How Do I Become a Motivational Speaker

One of the questions I'm often asked is, "How do I become a motivational speaker?" 

Even though I'm known around the country as a Top Motivational Speaker, I followed a very non-conventional path to that career. I spent years as a nationally-touring stand-up comedian before clients started asking me about being a "speaker" for their meeting. So I sort of fell into this career. 

But if I were starting out today - and not pursuing a career in stand-up comedy - here's the advice I would follow...

Purchase and read this book, "The Successful Speaker: Five Steps for Booking Gigs, Getting Paid, and Building Your Platform" by Grant Baldwin. It will answer your question much more thoroughly than I could begin to.

Next up, listen to Grant's podcast, The Speaker Lab. It's free. But make sure you buy his book, too. If you're not willing to spend $15 on your career, are you really serious about it?

The next thing to do is to find a Toastmasters Club near you. Go to a meeting. Get started. I'm sure that piece of advice opens up more questions - all of which can be answered on the Toastmasters website. 

Full disclosure: I have never attended a Toastmasters meeting. However, my understanding is that you get lots of "stage time". That's the key to any performing arts career: stage time. Get as much as you can. 

The advice so far would fall under "getting started". Once you're up and running (or if you are already there), the next step on your journey is to attend a National Speakers Association meeting. Find a NSA chapter near you and attend a monthly meeting or travel to their annual National meeting. 

That's it. You are on your way to Becoming a Motivational Speaker! Go inspire the World.