This bird is not lucky. She builds the nest patiently against the odds. She had no connection. Persistence pays.
I read a comment from one of my videos on Youtube. The guy was answering a couple of questions about luck and connections. Here’s part of his comment:
“Are successful people luckier or smarter than failures? My answer is yes, sometimes they are but not always or necessarily so. Do they have the right connection or resources? Again the answer is in many cases yes they do.”
He is right. In some cases, luck has something to do with it.
MY LONG REPLY:
I started writing a reply. Then I decided to put here. It should inspire you to believe you can become a powerful motivational speaker.
Wow! Great feedback Carlton. I agree with you. So, let’s look at it from a different angle.
What if you didn’t know everything you just shared with us?
I’m asking you because when I started in the speaking business, I had many barriers in front of me. Statistically, I was not supposed to make it.
I didn’t speak good English. Most people had a hard time understanding me.
I didn’t go to school in the US. In fact, I never finished High School.
I had zero connections
I was a doorman at a hotel – Meeting planners didn’t want to pay attention to me
I didn’t know anything about public speaking – I didn’t even know about Toastmasters Internationale
I have no money to promote myself or join some associations to network
I tried to contact some of the top speakers – nobody responded
I didn’t know how to write proper English (That was 18 years ago.)
I was extremely shy. Really. No joke.
Most people around me didn’t believe I could – Some told me to try something else… Others laugh at me
There were many odds stacked against me. Finally, let me share this with you.
When I got my first break to speak on the main stage at the National Speakers Association or NSA, I was raw. That means I was not on the speaking circuit yet. I was learning about speaking. (Please, don’t tell them.)
I was going to be in front of 2,000 professional speakers… Many big names. The day before, some people started asking me if I was afraid. I said no. I was calmed, collected, and relaxed.
I hit the stage and stole the show. At least, that’s what Jeffrey Gitomer, the sales GURU, wrote in the foreword of my book. He’s the real deal.
Would like to know why I was not afraid. It’s because I didn’t know the names of the big dogs in the audience. I didn’t know I was in front of the gods and goddesses of the speaking industry.
You see what happens when you pretend you don’t know the facts? Or assume everything you know is false?
Alright, you may be thinking, “Ah! You had a big break?” Yes, I did. But would you like to know how I got that break?
Well, that would be a long story. The short answer is, I was everywhere trying to meet everybody. I attended many lots of events. I introduced myself to so many people. I infiltrated lots of networks of movers and shakers. I was polite.
I made myself available to help in any way I could. I volunteered many hours of my time for free. Simply put, I saw the parade; I threw myself in front of it. Just like a bird, I know it takes many trips or steps to build a nest.
As I said, there’s a lot to the story. But you get the gist of it.
That said, I don’t mean to disagree with you. Everything you said is true everywhere, in any country. I know. It’s even worst in my country… Haiti. The reality is, some people still manage to rise from horrible circumstances and make it. That’s proof anybody can.
I just wanted to offer you a different way to look at it. Perhaps I should say a little motivation.
The takeaways: Be dumb. Be persistent. Erase those negative beliefs. Build your nest twig by twig!
“A man’s gift makes room for him And brings him before great men.” -Poverb 18:16
I woke up this morning thinking about you… Well, not just you. I was thinking everyone on my list. If you just happen to stumble upon this post, I was thinking about as well.
Have you heard the saying coincidence is God’s way of staying anonymous? That’s what I mean. There’s a reason why you landed here on this page.
Here’s what I was thinking:
When will you finally muster the courage to start sharing your gifts with the world? When will you say enough is enough; I want to start living my dreams?
Seriously!
How long have you been postponing or procrastinating on taking action? What’s stopping you? What are you waiting for? What are your fears?
I want you to serious start pondering those questions. You see, the moment you ask yourself those questions and answer them, you are well on your way.
You already know there is a calling on you. It’s a Divine calling. Your friends have been telling you about your gifts. They have been telling you can motivate and inspire.
People have been coming to you for advice. Your friends and family members come to you when they feel discouraged and uninspired.
Here’s what you need to keep in mind:
The more you procrastinate on using your gifts, the more you are causing suffering in the world.
Here’s what I mean:
Somewhere in the world, some people are emotionally hurting. They are depressed. Your words could be the medicine to ease their pains.
The reality is, it doesnt matter if your current situation is not what it should be. It doesn’t matter if you are broke. It doesn’t matter if you are struggling. None of that matter. Why?
