MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKING IS NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

Motivational speakers, also known as expert speakers, are sometimes viewed skeptically. It appears to audiences that these individuals need only stand before their groups and tell stories or delineate "How To's" and then enjoy the applause. A behind the scenes view of the life of an expert speaker offers a different perspective.

CONTACT IS MADE
Someone from some group or organization contacts (usually e-mail or phone) the speaker. Discussion occurs on topics ranging from "purpose of the gathering", "expected outcomes" all the way to how the room will be set up. Negotiation occurs and date and time is set. This oftentimes takes place over a series of days. Keep in mind that motivational speakers sometimes trade financial payment (due to business budgets) for things like spa packages, rounds of golf, lodging at a particular resort, meals at fine establishments. Leaving the event with a pocket full of money does not happen for most expert speakers.

WORK BEGINS
Once a contract has been formalized the expert speaker begins the process of learning about the group or organization that has hired them. They dig into who their audience will be. Nothing is worse then sitting in an audience made up of educators and have the speaker talk about the perils of day trading! Research and homework are mandatory and time consuming.

THE OCCUPIED MIND
As the motivational speaker begins to build the information needed to address a particular group his/her mind becomes overwhelmed with ideas about the presentation. Waking up at 2:10 A.M. morning after morning is only the beginning. Soon the expert speaker must actually rise out of bed at that time and place the information on paper. One, so they might be able to go back to sleep and two, so that they will remember what their creative juices emitted for future development. Motivational speakers think about their upcoming event while driving to work (their real jobs), mowing their yards, coaching their kids soccer games, doing laundry, buying groceries and cuddling with their significant other, who, by the way, will be playing second fiddle to the event until it is over! This practice goes oftentimes weeks prior to a presentation.

SEAT TIME
The time comes when the expert speaker must sit and build the presentation. Writing draft after draft after draft. Some use computers and keyboards while others use pen and paper. No matter what tools the speaker chooses, the work is time consuming and lengthy. Effective powerful presentations do not just happen. They are created with endless cups of coffee and many long hours of prep time.

DRY RUNS
As the expert speaker's product begins to come together, dry runs are started. Some stand before mirrors, others in quiet rooms with bright lights, some practice with friends and family or some just choose to read their writings over and over again. It is at this time when motivational speakers must be extremely critical of not only the material they have created but also their style of presentation. This is not the time for sensitive feelings. Honest self-evaluation is needed.

READY FOR DELIVERY
The motivational speaker has done the work, put in the hours, lost the sleep and is now ready for the contracted event. The speaker is ready. The green light is on the horizon and the focus is set. It is at this point that all other people and things are neglected....everything is filled up and ready to pour out for the speaker's intended audience.

SHOWTIME
Finally the end is in sight! The expert speaker arrives at the event destination expecting that all is ready. He/she arrives early to check out that the agreed upon room arrangements and equipment are set. Sometimes, it happens that the room has been switched at the last minute or that an unexpected wind storm has caused power to be interrupted so that no microphone can be used and the audience will barely be seen. The expert speaker calms his/herself with "not to worry" phrases and hopes that the power will be back up by presentation time. The ability to adapt, after all, is one of the most prized skills of a motivational speaker. Power going out is but one of the many last minute things that can happen to an expert speaker. Having the speaker's notes in a piece of airline luggage in Houston when the event is in Boston can be a bit more difficult. But the most difficult adaptation a motivational speaker must make is when they find out, at the last minute, that the majority of the audience speaks Japanese! All the time and preparation can never absolutely guarantee that all will be as expected. The fact remains that unexpected things happen!

POST EVENT LET DOWN
The delivery has been made, contract complete, the adrenaline rush ebbed. Now the expert speaker waits to receive the formal organization's evaluation of his/her performance. It is not only important that the hiring organization do an evaluation, but the expert motivational speaker should also do a self-evaluation. Putting ego on the line is never easy but in this case extremely necessary. How many other professions subject themselves to such examination?

So, the next time the reader is fortunate enough to be listening to a well prepared, effective and motivating expert speaker, remember what is written here. It takes blood, sweat and tears to get a good keynote presentation complete.

Jackie Pelletier built a successful career as a teacher, coach, recreation director, principal and interim superintendent. As a respected expert in the field of education, thousands of students and adults were inspired and challenged by her. She was honored as the State of Maine Physical Education Teacher of the Year, named to the Governors Council and recognized Statewide for her contributions in adaptive education and women's sports. Jackie currently is the Wine Training Coordinator at the most visited winery in the country at Biltmore Estate as well as an expert motivational speaker.