Practicing the Art of Motivational Speaking
Throughout history, motivational speeches have captivated millions and moved them to pursue their goals. King George VI and Winston Churchill’s rousing speeches filled the hearts of allied soldiers with hope and helped them become victorious in World War II and people fill stadiums to listen to Tony Robbins telling them to take control of their lives. There have been many other instances in history and modern times where motivational speeches have transformed the lives of audiences.
Motivational speaking can be a useful skill to learn, especially in professions involving interactions with people. As a motivational speaker, you not only transform your own life with positivity, but you also inspire others to take control of their lives and achieve their goals. Careers in public services require you to give genuine speeches which are both relatable and inspiring for the general public.
If you wish to move people with your words and want to know where and how you can learn the skill of motivational speaking, this blog will be of great help. We’ll simplify the concept of motivational speaking and provide some useful suggestions on how to become a motivational speaker.
What is motivational speaking?
Most motivational speakers seek to connect with their audiences on an emotional and psychological level to motivate them to achieve their personal and professional goals. Although, almost all speakers usually reference their personal experiences and backgrounds to deliver a point, they may speak about different areas of development.
The most common type of motivational speaking is based on personal development. Speakers guide their listeners on how to find a purpose in their lives and fulfil this. The talks can also be about overcoming adversity, expanding horizons or even finding acceptance in society.
Many motivational speakers also tackle societal and community issues and urge people to take a stand for important causes. They give their audience the courage and push required to stand up against immorality and for the rights of the less privileged. Sometimes, they might even lend their voices to an ongoing movement to garner support for it.
Other than the above, motivational speakers address business and career development as well. They provide guidance and suggestions to small and large companies and individuals on growing their businesses and careers. These speakers usually come from a business background themselves and have experience in handling the pressures and challenges of a fast-paced corporate setup. These days, many companies hire speakers to motivate their employees and improve their productivity.
Useful suggestions to practice motivational speaking
One of the primary requisites for becoming a motivational speaker is the innate belief that you can help people change their lives for the better and it’s possible to learn to do this, even if you’re an introvert.
Here are some useful suggestions that can improve your motivational speeches.
Ensure you are thoroughly prepared
Even if you are well-versed with the subject of your speech, thorough preparation is essential for a smooth flow. Writing the speech beforehand and going through it critically can help you make your content more relatable and personalised.
You can take pointers from established speakers to see how they manoeuvre through their content. Having a written script can also help you incorporate last minute ideas much easier than if you were to make up the entire speech in your head.
Accentuate your strengths
Every public speaker has their own set of strengths and weaknesses. Some may have a witty sense of humour, some may be able to explain complex ideas easily, while others are master storytellers. To become a successful speaker, you should be able to identify your core strength and use it to your advantage when writing your speech.
Assess your audience
The success of your speech also depends on how much your audience is able to relate to it. While it can be difficult to exactly predict the audience reaction, assessing them beforehand might provide some insights. Assess the age group of your audience and think about what they would like to hear from you – giving your audience what they hope to listen to can help you build an instant connection.
Learning the skill of motivational speaking can also be useful in other professions such as marketing and business strategy making, where you may be required to reflect deeply to come up with innovative solutions to a business problem. Therefore, courses in strategic marketing or business management can be ideal as motivational speaker qualifications.
The Berlin School of Business and Innovation (BSBI) offers a Master of Arts programme or MA in Strategic Marketing which can help you develop a critical understanding of fast-moving corporate spaces and provides you with the communication skills required to adapt to the pace of global organisations. Click here to learn more about the MA Strategic Marketing at BSBI and improve your skills!
This article was written by Sweha Hazari and edited by Anisa C.