Here's how you can avoid common mistakes when starting a career as a motivational speaker.

First of all, I have to know myself well and my niche. With authenticity, I shall captivate hearts with my genuine messages. I will craft my story, including vulnerability and triumph of human experience, and let my words inspire souls to dare to dream and connect. I will polish my skills, speak with clarity, passion, and conviction, and watch how I can touch and uplift souls with my words. I will diversity my reach, talk to the young and old, the broken and the brave for in the diversity of my audience lies the richness of my impact. I will let empathy be my compass, kindness my currency, and humility my crown. In my journey as a motivational speaker, may my words bring hope, courage, and boundless possibility to all who dare to listen.

When I started out, I thought I had what it takes to be an all-rounder motivational speaker. Just because I was adept at conversations regarding everything from literature to psychology, to politics, to sports, I thought I could get on a stage and motivate any audience. Reality bites! I was invited to give a motivational talk to students of computer science, on dealing with the ever-changing digital eco-system. I could talk about dealing with the 'ever-changing', but I fell on my face unable to address the technical questions on the digital ecosystem. So, always know and commit to your niche. And, if you wish to explore further, then take a deep dive to know as much as you can.

I share my own story of rape, recovery and resilience. I would always advise anyone that is going to share a personal story to be in a good healed place. I would never want to traumatise my audience which I thin is a possibility if I want in a grounded and healed place myself. The audience can sense nerves etc and I want to motivate them and inspire them and offer hope

When crafting your story, remember you are not there to prove how strong, courageous, resilient, etc., you are. What I mean is don't tell, but show. Bring your story in parts. For instance, you could begin with an embarrassing situation at a tender age, and intertwine into your talk about your emergence through it. The audience switches off when you present a one upon a time tale. They want to be shocked, surprised, in awe, inspired. The best way to do that is to be flirtatious - tease them with a bit of you and more of the topic, a bit more or you, and then topic... So craft your story into the script - show more, tell less!

Being authentic means allowing your audience to see the "real you." This includes faults, mistakes, embarrassing moments, times when you felt like a failure, etc. It is important that your audience see you as you really are. In this way, they can connect. People do not like to connect with someone they feel is too perfect or infallible.

Take inspiration from other motivational speakers, but you be the best motivational speaker you can be. It is a natural tendency to mimic those we admire. To avoid that here is a process you can follow: 1. Make a list of all the motivational speakers who inspire you. 2.) Write a description of each of them. 3.) Make a list of traits - physical, behavioural, etc., - of each speaker. 4.) Select 1 trait of each speaker, you wish to adopt. 5.) Based on this list, write a description of your speaker persona in detail, which includes physical, mental, emotional, financial, intellectual, spiritual, and environmental aspects. This description of you is being you the speaker, authentically.

Always be yourself! Ive watched other speakers who use the stage and move around a lot and have lots of slides and props. My speaking style is that I usually stand in the one spot and without much moving about, but that's what works with me. You need to be comfortable on the stage too otherwise your audience will feel it

Speak more; speak better! The more you speak on any stage, the better you will become at it. Join a speaking association, have some lessons with a speech coach or go on a course. I spent a day at a storytelling course with a speaker I greatly admire who critiqued our talks and I learnt so much in that one day

Embarking on a career as a motivational speaker is thrilling yet daunting. To avoid common pitfalls, hone your skills relentlessly. Invest time in refining your communication, storytelling, and public speaking abilities. Craft compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences. Embrace authenticity; audiences crave genuine connections. Continuously seek feedback and constructive criticism to evolve. Develop a robust online presence through social media and a polished website. Network fervently within relevant communities to establish credibility and garner speaking opportunities. Remember, success as a motivational speaker is not instantaneous; it's a journey of growth and perseverance.

Just start. You'll figure it out as you go. As long as you understand you're playing the 10 year game and not speaking on a passing fad for a year, you'll get there. "I cannot lose if I do not quit" - Alex Hormozi

When launching a career as a motivational speaker, diversifying your reach is paramount. Embrace various platforms like social media, podcasts, and public events to amplify your message. Engage with diverse audiences to widen your impact and gain valuable insights. Cultivate a strong online presence through blogs or vlogs, offering valuable content that resonates with your audience. Network with other speakers and industry professionals to expand your reach and learn from their experiences. By diversifying your reach, you ensure broader exposure and relevance, setting the stage for a successful career as a motivational speaker.

Starting your journey as a motivational speaker? Avoid pitfalls by honing your message, ensuring authenticity, and targeting your audience effectively. Craft compelling narratives that resonate with universal themes, backed by personal experiences. Steer clear of clichés and empty platitudes; instead, offer practical insights and actionable advice. Develop strong communication skills, including public speaking and networking. Stay adaptable, embracing feedback and evolving your style. Prioritize consistency in content creation and delivery. Finally, cultivate resilience; setbacks are inevitable, but they fuel growth. With dedication and authenticity, you can inspire and empower others on your path as a motivational speaker.

Becoming a speaker, it is crucial to preserve one's authenticity. This does not mean becoming someone else under the spotlight, but rather amplifying one's own voice with integrity. Why is this so important? The answer lies in connection. When addressing an audience, sincerity is key. People want to hear your truth, not a crafted persona. By staying true to yourself, you inspire trust and respect. Furthermore, your uniqueness is your asset. Every speaker brings an original perspective rooted in their experiences. By embracing who you are, you highlight what sets you apart.