How to Become a Paid Motivational Speaker

5 Steps to Having a Moneymaking Message 

In becoming a motivational speaker, I went from being a standup comic, flying coach, getting heckled, and sharing a Motel 6 to being a paid speaker, traveling first class, speaking to an appreciative audience, and staying in fancy hotels with spa soap. Rather than doing nine shows a week in a comedy club, I was now earning more doing just one speech.  

Speaking at Women's Health Event in Pensacola, Fl

In 2008, however, everything changed. When the recession hit, the motivational speaking market went downhill as companies could no longer justify hiring a pick-them-up, make-them-laugh speaker. Rather than entertainment, they needed someone with a message, someone who would deliver “take-aways” that improved efficiency, reduced sick days, and boosted their bottom line.

Seeing the writing on the podium, I switched from being a “lighten up humorist” to speaking on the topics of stress reduction and leadership. I continued to use my comedy material to keep the audience laughing, but added specific ACTION STEPS to make my points create lasting results. Developing these STEPS are essential if you want to have a moneymaking message as a motivational speaker.

In my online speaking workshop, students find these crucial action steps by examining their own “mess-to-success” journeys and taking advantage of the specifics that worked for them. Few thought to examine how they lost weight, conquered a depression, or started a business. They were so busy keeping up with LinkedIn and Facebook, they overlooked what they’d learned about overcoming a particular challenge. Getting in touch with those steps is the way to earn extra income as a speaker and can even transform into a book.

Here are some steps to help you find your Action Steps to become a motivation speaker:

This is excerpted from my book "The Message of You": 

1. Make a list of your successes.
2. Next to each, note your starting point, i.e., bad health, living with your parents, directionless, whatever.
3. Explain how you got from your “mess” to your “success.”
4. Find 3 things you did differently that worked. 
5. Give a name/label to those 3 things that got you to success as those are your Action Steps.

Watch free video lessons, get coaching, and join online workshops to find your message and become a paid motivational speaker.

https://themessageofyou.com

3 Simple Steps to Get a Business Mentor for Free: Enroll Others in your Message

As a newly single person, I get excited when someone asks me out to dinner, especially when I hear, “I’m treating!”

“Wow, that’s promising. Someone really likes me!”

But, my enthusiasm is dampened when I hear: “I’m treating because I want to pick your brain.”

Now, at my age, I’m thrilled that anyone wants to pick a piece of my body, but my least favorite part to give away for free is my brain.  Isn’t that called intellectual prostitution?  I’m whoring my brain away for a fillet of Salmon.

I understand why I get approached this way. After all, I’m a former standup comic turned speaker and one of the few people who actually gets paid to do what I love – to stand in front of others to entertain and inspire. Most people who consult with me on improving their presentation skills want to learn how to quit their day job and get paid to speak.

I know that the comic or speaker who asks me out for a date has good intent, but there’s a better approach to get information, than offer a meal. It’s not like I have a sign on my door that says, “Will consult for food.”

After all, I’m sure you, just like I, have spent a lot of money filling your brain with marketable skills and professional know-how. We’ve gone to college, attended meetings, got CPU credits, not to mention years of therapy to correct a dysfunctional childhood so we can go days without Xanax.

And you want me to tell you how togged paid to speak for a slice of pizza?

Now, I DO give stuff away. But, it’s usually when someone approaches me with a MESSAGE that I believe in. Then I don’t even care about the meal. I WANT to help because the person has ENROLLED me in their message. They get a “piece of my mind” and a boatload of my talent when they offer me to be a part of something I believe in.

I have donated speeches to cancer, children, veterans as well as assisting with writing TED talks for discounted fees because I believe in the MESSAGE. That’s what happened when Muslim scholar, Dalia Mogahed asked me to write her TED talk which resulted in over 1.5 million views. Even though I'm not Muslim, I’m proud to be a part of her message of ending Islamophobia.

So, when you need help that you can’t afford, think about how you approach someone. Rather that paying them with paella, know how to enroll someone in your message.

3 Steps to Enroll a Business Mentor

1.  Describe your business without using these three words, “I” “My” “Me.” Rather, describe what you do in terms of the RESULTS you create for OTHERS.  
2. Identify the “Problems” your business solves. Another words, when Dalia Mogahed came to me, rather than telling me all about herself and the TED talk she wanted to do, she told me of her concerns about the stereotyping and discrimination of Muslims. Although not Muslim myself, I fully got onboard as I wanted to join her in making a difference.
3. Create a simple statement that contains the problem you want fixed, the audience your business addresses, your credentials to fix the problem, and the results you can create.

Master these simple 3 steps and you will not only enroll a business mentor, but interns, followers, and especially customers. Practice these three steps and use them to promote your business and even get paid to speak!

