for your meeting or convention. If you are looking for a motivational speaker who can get your laughing AND thinking, and if you are looking for a speaker who really cares… I hope you’ll give us a call. I’d love to be your guy.
Thanks for taking the time to be here. I know that searching for a keynote speaker can be a pain… I’m glad you’re here. Call us and let us answer your questions. 303.691.0726 — Brad
Top
Does Brad do Seminars?
Sure! I love ’em. The longer format really allows me to jump in deeper to my philosophies about risk taking, projecting a positive attitude (sounds boring but trust me: the way I approach this Topic is really fun), the power of “image” and why we should care more about ours, and my theories about the power of laughter and humor in our lives.
Not only does the audience end up with way more content and value in the motivational seminars, but – perhaps most importantly – they are really fun. My approach to the motivational seminars is WAY different than most speakers, and that is a fact the audience loves.
Top
Brad is a “CSP.” What’s that?
It means Certified Speaking Professional, and it is a pretty big deal. Only 7% of speakers worldwide have achieved this designation awarded by the National Speakers Association.
Basically it is a mark of excellence, experience, and professionalism within the speaking profession.
(It’s like the good housekeeping stamp of approval; it means that Brad can deliver what he promises.)
It’s a pretty big deal in the professional speakers world. Brad is proud of it; it was hard to earn and means a lot. (For the record, his kids, his mom, and his neighbors don’t really care about it at all.)
About Motivational Speakers on the Platform
What makes Brad different from the others?
Here’s what my clients tell us:
1. Brad is genuinely funny. Really funny. Not just clever and amusing; we’re talking laugh-until-you-fall-out-of-your-chair funny. (This really happened: a woman from First American Title during one of Brad’s programs in Austin, TX fell out of her chair from laughing so much.)
2. Brad’s use of magic tricks is novel and fun. And very baffling! But best of all, the tricks and the humor support and illustrate the business lessons Brad teaches in his keynotes. In other words, tricks are for kids. But Brad’s magic and laugh-out-loud funny humor is the sizzle for the steak.
3. Brad’s message is genuine and from the heart. It isn’t canned, prepared and cliché. It’s what Brad lives and breathes. Your audience will sense that. (This trait is the secret weapon: Brad is a funny guy who speaks from the heart, and your group will respond.)
4. The impromptu humor is a home run. Clients tell us that Brad is at his best when he is working the audience with impromptu and spontaneous humor. Brad love’s to work his humor and comedy around the crowd, the recent buzz at the convention or meeting, and the audience volunteers he has on stage.
Is the humor safe? Clean? Dirty Jokes? Derogatory jokes? Isn’t comedy too risky?
My programs are crystal clean. Not only does my Grandmother think it is clean…everybody’s grandmother will think it is clean. But best of all, it is so darned funny that nobody will even notice that it is clean.
I feel strongly that we should not only present an inoffensive program that avoids racism, sexism, etc-ism, it should be so fun and funny that nobody notices.
My clients thank me after my events for keeping it crystal clean. But trust me, the audience doesn’t even become aware of the fact that I don’t curse. Or make fun of any ethnic or social groups. Or mention sex. They are too busy laughing to care.
Sure, you can have a program that is so clean it rivals Sesame Street-Meets-Andy-Griffith. But if they don’t laugh – and laugh hard! – it just doesn’t count
Why magic?
Brad: Because it is fun.
Actually, there is more to it than that. I love magic, got my start as a magician years and years ago, and am proud of my skills as a magician. But the honest truth is that nobody will leave this program talking about the amazing vanishing tiger or the appearing airplane. Yeah, I love magic but most of my audience is more taken by the humor and message than by the tricks. And that’s great; in fact that is the plan.
I use magic as an aide to get to the important part of the program – audience participation. We use magic tricks as an excuse to get folks up on stage with me. That’s where the really fun happens. Once they are on stage we are able to completely tailor the program to that group.
Why magic? It’s unique? A hilarious motivational speaker who uses knock-down-funny humor and magic to inspire, motivate and train? Awesome!
Why audience participation? Is that important?
Yes! It is one thing for a group to sit and listen to a talking head for an hour (or three.) But it is a new, totally different, and wonderful thing for your people to see their friends and co-workers take part in the program and the message. It makes the program more meaningful and more memorable. And… a whole lot more funny.
