Try watching TED Talks or Youtube videos of motivational speeches. Read books, articles, and blogs written by motivational speakers. Check out motivational podcasts.
Write down as many ideas as you can think of and keep adding to your notes over time.
For example, perhaps you started your own interior design business and you hope to inspire others to do the same. Or, maybe you successfully published a book in a short amount of time and you want to pass on what you have learned to others.
You can also look for other opportunities to speak in front of an audience, such as offering to give a speech at a friend or family member’s wedding, attending open mic nights at a local comedy club or bar, or hosting your own weekly live stream or podcast.
For example, if you plan to give a speech on how you overcame an obstacle in your life, then start by sharing about what the obstacle was and perhaps providing a bit of context about the situation. Then, talk about how the obstacle affected you, what changed in your life, etc. Conclude by explaining in detail how you overcame the obstacle.
Plan ahead so you have lots of time to revise your speech before you give it for the first time. Aim to revise at least 3 times before your first speaking engagement.
For example, if you want to give motivational speeches on starting a business, then you could write a how-to book or a series of blog posts on the subject. If you want to motivate people to improve their relationships, you could create a video series with relationship tips or answer common questions about relationships in your videos.
Networking events are a great way to gain contacts and start getting work via word-of-mouth. Check to see if there are any upcoming events in your area that you could attend and meet people.
For example, if you overcame drug addiction and want to inspire others to do the same, you might contact local rehabilitation centers or hospitals. If you struggled in school due to a learning disability, but then found a way to overcome it and become successful, then you might contact local high schools to offer your services.
These can be competitive, and you might not get paid in the beginning, but doing these types of events can help to spread your name by word-of-mouth and get you more work as a public speaker.
Avoid swaying back and forth while you are speaking. This gives the impression of uncertainty and can be distracting to your audience.
Make sure to compliment the audience on their competence, accomplishments, or anything else you know about them.
Avoid looking up, down, or off in the distance. This will give the impression that you are nervous and detract from your credibility.
Don’t put your hands in your pockets, clasp them together, or cross your arms. These are defensive postures that will make you seem nervous. Avoid fidgeting with objects, such as a microphone, water bottle, or your cell phone during the speech. This will be distracting for your audience. If you need to hold a microphone, hold it in 1 hand. Don’t pass it back and forth.
Take deep breaths and use your diaphragm to help you project your voice from your belly, rather than from your chest or throat.
For example, if you notice that you tend to say “um” or clear your throat a lot during a speech, then you could work on correcting this behavior.
