MOTIVATIONAL BUSINESS KEYNOTE SPEAKER

This is Your NOW. When tomorrow comes, today will be gone forever. Invest Your life in Your NOW, and trust in tomorrow will be Yours. If whatever you’re doing isn’t working for you, then change what you’re doing. You’re the only one who can. And, it’s starts with your perspective.

There is so much to be said for an attitude of gratitude, and to live a life rich in gratitude is more significant than I, as an author, can put into words in a brief “How-To” article. However, I can guarantee you that by counting just 5 blessings per day in a journal, your purpose will become more and more clear, and an attitude of gratitude will be yours without you even realizing it. Express appreciation, big or small, and watch those blessings begin to multiply faster than you can count them.

To Love and Be Loved is all any human being really wants. Go out of your way to fill the cup of a stranger, and feel your heart nearly explode with abundant LOVE. Buy the soda for the lady behind you in the drive-thru, let 3 cars go ahead of you on the highway, donate a coat to a homeless person, and leave $5 in the pocket, or simply smile at someone who looks like they could use it. What goes around comes around; every single time. Ten fold.

“I always blow it”, “I can’t make friends”, “No one will hire me”, “I have no idea what I want to do with my life “… Would you allow your child, significant other or best friend speak that way about themselves? I didn’t think so. Instead, keep a sense of humor, remember that everyone has lessons to learn (not just you), and phrase your words kindly. “When it’s the right job, it will be mine”, “When I do make friends, they’ll be quality people that appreciate who I am”, and “I deserve joy NOW, because JOY is my birth right”. Practice being NICE to you. You deserve it, after all.

On your calendar, EVERY DAY, write down one beautiful thing you saw, did, felt, experienced, remembered. Every DAY. And while you do this, SMILE. Feel it. Embrace it, close your eyes, relive it, breath it in; whatever the experience was, understand that it was meant for you.

Remember hearing, “if you have nothing nice to say, then don’t say anything at all”? Well, turns out, it really was good advice. Treating others the way you want to be treated, with Love and Respect, will not only ensure smoother social relationships, but in turn, feed your own Spirit. “Please”, “Thank You”, “Excuse Me” and “Bless You” have become near obsolete in today society, and regretfully, it shows. However, what you give out will always come back to you, and I guarantee that with everyone smiling in your direction, you’ll keep smiling too. But of course, it’s all up to you. It’s Your NOW!

For more information and queries about Elle Febbo please go to www.ellefebbo.com

COMMON SENSE: Just like choosing any other professional, selecting a professional 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). The promotional material you received are top-notch (but maybe the speaker has a good “day job” and can afford a slick press kit). 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!

ENTERTAINMENT VERSUS MESSAGE: You’ll need to decide on the blend of entertainment value and meaningful message that you intend for your program. You’ll find motivational and inspirational speakers who range from 100% entertainment value to those who focus almost exclusively on content with deeper or more inspiring message. Often you can find the exact blend that you’re looking for. For example, if you wanted 70% entertainment value and 30% Inspiration, many professional speakers can tailor their talk to fit your needs. Just let them know exactly what you’re looking to achieve with their presence. If you’re not sure what you want, discuss the options which your speaker might offer to you.

FEES: There is normally a correlation between a professional speaker’s fee and the quality of the program. You would never think that a $3000 car might be similar to a $30,000 car. Just the same, you wouldn’t’ think that a $500 speaker might be similar to one who charges $5000. 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 evening’s program is probably far more important than the meal. Consider the true value-per-person-attending when deciding on your program investment.

PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS: A way to select a professional speaker is to request a press kit (promotional packet, booking packet) from every speaker you’re considering and compare them. Normally, the more professional the press kit, the more professional the speaker. Press kits may include brochures, photos, articles, testimonials, client listings and more. The more professional the speaker, the more likely that an excellent press kit will be available. However, a slick press kit can never guarantee top-notch platform skills.

INTERNET WEB SITE: If the speaker has one, the web site will give you an instant “brochure” which may help you make a decision. This is especially valuable if your decision time frame is short. Many professional speakers’ web sites include audio clips and/or video clips, head shots, message information, and background information.

TESTIMONIALS: Testimonials may give you an indication of quality. You could ask for the names and phone numbers of three recent clients (who had the kind of program you need). Call them and ask questions. Read between the lines and listen for genuine enthusiasm in their voice when talking about their experience with the speaker. Also ask if they’d bring this particular speaker back again. Whether the answer is “yes, or “no,”, ask why or why not. These questions can save you time and money.

AUDIO AND VIDEO TAPES: Most professional speakers have demonstration tapes, either audio or video. Some speakers are starting to put their preview material on CDs, and many can be found on YouTube or any other internet video streaming site. The audio or video tape will never be YOUR exact program, but watch the tape for genuine audience response, speaking style and message delivery. Look for a demonstration tape before a live audience with no canned laughter.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS: The fact that a speaker is a member of a professional association or the Chamber of Commerce may indicate a level of commitment to the art and business. However, this may or may not have a relationship to the quality of their talk.

AWARDS: This is somewhat like the category of professional affiliations. Although awards are normally a good flag, you just never know the true significance of the award received by the speaker. Some awards are highly significant and others may be of minor importance. The awards of Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and Council of Peers Award for Excellence (CPAE) are significant designations awarded by the National Speakers Association (NSA). The CSP indicates substantial professional experience. The CPAE indicates the highest level of professional speaking achievement. The Accredited Speaker (AS) designation by Toastmasters International indicates a professional level of platform excellence and has been awarded to less than 60 people worldwide.

PERFORMER’S EXPERIENCE: How long has the professional speaker been in the business? Does the speaker speak full-time (earning a living as a speaker) or part-time (with a full-time day job)? These considerations may or may not have a great impact on the quality of the talk.

CLEAN MATERIAL: You should not expect to have problems with off-color material when using a professional speaker. If you have any subject material concerns, share them with your speaker.

CUSTOMIZATION: While talking with the speaker, you may get a feel for his or her customization skills. What kind of questions is the speaker asking YOU about the audience or organizational culture? Not every talk needs customization but most professional speakers specialize in adding a personal touch.

MEETING ROOM SETUP: Ask the speaker what you will need to provide at the meeting venue: Risers/platform, sound system, lighting, projection equipment etc. Many speakers will not speak from behind a lectern but prefer having an open platform from which to talk. Ensure that someone else, a band for example, does not set up in the space reserved for the speaker. Beware of tall centerpieces (balloons for example) as they will block the view of many in the audience.

INTRODUCING THE SPEAKER: Normally, the introduction is an important part of the speaker’s talk. Some professional speakers will provide you with a written introduction in advance. Find someone in your organization that will be able to properly set the stage for the talk and get the program off to a good start.

For additional information and questions in regards to choosing a professional speaker or Elle Febbo go to www.ellefebbo.com