Choosing a motivational speaker can be a difficult task, especially if you are not familiar with your choices. If you have a recommendation from someone you know and trust, that makes it a lot easier. Either way, there are certain characteristics to look for that will ensure that you get the right person for your event. It takes a little bit of planning and research, but you will be able to find the right person.
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What Is a Motivational Speaker?
A motivational speaker is someone who speaks to a group and energizes them while teaching them how to make changes to improve their lives. Many motivational speakers are able to relate their own experiences and expertise to the audience. These examples are relatable, and audiences will feel more connected.
There are different types of motivational speakers, but they can fit into a few categories. They can be further divided within those categories as well. Personal development is where people want to improve their personal lives. These speakers can teach them how to do it. Business motivational speakers will help business teams and employees to unite them in a common purpose.
You will also find motivational speakers who speak to community or social issues. They try to unite a group together to act on an issue such as cleaning up the beach or helping an animal rescue. Finally, there are motivational speakers who are youth mentors, and they will speak to schools. They guide children toward their future goals.
Decide Which Type of Motivational Speaker You Need
The first step is to decide which type of motivational speaker you need. You can consider the broad categories above, and then narrow it down further. Many motivational speakers specialize. For example you might find some who focus on sales in a business, whereas others may focus on team building and projects.
Whether you are looking for a motivational speaker for your own personal development, or you want to bring one in for an event, you should narrow it down to the type you need. You will then be able to move to the next step.
What Message Do You Want?
Motivational speakers are different from one another because they bring a message with them. The best motivational speakers have a specific message that is the underlying theme of what they do. Some motivational speakers may focus on boosting morale in a work environment. Others may focus on teaching you to rid yourself of negative thoughts. There are many different messages out there, so you need to decide which one you are looking for.
Some motivational speakers can have more than one message, which makes it even more important for you to define the message you are looking for. When you speak to the motivational speaker, you will be able to let him or her know what you are looking for so that he or she will be able to use personal anecdotes that are relative to the event.
If you are looking for an event to attend, you can look at the themes that are available and choose the one that best fits what you are looking for.
Define Your Audience
If you are looking to bring in a motivational speaker, you will need to define your audience. Who will be in attendance. What do you want them to gain from this experience? Think about who they are and how they will benefit from this. If you have an audience full of new moms looking for advice on raising their kids, you will need one type of motivational speaker.
On the other hand, if you have an experienced sales team that you are trying to push to the next level, you will need someone who operates in that niche. Defining your audience will help you to determine how much experience your motivational speaker needs to have, as well as what his or her life experiences are.
Set Your Budget
This holds true whether you are attending an event or bringing in a motivational speaker to speak to your group. If you are personally attending an event, you need to decide how much you are willing to pay. The cost can vary widely, so you need to make this decision before you go any further.
If you are planning an event, it is even more critical to know your budget. You can find speakers for a few thousand dollars all the way up to six figures, depending on who you hire. Decide what your organization is able and willing to pay so that you can narrow down your choices.
Research Your Options
Now you can start your research because you have a few parameters. One option is to use a company that acts as an agent for motivational speakers. However, you may want to search for people yourself. You should try to find speeches they have given in the past and make sure that they have personal experiences that relate to the message you are trying to get across.
When you are determining which speaker is right for your event, look at how they present their message. You should try to find someone who shares what they learned from their experiences more than what they have done. It can be inspirational to hear what someone has done, but learning how they did it and what they learned that led to the success is more useful for most audiences.
You can consider looking up their social media accounts and learning what you can. Motivational speakers often have LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and more, and it can be useful to see what they say. Make sure that they are sending meaningful messages online. Look at how they engage with followers because this will give you an idea of how they will engage at your event.
Once you narrow down your choices, try to schedule a meeting to speak to them. You can use a video or phone call, or if they are local, schedule a meeting face to face.
How to Interview a Motivational Speaker?
By the time you are ready to interview motivational speakers, you should have a good bit of information on what you are looking for. Start by telling them who your audience is and what message you want to send to them. In addition, let them know what you expect to get out of the event.
In addition to making sure that the speaker can deliver the message to your audience, you need to make sure that his or her personality will fit in with the needs of your audience. It is important that your audience will be able to connect with this person.
Listen to what they have to say during this process. Make sure that they understand what you are looking for and can deliver the message you want. Remember that if someone isn’t right for your event, it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be great for a different occasion. There are a lot of motivational speakers out there, so you should select the one that is right for your event.
Check Your Motivational Speaker’s References
When you settle on a few possible motivational speakers, you need to check their references. You can even speak to organizers who have worked with them in the past and find out how it worked out. Ask if they were easy to work with and whether the audience connected with them. Your motivational speaker can make or break your event, so it is important to make sure that you check the references.
Make a Contract
You won’t find many motivational speakers who don’t insist on a contract, but if you do, you need to insist on one. A contract is the simple way to make sure that communication is clear, the price is transparent, and everyone knows what to expect.
Final Thoughts
Whether you are choosing a motivational speaker to go see yourself or someone to hire for an event, you need to plan it out. You should start by determining what type of motivational speaker you need. As yourself, what message you are looking for, and define your audience. How you want them to connect and what you want them to learn are things to consider.
Once you start your search, be sure to be thorough. You should be able to find videos of past speeches so that you can get an idea of how they present and connect with the audience. Meet with them whether virtually or in person, and be sure to check their references after you speak. Once you decide on the right motivational speaker for your event, be sure to create a contract.
Choosing the right motivational speaker can make or break your event. It is important that the audience be engaged throughout, and they should gain some valuable tools during the talk. There are many great motivational speakers in all price levels, so if you take your time, you will find one that is right for your event.