Get access to Judy by becoming a member of TheMessageofYou.com

Speaking Skills: 9 Tips for Writing a Great Introduction

When giving a speech, most people forget to write their introduction. It can be a nightmare if you leave your intro up to the person introducing you. Disaster can happen and you’re going to have to spend the next ten minutes trying to win over an audience that now thinks you’re a nobody. Here’s how to write a great intro… Read More

Your Next Gig: When Things Get Dire - Inspire!

When doing a gig, you have to be willing to give up everything you planned. Your gig is never going to go the way it went when you were practicing in your shower - and that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

A while back, I had a gig in Germany for English speaking women. It was the first of a series of gigs for a client, and obviously, I wanted it to go well so they wouldn't regret committing to me for the rest. I planned my points, my jokes, my exercises, and my vulnerable heart stories. I had every beat of my talk figured out down to the minute.

So, I put on my power suit, and I get to the gig and -- it's in a bakery! A noisy German bakery where my group was in a corner, surrounded by Germans, who speak German -- loudly. There was no stage, no mic, just me standing at the end of a long table.

(Really? I'm supposed to make jokes about my cellulite and talk about my disturbing Jewish family, while surrounded by Germans eating strudel?)

I thought, "This is not going to go well."

I started my speech and yes, I was right; what I planned was not going to go well. The ladies were unable to hear me, so they weren't even looking at me. And people who aren't looking usually aren't laughing - especially if they're eating strudel.

So, I let go of all my material, and sat down at the table with them. I went completely off script, and just had a down-to-earth, honest chat with them as if I were at a Passover (or, maybe Thanksgiving) dinner. We went around the table doing some exercises, and at the end, they shared their own heart stories. By then, the noisy lunch crowd was gone, and what was left was a group of women connecting and sharing, and I wasn't the speaker: I was one of them.

Afterwards, we hugged, and I signed copies of my book, "The Message of You™" while encouraging them to share their stories and messages.

When I looked at the follow-up surveys, I was surprised to see I'd received a perfect score.

Sometimes what seems like the worst thing that could happen - (that everything you planned doesn't fit the situation) - can be the best if you can let go of your preconceived ideas -- and just be truly present with those around you.

Next time you're in front of an audience, take time to ask yourself, "Am I really connecting with my audience - or am I just 'performing'?"

The Simon Cowell of the Psyche

For you comics and speakers who stand in front of audiences, I'm sure you have all experienced: the inner critical voice. You know what I mean? The little voice that packs a big punch giving you an inner, blow by blow Simon Cowell commentary on your set, while you are doing your set. It s the inner voice that chastises you when you don t think of an absolutely brilliant comeback to a heckler; the voice that tells you that everyone hates you need a joke gets no reaction; the voice that interrupts your show to let you know that you are failing.

Whatever made you think that that was funny? They hate you! Well, you've really lost them now. The great acting teacher, the legionary Stanislavski said this to an actor, If you feel it and the audience feels it, that s good. If you feel it and the audience doesn t, that s bad. But if you don't feel it and the audience does, that's good too. Really? Can a performer so misgauge their own perception of how a show is going? Yes. Your inner critic is probably wrong most of the time.

I had a real test of this when my best friend saw my speech last weekend for John Deere in Palm Springs. It was a difficult gig as it was outside, so I couldn t hear the laughs. During the first 20 minutes, my inner critic was going at full blast. I felt unconnected to the audience, awkward, and my material felt stale. Around the half way point, I hit new material that I felt connected to and the voice finally stopped.

Afterwards I asked my friend who has heard me speak many times if she noticed how awkward the first part was. She told me that not only couldn t tell, but she was surprised at my perception as she thought that I got everyone engaged right at the start.

So, it helps to know that that voice is not reality. It rarely is. If your inner critic is telling you that everyone hates you, ignore it as nobody really cares enough about a speaker or a comic to hate them. Indifference yes, but rarely hate.

Judy Carter teaches speaking and standup comedy workshops. She is the author of The Comedy Bible as well as Speaking Career in a Box DVD series and workshop on how to earn six figures in the professional speaking profession.

Find Your Message at Judy's Upcoming Workshops

(Free workshop, blow out party & book signing with Judy Carter, Sunday, Feb. 17th.)

Many of you have been asking me about what it means to have a message -- so now, I'm going to share that secret with you.

Those of you who read my previous book, "The Comedy Bible" know that I was able to distill standup comedy and sitcom writing to a series of "problems into punch lines" formulas. Using these formulas, many readers and workshop students found themselves developing huge comedy careers (like Seth Rogan), writing for TV and film, touring clubs, or just having snappy answers for their obnoxious cubicle neighbors.