Once people are up on stage helping Brad, he’s able to talk to them about their jobs, their take on the convention, and even what may have happened that day. This interview format is a main ingredient to Brad’s humor. Not only does the fact that Brad hangs his humor on this interaction between himself and the audience helpers make the program more funny, but it also helps make the program more relevant and significant as well.
Clients often comment that this part of the program “feels like a ride.” We don’t know where we are going, but we know it is hilarious.
Does Brad pick on his audience volunteers? Embarrass them?
Nope. There are two reasons why I take care to make the experience with me onstage a positive one.
The first reason is that it just isn’t nice to pick on folks. I hate it when I go to a program and somebody singles me out and embarrasses me. So I work very hard to assure that the many individuals with whom I interact feel good about the themselves and the event while they are in the “limelight.”
So I don’t embarrass anybody. Sure, it is often hard to come up on stage. And yes, in some way, it can be slightly uncomfortable. But I do not mimic or belittle my helpers or my audience like you might see in a comedy club. And I don’t ask people to do anything that is embarrassing or awkward.
It sounds crazy and impossible. How can I bring folks who are reticent to help up on stage with me, ask them questions, talk to them, make joke, poke fun and do magic and NOT embarrass them? Well, the answer is difficult. But through my experience in thousands and thousands of performances I’ve found a way to make it work. I’m proud of my long list of clients who have me back time and time agai. The best way to keep my clients happy is to make sure we take care of their people.
What do Meeting Planners think of Brad?
They love him.
He is a pro, and he makes them look good by giving the audience value (and a really good time!)
But perhaps best of all, Brad’s really proud of his reputation as an easy-to-get-along-with speaker. He doesn’t have any bizarre requests, he flies coach with the rest of us, and is eager and willing to go the extra mile to be flexible and helpful.
We all know that some events -regardless of the planning – can surprise us with last minute changes. Brad has a black belt in making meeting planners look good by being part of the solution no matter what comes up.
And did we mention that audiences love him?
Top
Exactly what is Brad’s message? What is his take-away value content?
Get ready, ’cause it’s pretty simple: Life is good. That’s pretty much it.
Although I have several different Topics, they are all variations on the theme that Life is Fun and Funny. And Filled With Magic. (Even-perhaps especially – our lives at work.)
Often the stresses of work, the fear of change, or just the overwhelming difficulty of day-to-day living can prevent us from enjoying ourselves, our families and our jobs. If we want to stay efficient, healthy and productive we need to be reminded that life can be fun. Sometimes it can be VERY fun. I’ve made it is passion to spread that word.
Part of the message is just demonstrated. Sure, I could tell the audience that it feels good to laugh, and that it helps our bodies in many physical ways. But instead I often tend to simply demonstrate it. Getting a group of people that work together but often DON’T laugh together rolling and falling out of their chairs is sometimes ‘message’ enough.
But for good measure, I have plenty to say about the value of perspective, attitude, and choice. I teach folks how to see the funny side of our lives, and how to harness the power of humor and laughter at work and at home.
In my programs you won’t hear the latest, deepest business philosophies. You won’t hear me talk about lost cheese or shark swimming. You’ll see a really funny program that reminds folks to lighten up, look at the bright side, and to apply humor to every single day.
About Booking Motivational Speakers | How to Hire Brad
There are two choices. Most clients just have us invoice actual expenses after the event. They include ground and air transportation (Coach… and we work hard to buy my tickets in advance to get the discount), meals, and parking.
Other clients prefer to have a single line-item fee for the program so that they know in advance what the total cost will be. No problem. In this case my travel agent estimates the total travel expenses and we add that to the speaking fee. No sweat. Just let us know in the office what you prefer and we’ll make it easy for you.
[Brad travels from Denver, Colorado – or wherever his last speech was. If Brad works for more than one client on the same trip he pro-rates the expenses and everybody saves money!]
How does Brad charge? By the hour? Event?
Brad’s fee is per event. The way we figure it is that once Brad is committed to you, he can’twork elsewhere. So the difference between speaking for 15 minutes or for 90 minutes is not an issue. The hard part-after Brad’s lifetime of preparation! — is reserving the date for you and getting to the event site.
[Usually Brad’s fee is “up to 90 minutes.” It is a bit more for a 1/2 day seminar, and more for a full day event.]