Well, people by enlarge don’t care about your and your situation. All they care about is that you can heal them with your words. The best part is, while you are healing them, you are healing yourself.
I just had lunch with a lady who contacted me. She wanted to share with me the impact my message have had on her. She heard me speak twelve years ago.
When she started sharing with me, I was blown away!
I had no idea someone in that audience was on her last luck, crying every night, was there listening to me. I uttered the exact words she needed to hear.
I’m sure to some people I was speaking rubish or nonsense. But, to that lady, it was a Divine intervention! Are you getting it?
Today, she is doing exceptionally well as a successful business owner. Guess what?
She is a blue eyed blonde. I’m a Haitian from a poor village in Haiti. I have an accent. Our culture is very different. She graduated from a top university in the US. I have no degree.
It appears that we have nothing in common. Yet, we have everything in common. After all, we are a human race. One race. We are human beings! The only difference is that we wear a different garment or skin.
I was just a conduit. Those words she heard from my mouth didn’t just come to me out of nowhere. They came through me.
By the way, I have had the same impact on poor kids in my village in Haiti and other villages from around the world.
My point is, your gifts are not for you. They are for you to bless others. The Bible explains how your gifts will make room for you. They will allow you to meet great men and women.
Maybe you are praying for some doors to open for you. Well, using your gifts will swing open those doors faster than you might imagine. That’s the case for me.
I have met some fantastic and powerful people around the world on the speaking circuit.
My natural understanding would never allow me to imagine this. It takes an understanding that surpasses all worldly understanding. I’m talking about a supernatural understanding.
The thing is, most people think they are not good enough to start. They keep seeking more knowledge, approval, and acceptance.
No! You are more than ready. You have been pre-approved before you even came out of your mother’s womb.
When I coach others, I always start with mindset. You see, everything you see in existence came from the mind.
So, you and I cannot create anything without our inner game. Simply put, you have everything you need to achieve massive success. Your mind is your creation factory. Your sound mind is not for doubts, fears, and worries.
It is for you to create solutions to help and empower others to cope with their difficult times.
The Bible says your tongue has the power of life and death. First, you need to start speaking life on your life. Then you need to start speaking life on others.
When you utter some uplifting and encouraging words, you are speaking life.
Finally, stop doubting yourself. When you start thinking something negative, catch yourself. I know you have heard this before. But, it’s golden advice. Every negative word you use is another stumbling block you put on your way.
Let me know if you have any insights about this. What’s your feedback for me?
Let’s face it. You have a message to share with the world. The desire is burning deep inside of you. Speaking and transforming lives are your calling.
Friends and co-workers always tell you it’s time to start sharing your wisdom with the world.
Sometimes you feel like you are working hard in a thankless job. You are hoping one day you can tell your boss to kiss your rear end and walk away.
You want your life to matter. You want to make a difference with your gifts and talents. You want to obey God and start reaching out.
But, somehow, you feel trapped. You feel like the caterpillar that’s stuck inside the pouch. You’re struggling to burst out of the cocoon and fly.
But, you keep pushing and struggling to break that silky pouch without success. Somehow, you feel like you are running out of time. Am I right?
What’s the problem? Why can’t you just push through and start living your dream? What’s stopping you? The answer is…
Overwhelm. Fear. Uncertainty.
Fear and confusion have their grip on you. As a result, you don’t know what’s the first thing to do to start. You have way too many options.
God is calling you to make a contribution to humanity. On one hand, you want to obey the call. On the other, you are afraid and somewhat confused.
Perhaps you are like Moses. He kept saying he stutters and lacks the skill to lead the people out of Egypt.
You are building a case to prove God that you are not good enough. My friend, you already have the staff in your hand. Some of you know what I mean.
Can I tell you something? Your reluctance to proceed is all because of your fear.
Here’s the first thing I want you to understand:
Stop Worshiping Your Fear!
As you already know, you cannot serve two masters at the same time. It’s either you trust God or your fear.
Don’t let your thoughts hold you captive in a prison of your making. The key is to start. The actions you take are the cure for your discouragement. Read that again.
I know many of you are my coaching clients. You are already out there speaking. But most of you have yet to start.
What you are about to learn here will give you clear directions on how to get going. But it’s not just for beginners.
If you are a pro on the speaking circuit, this will be golden to you as well. It’s the kind of information I wish someone would share with me early my speaking career.