When I first started speaking, I had no idea what I was doing -- so I just did my standup act with a hack message tacked on. (Speakers are expected to have a "message" -- so I got one from a bumper sticker.)

After ten years, my content steadily transformed into something much more meaningful: a speech with a much more real, personal message that got me consistent bookings in corporate America, a wonderful income, and standing ovations.

So -- when St. Martin's Press asked me to write a book about speaking, (The Message of You) I had to really examine my own journey from "mess-to-success" to discover a speaking formula that would accomplish the same results for my readers --- but in much less time.

At first, I was thrilled when I came up with an easy six-step method to write a speech -- fast!

But, when I went over that first draft of my book, I realized it was soulless. There are a lot of speaking books that give readers steps on how to put together a presentation, and mine was looking like all the others. What was missing -- was how to find a message that is more than just something audiences will pay you to deliver. I wanted to show the secrets of crafting an authentic message that connects with audiences on a deeper level; a message based on who you are, from both your personal and professional experiences.

I started over from scratch, and found the "Message of You Formula" that I'm going to be unveiling at a free workshop/book signing in Los Angeles (and in Seattle - more cities TBA) on the day before the book's official launch.

Please come join me, along with press, celebrities, former students, and newbies in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 17th and get your book signed, raise a glass of champagne to your message, and possibly, to your new career.

Warmly, Judy

PS - There are a limited number of seats, so please RSVP here.

The Power of Giving is No Joke

Pictured from left to right: Judy Carter, Adam Sandler, & Shante Lewis Last Wednesday night was a lifetime dream come true. I was onstage in a magnificent ballroom. Adam Sandler, Sacha Baron Cohen, Kathy Griffin, Rob Moore, Brad Grey, JJ Abrams, Patton Oswalt and Daryl Hannah were in the audience. And they were all laughing. It was a benefit for a mentoring organization that has become a big part of my life - The Fulfillment Fund. Shante Lewis, the young woman I mentored, and I were asked to speak before they hit up the really rich people there to donate the really big bucks right there on the spot. Shante Lewis & Judy Carter being photographed walking down the red carpet prior to events. They wanted us to tell the story of our relationship and the impact it had on Shante's journey from south-central LA to a Master's degree at Johns Hopkins University and a job as a therapist. Shante and I spent hours writing and rehearsing a dialogue that condensed 14 years into 10 minutes. The night of the event we ended up sitting next to Kathy Griffin, who gave Shante some last-minute (and much-appreciated) advice. Judy Carter, Kathy Griffin, & Shante Lewis before dinner. We took to the stage and it was all I could have hoped for, and more. We got laughs AND tears. The Fulfillment Fund got a lot of scholarship money. And afterwards, Sacha Baron Cohen stopped us to talk and Adam Sandler jumped out of his car to hug us. For real. There were witnesses. Tom Higgenson, vocalist & guitarist for  The Plain White T's with Judy Carter. Patton Oswalt & Judy Carter in the green room. There is a big lesson here. During my long career as a standup comic I had always hoped for the chance to perform in front of Hollywood's elite. And now I had finally gotten the opportunity to do just that, not because of what I do for a living, but because of what I did as a person -- my volunteer work. I was appreciated not just for my jokes or performance, but for the difference I made in another person's life. Wow. As performers we spend most of our lives trying to get -- laughs, applause, the next gig. There is tremendous power in reversing that flow of energy and giving to another person or a cause without expecting or wanting anything in return. Sometimes it even makes dreams come true. Here is an article about The Fulfillment Fund 2012 Stars Gala. And here are more pictures of the event courtesy of Getty Images. Tell me about your charity. I'd love to hear about them!

Stories Are Everywhere

We comics and speakers are always worried that our material has gotten old.  (And by old -- I don't just mean stale; it's worse than that.)  That hilarious story about the time you smoked a joint with Bob Dylan might leave a younger audience asking, "Who is she talking about?  Is he the brother of that old actor guy, Matt Dillo

It's weird how new material seems so hard to come by, when it's around us every day.  Think about it.  Things are constantly happening to you, and you clock the funny or interesting ones by sharing them as stories with your friends when they ask, "So -- what have you been up to?"

In "The Comedy Bible", I spent a lot of paragraphs to convince beginning stand-ups NOT to tell stories.  They take too long, and they interfere with the audience's ability to laugh every 10 seconds - because you usually have to wait 'til the end of the story.  (And by then - it usually ends with silence and "guess you had to be there.")

But now, with a lot of new venues and trends in media emerging, there's a greater place for story telling.  Reality TV has helped this along by generating interest in the real lives of the performers - and not just their scripted material.

