Let’s face it: your people know what to do when it comes to how to treat other people, but they don’t always do it. They don’t need more information or training—they need motivation. This is where I can be helpful: closing the gap between what they know and what they actually do.
During my travels as a professional motivational speaker, I get to meet people from all walks of life. And often times I find pearls of wisdom from the most unlikely sources.
We found a few posts, videos and stories from Brad’s past, and thought it would be fun to re-publish them here. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, put on some classic rock, and check out this classic blog post from a decade (ish) ago.
We now present number 4 in our series of articles about:
Hire a motivational speaker who knows what they’re doing. And by that, I mean somebody who has done it so much that every conceivable combination of disasters has already happened before they hit your event.
The reason you want an experienced speaker is in case something goes wrong. In case your audience is tired. In case your audience is difficult. In case something happens before, during or after your meeting. In case the weather is bad. In case the speaker doesn’t feel well. These are all things that could completely throw off an entry level speaker. In other words, make sure your person has done this a thousand times before. The main reason for hiring a speaker who does not have sufficient experience is to save money.
We found a few posts, videos and stories from Brad’s past, and thought it would be fun to re-publish them here. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, put on some classic rock, and check out this classic blog post from a decade (ish) ago.
But as I’ve discussed in other articles in this series, the savings made by hiring an inexperienced speaker is not worth the increased risk of failure. Now granted, inexperienced speakers often will do great. They can hit a home run even. They could do fabulous. But in my experience, having been an inexperienced speaker, is that it is hit and miss. If you are a client who is planning an event and are willing to take a chance on a miss, well then by all means, save those few bucks and book an entry level speaker. But if your organization, your meeting, the changes you’re trying to create for your group require a hit, then you need experience.
I’ve got tons of experience. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. I’ve had important people die hours before my keynote speech. I’ve had the electricity go off three times during my speech. I’ve had microphone failures. I’ve had the CEO literally crying into the microphone as he introduced me because of an upsetting bit of news. I spoke to an audience during the 9/11 disaster as the news was being unfolded.
Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong and the result is that now, no matter what happens, I’m ready because it’s happened before. There’s nothing that can surprise me and that means that my level of comfort with having anything happen is very high, which translates to the comfort level of my clients being equally high that no matter what happens, we’re going to be fine.
Are you looking for a motivational speaker and want somebody who has sufficient experience? I’d love to be your guy. Contact us at www.bradmontgomery.com.
Brad Montgomery, Experienced (i.e., nothing can surprise me) Motivational Speaker
Related articles:
Second in the series about tips for hiring motivational speakers
Third in the series about tips for hiring motivational speakers
Meeting Planners Have a Lot at Risk
We found a few posts, videos and stories from Brad’s past, and thought it would be fun to re-publish them here. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, put on some classic rock, and check out this classic blog post from a decade (ish) ago.
Brad got the group energized. And I have to tell you that of all of the speakers that we’ve had over the last three or four conferences since we’ve renewed this process, Brad just blew them all out of the water. He was absolutely the best, the funniest, the most engaging, the most entertaining. And as a result the message gets across real easy.
Doug Schmick
Founder & CEO, McComick & Schmick’s Restaurants
And I have to tell you, it was so impactful. And what was very special about his presentation was that he took the time to understand the issues and our culture and so he customized the approach and put the emphasis on the primary issues that were what our meeting was all about. And it was just so meaningful to have a key note speaker bring people into laughter, but also make it a meaningful quality presentation.
Bill King:
I’ll tell you one of the best things about it was the great connection he made with our people. I mean he was able to weave his message and all of his comedy and his magic and so on into our industry into our specific corporate culture which was absolutely critical. I mean everybody got his message and made a very specific connection for it.
1. Don’t hire a speaker simply to fill up a space in your meeting or convention. Hire a speaker to help you accomplish a specific goal; to create a specific behavior change; to deliver a specific message.
Not sure how best to use Brad? No sweat…just ask us and we’ll give you some ideas how to not just hire a motivational speaker, but to accomplish a goal. We’ll help you make your meeting a mad success.
2. Make sure your speaker is able to customize his program to your people, your group, your needs and your goals. You need somebody relevant to your audience. And without some customization that’s pretty much impossible.
Brad customizes his programs. Your people will experience something that can’t be repeated. (Yes…. it’s an experience. It’s not a speech.)
We found a few posts, videos and stories from Brad’s past, and thought it would be fun to re-publish them here. So pour yourself a cup of coffee, put on some classic rock, and check out this classic blog post from a decade (ish) ago.
We talked about this before: you need to check the testimonials and references. But in addition, we’re convinced that you need to chat with your potential motivational speaker. On the phone. No secretaries. No speakers bureaus. You need to talk direct. Does he seem pleasant? Does he seem to understand your needs? Is he willing to shape his program around your needs, desired outcomes and goals? Does he feel more like a partner or more like a contractor?
1) If your event is in Colorado, you can lower your stress by booking a speaker who is already there. To be honest, after doing
Colorado Speaker Brad Montgomery
this job for two plus decades, I’ve NEVER had a problem getting to a job. (Ok, one time…but only once.) But nearly every time my meeting planner clients are worried about my travel. Will the plane take off on time? Will there be a glitch with the travel? Will the weather cause cancellations? But when they know that I’m already in town, they can take a deep breath and worry about more important things.
2) You can save some real money on expenses and travel if you book a speaker who won’t have any. My travel and expenses range from $400 to $1200. That’s enough money to at least consider.
3) I live in Colorado, and I’m a darned good speaker with a long and solid track record. If you decide to book a Colorado speaker, you can book me.
Looking for a motivational speaker for your event? Contact me here.
Yours,
Brad Montgomery
Colorado Speaker, Motivational Speaker, Native Coloradoan
Related Links and Articles:
Brad’s Blog…read about Colorado Speakers there.
Colorado speaker on Brad’s other speaker site.
Colorado Speaker welcome on Youtube
Brad in the Coloradoan Newspaper: https://www.bradmontgomery.com///states/coloradoan
Colorado speaker
Preview video on YouTube
Brad worked for the Denver Broncos. See the testimonial video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cr6chlr27ic
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