The thing is, seventeen years ago when I started speaking, you would do just fine without the formula you are about to learn. But things have changed dramatically.
Are you ready to dive in? Great!
1- Choose A Topic That Solves A Specific Problem
It’s not enough to get on stage and share stories, and feel-good words.
Whether you are speaking at a corporation, a non-profit, or school, you HAVE to solve a problem.
That’s why you must set a certain expectation the moment you get on stage. Make sure they understand your topic is the solution to a particular challenge.
It may be poor customer service, low morale, low productivity, or change resistance.
A non-profit might need ideas to raise money, recruit more motivated volunteers, etc.
A school might need help with bullying, peer pressure, career orientation, college preparation, etc.
For example:
I go through my attention-grabbing opening to make sure they are present in the room. Then I mention the title of my presentation…
No condition is permanent! Then I would say…
“How many of you agree with me we are living in some stressful and overwhelming times? Would also agree that rapid and disruptive changes make it harder to have a joyful day in the workplace?”
Then, I would let them know what to expect in the next 45 minutes.
Alright, this is not about how to deliver a spellbinding and mesmerizing presentation. In a moment, I’m going to share with you why knowing the problem is important. I will also share how to use it to get speaking engagements.
For now, ask yourself, “What problem my topic or message solves?”
Keep in mind people are willing to pay to get rid of problems. Of course, they want to feel good as well. But, they are more interested in improving their condition.
The school that is about to lose funding needs someone to help them improve behavior and grades.
The solution can be as simple as inspiring the students to focus and set goals.
By the way, lack of focus is a huge problem for high school and college students. Heck, it’s an issue for all of us.
2- Come Up With A Solution Framework
After you choose your topic, you need to create a structure. That’s how you position yourself as the thought leader and authority. That’s how to command respect and significant fees.
A framework is a blueprint. It’s how you offer a step-by-step formula to achieve a particular result or solution.
Come up with 3 to 7 steps for the blueprint. A good example is Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Habit 1: Be Proactive
Habit 2: Begin With The End In Mind
Habit 3: Put First Things First
Habit 4: Think Win-Win
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand Then to be Understood
Habit 6: Synergize
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw
Do you see how simple the framework is? Companies all over the world are using it to train and develop their teams.
Yours doesn’t have to be seven. It can be three or five. It’s up to you.
Your framework can serve as the basis for a good outline for your book and products as well.
Each step or module is like an onion. Keep peeling the onion to uncover the sub-topics or sub-chapters.
3- Choose An Audience
Okay, you chose your topic or message. Now you need to choose a target market or an audience with the problem.
Above all, make sure the market has money to pay you. After all, you provide a transformation or solution to a pressing problem. You deserve adequate compensation.
Besides, it’s hard to make a significant impact without money. The more money you make, the more you can afford to reach more people.
If your market doesn’t have money, go with the sponsorship model. Look for companies that want to reach your market. And let your solution be the bridge that connects them.
Maybe you have a solution to help high school seniors thrive in college. Your target market would be high school seniors.
Maybe your framework can help boost morale or reduce stress for insurance agents. Maybe you are targeting call center employees.
For me, the insurance industry is my primary market.
Aflac is a big client. I have spoken in 38 states for them. Well, I should say territories instead of states. They tend to split the big states into separate regions and areas.
The reality is, everyone needs motivation. Everyone has problems. But, if you want to speed up the process and start landing speaking engagements fast, you gotta define your target market.
That doesn’t mean you will turn down requests from any group. No. Sometimes I speak for the real estate industry and many associations’ annual conferences.
But, you will get more gigs more often when you choose a primary target.
That way your marketing materials will be more magnetic. You will stand out more. You will command attention faster in a crowded marketplace with a gazillion motivational speakers.
Does that make sense to you?
You can have a secondary market as well. But, keep it simple. Go after one primary market. I don’t want to you complicate this process.
4- Create A Marketing And Positioning Tool
Earlier, I mentioned the need to solve a problem. I also promised to share with you why and how to use it to promote yourself.
At this point, you want to create a piece of content that offers a sample of your solution or transformation. You are now ready to create a compelling and powerful marketing tool.
Make a list of 3 to 5 ways to solve a particular problem. Insert the target market in the title. Example:
5 Ways Insurance Agents Can Reduce Stress.
5 Ways School Principals Can Get Rid Of Bullying.
Create a special report, CD, or DVD with the list. You want to create all three of them. Don’t worry. It’ s a lot easier than you might think. Here’s how to create all three at once.
