Let me guess. You are either a paid motivational speaker, or you are just starting your speaking journey. If you are just starting, welcome. You picked the right path. What you do matters more than you may realize.
Every time you speak and impact one person, you change a life. Every time you change a life, you change the world. Not all at once. One person at a time. That is how real impact happens.
We are living in a time where many people feel defeated and discouraged. The news is heavy. Fear is everywhere. Stress is high. Burnout is real. More than ever, people are desperate for encouragement, hope, and direction. That is why being asked to stand on a stage today is a privilege. It is not just a gig. It is a responsibility.
Now, you may be thinking, “I’m not a motivational speaker.”
Let me reframe that for you.
If you speak for a living, you are a motivational speaker. It does not matter what your topic is. Sales. Leadership. Email marketing. Customer service. Safety. Mindset. You are motivating people to take action. All speaking is motivational speaking. The topic changes. The purpose does not.
Yes, motivation is internal. You cannot force someone to be motivated. They must find it within themselves. But something external must trigger it. A story. A message. A reminder. A moment of clarity. The stronger and more believable the trigger, the stronger the response.
That brings us to the real issue most speakers face.
Be The Solution To Their Problem
When it comes to speaking, credibility is everything. If you cannot clearly establish that you are the solution to your audience’s problem, you will struggle to get booked. Meeting planners will not risk their stage on someone they do not trust.
Here is something many speakers miss. Your message does not come first. You do. People must buy you before they buy what you have to say. If they do not believe you are the right person to talk about the subject, your words will not land.
If you are not making an impact, you are not making money. Speaking is impact driven. Your reputation must speak for you before you ever open your mouth.
You have heard the phrase “perception is reality.” In the speaking business, that is not a cliché. It is a fact. Your job is to shape that perception on purpose.
When I started studying the speaking business, I was a hotel doorman in Atlanta. Before that, I was a janitor in Miami. Before that, I grew up in extreme poverty in a small village in Haiti. No electricity. No running water. No medical care.
I came to the United States with five dollars, two shirts, one pair of pants, and no English.
That background did not scream “keynote speaker.” I knew it would be difficult to convince meeting planners to put me on their stages. On paper, I did not look like the solution to anyone’s problem.
My résumé did not create the perception that I was the right man for the hour. But through trial and error, I learned how to build credibility. I learned how to position myself so people saw me differently. I learned how to shape perception without lying or pretending to be someone I was not.
That is what I want to share with you now.
Some of this will be a reminder. We all need reminders. Some of this may be new. Either way, pay close attention. This is how speakers get booked.
5 Ways To Boost Your Credibility So You Can Become The Choice For Meeting Planners
1. Know What Problem You Are Solving
Every successful speaker solves a problem. If you cannot clearly explain the problem you solve, you will confuse the market. Confused meeting planners do not book speakers.
When I coach speakers and business owners, the first question I ask is simple. What problem are you solving?
Not what is your topic. What problem do you fix?
You do not need to know everything about your subject. You do need to know enough to help people move forward. Start with what you know. Start with what you have lived. Often, your topic is the thing people already come to you for advice about.
Do not make the mistake of thinking motivational speaking is a topic. It is not. Motivation is the delivery. The topic must be clear. Leadership. Resilience. Time management. Change. Confidence. Sales performance.
When your topic is clear, your marketing becomes easier. Your message becomes sharper. Your positioning becomes stronger.
2. Make A List Of Your Truisms
Once you choose your topic, write down everything you believe is true about it. These are your truisms. Your principles. Your philosophies.
If you speak on leadership, write down what you believe leaders must do and must not do. If you speak on resilience, write down what you believe helps people bounce back. This list is leadership according to you. Resilience according to you.
This is important because speakers are not hired for information alone. They are hired for perspective. Your truisms are what make you different from everyone else talking about the same topic.
3. Turn What’s In Your Head Into Physical Things
If you want to boost your credibility, you must put what you know into physical form. No matter how smart you are, the world does not see your knowledge until they can touch it.
This is critical.
Your truisms must become something tangible. Articles. Reports. Videos. Audio. Books. These things create perception. They signal authority.
Take one truism and turn it into a short article. Read that article on camera. Turn the video into audio. Transcribe the audio into a report. One idea becomes multiple assets.
These assets work for you when you are not in the room. They build credibility before you ever speak.
4. Write A Book Now
Yes, you have heard this before. Write a book. Have you done it yet?
I waited too long to write my first book. When I finally did, it changed my speaking career. A book positions you instantly. It tells meeting planners you are serious.
Do not overcomplicate it. Most people try to write an encyclopedia. That is a mistake. People do not need more information. They need reminders.
Here is a simple formula. Ten chapters. Ten pages per chapter. One hundred pages. That is enough. Your first book is version one hundred and one. You can go deeper later.
You can make a great living reminding people of what they already know but have stopped practicing.
5. Give Away Your Stuff Lavishly
Your books, reports, and resources are not clutter. They are marketing tools. They are positioning tools.
A one page flyer gets tossed. A book gets placed on a shelf.
Give your materials to people who can open doors. Meeting planners. Decision makers. Influencers. When you send value, you are not begging. You are leading.
You are no longer making a cold call. You are offering a solution.
6. Don’t Give Up
Speaking is a business. Like any business, it takes time. The barrier to entry is low, but the barrier to staying is persistence.
Many great speakers quit too soon. Not because they were not good. Because they got tired.
I am still speaking today for one reason. I did not quit.
There is no magic formula. Build credibility. Create assets. Give value. Stay in the game.
That is how speakers get booked.
I wish you incredible success.