Any tips about Motivational Speaker Selection?
Yes! Check our our resources section (look for the section for folks trying to Hire a Motivational Speaker.) There are a couple of cool articles for you. But when you are trying to select a motivational speaker here are a couple of easy pointers: Have a long talk with your speaker. You need to make sure your speaker understands your needs. And you need to make sure you select a motivational speaker with whom you feel you can get along with and communicate with.
Check references. Your motivational speaker selection should be a speaker with more references than, as my grandmother said, “you can shake a stick at.” Choose a pro from the National Speakers Association, and look hard for the Certified Speaking Professional designation. (It is a pretty big deal.)
You should hear from past clients of your speaker, and you should check out at least a little bit of your speaker selection on tape or video.
Why is it worth spending good money on a funny speaker?
Well, first and foremost, my kids need new shoes. If that wasn’t a good enough reason, here are a few more juicy ones for you.
People learn best when they are laughing. A conference or meeting jammed with nothing but serious learning – even if it is super important, valuable stuff – will not be nearly as successful on any level as an important meeting that is also fun. My programs provide a much needed break. And a much needed energy boost.
Humor and laughter wake people up. Doctors have studied this stuff for years (and printed their findings in what amazingly are very un-funny papers) and they all tell us that if we give a group a good laugh they wake up a bit, feel better about themselves and the meeting, and are ready again to learn. As one association president recently told me, “After they laugh with you they are more ready to listen to what I need to tell them.”
People like humor. It sounds so simple it is cliché, but that doesn’t make it any less true. Why not give them some of what they crave?
A single hilarious speaker can set the tone for the entire event! And if it is important to you to have a tone that reflects interest, curiosity, light-heartedness, and simple gladness, this is your ticket.
Humor helps to fill the seats. I have many association clients who love to promote funny programs because it helps them get people to sign up for the convention. And when people have a great time laughing out loud, those folks are all the more ready to sign up for next year’s meeting.
People will remember and appreciate a really fun and funny program LONG after they remember the dessert, the open bar, or the goofy little plastic toy in their welcome bag. If you’re looking to save money – and these days who isn’t? – have the slightly cheaper main course. (By the time you save $1.50 per person here and there, you’ve easily budgeted enough for a funny speaker who will make you shine.)
Humor works. It makes us better at our jobs, it decreases stress, it makes us live longer, it helps us manage and be managed, and it helps us to deal with difficult times, change, and fear. Besides, it just feels good.
Fun and funny meetings boost morale WAY better than boring and dull ones. And good morale improves your bottom line.
Humor can help groups get through some tough Topics. For example, when I spoke to a group of folks from Washington Mutual, they were just starting an unpopular program where employees would have to bid on their working shifts. I joked about it in a way that brought the Topic out of the shadows and into the sunlight where we could laugh at it some – and fear it less. This was a new policy that was going happen whether the employees liked it or not. And by using humor to talk about it they were more ready to deal with it (as opposed to just complain about it.)
After my funny speech, when of the upper managers addressed the Topic it had already been demystified and the group was ready to discuss it in a more positive light.
My guess is that at some gut level, the importance of fun and play is obvious to us all. You just know that humor is important. You wouldn’t be reading this far if you didn’t already know that laughter is imperative in today’s fragile society. We live in a real world where everything must be rationalized and reasoned, and that’s fine. There are tons of excellent (and even scientific) reasons why humor is important to us as individuals, as businesses, and as meeting and convention planners. Humor is essential. If it is important to us in our jobs and with our families, shouldn’t we take that step and acknowledge that it can make our corporate and association events more successful, meaningful, and memorable.
How do we invite a motivational speaker to our conference?
No sweat! Just call ’em up and invite them! The process should be easy and painless. (We’d love for you to call us at 800.624.4280 and we’ll show you how easy it can be!) Seriously, professional motivational speakers have handled the booking process countless times and should be experienced at expediting some simple and clear paperwork with a minimum of hassle and stress.
Top
Can we get Bulk discounts on Brad’s Products?
Yup. Many of our clients pre-purchase goodie bags or books for their group. Just call us for a price list.
Do we need to worry about Audio Visual Stuff?
Yup, but trust me… we make it simple.