Create the video for your DVD
Extract the audio from the video for the CD
Have someone transcribe the audio for the special report
Now, if you love writing, you might want to reverse the process. Write the special report first. Then copy and paste it in this Online Teleprompter on your computer. Read it while standing in front of your video camera. Next, extract the audio from the video.
5 – It’s Time To Launch Your Campaign
Once you have your physical things, you are ready to market. That one piece of content is your marketing weapon to secure speaking engagements.
You want to go after free speaking engagements so you can get some platform experience or hours. Okay, let me clarify something here.
There’s no such thing as free speeches. You are marketing on stage. You are there to promote yourself for paid opportunities.
In fact, you should start marketing to the Civic Clubs (Optimist, Kiwanis, Rotary, etc.) and companies at the same time. Go here to find a list of Civic Clubs.
Next, make a list of 50 companies you want to speak for in your city. That’s what I call “your target 50” Yes, start in your local area first.
Send your DVD, CD, and Special Report to some key people within the organization. Make sure you also include a cover letter and a one-pager.
Notice I didn’t say 500 companies. Why?
Okay, there are two reasons for that. The first reason is to save you money. It’s more inexpensive to mail to 50 people. Do you agree?
The other reason is that I want you to go for many touch points. You will get better results mailing to 50 people ten times than mailing to 500 people once.
It’s not enough to reach out one time. You will need at least seven or more exposures.
Send the special report, CD, and DVD via the post office one week apart. You also want to send a few emails each time you mail to follow up and make sure they receive your package.
Once they consume your content, you’ll be ready to get on the phone to close some deals.
Often, if you do a good job defining the problem, they will book you without a phone call. Provide you give them a taste of the solution.
Oh, I forgot to mention that the purpose the report, CD, and DVD is to sell yourself. So, you must make you there’s a call to action. Mention you are ready to join forces with them to help solve the problem.
At this point, you may be thinking, “why not put the video, audio, and report on my site?” Great question!
By all means, put them on your site. Do so for the people on social media and search engines. But, let me share this with you…
Your prospect arrives at work. There’s a hand addressed package waiting for him or her with a CD or DVD or a report.
In the meantime, there’s an email waiting for him or her among one hundred others with a link to watch a video.
Which one will get top priority?
That’s my point!
Your package is NOT competing with any other packages. Especially if you write the address on the package with a blue pen.
The best part is, your face or name will stay in front of them for a long time. Why?
People do not throw away CDs or DVDs that promise them to solve a problem.
That said, you still need to send the electronic (email) version in the mix.
I’m hoping, you get the main idea. It’s a simple process. I challenge you not to complicate it.
I’m not sure if you really get the steps I shared with you. Let me know if you have any questions.
Two days ago, I delivered a keynote presentation for a group of women entrepreneurs. Standing ovation! I left them ecstatic and fired up to dash to the summit of success in their respective business!
Later, I was in my room reflecting on my speaking journey. I was wondering about the magic bullet that catapulted me to the top as a motivational speaker.
I got an instant revelation! I got so excited; I wanted to crack open the champagne. I’m sure you know the feeling when you suddenly experience a flash of brilliant insight. Right?
So kick back and chill out. I want to share my big reveal with you so you, too, can shift gear and get on the fast-track in your speaking career.
Here it is:
You probably are thinking to get paid as a motivational speaker. You need knowledge, skills, experience, this that or the other. Or you need a degree or be a top-notch speaker.
WRONG!
I want to debunk that myth for you.
Yes. You do need to be a good speaker. That’s a given. But that doesn’t take much. That comes with platform hours. No biggie.
Here’s what I mean…
When I first launched my speaking biz, my fee was $500 for a speech. (I didn’t know better.) That was a DUMB mistake.
Today, my check for a one-hour keynote is $10,000 plus all expenses.
The Ugly Truth About This
I’m still giving the same speech. And I’m still sharing the same stories and points.
Simply put, I went from $500 to $10,000 without any significant shift in content and delivery.
Well, okay. I do have more experience now. But I paid some gurus a hefty price for it – money I didn’t have. Hint: Plastic cards.
That means you can buy all the experience you want. You can slash your learning curve by leaps and bounds.
However, I told you it was not about that. Starting out, I had none.
When I hung my shingle and proclaimed I was a motivational speaker; I was making $4.25 an hour and some tips. I was still learning English.
Audacity? …Hell yeah!
