Creative Motivational Speakers

Motivational speaking is an art, so truly inspiring an audience requires creativity. Creative motivational speakers are masters at capturing their audience’s attention—and once they gain it, the audience is ready to take in the message.

In my speaking engagements, I always strive to find creative ways to stimulate change in a workplace. Creative ways of delivering a speech are key to inspiring people to apply new ideas in their daily work. When choosing from potential speakers, watch videos of speakers performing to find out whether they use creative techniques such as these ones.

1. Developing a Rhythm

   Creative motivational speakers have honed the ability to develop a rhythm to their speech. They space moments of excitement throughout it, often building to a final crescendo. They vary the pacing of their speech, slowing down to give major points a punch, which gives the audience time to internalize them. Skilled speakers vary their tone of voice and their expressions as well, showing they are truly engaged in the topic they’re discussing.

2. Using Metaphor and Story

   Motivational speakers use creative stories and metaphors to make his points. He might talk about what he learned from a high-stakes basketball game as a teenager, or share a story from a famous athlete’s autobiography. He knows that his audience has passions and interests outside of the workplace, and relating with them in this way helps to build a connection not just as fellow members of the corporate world, but as human beings. Moreover, stories help grab the audience’s attention in driving a poignant point home.

3. Using Multimedia Strategically

   Using multimedia strategically can reinforce important points and captivate the audience. Motivational speakers know the key word here is “creatively.” Every multimedia element used should be chosen because it accentuates the presentation in a particular way. For example, a video clip could cogently illustrate a point the speaker is making. A picture could help them remember a fact. Audiences should never have to stare at a bland PowerPoint that simply repeats the speaker’s message just because it adds an element of multimedia.

4. Use Humor without Trying Too Hard

   If a speaker tries to crack jokes, she runs the risk that they’ll fall flat. Working humor into a talk without forcing it usually works better. The talk feels more like a conversation with a friend when it’s sprinkled with amusing anecdotes or ways of looking at the world, rather than a series of punchlines. Being funny helps the audience loosen up and internalize what the speaker is saying, as well as making the speaker more relatable and therefore more persuasive.

5. Ask Surprising Questions

   Motivational speakers ask questions that challenge their audience—questions the audience might sit with for some time. The speaker doesn’t play the expert who has all the answers; he works to draw answers out of the audience. That challenges audience members to think of themselves as people with expertise, people whose collective brainpower can provide innovative solutions to problems.

With these techniques, stellar motivational speakers hone a powerful stage presence that keeps audiences spellbound. As you watch potential speakers, ask if you’re feeling spellbound yourself, which will be your first clue as to which ones should make the cut.