We want you to get the most Bang for your Buck. The most important things are that I must be seen well (lights/platform) and heard well (microphone.) Easy stuff. There are some other more subtle details and they are available on Brad’s website.
How can we save money with Brad?
Ask me to do two programs at your meeting. Many groups have me do, for example, the opening keynote + a break-out session. Or for a keynote + the After Dinner entertainment.
[Not only do people love to get to know Brad a bit better by seeing him do more than one program, but it saves some significant money. Brad offers the second session at a discount. And you don’t have to pay for travel or expenses for the second speaker that you do not have to hire.]
Why are Brad’s books and products important to our group?
Brad: The more I speak professionally the more I believe that my goal as a motivational speaker should be to leave a LASTING impression on the group. And I think your goal in choosing a speaker should be to get that same Lasting impression. Sure, it’s meaningful and motivational for your group to have an awesome time laughing together. Sure, it’s important that – on their way out the door – they say things, like, “I’m gonna do that! I’m gonna work on lightening up and not taking myself and my problems too seriously.”
But the truth is that it is very hard – sometimes impossibly hard – to have even the best speakers work with a group for 45 or 60 minutes or even for a half-day and teach them skills that they actually implement in their lives at work and at home.
My books and products reinforce my message about humor and play. They help make the message stick.
As for the toys and gadgets’ I likes to make available to my groups, they serve an important purpose as well. As you know, I teaches specific skills to use humor and play to make our lives less stressful and more enjoyable. Part of my talk involves humor techniques using simple props, gags and toys. These kits enable your group to immediately implement the techniques and lessons taught in the keynote. They serve as physical reminders to reinforce my message of “lightening up.” Most of these items (with a couple of hilarious exceptions) are readily available if you spend an afternoon shopping. (Or if you spend some time at a work bench.) But this is the real world and most folks just plain won’t go to the trouble to acquire this humor gear on their own. They won’t go to the trouble to make or acquire the cool stuff, toys and tools in my Humor in the Workplace toolkit.
In order to get the most value from my program, many of my clients feel that it makes sense to have these items available for their group right then. This way their group can take these humor techniques and ideas back to their homes and offices, and they are able to joke their way through the remainder of the meeting or convention.
Besides, this stuff makes a convention or meeting really fun.
“If I hadn’t seen my nuclear engineers squeaking and laughing at the coffee break after your keynote I would have never believed it! Those silly squeakers were riotous and were just what we needed to keep the tone – which you started in your talk – going through the day, the conference, and hopefully through out the year.” – Utilities Service Alliance
We all know that it is one thing to get excited about changing our lives after we see an electrifying speaker. It is another thing to actually make those changes. These fun-filled items help your audience to bridge that gap.
More About Selecting Motivational Speakers
What are motivational speakers? What is the definition of “motivational speakers?”
Definition of motivational speakers: A motivational speaker is a professional speaker who – through the use of well-honed, professional, and often entertaining platform skills – can take a group of people and make them feel… well…er…. Motivated.
I love motivational speakers. They make me feel like my goals are within reach. They make me want to turn off the television and read a book. They make me want to play with their kids. They make me feel motivated to do the things I WANT to do but sometimes don’t have the strength of self-control to do by myself.
Let’s face it: most of your people know what they should do and how to do it. But they don’t. Why? They are missing motivation.
Everybody successful person -regardless of how you define success – needs to be motivated on a regular basis. Self motivation is important. Motivation through reading the right books and spending time with the right people is also important. But consistent exposure to professional motivational keynote speakers can be a huge help to everybody who is willing and eager to better themselves, their position, and their results. My advice: invite a motivational speaker to your event today! Which motivational speaker should you invite? … Just Book Brad.
What are sales motivational speakers?
Sales motivational speakers are speakers who have programs that are specifically suited to sales staffs and teams. If you can fire up a sales force; if you can make them feel great about themselves, their jobs, and – perhaps most importantly – their futures in sales… than you are a sales motivational speaker.
I love working with groups of sales people. I love their energy and excitement. And as – believe it or not – I view my job primarily as a sales job I feel very much connected with sales audiences, their stresses, their problems, and even their successes. I’m comfortable with most groups, but I am perhaps especially comfy with folks bring me in to be a sales motivational speaker.
What is a professional motivational speaker for kids? Is there such a thing?