The thing is, nobody knew about me. I didn’t have any testimonials or references.
I was an unknown and obscure Haitian immigrant carrying bags at a hotel – in debt and hanging by a thread.
My English was rough. I cringe when I listen to my first recording from years ago.
Some words I can’t even understand myself. I wonder how the audience managed to get my points.
Now, do you want to know how come I command that much money for the same speech today?
Cool! Make sure you write it down.
It’s Not About The WHAT. It’s About The WHO.
The higher your fee is, the more they pay you for WHO YOU ARE instead of WHAT you are.
Look at it this way.
You may be a motivational speaker or a lawyer, or an account. That’s what you are. We all know there’s a price expectation for what you are.
For example, if you are a writer, the national association of writers might publish a suggested price guide.
They might recommend you charge from $20 to $100 depending whether you are a beginner or and advanced level writer. That’s just to illustrate. I don’t know for sure.
But…
The WHO has no ceiling. There are so many polished speakers with deeper knowledge who are struggling to get paid 2k while I get 10K.
Think of Oprah Winfrey. She makes a boatload of money. She is the richest black woman in the world.
Does that mean she is more talented, gifted, and experienced than the other people who are on TV?
No!
So, what does it takes? Answer:
Be A Fascinating Person Who ATTRACTS And Arrests Attention!
Radiate the following: Mystery. Influence. Intrigue. Charm. Charisma. Celebrity.
The good news is, you are not born with any of those. But, you can engineer them.
How?
Well, here are a few things among many you can work on:
Get brilliant on STORIES… that’s where you can make the most impact and money
Create videos for YouTube – Be a talk show host there
Have your O type magazine
Write articles or special reports
Have a person with the presence of a news anchor to interview you
Share your opinions about things or philosophies
Write a book, etc.
Perception IS reality!
Every single thing I just mentioned is EASY TO DO. Do not over complicate it. Most people get stuck because of complexity.
Look, if a little guy from poverty and diseases from tiny village in Haiti can do it, you can too!
Make sure you target one particular problem that bug millions of people. Something like time management, self-esteem, bullying, etc.
Of course, those people need to have money; or make sure companies are willing to sponsor you to reach them.
As a result, you will now be busy enough to activate the law of scarcity. And bam! You are ready to fly high!
That’s what happened to me.
Today, it’s not easy to get access to me. That was never my intention. But, it is what it is.
Lots of people email and write to ask me questions. Others want me to mentor them.
Unfortunately, I cannot spend time one-on-one to coach, mentor, and answer questions for free.
I can only take the time to answer general questions here on this blog when I can rearrange my schedule to do so.
The reality is, if I were devoting my time to dispense free advice, I would have to work 365 days, full time. There are way too many requests. That means I would never be able to eat and pay my rent.
I’m not complaining. That’s a nice problem to have. You’ll have the same problem soon if you stay with it and do the things I suggest to you.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m a giver. I love giving! I give my time and money to the needy children in Haiti. I also mentor a few selected people.
Okay, Here’s The Big Takeaway:
I just peeled back the curtain and revealed the magic formula to you.
Work on the WHO. Become a fascination person who commands and arrests attention.
That strategy works anywhere on the planet – regardless of your current status. How you go about it may be different. But the process is the same.
By the way, when you become that kind of person, your future fans will hang on to your words. Regardless if they heard them before. They will feel more compelled to take action.
Before I hit the publish button, let me ask you…
What are you struggling with now? What’s your frustration? What’s stopping you? Type it in the comment box below.
In this video, I reveal the number one secret to public speaking. It’s not enough to be clever in front of an audience.
In fact, they will not remember your brilliant points after the speech. They will not remember your powerpoints. But they will remember the stories you tell.
That’s why storytelling in public speaking is a must. It’s the one skill you have to master.
Whether you are giving a wedding toast, speaking at your family reunion, or giving a presentation at work, you need to share stories.
The people who changed the world through words use stories to persuade, motivate, and evoke emotion in their listeners. They mesmerize them with highly charged and emotional hooks through stories.
Now, of course, there are so many different kinds of stories. But it doesn’t matter. You just need to keep in mind that when you are speaking in public, you need to carefully select a few stories to engage your audience.
Yes, you must make a point. You cannot just tell a story for the sake of telling it. The audience is always silently saying, “What’s the point?” or “get to the point.” Do you see what I mean?
When you can masterfully use a story to illustrate a point, your message will stick. You are able to engage and connect with your audiences.
