What You Can Learn from a Motivational Speaking Class
Do you have a story that you think can move and help thousands of people? Have you always dreamed of using your words to change lives? If you answered yes, you may have the makings of a great motivational speaker. But you may not know how to get started. Indeed, it can be difficult to get your name out there and start booking gigs. Thankfully, an accredited motivational speaking class can help you with those growing pains.
While it may sound like an unconventional program to take, these courses can help people reach their dreams and get their stories out there. A lot goes into speaking, like planning, scripting, and marketing. And you need to get comfortable on stage, whether it’s in-person or virtual, and with reaching thousands or even millions of people.
Thankfully, many experts are willing to share their expertise and help you on the path ahead.
6 Things You Can Learn from a Motivational Speaking Class
While your story will be uniquely yours, the skills you need to succeed will be the same as any speaker’s. Indeed, just like any aspiring entrepreneur must back up their idea with marketing, sales, and financial know-how, motivational speakers must learn to work their market.
An accredited course provides this knowledge and helps you hone your craft. Notably, it’ll teach you how to get your name out there, how to form your audience, and how to continue spreading motivation for years to come. And, as with any field, this career is forever growing with technology. You’re no longer limited to booking gigs in your community. Rather, you can build your community online first and then branch out into the world. But that path comes with its own intricacies. Keep reading to learn more about how a motivational speaking class can help you succeed.
1. Expert Experience
One of the best reasons to attend any program is a chance to learn from the experts. Truly, part of learning comes from the inevitable failures and struggles we run into and how we grow from them. And the world of motivational speaking can be difficult to traverse. Seasoned professionals have gone through the ups and downs of the field, which allows you to avoid the mistakes they made.
Undoubtedly, you’ll run into issues of your own, but if you have a chance to avoid the more common problems, you should take it. Just like in the world of business, you’ll need to market yourself and focus on getting an audience. And while there is no one right way to get your name out there, there are many wrong ways.
A motivational speaking class can guide you through the tricky path ahead. Indeed, you’ll be surprised by what you learn from experts in any field.
2. Alternative Perspectives
Of course, another great part of a motivational speaking class is your peers. You’ll hear from like-minded individuals who have the same goals and passion as you. And, while you may compete with them in the future for gigs and jobs, you’ll likely have unique stories and advice to share. As you complete the program, see what you can learn from one another. Maybe your classmate has a method to calm down in front of a crowd or a more thorough way to memorize a script.
In the end, you can learn a lot from each other, including finding a different perspective. Their advice and experiences may help you build your own message up. Not only can you teach each other, but you can inspire each other to be greater and make a difference in the world.
3. Idea Development
Think about where you are in your dream to become a motivational speaker. Do you have a story or two to tell or a general theme? Story-telling and common threads are vital to spreading the message, but this career is more than that. Anyone can tell a tale from their past, but you need to analyze what you learned from your experience, how it changed your life, and how your knowledge can help others.
You might not have those threads tied together just yet and that’s okay. An expert can guide you through the process and help you figure out what message you want to put out there.
Many motivational speakers overcame difficult life events. Truly, who among us hasn’t? But not everyone knows how to get through that trauma. Your words can help people overcome new and old obstacles in their lives, but you need to make your experience more universal, useable, and enlightening. It’s not easy to do on your own, to see beyond the scope of your experiences. But a motivational speaking class can help you build your idea into something more concrete and helpful.
4. How to Gauge Your Audience
You might have an idea of who your audience will be, or you may be more focused on your story right now. Either way, who you market towards and focus on is important. It can change your delivery and the language you use when telling your story. Indeed, some things anyone can relate to. But other times, the language you use will work better with certain demographics. Notably, children won’t respond to the same story as elders will.
As a motivational speaker, you must decide who your audience will be – who your story will best help – and how you want to approach them. For example, tough love works for some but is off-putting for others. A motivational speaking class will not only help you identify your audience but also how to read their reactions.
5. Critical Marketing Skills
Marketing comes easy to some, but for others, it’s an upward battle. Today, a lot of marketing is done via social media, which eases problems of the past but also creates new ones. Day to day you’ll be fighting against algorithms and search engines to make sure people see your content. It can be difficult to figure out what will work and what people will interact with.
Indeed, it will likely take a lot of time and effort to hone your marketing skills. There’s a lot of content out there, and people aren’t always patient with new creators.
A motivational speaking class will help you navigate the online sphere and learn how to create good content. Notably, your program may have you make a marketing plan and your instructor will help you figure out what may and may not work.
6. Improved Communication Skills
Finally, and most importantly, a motivational speaking class will help you build your communication skills. Motivational speaking isn’t just about talking; it’s about listening to your audience, responding to their needs, and adapting your message as you grow. As a speaker, you don’t want to speak at your crowd. You want to encourage and engage with them.
Similarly, if you’re using social media for marketing, you will want to ensure your writing skills are well-developed. Consider how many blunders you’ve seen online by businesses and celebrities across the world. They’re not always easy to come back from. Thus, you want to make sure you are clear, deliberate, and respectful with your posts and messages. Your communication skills will determine your success as a motivational speaker. Learning from the experts can save you a lot of hurt down the line.
Final Thoughts
Lakewood University offers a 16-week motivational speaking class, developed in consultation with renowned motivational speaker, Dr. Eric Thomas. This course encourages aspiring students to build their message, enhance their speeches, and understand their audience. Additionally, students create a marketing plan and learn vital research and listening skills. The lessons ensure graduates have all they need for a successful career in motivational speaking.
Lakewood University is an accredited online school that offers a variety of degree and certificate programs. We have rolling enrollments and asynchronous courses. In other words, you don’t have to worry about missing a lecture or running late to class. If you plan on enrolling in college while working, Lakewood University offers the flexibility you need to earn your degree.
Don’t hesitate – reach out to our admissions department today to learn more!
