COMMON SENSE: Like choosing other professionals, selecting a motivational speaker is left to your common sense. You may discover that the speaker has been “speaking” for over 20 years (but maybe your program is the speaker’s first professional engagement) it goes without saying the more experience the better.  The promotional material you received are top-notch (but maybe the speaker has a good “day job” and can afford a slick press kit).  There is saying in the speaking business the more slick the promotional material the less impactful impact you can expect.  The speaker may belong to an impressive association (but this may only mean that he/she paid the required dues). On the other hand, these three credentials may belong to a highly qualified professional speaker. Consider many of the items which follow, ask questions and use your best judgment!  The truth is Kentucky audiences identify with Kentucky Motivational Speakers.  A Boston Audience will relate with a motivational speaker from Boston.  This is not always the case, but when choosing a public speaker, the most important question you can ask yourself is will our audience relate with this person?

Your Choice of Guest Speakers

The HUMORIST is someone who delivers humor with a message: Story, relevant point, story, relevant point. Professional humorists can normally blend their humor and message to fit your needs, but if you are not looking for impact, maybe a comedian would better fit your group.

The MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER provides an inspiring and uplifting program usually built around powerful stories, often personal experiences of the speaker. Most motivational speakers also use humor, but not to the extent that a humorist would. Most motivational speakers have a few memorized talks that may or may not be applicable to your organization.

The CELEBRITY SPEAKER may provide a name which will draw people to your event. Some celebrity speakers are terrific speakers and some are just average, but you’re normally buying their fame and not their platform skills. Celebrity speakers normally have the highest fees in the $30,000.00 plus range for an hour talk.

The Industry Speaker is a person with expertise in a particular industry who lecture on a specific topic. Industry speakers are generally not know for entertainment or motivational value but are brought in to inform and take an in depth look at a particular topic.

The PERFECT FIT SPEAKER is ideally what every group is looking for when hiring a speaker. But, there are some motivational speakers who have the talent, background, experience and versatility to truly be a perfect fit for many different types of industries, organizations and audiences. It is often difficult to classify these speakers as they tremendously funny, but not humorists, motivational in delivery but not in subject matter, Experienced in many industries without being a boring industry speaker and most of all they specialize in extensive pre-meeting research to deliver just the right message for each.  Kentucky motivational speaker Dale Calvert is this type of speaker.  He is a small town boy who became a self-made millionaire before his 35^th birthday and has spoke for virtually every type of audience, from elementary schools to Fortune 500 companies.

FEES

They are normally a correlation between a motivational speakers fee and the quality of the program. You would never believe that a $4,000 car might be similar to a $40,000 car. So don’t think a $500 speaker might be similar to one who charges $5,000 or more.  Your normally get what you pay for. And consider this, you often pay many times more for the meal than for the speaker (on a per capita basis) when in fact the evenings program is probably far more important than the prime rib. Consider the true value-per-person=attending when deciding how much to invest in your event.  One more thing to consider, what kind of personality wants to be a motivational speaker?  Many times they are those who crave attention but couldn’t quite cut it at the comedy club. Find a speaker with real world experience, and you will be way ahead of the game.

CLEAN MATERIAL

You should not expect to have a problem with off-color material when using and experienced, professional speaker. If you have any subject material concers, make sure you share that with your speaker, especially if they don’t have a track record as a successful speaker.

CUSTOMIZATION

While talking with a speaker, you may get a feel for his or her customization skills. What kind of question is the speaker asking you about the audience, organization, and event goals? Not every talk needs customization and many speakers have a few memorized talks, but most professional speakers specialize in adding a personal touch and some can design a specific talk around the needs of your organization.

GUARANTEES

Most speakers require their entire fee upfront, and if you are not happy, to bad.  Mr. Calvert only requires  ½ of his agreed fee to reserve the date, and at the end, he offers a your audience loves it, or you don’t pay the remainder of his fee (ask Mr. Calvert about this when you call him to see if he is available on the date of your upcoming event at 859-684-7894)

The post How to Choose the Best Guest Speaker for your Event first appeared on Dale Calvert - Motivation Speaker Kentucky.

How did some small town kid from Kentucky ever get the opportunity to travel all over the world and get paid to speak to people in places like, Japan, Australia, New Zeeland, & Hungary?

I get this question quite often and I think the real answer is,  I never had a goal to become a public speaker, I have always seen myself as a member of the audience.  I have probably invested more money in attending special training events, seminars, and motivational events than anyone I know.  So because of that fact, I feel I have a special relationship with the audience and their deep concerns and the emotions that may be stopping them from reaching their full potential.

I understand that …………

LIVES ARE CHANGED AT EVENTS

Throughout life’s journey we encounter crossroads. Sometimes we recognize those crossroads, and many times we don’t. All of us have observed friends, family members, and business associates at crossroads. Sometimes good decisions are made and sometimes they are bad. There is no doubt that like all decisions, crossroads decisions , effect our entire life from that point forward.

Throughout my life I have dependent on what I call “Wisdom of the Ages” principles to guide me through those times.   Like everyone, I have made some good decisions, and some bad decisions.   Some of the decisions that I thought were right at the time turned out to be disasters .   All any of us can do is live, learn, and move forward.

I UNDERSTAND THAT LIVES ARE CHANGED AT EVENTS

The emotion and aura the right event can create is conducive to teamwork,   clear, logical thinking, and positive change.   Einstein said “ Ignorance at its highest level is to continue to do what you have always done, the way you have always done it expecting different results”.

I love to attend events that have the goal of creating positive change.   In my younger days I use to attend every hotel infomercial pitch I could.   You know the ones, make money in real estate type deals.   I liked to observe the audience, the presenters, the staff, I enjoyed studying the way the entire experience came together.

The truth is some people left those events, invested in the education and changed their life forever.   There life was changed at that one event.   This certainly doesn’t happen for everyone at a specific event, but it does for some.   I have always wondered why?

I have heard it said, “When the student is ready the teacher will arrive”.   That has certainly been true in my life more times than I can count   I was able to be in the right place at the right time, and hear exactly what I needed to hear at that point in my life.

I appreciate being thought of as Kentucky’s best motivational speaker, I am a Kentuckian and proud of it! Today, I personally have the opportunity to speak for groups of people all over the world.   It is really hard for me to understand because I have never seen myself as a “professional speaker”.   I enjoy sharing ideas that can help kids, adults, and business owners who are at crossroads in their life.   I understand that lives are changed at events, and as a speaker I don’t think we should ever take those opportunities lightly.

PS.  Yes, I have been told I am funny, and I enjoy making people laugh.  I think all of us should laugh and smile more, but I don’t use a lot of memorized jokes in my presentations.  I just do what comes naturally.  If you want a comedian, you should probably hire a comedian.  I am a results oriented speakers, my goal is to make a difference you can see, long after your conference is over.  I travel the world and I love sharing ideas that make a difference, but if you are looking for a speaker in my home state of Kentucky, I would love to work with your organization and create a long-term win-win business relationship.

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