In storytelling venues, writers get the chance to read their stories of life's triumphs and defeats.  And comics -- used to the safety of the setup-punch joke format -- have been revealing a lot more truth and going beyond their comedy personas to give us a look at their most vulnerable selves, adding deeper meaning to the ordinariness of our average day.

Monica Piper is a great example.  She's been very successful as a standup comic.  We've shared the stage many times, trying to find a way to walk the line between holding on to our feminine selves - and having the balls to tell-it-like-it is.  Now, she's expanded into storytelling, and it let's her do both, brilliantly.

Last night, I showed up at Wendy Hammers' "Tasty Words" show, which starred many wonderful storytellers -- but it was Monica Piper who stole the show.

Monica had us absolutely in stitches just telling us about the stresses of getting through an ordinary day:

"I chose to switch from coffee to Tension Tamer Tea. It was a new box, tightly sealed in plastic. Unable to tear it open, I grabbed a steak knife and wondered if anyone else in the universe was stabbing her Tension Tamer Tea."

But there was a deeper message in her story.  Monica discovered she had breast cancer.  Luckily she found out in time, and after an operation, she has a clean bill of health.  And with that revelation that she shared, we get the to her REAL message (a perfect combination of comedy and inspiration), where Monica realizes that now she relishes those small, ordinary stresses of the day -- because they remind her of her deep appreciation to be alive.

  

Monica also reminded me that there are stories everywhere.  You don't have to wait for something funny or impressive to happen to you in order to tell a great story.  If you're paying attention to life, there might be more of a lesson we can relate to in your trips to Seven Eleven - than a less observant storyteller's climb of Mt. Everest.

Eureka moments happen all the time.  All you have to do is notice them --and write them down.

One story can make a difference in your life and in the lives of others.  What's your story? 

Stayed tuned for Judy Carter's new book, "The Message of You".

Pre-sale now for 33% off available at Amazon.com.

How to Get Paying Gigs

I was coaching a comic whose goal was to get from open mic to paying gigs.  I started by asking a basic marketing question:

"Who's your audience?"

She didn't have a clue. After listening to her material, I noticed that a lot of her jokes appealed to women, and her material was mostly free of body part references. She was surprised when I told her that there's a circuit out there for clean housewife comics where they make $1,500 to $5,000 per gig. Why put up with obnoxious club drunks, when there's a much better (and better paying) fit?

Most comics are crappy at marketing themselves. It's no wonder that every time I hear someone say, "OMG, I saw this comic last night who was hilarious!"

I'll ask, "Who was it?"

They'll enviably say, "I don't know... SOME COMIC, but he was really funny!"

Like I say... crappy marketing.

Speakers, on the other hand, might not be funny, but they sure know how to get jobs and make money. Comics can learn a lot about making money from the speaking business.

Every speaker knows their message, their brand, and their audience. After all, why develop a speech if there is no place to give it. Comics, on the other hand, will have a machine gun approach about what they joke about, hitting a lot of different topics. But joking about EVERYTHING and trying to appeal to EVERYBODY, can not only dilute your humor, but also limit your paying gig opportunities. Being the, "Funny real estate comic," will get you a hell of a lot more work than being the "Funny comic I saw last night."

Here are some smart speaker marketing moves that comics can use.   (These will also be featured in my upcoming book, "The Message of You" St. Martin's Press, Jan 2013)

1. Find your tribe

It's not enough to be funny; you need to find the people that think you're funny.  Many of my former students are finding paying gigs by focusing on specific audiences, i.e. Jewish events, Christian, techies, health care associations, women's organizations, and others.  (Matter of fact, one of my speaking clients is creating a very funny speech strictly for the US Beef industry.  Vegetarian jokes? Of course.)  

Why bother spending a lot of time perfecting a routine that may never find an audience?  You know who gets you - so go out and get them!     

2. Work clean  

By eliminating the 7 dirty words, you'll find a hell of a lot more opportunities for paying gigs.  Save the f-bomb for open mics.

    

3. Form a mastermind group  

Form a tight group of 3 other comics or speakers who are as good as you are, have ambition, and are in it for the long run.

Have weekly meetings where you research opportunities and potential gigs, and recommend each other to clients after a successful gig. Go to social.comedyworkshops.com to find comics or speakers to hook up with.

  

Final Note: The jobs are out there.  I've just booked former students Kira Soltanovich, Frances Dilorinzo, Vicki Barbolak, Cindy Burns, and Shannon Gettins for full-fee women's gigs. 

The biggest problem my clients have after booking me, is finding someone to follow me for their next event.  It's a huge win-win when I can recommend my former students to my clients.  If you are interested in being referred by me, please make sure you have your demo at ComedyDemo.com.

So -- what are YOU going to do about finding YOUR audience?  Please post your comments.