In the words of my 14 year old baby sitter, “Yeah, totally!” I love working with kids. It takes a certain personality type who can relate to – and hold the attention of – youth. Students are a really tough crowd to please. And their educators and advisors can be equally tough.
My back ground as a corporate magician and comedian really help me with both groups. No kid – should I say “student?” – will beg their teachers and parents for a professional motivational speaker for kids. But I can tell you that they love the magic. And they love the comedy. And they love the audience involvement and interaction. And usually they are so wrapped in the laughter and the entertainment that they barely notice that we are motivating them with regards to their attitudes and the power of their potential.
My theory has always been that people learn best when they are laughing. And when you are a motivational speaker for kids NOTHING could be more true.
What is a magician keynote speaker?
In a word? Brad!
Brad is a Certified Speaking Professional motivational speaker who is also an award winning corporate magician. In Brad’s keynotes he uses magic, (together with healthy doses of motivational speaker humor and audience participation) to deliver a very entertaining keynote that educates and entertains. Brad draws on his skills and experience as a corporate magician and comedian to make sure his keynotes keep your audience on the edge of their seats with smiles on their faces.
Often — VERY often — Brad doesn’t do any magic at all during his keynote speech. It depends on what you as the client want, and what you are hoping to achieve. What outcome are you looking for from your motivational speaker? Let Brad share his experience with you as to when you want just a funny speaker, and when you want a magician keynote speaker.
What is the difference between a Public Speaker and a professional speaker?
Honestly? I have no clue. But you’d be surprised how often we have people who want to know what we do. Seems to me that, unless you are talking to yourself, you are some sort of public speaker! (So I guess that makes me a “public motivational speaker and humorist?” Oh heck, just call me “Brad.”)
What’s wrong with motivational speakers?
Nothing. I love them. (I am one!)
But if you take a group of sophisticated, well-educated adults and ask them what is wrong with motivational speakers you’ll get a long list of perceived problems. “They all say the same thing. ” “We’ve heard it before. ” “It doesn’t apply to me.”
The irony is that often the folks who need motivation the most are the first ones to complain about motivational speakers.
That brings up a real problem; how do you take this same group of sophisticated, well-educated, been-there-and-done-that adults and remind them of things that they need to know but may not want to hear? How do you motivate them?
For me the answer lies in a really fun program that uses humor and magic tricks to get people to relax, laugh and listen. If we can get them wiping their eyes with laughter while they grab-their-sides from laughing so hard we can also get them to listen to a few points of wisdom.
What’s the difference between a comedian and a humorist?
A comedian is really funny. A humorist is also really funny, offers a message as well as a laugh.
I’m is a humorist with a simple yet powerful point. But I’m really proud that my audiences laugh and laugh hard! (Although many clients still want me to just be funny… no problem. I got my start as an entertainer and still feel very comfortable being a comedian/magician. Many of my clients have me do both during the same convention. For example I’ll do a keynote in the daytime, and then do the after dinner entertainment at the banquet.)
We had a motivational speaker last year. Shouldn’t we have something different?
Well, first of all, I am different. Just ask my wife.
I heard somebody smarter than me(no, I don’t know who it was. There are so many people smarter than me it can get tough…) say once that taking a shower is a little tiny bit like seeing a motivational speaker. It is important, necessary and helpful. But just because you do it once doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do it regularly.
[Brad is proud to shower regularly.]
Random Fun and Final Stuff
What makes Caesar salad so darned good?
It’s gotta be the garlic. But I like the anchovies too. (Don’t tell anybody.)
Top
What if I have more questions?
No sweat. Give our office a call: 800.624.4280 We like to talk. Brad LOVES to talk.
What’s the secret to excellent meatballs
Brown them first before you put them in the sauce to cook.
What is your Favorite Color?
Blue. Green. Whatever.
That’s It! You’re done! Still have questions? Go to the contact page. By now, I think it’s time for you to hire Brad. He’s good. He’s professional. He’s funny. He has tons of experience and a LONG list of happy clients. And he’ll help you solve your problems today.
Contact him and Just Book Brad.
Brad Montgomery is a Motivational Speaker who works across the country and around the world. He’s based in Colorado, but travels. A lot. An awful lot. If you’re ready to talk to Brad about how he can help you get your people to where they need to be, give us a call a 303.691.0726 Or if you just need a high-energy keynote for your organization, contact us today.
