Common Mistakes Motivational Speakers Make

Dr. Gary Arnold's Book
How the Top 1% of Speakers and Coaches Do Internet Marketing
Paperback: ISBN:978-1-57867-041-3; eBook: ISBN:978-1-57867-043-7

Are you a motivational speaker or have been assigned the task of giving a motivational speech? If so, be sure to avoid these 5 common mistakes that unsuccessful motivational speakers make.

1. Failure to start off with an attention grabbing introduction.

The best way to get your audience's attention is to start off with a great introduction. Grab the attention of your audience by starting off with a mind bending statistic, a controversial statement, a motivational and inspiring quote or a current and controversial headline. Start off with something that will give your audience something to think about that will not easily be forgotten. The best motivational speakers start and end their presentations with a bang!

2. Failure to adapt your speech to your audience.

Many motivational speakers have a themed presentation that can apply to many audiences, but the best motivational speakers adapt their presentations to the audience at hand. Research the demographics of your audience before your talk, and gear your presentation to the group you are speaking to. The motivational speech that went over well with business executives will not go over as well with college students. So study your audience and get the information that they would like to hear. Adapting your motivational speeches to the audience will give them the feeling that the presentation was prepared just for them, and for their interests, instead of the general presentations of some speakers.

3. Failure to tell stories and/or moralizing too much.

Get your point across by telling interesting stories, preferably about your own experiences or even stories that you have heard and have interested you. Stories can get teaching points across without moralizing which tends to turn off some people. Relate to your audience not from a position of "I'm above this," but from a position of "we are all in this together and we can be motivated to do better." Leave preaching to the church ministers on Sunday.

4. Presenting too many or overly complicated points.

Keep your main talking points to five or less, and avoid complicated statistics or theories. Audiences of motivational speakers can usually remember from three to five main points and get turned off to things that are too complicated. The main purpose of a motivational speech is to inspire and motivate people to want something better or to do more for a particular cause. To accomplish this, it is better to keep the main ideas simple and to a number that can easily be grasped by your audience.

5. Failure to close powerfully.

As important as the introduction is, the ending end of your presentation is equally important. Try to end with something complementary or an answer to the statistic, statement, quote, or news headline that you gave in your introduction. It will show that you have come full circle, and will remind the audience of your main point. Most audiences remember the introduction, a few main points, and the closing. Try to connect these aspects of your motivational speech, and end with something that leaves the audience with a good and satisfied feeling. The best motivational speeches start and end with a bang!

Remember that motivational speaking is an acquired skill that takes time and practice. But with practice you can learn to give presentations that are enjoyable both to you and your audience. Common motivational speaking mistakes are easy to avoid if you know what they are. By avoiding these mistakes, you will find yourself in a position that your peers will find enviable.