Hello Rene,
I wanted to know you create such an amazing website and videos?
Stay Blessed!
I keep listening to you everyday. Have learned all that I needed to learn. There is no more excuses. My book is next.
Thanks my great friend Rene; May you receive my endless appreciation.May God bless you for the great work, I love the article, “Success is 1% thinking and 99% doing. Keep more articles coming.
Hi Rene now I am happy that I know where to go from here, what I want to know which places can I go to make sure the book I’m writing is coming okay.
Thank you Rene, this was the most useful information I’ve found since embarking on this journey. I’ve always been able to inspire others and realized how much i love the feeling of communicating my message. I’ve been a snowboard instructor for 12 years and have found that encouraging people through fearful uncertainty to a place of achievement and eventually confidence is my highest calling. I have been working on a lot of the points you cited. I cant help but feel I am on the right track after visiting your site.I live near Big Bear California and am looking for guidance and direction for someone trustworthy. I would appreciate any information on your appearances in my area or any other influences you think beneficial to my progress. thank you, John Forbess
Just wanted to take this time to thank you once again.
Thank you Rene
I am glad I read this article. It gave me insight and knowledge on my calling.
Thanks again,
Tiffany
Interesting article! How difficult do you believe it to be to get into “American Program Bureau” or other speaking bureaus of that nature? Are they looking for famous people or just people with a good story and speaking ability? And do you believe that connecting with a bureau such as that is the best way to make money for my speaking abilities? Thanks for your help
Thank you Rene for always providing relevant and timely information. A weekend in Atlanta with you sounds like a win-win!
Awesome Collin! Will let you know when we put an event in Atlanta.
This is a good guide. This can also help in the process so one can be inspired to go on.
Thanks, Rene. It really shows that u truly have gone through the experiences of one in his formative days, like me. What’s more exciting about the whole issue is your commitment to navigating us through. Please, do not hesitate to send any other material that may be useful for my growth. Once again, accept my endless appreciation.
Thank you for the reminder…. i am inspired to stay in the game.
You are welcome Loice!
Thank you Rene for these powerful reminders. They are exactly what I needed to hear right now. I will be persistent and never give up.
May God keep blessing you to do what you do so well.
You are welcome Marcia. We all need reminders. I’m glad you you enjoyed the article.
Rene thank you for this article,i simply love it,it’s the best i’ve read for some time now. Keep it up.
It’s my pleasure Nonso!
Rene, you made it again! I virtually gave up my plan of becoming a motivational speaker. Now, you’ve breathed a new spirit in me. After reading your post beginning to end, i’ve realized all i need is to stay my course! I can’t imagine how you’ve inspired me to reaching the pinnacle of my speaking career. With patience and pesistence, i would certainly reach the promised land. And as for the 10/10 formula you recommended, i’m going to use it as my guide to coming up with my first book by the close of 2012. Thanks once again, Rene, for your insight. Live long and groom us!
Yes, Abbey. I will not leave you alone. You heard the call. It’s a Divine call. Don’t let the dream die in you. Go at it with you’ve got and some more. Do whatever it takes. Keep trying!!
I thank you very much for this article. This is a great boost to my speaking career. I will definitely use your 10/10 technique to start making money with a talent that God gave me and an activity I love: speaking. You are definitely a great asset to all of us that wa
nt to make it big in the speaking business.
You are a great contributor to the speaking profession!
Thank you, Rene for the simplicity of your delivery. In one breath, you have inspired and guided me. I know I can write and speak well. The response I get when I write for people or speak tells me that.
I have been grappling with which direction my life should take. I have been a teacher a long time and my first choice in a career change is to be a speaker. But the question has been “where and how do I start”?
I believe you just answered the question for me. Write a book. I am going to start from there. Please, I welcome and appreciate all the knowledge you are willing to share.
Thank you.
Sure thing Stanley. Choose a topic. Find out the problems around your topic. Then follow the other steps. You just have to be persistent. If I can do it, anyone can do it. I had no advantage when I started. It’s possible for you my friend.
Wow, Rene it seems like you’re in my head right now…To have instruction from you that line-up with already in my heart is amazing. My main opposition at this time is funding the vision. In the future can you speak on how you obtain the funding for your vision. Yes, I will not give up!!!
That’s what good teachers do Monique. You simply enter into the existing conversation that is in your student’s head. It’s the same for your audiences. See what I mean?
I am very enthusiastic about your last email. The fact that you are motivating me to move my business and I am listening makes your credibility stand high. In 1 month I will be finished with my book, I will be sure o acknowledge you in this book as you motivated me to this point. I as well will mention you to all of my speaking engagements again because of you I didnot drag my feet.
May you prosper in everything you do. I will encourage others now as you have encouraged me.
Hi Melanie,
Thanks for your feedback. I know you are a powerful woman. You can do anything or whatsoever you want. Thank you for mentioning me to your colleagues in the medical field.
I thank you very much for sharing your insight. It’s inspiring me a lot. Regards.
Awesome Joan. Keep pressing on!
wow that was great i love what i just learned. God blessed you for that master piece. Thanks
You are welcome Joseph! Press on!
Yes, Rene… the most important is #6- never give up. Without perseverance, no hard work will be rewarded.
By the way, when are you setting off the project on changing the world- the one you asked us to sign up for?
Indeed Giles #6 the key to success. Don’t give up even when your labor is not producing fruits at first. It takes time. But, one day… Yes! One day…
You have what it takes. You are doing great work. Just don’t be discouraged. Don’t measure your success with those who started the race way before you.
I am still trying to figure out the best and time to start the project you are referring to. Maybe it’s a full weekend with me in Atlanta.